The Brighton Squawk
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🐦 30+ Distiller Tastery, Swimming Between Piers & 15 Years of Dustpans

🐦 30+ Distiller Tastery, Swimming Between Piers & 15 Years of Dustpans

From sampling drams alongside thirty top distillers to watching locals voluntarily swim between the piers, before tracking down some vintage retro neon in Portslade.

Béla Molnar
June 26, 2026

Hello, Brighton and Hove

The city is absolutely roasting, and we have officially reached that peak stage of the British summer. If you can survive the sticky afternoon, England takes on Panama tonight, giving us all the perfect excuse to crowd around our favourite pub screens with an ice-cold pint. Our cultural calendar is heavily loaded. We have a massive whisky expo taking over Hove, locals voluntarily bracing the shingle for the historic pier-to-pier swim, and the world's premier Beatles tribute band hitting the seafront tonight. Stick the kettle on (or grab a glass of ice), and let’s dive straight in.

Here is what’s squawking this week:

🥃 Over 30 top distillers host a token-free whisky binge at The Old Market.
🏊 Hundreds of brave locals will voluntarily swim a mile between the piers tomorrow.
👠 Alfie Ordinary hosts a glamorous alfresco drag extravaganza under the stars.
🌴 Rum punch and reggae bangers hit the beachfront for a dancehall day party.
🎸 The Fab Four soundalikes bring a massive open-air tribute to the seafront tonight.

26/6/2026 - 28/6/2026

🥃 Brighton Whisky Weekend: Saturday Expo

🕣 12pm-3pm & 4pm-7pm, Sat 27 Jun
📍 The Old Market, Hove

The headline expo of the Brighton Whisky Weekend lands tomorrow, featuring over 30 top exhibitors. Tickets include a complimentary festival glass and access to all drams on offer, with no tokens required. Sample a massive range of styles and chat directly with passionate distillers across two tasting sessions.

🎟️ More Info

🦪 Brighton Oyster Festival: Final Weekend

🕣 Ends Sun 28 Jun
📍 Multiple Brighton & Hove Venues

It is the final weekend to catch this city-wide celebration of oysters. Over a dozen top local venues, including The Coal Shed, Embers, and The Salt Room, are running their special £15 deal for a drink and oyster snack with no booking required before the festival closes this Sunday.

🎟️ More Info

🧺 The Sussex Peasant: Big Summer Market

🕣 9am-3pm, Sat 27 Jun
📍 Preston Park

The Sussex Peasant's vibrant open-air summer market lands tomorrow, celebrating local food, farming, and community. Shoppers can explore a seasonal showcase of artisan bread, cheeses, flowers, and fresh summer produce. It is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with seasonal eating and support independent Sussex producers directly.

🎟️ More Info

🍺 The Lion & Lobster Street Party

🕣 12pm-10pm, Sat 27 Jun
📍 Sillwood Street

The Lion & Lobster is taking over the street tomorrow for a massive community get-together. Expect outdoor bars, an ice cream van, delicious Indian street food, and live music from the Cracklin’ Griffins. They will also be screening the England v Panama FIFA World Cup match, making it the perfect spot to bring friends, family, and pups.

🎟️ More Info

🕺 Back to the 80s Summer Fair

🕣 10am-4pm, Sat 27 Jun
📍 Drove Road, Portslade

This retro summer fair lands tomorrow with a nostalgic 80s theme, neon colours, and classic tunes. The free community event features a local food market, outdoor barbecue, a tool sale, kids' crafts, and upcycling stalls. Catch live music and DJ Ital Fyah alongside an 80s outfit lucky dip.

🎟️ More Info

🎪 Circus Calamitous

🕣 2pm, Sat 27 Jun-Sun 28 Jun
📍 Brighton Open Air Theatre

This family comedy brings slapstick chaos to the open-air stage next weekend. When a clerical error sends the entire professional troupe to the wrong address, showman Rex and his stagehand Darren are forced to perform the whole circus themselves. Expect a hilarious, disaster-filled afternoon of juggling, fire-eating, custard pies, and audience participation.

