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- 🐦 From Sketchbooks to Christmas Stalls
🐦 From Sketchbooks to Christmas Stalls
A weekend of art, indie energy, laughter, and local flavour across Brighton and Hove.
Ben Watkins
November 07, 2025
Good Morning, Brightonians
It’s a busy, brilliant weekend ahead with the return of the Brighton Illustration Festival, Mutations shaking up the city’s best music venues and some Christmas markets beginning to sparkle later in the month. Plus a new pop-up by the brilliant people behind Cin Cin and our weekend highlights, including one market just for grown-ups and another one for the kids.
Here’s what’s squawking this week:
🎨 Brighton Illustration Festival returns after six years away
🎶 Classical concerts galore and Mutations Festival kicks off
🎄 Three local biz-supporting Christmas markets to get you feeling festive
🍽️ Babarino brings Italian-Brighton comfort food to The Windmill
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7/11/25 - 9/11/25
Events marked with a * are sponsored
🎄 Komedia Christmas Party Show-Only Tickets 📅 4-20 Dec Already sorted dinner? Head to Komedia after for a night of top-tier comedy with Thomas Green, Thanyia Moore, Matt Richardson and more, followed by an after-party that runs late. Limited Show-Only tickets are now on sale from £20pp at the Best Comedy Venue in the South & East (Chortle 2025).* 🎨 Brighton Illustration Festival ⏰ Sat-Sun, 10am-6pm After six years away, Brighton’s big illustration fair is back. Expect 140 artists, zines, prints, talks and workshops. A creative weekend bursting with colour and chaos. 🎶 Music from the Movies ⏰ Sat, 7:30-9:40pm Brighton & Hove Concert Orchestra bring film soundtracks to life. Expect sweeping scores from Forrest Gump, 007 and The Phantom of the Opera. A cinematic evening for music lovers. 🎤 Simon Brodkin and Guests ⏰ Sat, 8-10pm Comedy’s ultimate prankster swaps stunts for stand-up. Expect sharp wit, wild stories and plenty of laughter. A headline night not to miss. 🖤 Brighton Kink Market ⏰ Sat, 12-6pm A playful marketplace for the adventurous at heart. From handmade floggers to candles and collars, it’s Brighton at its boldest. Tickets include entry to a charity raffle. | 🎶 Mutations Festival 2025 ⏰ Fri-Sat Two days of alternative music across Brighton’s best venues. Expect sets from Dry Cleaning, Lambrini Girls and over 60 rising acts. A loud, chaotic celebration of the underground scene. 🎭 Mark Watson: Before It Overtakes Us ⏰ Sun, 8pm Taskmaster favourite Mark Watson returns with a frantic new show. Expect laughs, chaos and a few existential crises. Smart, silly and brilliantly human. 👶 Baby & Children’s Market ⏰ Sat, 9:30am-12pm Grab baby bargains, toys and preloved clothes at this popular family market. Coffee, cake and craft zones keep everyone happy. Perfect for parents on a Saturday morning stroll. 🎶 Britten’s Serenade: Mark Padmore, Dowland and MacMillan ⏰ Sat, 7:30-9:15pm Tenor Mark Padmore joins Brighton Philharmonic Strings for an evening of breathtaking classical music. Expect Britten, Dowland and MacMillan performed with power and grace. A must for classical lovers and concert regulars. |
🛍️ Support Local Makers This Christmas!
If you love a festive wander, mulled wine in hand, and stalls brimming with handmade gifts, you’re in luck, Brighton’s Christmas market season is officially here. From historic halls to hidden courtyards, here are three of the best local fairs to shop small and soak up some proper festive spirit.
✨ Winter Makers & Art Fair | The British Engineerium | Nov 22-23
Paper Daisy Events return with one of the biggest Christmas fairs in Sussex, 120+ makers and artists set inside (and outside) the magnificent Victorian Engineerium. Expect handmade gifts, artisan food, and the smell of wood-fired pizza in the air. There’s a festive bar, live entertainment, wreath workshops, and even steam engine tours if you fancy a dose of heritage with your shopping. Free entry (queue-jump tickets available).
🔗 More Info
🎄 Christmas Craft Market | Exeter Street Hall | Nov 30
Get into the festive spirit at Exeter Street Hall’s Christmas Craft Market, a joyful day of handmade goodies, artisanal gifts, and delicious seasonal treats. Browse stalls packed with unique crafts and one-of-a-kind presents, all made by local Brighton makers. It’s the perfect spot to pick up something special, support small businesses, and enjoy a bit of holiday cheer. There’ll even be festive activities to keep the kids entertained.
