Brighton isn’t shy about hosting festivals. You could argue that the East Sussex town is a festival city with plenty of celebrations to keep those on the south coast entertained throughout the year.
Festivals are usually synonymous with the summer months. Still, Brighton has a range of festivals to cater to all tastes and interests from January through to December, each with unique qualities.
Brighton Festivals: Annual Celebrations From January Through To December
Brighton has some of the best annual festivals in the country. Here are some of our favourites from each month of the calendar year.
| January | Lewes Psychedelic Festival – January 27th |
| February | Make It Flow Festival – February 24th |
| March | Oska Bright Festival – March 11-17th |
| April | Worthing RUNFEST – April 27th |
| May | Brighton Festival, Brighton Fringe, Great Escape Festival – (Various dates) |
| June | Brighton Naked Bike Ride – June 15th |
| July | Brighton Comedy Garden – July (TBC) |
| August | Brighton Pride Festival – August 3-4th |
| September | Boundary Festival – September 28th |
| October | Oktoberfest – October (TBC) |
| November | Brighton Film Festival – November (TBC) |
| December | Christmas in Brighton – December |
January
January isn’t a month that feels particularly celebratory. The comedown from Christmas coupled with short, dark, and dreary days means that, for many, January is an eminently forgettable month.
However, Lewes Psychedelic Festival is on hand to blow those post-Christmas blues out of the water. Whilst not strictly speaking a Brighton-based festival, Lewes is so close to Brighton that it could be considered an extension of the town.
Besides, Lewes is only a ten-minute journey by train from Brighton mainline station making it an ever-popular destination for Brightonians and visitors to the town to travel for a much-needed getaway from the hustle and bustle of a busy central Brighton.
The festival will showcase some of the best in contemporary psychedelic music from acts such as Fujiya & Miyagi, and Samana.
Where: All Saints Centre, Friars Walk, Lewes, BN7 2LE
When: Saturday the 27th of January 2024 (3 pm – 11 pm)
Tickets: https://www.meltingvinyl.co.uk/event/lewes-psychedelic-festival-2024/
February
February sees the return of Make It Flow Festival, one of the very best arts, crafts, and wellbeing festivals in Brighton.
With stalls, workshops, and activities all designed to help visitors find their inner flow, the festival isn’t short of creative and holistic things to do throughout the day.
The festival is incredibly inclusive and actively encourages visitors to try their hand at a new craft and to open their minds to new experiences. We can’t recommend the festival enough for those with curious minds looking to broaden their reflective horizons.
Where: St George’s Church, St George’s Road, Kemptown, BN1 2ED
When: Saturday the 24th of February 24th (8:30 am – 5:30 pm)
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/make-it-flow-festival-2024-tickets-736658855467?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
March
March sees the return of Spring and, in some instances, steady sunshine and so the festival circuit in Brighton too begins to warm up.
Oska Bright Festival is one of the UK’s leading film festivals showcasing work from supremely talented and often underrepresented disabled and autistic filmmakers.
Brighton Dome, Corn Exchange, and Studio Theatre are the venues for this year’s unmissable event with exclusive screenings taking place across all three locations throughout the second week of March.
Supporting grassroots filmmaking from underrepresented artists is one of the joys of living in a town like Brighton, and festivals such as the Oska Bright Festival help to give the town its unique identity.
Where: Brighton Dome, Brighton Corn Exchange, Brighton Studio Theatre, BN1 1UE
When: March 11-17th 2024
Tickets: https://oskabright.org/
April
With the weather turning brighter and the days growing warmer, April is as good a month as any to lace up those running shoes and get fit and active in preparation for the summer.
Whether you’re a seasoned or beginner runner, Worthing RUNFEST is your opportunity to limber up and participate in a day of races with both a 10km and half-marathon race scheduled for Sunday 28th April.
Brighton Marathon also takes place on Sunday, April 7th with a similar accompanying 10km distance race, but as the marathon can get booked up a good few months in advance, Worthing RUNFEST is a fantastic alternative for runners to enjoy a good-natured jog along the East Sussex coastline in the Spring sunshine.
Where: Worthing Lido, Marine Parade, Worthing, BN11 3PX
When: Sunday the 27th of April 2024 (9:30 am -12 pm)
Tickets: https://www.guildcare.org/event/worthing-runfest-24
May
May sees the annual return of Brighton’s premier cultural multi-arts extravaganza, Brighton Festival and Brighton Fringe, showcasing all the very best in art, theatre, comedy, literature, design, and music.
The Brighton Festival and Brighton Fringe take place at venues all over the town and gorging on all it has to offer is one of the joys of living in or visiting the jewel of the south coast.
As is customary, the Brighton Festival is largely curated by a guest director, who in 2024 is none other than Frank Cottrell-Boyce, a popular screenwriter and novelist. Expect nothing short of a carnival of artistic expression with some unforgettable performances, exhibitions, and talks taking place throughout the month of May.