🎟️ More Info

🌴 Dancehall Day Party on the Beach

🕣 3pm-late, Sat 27 Jun
📍 Jungle Rumble Beach Bar

Brighton’s biggest Caribbean summer link-up hits the beachfront tomorrow. Spanning dancehall, soca, and reggae bangers, the high-energy day party features sets from top UK DJs KingSol and Dubl. Expect summer vibes, sea views, and plenty of rum punch flowing all day long.

🎟️ More Info

👠 Drag in the Park

🕣 7pm, Sat 27 Jun
📍 Brighton Open Air Theatre

The UK's only outdoor drag show returns tomorrow for an alfresco extravaganza. Award-winning host Alfie Ordinary welcomes a top-tier lineup featuring drag legend Dave Lynn and RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World star Kate Butch. Expect a high-energy evening of live music, lip-syncing, and comedy.

🎟️ More Info

🎸 The Bootleg Beatles

🕣 6pm, Fri 26 Jun
📍 Central Park, Brighton Seafront

The world's premier Beatles tribute band hits the seafront tonight for a massive open-air concert. Fans can expect a stunning, note-for-note recreation of the sound, style, and spirit of the Fab Four, packed with timeless hits from Hey Jude and Let It Be to Twist and Shout.

🎟️ More Info

🧘 All The Things You Normally See Do Not Exist!

🕣 10am-4pm, Sat 27 Jun
📍 Bodhisattva Kadampa Meditation Centre

International Buddhist Teacher Gen-La Kelsang Kunsang is visiting Brighton tomorrow to lead a special one-day meditation course. This session explores Buddha’s profound insights into the nature of reality, examining how understanding them can alleviate suffering and foster lasting mental peace. Open to all.

🎟️ More Info

🪣 Utility

I was thinking about how easy it is to take the spots we pass every day for granted, and, honestly, nothing feels more like the soul of our city than Utility. We’ve all walked past their front on North Road to admire the classic enamelware and sturdy brushes, but the actual history here is brilliant. It’s a proper Brighton institution that has spent over 15 years protecting our independent retail scene, keeping things beautifully practical.

Most people don't know it started back in 2009 with a refreshingly simple mantra: "nothing fancy." Instead of chasing fleeting design trends, they focused on durable, classic British and European household goods built to last a lifetime. Today, this low-key shop stands as a massive champion for local high streets, passionately backing the Totally Locally movement to keep independent shopping alive.

📍 28a North Road, BN1 1YB
🕒 Mon-Fri: 10:30am – 5:30pm, Sat: 10:00am – 6:00pm (Sun: CLOSED)
💰 Quality utility goods for any budget
🔗 Find Out More

🍺 Evening Star

If you are hopping off the train at Brighton Station and fancy a proper pint, you need to bypass the usual generic high street chains and head straight down Surrey Street to find The Evening Star. This legendary little independent Free House is an absolute cornerstone of our local beer scene, serving up exceptional drinks from this exact spot since 1854. It is famously known as Brighton’s original cask ale pub, and it even served as the historic birthplace of the iconic Dark Star Brewery back in the nineties.

Step inside and you will immediately see why it has earned such an enduring reputation among local beer purists. They do not do corporate gimmicks, focusing entirely on a spectacular, massive lineup of twenty-two taps. That includes seven perfectly kept cask-conditioned ales, three naturally still ciders, and twelve keg taps showcasing the absolute finest independent craft breweries from across the UK and Europe. The vibe is brilliantly social, unpretentious, and always buzzing with friendly chat. It feels exactly like a welcoming village local that just happens to be right in the city's vibrant heart.

