Restaurant Brighton's guide to
Festivals in Brighton This Summer
Brighton Festivals 2026 Calendar
Brighton and Sussex come alive each summer with a packed calendar of festivals, live music, culture and seaside celebrations. From world-famous events along Brighton seafront to intimate performances in historic venues, there is something happening every week across the city. This guide to festivals in Brighton this summer brings together the biggest destination events, from Brighton Festival and Fringe to Pride, beachfront concerts and festivals at Glyndebourne. Whether you’re planning a weekend visit or a full summer stay, Brighton offers an unbeatable mix of entertainment, food, and atmosphere, making it one of the UK’s most exciting festival cities.
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Festivals in Brighton & Sussex This Summer
Brighton Festival
1–25 May | Brighton Dome & across the city
brightonfestival.org/
Brighton Festival is the city’s flagship arts event, featuring theatre, music, dance and visual arts from around the world, taking over venues across Brighton.
Brighton Fringe
May–June | Across Brighton
brightonfringe.org/
One of the largest open-access arts festivals in the world, Brighton Fringe offers comedy, theatre, cabaret and experimental performances in hundreds of venues.
The Great Escape Festival
13–16 May | Multiple Brighton venues
greatescapefestival.com/
A showcase of emerging global music talent, with over 450 artists performing across 30+ venues in Brighton’s city centre.
Land Beyond Festival
24 May | Waterhall, Brighton
landbeyondfestival.co.uk/
Land Beyond Festival brings a high-energy multi-stage music experience to Waterhall, Brighton, featuring electronic and live acts in an immersive outdoor setting.
Foodies Festival Brighton
30 May–1 June | Hove Lawns
foodiesfestival.com/
A celebration of street food, top chefs, live music and artisan producers set on the seafront. Foodies Festival is a larger organisation that hosts food festivals up and down the UK.
Funny That Comedy Festival
24 June | Brighton (Outdoor Venue)
Funny That Summer Comedy
Funny That brings world-class stand-up comedy to an open-air setting in Brighton, combining big-name comedians, picnic-style seating and a relaxed summer atmosphere.
Glyndebourne Festival
May–August | Glyndebourne, Lewes (near Brighton)
glyndebourne.com/festival/
A world-renowned opera festival set in beautiful countryside, combining classical performances with elegant picnics and gardens.
Love Supreme Festival
3–5 July | Glynde Place, East Sussex
lovesupremefestival.com/
A three-day jazz, soul and R&B festival featuring international headline artists in a stunning rural setting.
Goodwood Festival of Speed
9–12 July | Goodwood House, West Sussex
goodwood.com/motorsport/festival-of-speed/
The Festival of Speed is motorsport’s ultimate summer garden party, celebrating iconic cars, racing history and high-speed action just outside Brighton.
On The Beach Brighton
July 2026 | Brighton Seafront
onthebeachbrighton.com/
A series of massive beachfront concerts bringing global artists and DJs to the iconic Brighton coastline.
Fatboy Slim – On The Beach
18 July | Brighton Beach
onthebeachbrighton.com/
A homecoming headline set from Brighton’s own Fatboy Slim, delivering a huge open-air party on the seafront.
Madness – On The Beach
23–24 July | Brighton Beach
onthebeachbrighton.com/
Two nights of ska and pop energy from legendary band Madness on the Brighton coastline.
Moby – On The Beach
26 July | Brighton Beach
onthebeachbrighton.com/
Electronic music pioneer Moby brings a landmark open-air performance to Brighton seafront.
Brighton & Hove Pride
1–2 August | Preston Park & city centre
brighton-pride.org/
The UK’s biggest Pride celebration, featuring a huge parade, live music, cabaret, and citywide parties.
Brighton Pride Parade
1 August | Brighton Seafront & streets
brighton-pride.org/
A vibrant, colourful parade through the city celebrating LGBTQ+ culture, community and inclusion.
Brighton Pride Festival (Fabuloso in the Park)
2 August | Preston Park
brighton-pride.org/
A major music festival featuring headline artists, DJs and entertainment as part of Pride weekend in Brighton.
Festival of Racing
5–7 August | Brighton Racecourse
brighton-racecourse.co.uk/racing-highlights/festival-of-racing
Three days of horse racing, live entertainment and summer atmosphere overlooking the city.
Brighton Open Air Theatre Summer Season (BOAT)
June–September | Dyke Road Park
brightonopenairtheatre.co.uk/
An outdoor theatre programme featuring comedy, drama and live performance in a relaxed alfresco setting.
Where to Eat During Brighton Festivals
Brighton’s festival calendar isn’t just about music, theatre and culture — it’s also one of the best times to explore the city’s food scene. From quick bites between events to long seaside dinners after a show, Brighton offers something for every festival itinerary.
Around Brighton Festival and Fringe, the North Laine and Lanes area is packed with independent restaurants, cafés and late-night dining spots, perfect for pre-theatre meals, post-show drinks and why not take advantage of the Brighton food and drink offers which are updated weekly.
During Brighton Pride, the seafront and Kemptown become the heart of the action, with plenty of casual dining, street food and vibrant bars within walking distance of the main parade and Preston Park.