For music lovers, May also sees the return of The Great Escape Festival, one of the UK’s best festivals for showcasing emerging musical talent from across the world which takes place annually in Brighton. The festival gives exclusive access to the buzz bands of tomorrow across the weekend of the 15th-18th of May with Brighton’s finest independent music venues hosting all the action.
Where: Selected venues across Brighton and Hove (see websites for details)
When: May 4-26th (Brighton Festival, Brighton Fringe), 15-18th May (The Great Escape)
Tickets: https://brightonfestival.org/ / https://greatescapefestival.com/
June
Although it might not appeal to everyone, the Brighton Naked Bike Ride is so quintessentially Brightonian in spirit that it’s hard not to want to participate, or at least cheer on from the sidelines, on an annual basis.
The bike ride is both a celebration and a form of protest and is adored by many across the town with hundreds of participants shedding their garments in solidarity every year for a good cause.
More information on the event and how to participate can be found on the Brighton Naked Bike Ride’s Facebook page.
Where: Brighton and Hove
When: Saturday 15th June 2024
July
Whilst Brighton Fringe in May has plenty of comedy on offer, July sees the return of Brighton Comedy Garden at Preston Park showcasing some of the very best names in contemporary comedy.
With the full 2024 line-up yet to be announced, if 2023 is anything to go by with household names such as Dylan Moran, Jack Dee, and Sara Pascoe taking to the stage, comedy fans are in for a treat this July.
Where: Preston Park, Preston Road, Brighton, BN1 6SD
When: July 2024 (TBC)
Tickets: https://www.brightoncomedygarden.co.uk/tickets
August
The month of August sees the return of arguably Brighton’s most famous and lively festival celebrating all things LGBTQIA+ and diversity: Brighton Pride.
Brighton Pride brings the town together in so many ways with a joyful and celebratory atmosphere everpresent from dawn until dusk. As ever, the famous parade runs through the town in the morning and finishes with a party in Kemptown and a live concert in the park.
Pubs, bars, and nightclubs all host Pride-themed events until the early hours of the morning making Saturday 3rd August the most important date in the summer diary.
Where: Brighton and Hove
When: August 3-4th 2024
Tickets: https://www.brighton-pride.org/pride-festival/
September
Boundary Festival returns to Brighton’s Stanmer Park this September showcasing some of the best names in electronic dance music.
The festival is one big summer party and with plenty of names already announced for this year’s instalment, fans are snapping up tickets at a rate of Notts. Acts so far announced for the festival are Holy Goof, General Levy, and Duski with plenty more still to be confirmed.
Tickets can be purchased through the festival’s website but don’t hang around, Boundary Festival is a bonafide sell-out.
Where: Stanmer Park, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RG
When: Saturday the 28th of September 2024
Website: https://www.boundarybrighton.com/
October
With October 2024 still months away, it comes as no surprise that organisers of the annual celebration of leiderhosens and enormous pints of Bavarian beer, Oktoberfest, are still in recovery for 2023’s celebrations.
However, one thing is always guaranteed and that is Oktoberfest 2024 will see a lot of pints of beer being bought and drunk in Brighton pubs.
If you can’t wait until October to indulge in some Bavarian beer, then multiple pubs in Brighton still have plenty of the stuff on tap to enjoy throughout the year.
Where: Brighton and Hove
When: October 2024
Tickets: TBC
November
November is undoubtedly one of the standout months in the calendar year for Brighton cinema enthusiasts as the annual Brighton CineCity Film Festival returns to gift exclusive early access to some truly jaw-dropping movies months before they’re released in cinemas.
Brighton has some of the oldest and most distinct picture houses in the country and the Brighton Film Festival never disappoints with carefully curated films from local and internationally renowned filmmakers.
The festival’s line-up for 2024 is yet to be announced but keep an eye on Brighton Film Festival’s website for early announcements and ticket sale information.
Where: Brighton and Hove
When: November 2024
Website: https://www.cine-city.co.uk/
December
December, of course, brings with it glad tidings and, of course, Christmas. Brighton celebrates the festive period like no other with all kinds of Christmassy celebrations taking place across the town.
Few specific festivals take place in Brighton in the month of December, but Christmas is enough of a cause to celebrate anyway and with late-night shopping in Brighton’s Churchill Square and Christmas lights adorned across the city, the festive atmosphere is in full swing throughout the month.
One notable event which takes place is the annual Santa Dash. This event is organised to raise money for and support Rockinghorse Children’s Charity. In 2023 the event took place on December 9th starting at Hove Lawns for a 5k journey along the seafront. Taking part in this event means you can walk, jog, or sprint. For just £19 plus a small handling fee, you receive a Santa suit, race entry, and a bespoke medal. Don’t miss the kids’ 400m race before the main event—it’s free and full of cheer. Can’t make it in person? You can join the virtual run!
Where: Brighton and Hove
When: December 2024
Looking for a place to park while attending one of the above festivals?
JustPark Brighton
Festivals are busy affairs and parking can be a headache when considering travel to and from events. The best way to avoid a parking headache in Brighton is to use JustPark, where drivers can choose from over 10,000 bookable parking spaces online before making the journey.
Website: justpark.com/uk/parking/brighton
