Hello, Brighton & Hove!

No fluff today, because the schedule over the next 48 hours is completely stacked. We've got a massive triple-header taking over the seafront with Madness, The Maccabees, and Moby playing Friday through Sunday. Madness and Moby are officially sold out, but keep your eyes peeled for last-minute resale tickets if you're hoping to squeeze in. Meanwhile, a new spot on Duke Lane is handing out 44 free coffees to early risers, and a Moomin-inspired bubble tea cafe is launching on Bond Street with free merch.

Over in St Ann’s Well Gardens, the BASH Carnival is bringing four stages of live music, colorful parades, and street food to the park. Off the main drag, you can sample special pickle beers as a local briny crew celebrates their 1st birthday, drop into Lower Market Street for a free community Pride block party, or catch open-air Sherlock Holmes comedy at BOAT.

Pace yourselves, dodge the seagulls, and let's get into it!

Here is what’s squawking this week:

🥒 Pickle tap takeovers celebrate a super-pickly 1st birthday.
☕ 44 free coffees up for grabs at Duke Lane's soft launch.
🦍 Raw outdoor fitness battles take over Hove Lawns.
🎉 BASH Carnival brings music stages and parades to St Ann's.
🕵️ Open-air Sherlock Holmes comedy landing at BOAT.

🌟 Family Store

I've been looking at how much character our independent shops bring to our streets, and honestly, nothing feels more like the soul of our city than Family Store. We’ve all spent time browsing their vibrant shop on Kensington Gardens, but the actual history here is brilliant. It’s a proper Brighton institution that has spent over a decade protecting our independent indie scene, keeping things beautifully creative.

Most people don't know the shop actually evolved from the cult local t-shirt label The Illustrated Mind, tracing its roots back 15 years on this exact street. Instead of just stocking generic goods, they actively commission and collaborate with illustrators worldwide, producing exclusive tees, art prints, zines, and books. Up on their top floor, they even host free 'Guest Walls' to give rising local artists a platform to shine.

What I love most is how they constantly bring the community together. In fact, this Saturday, July 25th, they are co-hosting the brand-new Port of Cool Festival at Newhaven Sidings, bringing a full day of live alternative music, craft beer, and indie traders right by the coast! Skip the high street chains this weekend, check out the festival or head to Kensington Gardens, and go support a true local treasure.

📍 33 Kensington Gardens, North Laine, BN1 4AL
🕒 Mon-Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun: 10:30am-5:30pm
🔗 Browse the Collection
🔗 Get Port of Cool Festival Tickets

🍺 The Caroline of Brunswick

If you are wandering past The Level on Ditchling Road and want a pub with a proper story, you have to pop into The Caroline of Brunswick. The place is actually named after Queen Caroline, who was famously locked out of her own husband’s coronation back in 1821. That exact rebellious, eccentric history is baked right into the walls of what is easily one of the friendliest rock and alternative bars in the entire city.

Inside, you will completely escape any try-hard gastropub energy. The decor is wonderfully eclectic, complete with a massive three-headed Cerberus statue hanging right over the bar and a legendary rock jukebox. They serve up a fantastic range of real ales and drinks, but the real magic is their intimate 80-seater upper lounge. It is an absolute hub for top-tier comedy nights, Edinburgh previews, and live shows before turning into a lively dance floor for weekend DJs and rock karaoke. It is independent, delightfully weird, and a brilliant reminder of what makes our local neighbourhood spots so unique.

📍 22 Ditchling Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 4SB
🕒 Mon-Thu 4pm-12am, Fri 4pm-2am, Sat 2pm-2am, Sun 2pm-12am
🔗 Visit their website

Fri

🏳️‍🌈 The Power of Love: A Day of Curated Queer Chaos | 7:30pm, Fri @ The Old Market - An immersive 360° pre-Pride takeover featuring live music from DJ collective HIVE alongside performances by 201 Dance Company, Tayris Mongardi, and Em Li. More Info

🧋 CUPP x Moomin Café Opening | 2pm, Fri @ 25 Bond St
Celebration for the opening of the transformed Moomin-inspired café, with free merch bundles for the first 100 customers buying a drink. More Info

🕺 Deptford Northern Soul Club | 9pm, Fri @ Concorde 2
A next-generation, gimmick-free soul night bringing classic Northern Soul tracks to the dancefloor until late. More Info

🎷 Julian Nicholas | 5:30pm, Fri @ St Andrew's Church
Veteran saxophonist Julian Nicholas teams up with Chris Coull to pay tribute to Chet Baker and Stan Getz's legendary 1958 album. More Info