For On The Beach concerts, Hove seafront is ideal for relaxed dining before or after a show, with beachside restaurants and summer terraces offering sunset views.
And if you’re heading to The Great Escape, central Brighton is filled with walkable venues and quick-service restaurants ideal for moving between gigs.
Here are the highlights as to where to eat once again if you are attending a festival in Brighton:
- North Laine & The Lanes – Independent restaurants, cafés and late-night spots, ideal for pre-theatre dining and post-show drinks during Festival and Fringe
- Brighton Seafront & Kemptown – Lively hub during Brighton Pride, packed with street food, casual and alfresco dining and vibrant Brighton bars.
- Hove Seafront – Relaxed beachside restaurants, terraces and beer gardens, perfect for sunset dining around On The Beach concerts
- Central Brighton – Walkable, fast-paced food spots ideal for quick bites between Great Escape gigs. Discover international cuisine on Preston Street and check out our roof garden guide.
- Citywide – Weekly food and drink offers available across Brighton
- Across all areas – Booking ahead recommended during busy festival weekends
Wherever you end up, booking ahead during peak festival weekends is strongly recommended — Brighton fills up fast in summer.
Best hotels near festival venues
Brighton fills up quickly during peak festival weekends, so booking accommodation early is essential. For Brighton Festival, Fringe and The Great Escape, the North Laine, Lanes and city centre areas keep you closest to venues though there are great options on Brighton Marina too. For seafront events like Pride and On The Beach, smaller boutique hotels along Brighton seafront and Kemptown offer easy access to the main action. Hove is a good option for slightly quieter stays while still being close to transport links and festival sites.
Getting around Brighton during events
Brighton is a compact city, making it easy to explore most festival venues on foot. During major events, however, roads and seafront areas can become busy, so walking or Beryl bikes are often the quickest option. Regular trains connect Brighton with London and the South Coast, while local buses run frequently between key areas like Hove, Kemptown and the city centre.
During Pride and large seafront concerts, allow extra travel time due to road closures and increased footfall.
Free festivals in Brighton
Brighton is known for its mix of ticketed and free cultural events throughout the summer. Brighton Fringe includes many free performances alongside ticketed shows, offering everything from street theatre to comedy pop-ups. The city also hosts free outdoor entertainment, live music and community-led events across parks and public spaces during the festival season. Brighton Pride weekend features free-to-watch elements including the Pride Parade, which draws huge crowds along the seafront and to different neighbourhoods across Brighton and Hove.
Family-friendly summer events in Sussex
The Brighton Children’s Parade on 2nd May is a vibrant, feel-good event that officially opens the Brighton Festival each May. Thousands of local schoolchildren take to the streets in colourful, handmade costumes, accompanied by music, dancing and giant creative sculptures. It’s a true celebration of community, creativity and young talent, drawing huge crowds across the city. Free to attend, the parade brings an electric atmosphere to Brighton, marking the start of festival season and showcasing the imagination and spirit that makes the city so unique.
Alongside Brighton’s major festivals, Sussex offers a wide range of family-friendly summer events. Outdoor venues like Brighton Open Air Theatre host relaxed daytime shows in a park setting. The Brighton Foodies Festival on Hove Lawns often has facilities for the children to enjoy such as the Children’s Cookery Theatre. Further afield, countryside festivals and open gardens across Sussex provide space for families to enjoy live entertainment, food stalls and seasonal activities in a more relaxed environment.
What are the biggest festivals in Brighton this summer?
Brighton’s biggest summer festivals include Brighton Festival, Brighton Fringe, The Great Escape, Brighton & Hove Pride, and the On The Beach concert series, alongside opera at Glyndebourne and events like Love Supreme nearby in Sussex.
When is Brighton Pride 2026?
Brighton & Hove Pride takes place on 1–2 August 2026, with the main parade, festival at Preston Park and citywide celebrations drawing visitors from across the UK.
What festivals are in Brighton in May?
May is one of the busiest months in Brighton, featuring Brighton Festival, Brighton Fringe, The Great Escape, and Land Beyond Festival, making it the official start of the city’s summer season.
Are there free festivals in Brighton?
Yes, Brighton Fringe includes many free events, alongside outdoor performances, street entertainment and public celebrations such as the Brighton Pride parade, which is free to watch along the seafront.
What is the best music festival in Brighton?
The Great Escape is known as Brighton’s leading discovery music festival, while On The Beach brings major headline acts to the seafront each July.
Where do Brighton festivals take place?
Festival venues are spread across the city, including Brighton Dome, the Lanes, North Laine, Preston Park, Hove Lawns, Brighton Beach and various pop-up venues throughout the centre.
What should I book first for Brighton festivals?
Accommodation is the first thing to book, especially for Pride, Brighton Festival and summer seafront concerts, as hotels in the city centre and along the coast sell out quickly.
Is Brighton busy during festival season?
Yes, Brighton is very busy during summer festival weekends. Expect higher footfall, limited accommodation and busy transport, particularly during Pride and major seafront events.
Can I sign up for weekly updates about Festivals on Restaurants Brighton?
Yes, the Restaurants Brighton newsletter delivers the latest food and drink news, restaurant openings, events, and offers straight to your inbox each month, so you never miss out.
