Our guide to
Things to do in Brighton this May
Our top picks
Things to do in Brighton this May- The Scoop
Welcome, you darling buds of May, to the prettiest – and maddest – month of the Brighton & Hove year. May is a 31-day culture fest, with happenings and parties on every corner, every day. You’ll need to eat, sleep and rehydrate, and even then no one can keep up – so why bother? Get busy your way. In no particular order, here are our top 10 foodie things to do this May.
1. Double Trouble
A month that begins and ends with a bank holiday is our kind of month. Whether you use them to rest and recover or rave and repeat – in the city centre, at the seaside or in the country – is entirely up to you. You’ll find all the special offers, fabulous events and festival fun in our Bank Holiday Guide.
2. Seafront Splendour
One of the city’s most iconic restaurants, The Salt Room, has been reimagined for 2026. A stunning refurbishment, including a glass-enclosed terrace with unparalleled views, will be unveiled this May, with bookings open now for tables later in the month. Order fresh seafood cooked over fire with a glass of crisp white wine and feel lucky.
3. Festival Season
From the first bank holiday weekend until the end of the month, the city and Sussex play host to some of the UK’s most exciting festivals and cultural events of the year.
- Brighton Festival – “New Dawn”, under new leadership
- Brighton Fringe – the biggest fringe in the south: weird, wild and wonderful
- Artists Open Houses – wander between homes turned galleries
- Charleston Festival – writers, thinkers and artists bring ideas to Sussex
- Brighton Italian Festival – a celebration of all things Italian
- The Great Escape – the festival for new music
- Eurovision – unspeakable horror or harmless fun?
There’s more. Plan your pitstops with our BRAVO checklists, including the Top 20 Best Value.
4. World Cocktail Day
Mix it up on 13 May with this annual celebration of cocktail mastery. Our local scene is packed with brilliant bars, but the best pubs and restaurants are just as proud of their lists. Expect seasonal specials, creative twists and serious craft. A good moment to celebrate local brilliance before the Brighton Cocktail Festival returns in the autumn.
5. What’s New?
Oh my gosh – the excitement never ends. The Set finds its forever home on Preston Circus, sharing the space with Masu. The Greenhouse is open for business, new cafés The Milk Shed and Oleo have landed, and The Reading Room expands into Saltdean Lido. Worthing welcomes Ebb and Bauji, while new pizza spots arrive at Lorenzo’s and Jack’s, and Tony’s moves into Brighton Open Market. Plus, a new brewery – Koda at The Sportsman in Goddards Green. Find your daily update of the new restaurants in Brighton, Hove and Sussex here.
6. On The Terrace
If the sun is out, so are we. Head to the gorgeous terraces at Pearly Cow, English’s of Brighton and The Metropole Bar, or check out Terra’s new courtyard and Shelter Hall’s stunning update (Shelter Hall x Cascabel party on 10 May). Don’t sleep on an afternoon in a pub garden, rooftop bar or alfresco bite.
Get it while you can.
7. The New Way to Sunday
BRAVOS Best Restaurant in Brighton winner terre à terre is launching its first-ever Sunday lunch menu – Terre à Partager – just in time for the first bank holiday. Built for sharing, it comes with a hero dish, the Vol au Ven Crack Cobbler, and plenty more besides. “It’s Sunday lunch, Jim, but not as you know it.” We can’t wait. From now on, find Roasts and Records at Coppa Club and the excellent sharing roast at Poco is on every Sunday until June. See our Brighton and Sussex Sunday Roast Guide.
8. Sora at Malmaison
Malmaison welcomes Sora, its contemporary Japanese dining concept, to Brighton Marina. Think the freshest sushi, sashimi and signature rolls alongside BBQ dishes prepared on a traditional robata grill. Not to mention a stunningly unique afternoon tea – A Taste of the Orient – plus an impressive cocktail list and highballs that hit. Live music and sea views, too.
9. Racquets at the Ready
The stylish Roland Garros tournament is a great way to recover from the end of the footie season (sigh). Dust off your racquet and book a court. Got a passion for padel? You’d better be quick. Brighton seafront is the place for post-match refreshments – strawberries and champagne are traditional, but feel free to stray from the path.
10. Half Term
The end of the month brings the second May bank holiday and a well-deserved break for the kids. This one’s a good one, with the tail end of the Fringe and Festival offering tons of fun for children and parents alike – we love Woodfire Camping’s Feast & Fable story cook-along. Plus, there are fab yoga and art sessions at Rockwater, School Holiday Baking at Brighton & Hove Community Kitchen and more.
See all the events in our Brighton Food and Drink Events Guide, plus you can see plenty of daily updates in our events group on Facebook which you can join.
Q
&
A
Brighton is a foodie’s dream, with events like the Brighton Foodies Festival, Seafood & Oyster Festival, Cocktail Week, pasta-making workshops, and wine tasting at Sussex vineyards. Restaurants Brighton’s Things to Do in Brighton guide highlights monthly food and drink events, from fine dining guest chef evenings to casual street food markets. You can also see our daily food and drink events guide which features all the food and drink things to do in the city.
Yes – throughout the year you can enjoy seasonal events such as the Brighton Festival food pop-ups in May, Sussex vineyard tours in summer, Brighton Cocktail Week in autumn, and festive markets with mulled wine in December. Our monthly guide lists every seasonal highlight so you never miss out. the guide is updated monthly, plus we also have the Brighton events guide with daily updated events.
Families can enjoy the Brighton Pier, the SEA LIFE Centre, and child-friendly restaurants offering dedicated kids’ menus. The guide also covers activities like outdoor fun at Woodfire Camping, or events at the Secret Vineyard, seafront bike rides, and kid-friendly workshops such as cupcake decorating or pizza making. You can see a list of daily changing things to in Brighton on our events guide.
Absolutely – take a stroll along Brighton beach, enjoy fish and chips with a view, explore the Palace Pier, or visit beachside bars and dog-friendly cafes. Our guide also highlights seafront events like seafood festivals, outdoor concerts, and alfresco dining at beachfront restaurants. See our daily Brighton events guide which lists all the food and drink in the coming days and weeks. This is updated daily.
Brighton offers rich cultural attractions including the Royal Pavilion, Theatre Royal, Brighton Dome, Brighton Centre, and the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery. Our monthly things to do guide for Brighton often links these venues with nearby dining spots for a full day or evening out. Have a look at our Brighton Events guide too, which gives you a list of daily activities, what’s going on in Brighton and Hove.
Yes – from romantic Sussex vineyard tours and sunset cocktails at rooftop bars to intimate fine dining experiences and live jazz nights, there’s plenty for couples. Our guide curates the most romantic activities alongside where to book the perfect table in Brighton. We also have a seperate designated page just for couples so you can make the most out of your stay or visit to Brighton.
Brighton has a thriving hands-on food scene with pasta-making workshops, cocktail masterclasses, wine and cheese pairings, and baking courses. The guide lists the best classes each month, ideal for date nights, birthdays, or team-building experiences. You can see individual food and drink events on our Brighton Events Guide. You can also have a look at the Brighton Community Kitchen which hosts a range of food and drink events every month.
During Brighton Pride, the city comes alive with colourful parades, themed Brighton brunches, and Pride parties at bars and clubs. In May, the Brighton Festival and Brighton Fringe bring street food markets, theatre, music, and unique dining experiences. Our guide covers all the highlights so you can plan your visit.
Yes – our Things to Do in Brighton guide includes free attractions like the beach, street art tours, and open-air events, plus affordable Brighton dining deals such as 2-for-1 offers, happy hours, and midweek restaurant promotions.