📍 55-56 Surrey Street, Brighton, BN1 3PB
🕒 Mon to Thu 12pm to 11pm, Fri to Sat 12pm to 12am, Sun 12pm to 10.30pm
🔗 Visit their website

🎧 On The Beach: Fatboy Slim

📅 Thu 16 Jul & Sun 19 Jul
🕥 2pm Thu & 1pm Sun
📍 Brighton Beach

Fatboy Slim brings a massive homecoming celebration to the pebbles for Big Beach Boutique 7. With Friday and Saturday fully sold out, legendary party-starters can still catch the iconic DJ on Thursday and Sunday for an unforgettable open-air dance music experience right on the Brighton seafront.

🎟️ Buy Tickets for Thu 16th of July
🎟️ Buy Tickets for Sun 19th of July

🏳️‍🌈 Pride on The Park - Brighton Pride

📅 Sat 1 Aug & Sun 2 Aug
🕣 Various Times
📍 Preston Park

The official Brighton & Hove Pride fundraiser returns for an inclusive weekend of music, protest, and celebration. This year's stellar lineup features massive performances from Raye, Jessie J, Diana Ross, and Paris Hilton, alongside top-tier electronic talent like Armand Van Helden, The Blessed Madonna, and Purple Disco Machine.

🎟️ Buy Tickets

🎷 Madness presents Madrophenia

📅 Fri 24 Jul
🕣 2pm to 10:30pm
📍 Brighton Beach

The legendary Nutty Boys are heading to the coast to headline a momentous outdoor summer party. Madness will perform their massive catalogue of iconic British anthems live on the pebbles, with a fantastic supporting lineup featuring reggae royalty David Rodigan and the high-energy Hot 8 Brass Band.

🎟️ Buy Tickets

🎸 On The Beach: The Maccabees

📅 Sat, 25 Jul
🕣 1pm to 10:30pm
📍 Brighton Beach

A massive full-circle homecoming show topping an incredible cross-section of British indie. Joining them on the Editors, Miles Kane, Anna Calvi, Ash, Badly Drawn Boy, and local favourites Lime Garden. The band aims to top the legendary energy of an early Brighton gig that famously got them banned when fans hung from the ceiling.

🎟️ Buy Tickets

26/6/2026 - 28/6/2026

Fri

🍺 Beak x Other Half: Greens Day ’26 | Fri 26 Jun @ Select Venues
The highly anticipated Triple IPA collaboration between Lewes’ Beak Brewery and NYC legends Other Half returns. Saturated with premium hops, this massive hazy TIPA is pouring fresh from today at select local hubs, including Beak Taproom, Independent, and The Drop. More Info

🎻 Friday Night is Music Night | 7:30pm, Fri @ Brighton Dome
The BBC Concert Orchestra takes over the Concert Hall for a live Radio 3 broadcast packed with classical heavyweights alongside jazz classics made famous by Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone. More Info

🎤 Dane Baptiste - The Secret Comedy Club | 8pm, Fri @ Artista
The sharp, award-nominated Dane Baptiste takes the headline slot at Hove’s premier intimate basement venue, packed with a stellar supporting bill of comedy circuit regulars. More Info

🦖 Outdoor Cinema: Jurassic Park | 6:30pm, Fri @ Preston Manor
Watch Spielberg's classic dino blockbuster on a giant screen under the stars in the historic grounds of Preston Manor. More Info

🐈 Sculpt Your Cat! Clay Portrait Workshop | 6pm, Fri @ Purrfect Space
Craft a custom air-dry clay portrait of your own kitty or one of the venue's resident rescue cats, with all materials, bottomless hot drinks, and an extra 30 minutes of dedicated cuddle time included. More Info

🥃 Meet The Maker: Cooper King | 6:30pm, Fri @ Cut Your Wolf Loose
Drop by this informal, unticketed evening with the sustainable Yorkshire distillery to sample some of their award-winning English single malts for absolutely zero pence (whilst stocks last). More Info

