Hello, Brighton and Hove

Clear your calendars, because this bank holiday weekend is looking like an absolute blockbuster. It is officially the grand finale for the Brighton Festival and your last chance to nosey around the gorgeous spring trails of the Artists Open Houses. We are also firing into the final closing week of the Brighton Fringe, so with the sun sorted and warm weather on the horizon, it is time to get out there and soak up every single drop of it.

Away from the main hubs, the city is completely buzzing. You could be crate digging for rare 7” vinyl down at the iconic Saltdean Lido, tucking into a massive trio roast over in Hove, or finding a gothic sanctuary for a World Goth Day celebration. Grab a brew and let’s dive straight in.

Here’s what’s squawking this week: 

✨ An immersive underground sound sanctuary opens beneath Brighton Station.
🧺 An Open Market laundry project combines a free wash with crafts.
🥒 A massive hash brown party launches a custom pickle beer.
🏓 Brighton Dome hosts an open day for table tennis world records.
🎤 Aldous Harding launches her huge global tour at the Dome.

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🎨 Quiet Down There

Our local creative scene has done it again, proving that the most amazing things happen when art meets proper community care. For years, Quiet Down There has been an absolute institution for our area, constantly finding brilliant, down-to-earth ways to bring people together. Operating right out of the Open Market, they aren’t about stuffy galleries or posh art rules; they are all about making creativity accessible to absolutely everyone in Brighton.

This week, we're shouting them out for their incredible project, Harriett’s Press, a free, creative laundry service for locals who need it most. While the clothes are in the wash, visitors can grab a hot drink and get stuck into fantastic, relaxed arts and crafts. It’s a completely refreshed way of looking at community support, blending everyday dignity with real creative expression.

What makes this charity so special is how it refuses to stand still, always finding new ways to serve the community. From publishing indie zines and hosting community lunches to mapping out local history with immersive audio tours, everything they do is fueled by grassroots passion. It’s a true testament to the kind of community spirit that makes our corner of the world so unique and well worth a revisit or a first-time look.

If you haven’t dropped by their space on the market balcony yet, it’s an absolute must-experience to see local culture at its finest. Whether you want to get involved, collaborate, or simply support a brilliant team doing incredible work right on our doorstep, head on down this week and check them out.

📍 Studio 6 (On the Balcony), Brighton Open Market, BN1 4JU
🕒 Check website for open project hours and sessions
💰 Free to drop in (Donations warmly welcomed)
🔗 Learn more 

🍺 The Westbourne

If you’ve spent any time wandering down Portland Road in Hove, you already know that finding a spot that perfectly balances a true neighbourhood local with a top-tier foodie destination is a rare treat. The Westbourne is exactly that—a gorgeous, welcoming pub bursting with proper community spirit. It has effortlessly nailed that easy, social pub energy inside and out, making it just as perfect for a sneaky midweek pint as it is for a sprawling weekend gathering with your absolute favourites.

Inside, the stunning interiors manage to feel incredibly homely yet vibrant, completely shaking off any old-school, stuffy pub vibes. It’s an inclusive, lively hub where you'll find families, dogs, and groups of mates all rubbing shoulders. The team here is famously welcoming and entirely unpretentious, so whether you’re settling into a corner booth or heading out to their brilliant, bustling garden for a few alfresco summer drinks, you are guaranteed genuinely good vibes.

When it comes to the drinks, craft beer is the absolute beating heart of the bar. They keep things fresh with a fantastic, constantly rotating line-up that champions independent breweries, meaning there’s always something new and interesting to pair with your meal. Speaking of the kitchen, they’ve elevated classic comfort food to a whole new level; think loaded fries, incredible house burgers (the lamb and falafel options are stellar), and a slow-cooked lamb ragu that is pure joy in a bowl. 

Sundays are a massive event here, and honestly, you need to plan your week around them. Their legendary roasts feature everything from crisp pork belly to a standout Veg Wellington, all piled high with perfect roasties, seasonal veg, and proper Yorkshires. Can't decide? Go for the 'Trio Roast' which loads up beef, pork, and chicken onto one glorious plate. It’s an absolute triumph of a pub that continues to give Hove locals a very good reason never to leave their postcode.

📍 90 Portland Road, Hove, BN3 5DN
🕒 Mon 12pm-10pm, Tue-Thu 12pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 12pm-10pm
🔗 Book a table & check out the menu

🎨🎪 Something new is popping up this May!

Say hello to handmade & hand-designed, not mass-produced. This is your last chance to buy original artworks, prints, jewellery, ceramics, candles, and other handmade gifts from local artists and makers at Caravanserai's Sunday afternoon markets during the Brighton Festival. Family-friendly. Free entrance. Over 30 artists & makers trading every Sunday in May, with Sunday 24th May being the last market in the summer season.