🎺 On The Beach: Madness presents Madrophenia | 2pm, Fri @ Brighton Beach - Legendary ska-pop group Madness headline the seafront with support from David Rodigan and the Hot 8 Brass Band. More Info

💃 Saucy Songs at Sunset | 7pm, Fri @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
A cheeky evening of musical theatre and cabaret packed with sass, sparkle, razor-sharp comedy, and double-entendre under the open sky. More Info

🎸 Yard Act: Album Launch Show | 7pm, Fri @ Chalk
The Leeds post-punk quartet perform an album launch show celebrating their new record You're Gonna Need A Little Music. More Info

Sat

🎉 Westbourne Street Party | 12pm, Sat @ The Westbourne
The annual community street party returns for its 14th year featuring live music, a dog show, cake bake-off, children’s tea party, resident stalls, and games. More Info

🎉 Brighton BASH Carnival: The Second Wave | 11pm, Sat @ Komedia
The official afterparty for the Brighton BASH Carnival, featuring DJs spinning reggae, dub, afrobeats, and hip hop, with all proceeds supporting BARCO. More Info

☕ Blank Canvas Cafe Opening | 10am, Sat @ Blank Canvas Cafe-Duke Lane
Celebrating their first opening day with a soft launch, featuring free drinks for the first 44 customers on a first-come, first-served basis. More Info

🍺 Silent Brew Co. Tap Takeover | 12pm, Sat & Sun @ BeerBelly Micropub
A weekend tap takeover featuring a curated lineup of small-batch, hop-forward craft beers from Buxton's Silent Brew Co. More Info

🎺 Summer Concert with The Adur Band | 7pm, Sat @ The Secret Garden
An open-air evening of live brass and wind music within a historic Regency walled garden, with guests invited to bring their own picnic blanket. More Info

💃 Our City Dances 2026 | 1pm, Sat @ South East Dance
Brighton's largest free outdoor summer dance festival featuring drop-in workshops in Musical Theatre Jazz, Bollywood, and street dance for all ages and abilities. More Info

🎙️ Forge Comedy Club | 8pm, Sat @ Ironworks Studios
An evening of top-tier stand-up comedy at Brighton's award-winning venue, featuring Geoff Norcott, Ben Norris, Muhsin Yesilada, and MC Ricky Balshaw. More Info

Sun

🏷️ Hove Car Boot Sale | 10am–2pm, Sun 26 Jul @ Brunswick Primary School
Browse returning local treasures, plus check out the new Reboot stall offering custom embellishments and creative alterations for your secondhand finds. More Info

🌊 Leave No Trace x Sea Lanes Beach Clean | 9:30am, Sun @ Sea Lanes Beach - A monthly community beach clean providing all equipment, a complimentary ice cream cone for participants, and entries into a membership prize draw. More Info

🕵️ The Hound of the Baskervilles | 4pm, Sun @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
The Pantaloons Theatre Company presents a fast-paced, comedic open-air adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic Sherlock Holmes mystery. More Info

Live Music

Alive at The Barn! Music Festival | 6pm, Fri @ The Barn Theatre, Southwick
Deptford Northern Soul Club | 9pm, Fri @ Concorde 2
Julian Nicholas | 5:30pm, Fri @ St Andrew's Church
Madness | 2pm, Fri @ Brighton Beach
Racetraitor | 7pm, Fri @ Daltons
Saucy Songs at Sunset | 7pm, Fri @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
Summer Songs of Kate Bush and More | 8pm, Fri @ Ironworks Studios
Speedial + Cordelia Gartside + More | 7:30pm, Fri @ The Hope & Ruin
Yard Act: Album Launch Show | 7pm, Fri @ Chalk

Alive at The Barn! Music Festival | 1pm, Sat @ The Barn Theatre, Southwick
Sbtrkt DJ | 5pm, Sat @ Concorde 2
Blue: Album Launch Show | 7pm, Sat @ Chalk
The Brighton Warmup - Live Music with Matt | 7pm, Sat @ Laughing Horse @ a&o Hostel Bar
Half Blind Promotions presents: Fresh Meat III | 7pm, Sat @ The Rossi Bar
House of Bamboo presents Odyssey | 7pm, Sat @ Tempest
Scare Taxi play at Alive at the Barn | 6pm, Sat @ The Barn Theatre, Southwick
The Serfers + Darcy + Gold & Green | 7:30pm, Sat @ The Hope & Ruin
Summer Concert with The Adur Band | 7pm, Sat @ Secret Garden Kemptown
Sweet Loretta - Album Launch Show | 6:30pm, Sat @ Alphabet

Just Like Heaven: Alt 80’s Summer Terrace Party | 3pm, Sun @ Concorde2
On The Beach 2026: Moby | 2pm, Sun @ Brighton Beach