Valentines Fun: Dodgem Speed Dating

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, the usual dinner-and-drinks routine for singles looking to meet people can feel a bit tired. This year, however, the Brighton Palace Pier is stepping up with something genuinely different: Valentines Fun: Dodgem Speed Dating. It’s exactly what it sounds like—an unusual singles event using the classic bumper cars as the setting for quick introductions.

The whole premise is built around the idea, “Are you single and looking for someone to smash into with a dodgem this Valentine's?” If that sounds like your kind of chaotic romance, mark your calendar for Friday, February 13, 2026. The event is being run in collaboration with the dating experts at 'Thursday!', ensuring the logistics are handled while the fun remains firmly on the pier.

The evening is structured to maximize mingling and motion. Attendees are asked to arrive at 7:00 PM, with the event running until 10:00 PM. The action is split between the Palm Court Bar and the dodgem area. To keep things moving, the crowd is divided into two groups. Group 1 heads straight to the dodgems at 7:30 PM, where the speed dating takes place in three-minute bursts per person/ride. Meanwhile, Group 2 socializes and grabs drinks at the bar. Around 8:15 PM, the groups swap, giving everyone a chance to crash their way into a conversation.

Once the dodgem sessions are complete, everyone gathers back at the Palm Court Bar until 10:00 PM to continue socializing off the track. It’s a limited capacity event, so if you’re keen on trading awkward small talk for controlled collisions this February, you'll need to secure your spot. Tickets are handled directly through the organizers, 'Thursday!', making it a paid event designed specifically for adults looking for a unique way to connect before the big day.