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🐦 Wellness, Wine & One-Liners

🐦 Wellness, Wine & One-Liners

From Milton Jones in Shoreham to fig-tree brunches and Brighton’s chocolate legacy

Ben Watkins
October 03, 2025

Happy Friday Brightonians,

October’s here with two festivals in full swing plus a weekend stacked with theatre, comedy and live music. From Milton Jones’ one-liners in Shoreham to scooter rides on Madeira Drive, there’s loads to dive into. Add heritage chocolate in Hove and a leafy Seven Dials brunch spot with wine by night, and you’ve got more than a few reasons to head out.

Here’s what’s squawking this week:

😂 Comedy and theatre galore, from laughs at Komedia to Percy Jackson’s final shows
🎭 New theatre, musicals and classics on stage across Brighton and Lewes
🍫 A Sussex chocolatier keeping heritage craft alive
🥪 Brunch and wine under the fig tree at Seven Dials’ The Canopy

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🌿 Brighton Wellness Festival

⏰ Wed 1 - Wed 8 Oct (city-wide)
📍 Various venues

Brighton Wellness Festival is a week-long celebration of holistic health, running across the city with events in movement, mindfulness, nutrition, spirituality, and more.

This inclusive festival brings together dozens of workshops, talks, and experiences designed to inspire balance and connection. With a huge variety of events happening 1-8 October, it’s the perfect way to recharge and explore new paths to wellbeing.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎭 Sea Wall & W.M.D - Woman of Mass Deception

⏰ Sat 7:30pm
📍 New Venture Theatre

A double bill of contemporary theatre featuring Simon Stephens’ Sea Wall and Strat Mastoris’ Woman of Mass Deception. Both explore raw themes of love, loss, and the political forces that shape our lives.

Emotional, thought-provoking, and deeply human, this is a must-see for fans of modern theatre.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

😂 Milton Jones and Friends

⏰ Sat 8-10pm
📍 Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham

Absurdist one-liner star Milton Jones headlines this special night of stand-up. His surreal humour, sharp timing, and instantly recognisable style have made him a household name.

With strong support acts and a lively atmosphere, it’s set to be a comedy highlight of the season.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎭 The Lightning Thief

⏰ Multiple shows Fri & Sat
📍 Theatre Royal Brighton

The last shows of Percy Jackson’s adventures in this family-friendly musical packed with humour and action. Adapted from Rick Riordan’s bestselling novel, it blends Greek mythology with a fast-paced modern story.

A perfect choice for young theatre fans and parents looking for a mythic adventure.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🛍️ Brighton’s Makers Market

⏰ Sat 10:30am-5pm
📍 Jubilee Square

The final Paper Daisy pop-up market of the year takes over Jubilee Square in the North Laine. Expect stalls packed with creative crafts, rare finds, and tasty seasonal treats.

It’s free to browse and a great way to support local makers before the festive season.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎭 Jake Cornell – Hey Big Guy

⏰ Sun 8pm
📍 Komedia

US comedian Jake Cornell brings his hit solo show to Brighton after a sold-out American tour. Mixing sharp wit with heartfelt storytelling, he covers family, school days, and queer identity.

Clever, funny, and personal, it’s a refreshing new voice in the comedy world.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎶 Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

⏰ Sat 7pm & 9pm
📍 The Royal Pavilion

The Royal Pavilion’s candlelight concerts return with a moving tribute to Fleetood Mac. Expect their greatest hits reimagined in a magical candlelit atmosphere.

It’s a stunning blend of live music and mood, designed to give you goosebumps.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🍫 Audrey’s Chocolates

Step inside Audrey’s on Holland Road, Hove, and you’re stepping back in time. With it’s shelves lined with handmade treats, it’s Brighton & Hove’s very own little chocolate factory. Upstairs, generations of chocolatiers have been crafting creams, truffles and seasonal specials since 1948.

Their signature creams are still made using traditional methods, some with tools dating back more than a century. The focus on craft and quality has earned Audrey’s a loyal following, while new owners have pushed forward with sustainable choices like traceable Valrhona chocolate, recyclable packaging and even an apprentice scheme to train future chocolatiers.

It’s a rare mix of heritage and innovation, where every chocolate tells a story. Whether you’re picking up a gift box, a seasonal Easter bunny come spring, or just something sweet for yourself, Audrey’s is a Sussex institution that deserves a pilgrimage.

