🐦 Comedy Stars & Caribbean Flavours

I can’t remember being so happy to see a little rain after the heatwave, thankfully the forecast is looking glorious for most of the month – nice sunny days, without needing to be glued to a fan! It’s the perfect weather for getting out and about, and we’ve got some tasty ideas in this week’s Pints & Plates section to get you started.

Here’s what’s squawking this week:

📣 £500m tower block plans and the assurances given to residents.
🏃‍♂️ A brilliant, healthy and FREE day out for the whole family for a great cause
🌴 The tastiest way to spend a Saturday: a huge Caribbean food and music festival lands in Hove Park.
🎉 Your ultimate weekend guide, from huge comedy stars in Preston Park to the best local markets.

🏡 £500M Update on Tower Block Redevelopment Plans 

Following last week's news about the eight tower blocks, the council has given residents assurances that they will keep their social housing tenancies and have the right to return once the buildings are redeveloped.

Councillors acknowledged the move will be distressing for many long-term residents, some of whom have lived in their homes for over 35 years, and promised to proceed with "compassion and care." The massive £500m project will be phased over many years, starting with St James’ House in Kemptown and planned to begin by the end of 2026. Read More on Brighton & Hove News

🔥 Burning the Clocks to Take a Break in 2025 

Some sad news for one of our most unique local traditions. The annual Burning the Clocks winter solstice parade will be taking a "fallow year" and won't be held this December.

Organisers Same Sky said the decision was tough but necessary due to soaring costs (up 44% since 2019!) and the need to plan for the event's long-term future. They have promised it will return in 2026, and a large lantern effigy will still be displayed in the city on 21st December this year. Click Here to learn more about the decision.

☀️ Summer is Officially On! Kings Road Paddling Pool Reopens! 

Great news for anyone with little ones to entertain this summer! Just when we thought it was closed for the season, the much-loved Kings Road paddling pool on the seafront has officially reopened on Monday.

The council managed to green-light repairs after other seafront work was delayed. It’s a fantastic free spot for families to cool off and enjoy the sunshine. The council has said it's a temporary fix for now, but we'll take it! Click Here for More Info

🏃‍♀️ Get Ready to Sweat for a Great Cause!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, 12th July, because the Brighton Fitness Festival is taking over Hove Lawns for a huge celebration of health and community spirit. It’s a full day of live workouts, talks, and local wellness stalls.

Best of all, all profits go to the FMG Project, a brilliant local charity offering free fitness and mindset coaching to young people facing tough times.

Click Here for all the info

🌮 This Month's Tastiest Events 🍹

The sun is out and there are some brilliant food and drink festivals happening in the city this month. Here are a couple of highlights to get your taste buds tingling.

🌴 Get a Taste of the Islands in Hove Park

Get ready for a massive celebration of Caribbean food, drink and culture! The Taste of the Caribbean Food & Drink Festival is taking over Hove Park for a full day of flavour and fun. Expect jerk chicken sizzling on the barbecue, delicious rum punch, and live music from tribute acts to the legendary Bob Marley and UB40. It's the perfect recipe for a fantastic summer day out.

• When: Saturday 19th July, from 10:00am

• Where: Hove Park

• More Info: Click Here to find out more and get tickets.

🥃 Calling All Gin and Rum Lovers!

If you fancy discovering a new favourite tipple, this one is for you. The UK's largest Gin & Rum Festival is returning to Brighton, setting up in the iconic Grand Hotel. You'll have the chance to sample over 120 different spirits from around the world, listen to live music, and chat with expert distillers. It’s a brilliant opportunity to find a new favourite bottle for your collection.

• When: Saturday 26th July, from 12:30pm

• Where: The Grand Brighton

• More Info: Click Here to book your spot.

🏠 Rottingdean's Iconic "Rocking Horse" House 

This week's pick is a unique five-bedroom home packed with character. The 1920s Elizabethan-style property features sculpted oak details throughout, a gorgeous garden, and a separate annexe perfect for guests or rental income. It’s a true stunner.

