Brighton Festival

It’s almost February, which means the city is already gearing up for the annual Brighton Festival. This event, established back in 1967, holds the title of England's largest curated annual multi-arts festival, and for 2026, it promises three weeks of culture, running from Saturday, May 2nd, until Monday, May 25th. While the core action is in Brighton, the festival’s reach extends across various venues in Hove and East Sussex, making it a truly regional affair.

The program is always incredibly broad, celebrating the arts in almost every form imaginable. You can expect a deep dive into theatre, dance, film, literature, and debate, alongside a wide spectrum of music, from classical performances to contemporary collaborations. They consistently invite internationally renowned artists to present world premieres and special projects. On the community side, the opening children’s parade is a major spectacle that kicks off the festivities every year, drawing huge crowds and participation from local families and schools. It’s worth noting that the Festival doesn't stand alone; it runs concurrently with the Brighton Fringe and the Artists’ Open Houses. The Open Houses are a fantastic feature where local artists open their homes to display and sell art, jewellery, and ceramics directly to the public. This part of the cultural offering is explicitly free, providing a great balance to the main Festival events, which generally require booking tickets online.

We already have a few interesting details about the 2026 lineup, even before the full program is published in February. Artists Ivan Morison and Ju Row Farr are currently developing a new work for the Festival, and they have been using life drawing workshops as part of their research process—it’s always fascinating to see the creative groundwork being laid. For those planning their May calendar, be aware that the Festival dates overlap directly with The Great Escape Festival, which runs from May 13th to 16th. If you’re looking for a concentrated dose of both music and high-level arts, that middle two weeks of May is going to be exceptionally busy across the city.