Fri

🎬 FilmPride: LGBTQ+ Short Film Showcase | Times vary, Fri @ The Actors Pub
Brighton's dedicated LGBTQIA+ film festival returns with six uniquely themed short film screenings, featuring independent queer filmmaking from across the globe, fully captioned presentations, and live filmmaker Q&As. More Info

🌹 World Goth Day Celebration | 12:00pm, Fri @ The Yellow Book
Celebrate World Goth Day at Brighton's premier steampunk goth bar with an all day party featuring classic darkwave bangers, great drink deals, prizes, and a special live DJ set from Freakwensiz starting at 7:00pm. More Info

🍺 Southwick Beer Festival | 6:00pm, Fri @ The Barn Theatre
Enjoy a fantastic selection of cask ales, keg beers, and a dedicated cider bar at this annual community festival, raising vital funds for the Southwick Community Centre while serving up great drinks and welcoming vibes. More Info

🎨 Helm Gallery: Take The Streets | 6:00pm, Fri @ Helm Gallery
Flip the script on your Friday night with an electric weekly takeover fusing art, live music, guest tattoo artists, and cocktails in one of Brighton's most vibrant and dynamic creative gallery spaces. More Info

🎭 Malory Towers | 7:30pm, Fri @ Theatre Royal Brighton
Back by popular demand, Emma Rice's magical musical adaptation of Malory Towers returns to the stage. Expect a delightful production packed with nostalgic schoolgirl hijinks, high drama, and high spirits, all set to sensational live music. More Info

🎭 Selena Mersey: Bisexuelle | 9:30pm, Fri @ Komedia Brighton
Catch the hotly anticipated second show from Brighton Fringe multi-award winner and Musical Comedy Awards finalist Selena Mersey. This hilarious noir parody combines original music, burlesque, and questionable puppetry as a hard-boiled detective gets tangled up with a mysterious femme fatale. More Info

🎵 JLS | 4:00pm, Fri @ East Brighton Park
Multi-platinum boyband JLS brings their chart-topping pop hits, stellar vocal harmonies, and iconic choreography to the south coast as part of The Park Series. Expect a massive outdoor show packed with unforgettable anthems and pure nostalgia. More Info

Sat

📚 Beyond the Book Festival | 9:30am, Sat @ Friends Meeting House 
A properly stacked, unmissable one-day literary festival featuring bestselling thriller author Adele Parks, immersive crime-writing workshops with a former detective, industry panels, book signings, and an exclusive after-party at Goldsboro Books. More Info

🥒 The Pickle Hash Brown Party | 4:30pm Sat @ The Pickle 
A massive celebration of home-made loaded potato goodness featuring frozen pickle margaritas, speciality cocktails, and the official launch of a limited-edition brine and citrus pickle beer brewed with Loud Shirt Brewing Co. More Info

🌱 Hanover Community Plant & Seed Swap | 11:00am Sat @ Islingword Road 
Save your windowsill collection at this hyper-local neighbourhood gathering, featuring a community seed swap and plant sale perfect for green-thumbed locals and struggling plant parents alike. More Info

💿 First Press x We Love 45s Record Fair | 12:00pm,Sat @ Saltdean Lido 
Head down to this iconic seaside modernist landmark for a massive celebration of 7” vinyl culture, featuring top local dealers opening their crates alongside a brilliant four-hour soundtrack spun by selectors from the 45 Day community. More Info

🎭 Pearl & Dean Ride Again | 7:00pm Sat @ Komedia Following a sell-out
Brighton Fringe run, the most "heterosexual" award-shortlisted couple in showbiz returns with an unforgettable evening of high jinks, original songs, and hilarious tall tales aboard their cruise ship, the Watery Queen. More Info

🏰 Inflatable Theme Park | Times vary, Sat, Sun & Mon @ Brighton Rugby Club 
Bounce into bank holiday fun at this massive pop-up theme park featuring giant castles, super slides, obstacle courses, and a dedicated under-5s zone. Entry is £9 per child, adults go free, and no advance booking is required. More Info

🎨 West Hove Studio Interactive Art Weekend | Sat & Sun @ West Hove Studio
Explore a colourful weekend of creativity on the West Hove Arts Trail, featuring a vibrant curation of local contemporary art, jewellery, and ceramics, alongside hands-on workshops such as t-shirt printing and concrete casting. More Info

🎭 Mr Dodger's Drama Class | 6:00pm, Sat @ The Actors
Step into the classroom for an interactive, unhinged parody drama lesson led by an intensely disciplined performing arts teacher desperate for greatness. This solo debut from Biscuit Barrel founder James Horscroft features wild drama games and masterful crowd work. More Info

Sun

🎬 FilmPride: 3,000 Lesbians Go To York | 7:00pm, Sun @ The Actors Pub 
Brighton's LGBTQIA+ film festival screens an incredible documentary revealing how a lesbian bookseller transformed a conservative UK city into a thriving hub of lesbian culture. More Info

🎬 Forbidden Film Club: I Wanna Hold Your Hand | 7:00pm, Sun @ The Oak 
Enjoy a free screening of Robert Zemeckis’ lesser-known 1978 cinematic gem, an energetic comedy following a group of teenagers desperately trying to score tickets to see The Beatles. More Info