💰 £2,000,000
📍 Dean Court Road, Rottingdean 
🔗 View on Rightmove

🌟 Top Picks

😂 Brighton Comedy Garden 
Fri, Sat & Sun @ Preston Park 
7:30 PM Fri - Nish Kumar, Bridget Christie & more
1:00 PM Sat - Fern Brady, Tom Davis & more
4:15 PM Sat - Alan Davies, Rachel Parris & more
7:45 PM Sat - David O’Doherty, Sam Campbell & more
4:00 PM Sun - Frankie Boyle, Suzi Ruffell & more
7:30 PM Sun - Dylan Moran, Lucy Beaumont & more
Full line-ups and tickets here.

🎷 Love Supreme Jazz Festival 
4th to the 6th of July @ Glynde Place 
The legendary jazz festival returns, with incredible sets from Maxwell, The Roots, Smokey Robinson & more. Details & Tickets

✨ Brighton's Makers Market
Saturday, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM @ Jubilee Square
A vibrant and buzzing market full of local creativity, with 40 local artists, makers & foodies taking over the square. Details

🌍 Africa In The Sunshine 
Saturday, from 1:00 PM @ Brighton Open Air Theatre 
A vibrant celebration of African culture with music, dance workshops, food, and crafts. A perfect family afternoon out, with an evening event as well. Details & Tickets

🗓️ General Events

🛍️ Kemptown Village Collective Food & Makers Market
Saturday, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM @ Brighton College Montague Place
A brand new makers and food market for Kemptown Village with free entry for all. Details

🍹 Rum and Reggae Day 
Saturday, from 1:00 PM @ The Bell Tower
Join in for an all-day party with DJs spinning classics, delicious Caribbean food and free-flowing rum punch. Details

🛍️ Food & Lifestyle Market
Saturday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM @ The Open Market
Enjoy a fantastic food selection and shop from a fab range of market stalls offering fresh produce and handmade treasures. Details

🎸 Brighton Guitar Show & FX Expo 2025
Saturday, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM @ Brighton Racecourse
The biggest guitar show in Sussex is back! Get hands-on with the latest gear, from guitars and amps to mind-bending effects pedals. Details & Tickets

🎨 The Gather Inn Craft Market
Saturday, 11:00 AM–4:00 PM @ The Gather Inn, Hove
Pop down to this popular pub in Hove to browse and buy from a range of local craft makers. Details

🍴 Preston Park Market 
Sun 6th July (10am–3pm) | Preston Park, Brighton 
Stroll, snack, and shop local! The perfect Sunday wander, with amazing street food, baked goods, local produce, and artisan crafts. More Info

🏺 Clay Workshop
Sunday, from 11:00 AM @ Pink Moon
Spend the morning playing with clay at this open-themed workshop, with a cuppa included in the ticket price. Details

⛪ The Downs Crematorium Open Day
Sunday, 12:00 PM–4:00 PM @ The Downs Crematorium
A unique chance to tour the historic cemetery and chapel, with live music, refreshments, and a look at the newly restored 1886 grave digger's diary. Details

🎉 BENCH Grand Opening 
Saturday, 12:00 PM 'til late @ BENCH (next to Holiday Inn) 
A new beachfront sports bar terrace opens its doors with live DJs and Old J freebies to celebrate. Details

🎷 Time for Tea? 
Sunday, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM @ Brighton Pavilion Gardens 
Enjoy a fabulous afternoon tea accompanied by the swinging sounds of the Honeys Big Band. Details

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Events

⚔️ Arundel Castle Medieval Festival 
Sat 5th - Sun 6th July | Arundel Castle 
Step back in time for a magnificent weekend of knights, jousting, and storytelling. A brilliant day out for the whole family. More Info

🎶 Plumpton Music Festival 2025 
Sunday, 10:00 AM–10:00 PM @ Plumpton Racecourse 
A one-day family music festival reviving a popular 60's fest, with live performances from over 50 acts, street food, and more. Details

