On The Beach Festival

Brighton seafront is getting ready for the return of the On The Beach Festival this July. Now in its sixth year, the event is scheduled across two weekends, running from July 16-19 and July 23-26, 2026. It has become a regular fixture in the city's summer calendar, drawing a mix of locals and visitors, with data suggesting that about two-thirds of the attendees travel from outside the area. The festival has also been noted for its economic impact, contributing over 8.3 million pounds to the local economy in 2025 and supporting more than 300 jobs, while recently receiving the 'Best Location' award at the 2026 Skiddle Awards.

The programming for this year is spread across these dates, featuring a variety of headliners. Fatboy Slim is set to perform during the first block, from July 16-19. The following weekend, the schedule shifts to Madness on July 23-24, who will be presenting a show titled 'Madrophenia'. They are followed by The Maccabees on July 25, with a supporting lineup that includes Editors, Miles Kane, Anna Calvi, Ash, Badly Drawn Boy, and Lime Garden. Moby closes out the festival on July 26. While tickets are available for some of the shows, the organizers have noted that several dates have already sold out.

Reflecting on the event's history, The Maccabees mentioned their connection to the city, noting that they did not anticipate headlining Brighton Beach 20 years after they started there. Similarly, Carl Cox has previously highlighted the city's role in the festival's identity, having headlined the event five times. The festival continues to emphasize its collaboration with local businesses and its commitment to the area, maintaining a format that focuses on genres like pop, rock, indie, and electronic music. If you are planning to attend, it is worth checking the official site for the current status of tickets, as availability changes depending on the specific day and artist.