Brighton Festivals

Brighton and Hove really is a city of festivals. From the biggest arts Festival in England to comedy, food, music, film and artists' open houses, you'll usually find somewhere in the city that is in full festival swing.

And its not just the summer months that draw the festival crowds. Brighton knows how to celebrate arts and culture year round with festivals packing venues and filling the streets across the calendar. 

From silver screen and comedy gold to fabulous food and creative arts, check out the timeline below to see when festival fever is firing up the city.

February

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Winter Pride - not just for summer, Brighton Pride also puts on a Winter version to celebrate everything lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. Taking the chill out of February, this spectacular array of events, concerts, cabaret and comedy is the largest winter LGBT event in the UK.

March

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Sussex Beer Festival - a celebration of beer, cider, perries and wine, many from the local area, the Sussex Beer Festival is a great opportunity to sample real ale in a friendly, welcoming environment in the heart of Hove.

May

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Brighton Festival - the biggest and boldest arts festival in the UK, Brighton Festival bursts out across the city, throughout May, in a creative cornucopia of world-class art and entertainment.

Brighton Fringe Festival - running alongside the Brighton Festival, the Fringe is Brighton's answer to the Edinburgh Fringe and offers the perfect complement of cabaret, comedy, classical concerts, club nights, theatre and exhibitions.

Artists Open Houses - taking place every May during the Brighton Festival, Brighton Artists Open Houses is the biggest free arts event in Britain, offering a fantastic opportunity to see artwork displayed in a domestic setting, as well as buy affordable work direct from local artists.

Charleston Festival - home and country meeting place for the writers, painters and intellectuals known as the Bloomsbury Group, Charleston Festival conjurs up an impressive array of literary and artistic heavyweights each year for a rousing mix of talks, discussions, films and workshops.

Brighton Great Escape - Europe's leading new music festival, the Great Escape showcases over 200 new local and international artists across 25 venues over 3 days. Past local performers made big include the Kooks and Pigeon Detectives.

June

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Soundwaves Festival - dedicated to new and experimental music, Soundwaves presents an unique and eclectic mix of installations, video and performance art, music, theatre, concerts, ensemble performances and outdoor events.

July

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Brighton Kite Festival - Watch the skies of Brighton come alive with stunning aerial displays and enjoy activities for all the family in beautiful Stanmer Park.

August

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Brunswick Festival - celebrating the diverse nature of the Brunswick area of Hove, Brunswick festival offers a fun and friendly mix of foodie treats, street theatre and jazz.

Brighton Summer Pride - quite simply the biggest and best free Pride festival in the UK, Brighton Pride celebrates everything lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender in a week long extravaganza of events and parties culminating in a spectacular carnival parade and party in Preston Park.

September

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Brighton Food & Drink Festival - a must for foodies everywhere, The Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival is a celebration of the best food and drink available across Sussex.

Brighton Live - a five day live music festival showcasing Brighton’s wonderfully diverse, up-and-coming local music scene. Every gig, seminar and event is free!

October

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Brighton Comedy Festival - The Brighton Paramount Comedy Festival laughs its way through 3 weeks of thigh slapping comedy, establishing itself as one of the top comedy events in the country.

Brighton Early Music Festival - Pushing boundaries of what is known as 'early music' and seeking out links with other musical styles Brighton Early Music Festival makes early music funky in a celebration of the past.

Brighton Sacred Music Festival - an eclectic musical feast, Brighton Festival of World Sacred Music seeks to promote understanding and tolerance between people of different faiths (and none), through the powerful medium of music. Expect everything from Buddhist monks to whirling dervishes.

Brighton Photo Biennial - the UK's leading festival of photography hits Brighton every other year, putting a central theme in the frame and offering up a thought provoking programme of exhibitions, events, talks and workshops across the city.

November

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London to Brighton Veteran Car Run - made famous by the film Genevieve and the world's longest running motoring event, the London to Brighton car run offers a fantastic opportunity to catch extraordinary automobiles on the 60 mile run from Hyde Park to Brighton.

CINECITY - Brighton's annual celebration of the moving image, CINECITY features a global mix of premieres and previews, treasures from the archives plus the latest digital adventures and artists' moving images.

December

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Burning of the Clocks -  a unique opportunity to gather and carry lanterns through Brighton, culminating in a spectacular pyrotechnic and firework display, Burning of the Clocks takes place every year on the Winter Solstice (21st December) to welcome in the lengthening days.