🎶 Park Crescent Mini Music Festival 
Saturday, from 12:00 PM @ The Park Crescent Pub 
The pub is celebrating its third birthday with a family-friendly festival featuring live music all day, kids' entertainment, and plenty of food. More Info

🏖️ Buckets of Beach Fun 
Friday, 10:00 AM–11:30 AM @ 1st Shoreham Scout Hut 
A morning of beach-themed fun suitable for all preschool-age children. Booking is essential. Details & Booking

🎤 Live Music & Performances

🎉 Musical Bingo Drag Night 
Friday, 7:30 PM–11:30 PM @ Brighton Music Hall 
Join Brighton's Drag Royalty for a night of surprises, fun, and musical bingo with party hits until late. Tickets

🤠 Country Club Music Festival 
Sat 5th July (3pm-9pm) | Horizon Club, Brighton 
Dust off your cowboy boots! Get ready for the biggest hits from all your favourite country artists at this huge party. Tickets

🎸 Vegan Meat Raffle & Guests 
Friday, 8:00 PM–11:30 PM @ The Prince Albert 
A night of Ska/Punk and Cramps-style rock and roll from a lineup of great local bands. Details & Tickets

🍄 Psychedelic Summer Sundae 
Sunday, 3:00 PM–10:30 PM @ The Green Door Store 
A spellbinding day of psychedelic sights and sounds, featuring live music from Doctor Spangle, SpacedOgs, The Golgis and more. Tickets

🤠 The Luke Combs Experience 
Friday, from 7:00 PM @ Concorde 2 
Sing along to all your favourite Luke Combs hits with the best tribute band in the UK. Details & Tickets

🕺 Chopper Choons Day Party 
Saturday, 3:00 PM–9:00 PM @ Patterns 
A day party full of flared-out Funk & Disco anthems from the 70s & 80s, with a tasty BBQ on the terrace. Details & Tickets

🎻 Mozart Requiem 
Saturday, from 7:00 PM @ All Saints, Hove 
A stunning performance of Mozart's Requiem & Piano Concerto in D Minor by Brighton Voices & Vaughan Williams Sinfonia. Tickets

🎷 SKA Brighton Ska Train's 'Reggae Riot 2025' 
Saturday, 3:00 PM–10:00 PM @ The Volks Nightclub 
Get your boots on for an all-day boss reggae scorcher on the seafront, with the legendary King Hammond playing live. Details & Tickets

🌍 Africa In The Sunshine – Evening Event 
Saturday, from 7:00 PM @ Brighton Open Air Theatre 
The evening celebration of African culture, with fabulous live music from Musa Mboob, Xam Xam, and the legendary Dele Sosimi. Details & Tickets

🎧 Old Crow Vinyl Revival 
Saturday, 8:00 PM–12:00 AM @ Old Crow 
Four hours of your favourite dance tunes from the 60s to the 00s, all played on glorious vinyl. Details

🎸 SONGDOG + Sue Harding
Saturday, from 8:00 PM @ St Mary's Church
An evening of folk and blues, featuring music from their latest album 'Mirabilia Mundi'. Tickets

🎭 Cabaret Lab 
Sunday, 7:30 PM–10:30 PM @ Caroline of Brunswick 
A free entry night of cabaret and variety acts, with donations gratefully accepted. Details

Right, we have to admit it: our attempt to make last week's trivia question harder was an epic fail. A whopping 92% of you correctly guessed Brighthelmstone!

We’ve gone back to the drawing board to cook up a proper head-scratcher for you this week (we hope!) on the fascinating follow up to our famous and historic Volk’s Electric Railway.

Sidenote: Brighton's strangest railway had a very short and dramatic life. Just one week after its grand opening in 1896, the sea-faring carriage was knocked on its side by a huge storm. It was rebuilt by its inventor, but its journey ended for good in 1901 when new sea defences blocked the tracks.

It was too expensive to move them, so the unique vehicle was simply abandoned and later sold for scrap in 1910. If you look carefully at a very low tide, you can still see some of the concrete blocks it ran on just east of the Marina.