🎤Sunday Soul Sessions feat. Elle Dillon-Reams | 6:00pm Sun @ Lost in the Lanes 
Part of Brighton Fringe, enjoy an incredible lineup of local poets, storytellers, and performers with live musical backing hosted by Elle Dillon-Reams alongside small plates and craft beers from Abyss Brewing. More Info

🎵 Cream Brighton: Beachfront Day Party | 2:00pm Sun @ Horizon Nightclub 
The legendary dance music brand hits the Brighton seafront for a massive open-air bank holiday day party, featuring a stellar classic lineup including Mauro Picotto, Seb Fontaine, and K-Klass. More Info

🎨 Art in the Park | 11:00am Sun @ St. Ann's Well Gardens 
Enjoy a fantastic community day out in the park featuring 20 Artist Open House stalls, live music, a licensed café, and additional creative stalls showcasing talented young makers from the Brighton Youth Centre. More Info

🎵 Aldous Harding | 7:30pm Sun @ Brighton Dome
New Zealand singer-songwriter Aldous Harding makes her highly anticipated return to the stage for her first live shows since 2023. More Info

Mon

🎵 The Artificial Monkeys | 7:00pm Mon @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
Experience the UK's premier tribute to the iconic AM-era Arctic Monkeys. Faithfully recreating the raw energy, attitude, and sound of the band's golden four-piece years, this full-throttle live show features nothing but the loudest and fastest indie anthems. More Info

🎭 Lessons from Teacher x | 7:00pm @ The Lantern @ ACTEastEnders star Barbara Smith morphs into 15 distinct characters in this gripping solo play from writer Erin De Frias and Dorsetborn. Exploring love, suspicion, and adult dual identities, the fast-paced 60-minute drama follows a hopeless romantic schoolteacher and an online model who share a scandalous secret. More Info

Live Music

Brighton Reggae Rhythms | 7:30pm, Fri @ The Prince Albert
Dame Area | 7pm, Fri @ Volks Club
Helm Gallery’s ‘Take The Streets’ | 6pm, Fri @ Helm Gallery
Humour | 7pm, Fri @ Dust Brighton
Humour | 7pm, Fri @ Zahara
Jazz at St Andrews; Claire Martin | 5:30pm, Fri @ St Andrew's Church
Lone Assembly & Ro Nova | 7:30pm, Fri @ Patterns
A Night Of Jagged Little Pill | 7pm, Fri @ Concorde 2
Popchestra: Maxed Out! | 8pm, Fri @ Ironworks Studios
Single Release Party | 8pm, Fri @ The Folklore Rooms
Smoove & Turrell Brighton Fringe | 7:30pm, Fri @ Caravanserai
Take The Streets | 6pm, Fri @ Helm Gallery

Barbara | 7:30pm, Sat @ The Hope & Ruin
CC:DISCO! Day Party | 5pm, Sat @ Patterns
Del Bombshell is Oh So Fucked Birthday Party | 7pm, Sat @ The Prince Albert
Dodgy | 6:30pm, Sat @ Quarters
Dodgy | 6:30pm, Sat @ The Arch
The Dunwells | 8pm, Sat @ The Folklore Rooms
Garageland presents Mods vs Rockers | 7:30pm, Sat @ Daltons
Girl Scout | 7pm, Sat @ Patterns
Mehfils: A Studio Theatre Takeover: Shift Octatonic | 9pm, Sat @ Brighton Dome
Night Swimming: Live + Signing | 6:30pm, Sat @ Resident Music
Off The Record Presented By University Radio Falmer + Patch | 7pm, Sat @ Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts
The Specials Ltd. | 6:30pm, Sat @ Chalk
Spellbound | 9pm, Sat @ Komedia
TAKKUUK | 6pm, Sat @ The Old Market
Tenebrae: A Celestial Gift | 7:30pm, Sat @ All Saints Church
Travelogue, a Joni Mitchell Journey | 8pm, Sat @ Bom-Bane's
What Shapes a Soul | 6:30pm, Sat @ St Mary's Church
The Wobbly Circuit presents Jake Beautyman | 9pm, Sat @ Waterbear venue

The Hillbilly Moon Explosion | 7:30pm, Sun @ Komedia
Overpass: Album Launch Show | 6pm, Sun @ Resident Music
Rosie Erin Release Show | 7:30pm, Sun @ The Folklore Rooms
Son Of Dave | 6pm, Sun @ Caravanserai
Youth Curated Weekend: Sounds Like Us | 7pm, Sun @ Studio Theatre

Corto.alto | 7pm, Mon @ The Old Market
Pentire | 7pm, Mon @ Pipeline
Aldous Harding | 7pm, Mon @ Brighton Dome
Aldous Harding | 7pm, Mon @ Concert Hall
The Artificial Monkeys | 7pm, Mon @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
B-Town Indie Night! | 7:15pm, Mon @ Pipeline
Celebrating Humanity, Hopefully | 7pm, Mon @ Studio Theatre
Jalen Ngonda | 8pm, Mon @ Resident Music
Live Music Night | 7pm, Mon @ The Hope & Ruin