📍 28 Holland Road, Hove
🕒 Open daily, 10am-6pm
🌐 Shop Online

🥪 The Canopy

Since opening in May, The Canopy has quickly become Seven Dials’ go-to for everything from morning coffee to dinner with friends. Co-owned by Carla Grassy and chef Michael Bremner (ex-owner of now closed 64 Degrees), it’s a bright, plant-filled space that flows into a leafy “secret garden” shaded by a huge fig tree.

By day, it’s all about creative brunch plates, house-baked cakes and Skylark coffee. Come Friday and Saturday evenings, the lights dim and it shifts into a restaurant and wine bar with a seasonal set menu or guest pop-ups. Local names like Beak Brewery and Ridgeview Wine Estate fill the drinks list, keeping the whole vibe rooted in Sussex.

As part of OctoberBest (11th to 26th Oct), when 38 of Brighton’s best restaurants put on special menus at set prices of between £15 and £35, The Canopy is running two offers: a weekday brunch deal (Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm) and a 64 Degrees pop-up menu on selected evenings, checkout their website below for more info.

📍 Dyke Road, Seven Dials
🕒 Mon-Thu & Sun 9am-4pm; Fri-Sat 9am-10pm (dinner from 6pm)
🌐 Menu & More info

Events marked with a * are sponsored

General Events

🎨 Helm Gallery’s ‘Take The Streets’
Fri 3 Oct, 6pm @ Helm Gallery
Weekly Friday night takeover fusing art, music, tattoos, and cocktails in one of the city’s most electric creative spaces. More Info

🎭 The Maydays: Confessions!
Fri 3 Oct, 7:30pm @ Komedia
Improv comedy turning audience secrets into sketches and songs. More Info

😂 The Carl Carzana of the Year 2025
Fri 3 Oct, 7:30-10:30pm @ The Actors Pub
Comedy competition to crown the best non-Carl Carzana. More Info

😂 Filthy Fridays with Alisdair Beckett-King
Fri 3 Oct, 8-9:30pm @ Nautilus Lounge
Stand-up showcase with two local acts and a top headliner. More Info

🥂 Madame Jennifer Distillery Tours & Gin Tastings
Fri 3 Oct & Sat 4 Oct, various times @ Madame Jennifer Distillery
Tour, tastings, and complimentary G&T at this boutique distillery. More Info

🎭 Calendar Girls
Fri 3-Sat 4 Oct, times vary @ Lewes Little Theatre
Beloved stage adaptation of the hit film. More Info

💃 Dance For Peace
Sat 4 Oct, 2-9pm @ TIDE Club
Fundraiser party for Medical Aid for Palestinians. More Info

😂 Komedia Comedy Club
Sat 4 Oct, 8pm @ Komedia
Three top acts and an MC at Brighton’s award-winning comedy night. More Info

🎼 African Night Fever: Kora Meets Sarod
Sat 4 Oct, 2-3:30pm @ Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham
Rare world music collaboration blending West African and Indian traditions. More Info

🎶 LAB54, Anywhere But A Club Tour
Sat 4 & Sun 5 Oct, 7pm @ St Augustine’s Arts Centre
High-energy beats and immersive vibes in a unique venue. More Info

🎭 An Evening of Gilbert & Sullivan
Sun 5 Oct, 5-7pm @ Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham
Opera company alumni and chorus bring Savoy classics to life. More Info

🍣 Desk Gourmet Sushi Class
Sun 5 Oct, 6pm @ Kantenya
Hands-on sushi making workshop with expert guidance. More Info

🎶 Unplugged
Sun 5 Oct, 7pm @ Ironworks Studios
Showcase of student musicians in an intimate setting. More Info

🛵 The Italian Scooter Job
Sun 5 Oct, 10:30am-3:30pm @ Madeira Drive
Scooter ride with Italian food stops, ending at Quadrophenia Alley. More Info

🧵 JUTE, Dance Show by Three Score Dance
Sun 5 Oct, 1-3:30pm @ Jubilee Square
Playful dance performance with audience workshop. Free event. More Info

🌿 Rite of the Womb Ceremony
Sun 5 Oct, 5:30-7pm @ Revitalise, Hove
Part of Brighton Wellness Festival, sacred feminine healing ritual. More Info

Family Events

📚 Story Magic
Fri 3 Oct, 10am & 11am @ Komedia
Music, movement, and storytelling for ages 9 months to 4 years. More Info

🎶 Puzzle Tots, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Sat 4 Oct, 10:30am-12:50pm @ Brighton Unitarian Church
Interactive concert for 2-5 year olds and their grown-ups. More Info

🎃 Sompting Pumpkins
Sat 4 & Sun 5 Oct, 10am-4pm @ Sompting, Lancing
Pumpkin picking fun for families, running weekends through October. More Info

Live Music