Sat

💃 Queer Regency Revel | 7:30pm, Sat 27 Jun @ Fabrica
A glorious LGBTQIA+ Jane Austen-style ball with beginner-friendly guided dancing, drag performances, a historic costume competition, and a professional photographer. More Info

🎶 Crossfire On The Coast | 3pm–Midnight, Sat 27 Jun @ Saltdean Lido
The legendary all-dayer returns with a massive vinyl DJ lineup across two rooms, spinning Northern & Rare Soul upstairs in the ballroom and 1960s Mod sounds down in the basement. More Info

🕺 Streetfunk: Straight Up 2026 | 6pm, Sat 27 Jun @ Brighton Dome
An explosive, high-energy showcase from one of the South Coast's premier street dance academies, featuring powerful choreography and jaw-dropping routines from dancers of all ages. More Info

🎭 Outdoor Cinema - Moulin Rouge! 8pm | Sat 27 Jun @ Preston Manor
Experience Baz Luhrmann’s spectacular, heart-wrenching musical romance on a giant outdoor screen. Bring your blankets, cushions, picnics, and even your dogs to the historic South Lawn & Garden for a magical night of cinema under the stars. More Info

🎸 Garageland Brighton | 7.30pm, Sat 27 Jun @ Daltons
Garageland brings a massive, free-entry seaside party to the beachfront promenade under the Brighton Zip. Catch an energetic indie-punk lineup featuring The Clubheads, Hot Juice, Design Fault, The Chalamets, and Donkee. More Info

🧵 World Textile Day | 10am, Sat 27 Jun @ Trinity Church, Lewes
Explore a vibrant marketplace of fair-trade global textiles alongside a display of the world-famous collaborative embroidery masterpiece, 'The Red Dress.' The day also features an exclusive ticketed talk and workshop by artist Kirstie Macleod. More Info

🎤 Funny Women: Brighton Nights | 8pm, Sat 27 Jun @ Komedia (Studio)
Brighton’s premier showcase for the freshest and most exciting female comedy talent from the UK circuit and the Funny Women Awards, with proceeds supporting local charitable work. More Info

🏊 Brighton Pier to Pier Swim Race | Check in 7am - 8.45am | Sat 27 Jun @ Brighton Beach (West Pier to Palace Pier) - The historic open-water classic marks its landmark 90th anniversary. Swimmers take on the iconic 1km coastal route from the derelict West Pier to the Palace Pier. More Info

Sun

🚗 Hove Carboot | 10am–2pm, Sun 28 Jun @ Brunswick Primary School
The popular new bi-weekly community market returns to the school playground. Drop by to hunt out second-hand hidden gems and retro treasures, grab a coffee, and support a brilliant local hub. More Info

🌊 Leave No Trace Beach Clean | 9:30am, Sun 28 Jun @ Sea Lanes
Help tidy up the shingle at this monthly community beach clean. All kit is provided, and as a thank you, the team are dishing out free ice cream cones and giving you a chance to win a year's swim membership. More Info

🛹 Skate, Swim & Sauna Social | Sun 28 Jun @ Peacehaven Skatepark & Saltdean Lido
A supportive, high-energy day out for women and gender-minority skaters aged 30+. Roll out for a beginner-friendly morning skate session in Peacehaven, followed by a lido lunch, a rejuvenating swim, and a relaxing beachside sauna. More Info

💃 Nikita Kuzmin: Supernova | 7:30pm, Sun 28 Jun @ Brighton Dome
Strictly Come Dancing finalist and fan favorite Nikita Kuzmin hits the Concert Hall stage in an explosive new touring production from Burn the Floor, packed with high-octane choreography by BAFTA-winner Jason Gilkison. More Info

🏃 Race for Life 10k | 10am, Sun 28 Jun @ Stanmer Park
Lace up for Cancer Research UK's chip-timed 10k event. Runners of all abilities are welcome to tackle this challenging, scenic cross-country course through fields and woodland to help raise vital funds for life-saving cancer research. More Info

Live Music