🔗 More Info
🎨 Brighton’s Festive Makers Fair | Wagner Hall & Fig Tree Courtyard | Dec 13-14
Back in the heart of the city, Paper Daisy Events host another beautifully curated fair with stalls both indoors and out. Think twinkly lights, handmade treasures, local art, and a courtyard bar serving festive tipples. There’s also a wreath workshop and a café serving cakes so good you’ll need a bag for later. Perfectly placed next to Churchill Square, so you can ditch the high street chaos and shop small instead. Free entry.
🔗 More Info
🍽️ New Popup: Babarino at The Windmill
There’s a new kitchen takeover at The Windmill, and it’s a very welcome one. Babarino has taken over for the rest of 2025, headed up by Jamie Halsall (from previously featured Cin Cin - with a Michelin Bib Gourmand!) and the menu is already testing everyone’s pre-Christmas restraint.
Fridays and Saturdays bring Mediterranean-leaning comfort food with a Brighton edge: pork bombette subs with nduja kimchi, tempura squash on brioche, venison and guanciale sausage rolls, and a beef and mushroom pie that looks like it’s built for winter evenings and a pint. Sundays ease into roast mode with Sussex beef rump, porchetta with apple sauce, or a roasted squash and caponata pie for the plant-based crew.
It’s British pub food, remixed with Italian know-how and Brighton character, familiar, but sharper and more interesting. And if you still need convincing, the caramelised bread and butter pudding and sticky toffee pudding with whipped mascarpone should do the trick.
📍 The Windmill, Upper North Street
🍽️ Fri 4-9pm | Sat 12-9pm | Sun 12-5pm
🔗 Bookings/Menu & Babarino on Insta
7/11/25 - 9/11/25
Events marked with a * are sponsored
🎄 Komedia Christmas Party Show Only tickets on sale!
📅 4th-20th December 2025
📍 Komedia Brighton
Already booked a Christmas dinner? Join us afterwards for an award-winning comedy show with Thomas Green, Thanyia Moore, Matt Richardson and other top-tier comedians, plus an after-party until late!
Limited Show-Only tickets are now on sale for the Komedia Christmas Party.
Grab your mates and soak up the festive atmosphere from just £20pp at the Best Comedy Venue in the South & East (Chortle 2025).*
General Events
🎭 The Maydays: Confessions!
Fri 7 Nov, 7:30pm @ Komedia
Improvised comedy inspired by anonymous audience confessions. Tickets
🎙️ Goblins Podcast: Stellar Firma LIVE
Fri 7 Nov, 6:30-9:30pm @ Wagner Hall
Chaotic sci-fi comedy podcast brought to life on stage. Tickets
🎭 How Very Hannah - Live
Fri 7 Nov, 7:30pm @ Brighton Dome
Stagey stories, games and special guests with Hannah Lowther. Tickets
🎤 Emmanuel Sonubi: Life After Near Death Tour
Fri 7 Nov, 7:30pm @ The Old Market, Hove
High-energy stand-up packed with sharp stories and big laughs. Tickets
👔 Fragrance Design Experience
Sat 8 Nov, 11:30am-1:30pm @ The Old Ship Hotel
Create your own bespoke perfume in this hands-on scent design workshop. More Info
😂 The Comedy Experiment
Sat 8 Nov, 4-6:30pm @ Caroline of Brunswick
Free afternoon comedy with surprise TV names and happy hour drinks. More Info
🎹 Bespoke Improvisation
Sat 8 Nov, 6-7pm @ St Mary’s Church
Spanish pianist Samuel Peña crafts spontaneous music shaped by the audience. More Info
🫖 Sussex Emmaus Solidarity Quiz
Sat 8 Nov, 6-8pm @ Sussex Emmaus, Portslade
A lively charity quiz night raising funds for young homeless people in Brighton. Tickets
🎶 Music from the Movies
Sat 8 Nov, 7:30-9:40pm @ Ralli Hall, Hove
The Brighton & Hove Concert Orchestra perform cinematic classics and film themes. More Info
🎭 The Sassy Cabaret Club Presents… A Strange & Unusual Soirée
Sat 8 Nov, 7:30pm @ Komedia
A devilishly deranged cabaret of the weird and wonderful. Tickets
🎤 Paul Brunson: Live
Sat 8 Nov, 7:30pm @ Theatre Royal Brighton
The TV matchmaker hosts an inspiring talk on meaningful human connection. Tickets
🎻 Recital for Remembrance
Sat 8 Nov, 7:30-8:30pm @ Brighton Unitarian Church
Songs by Vaughan Williams, Barber, and more in a reflective evening concert. More Info
🎭 Kill Local
Sat 8 Nov, 7:30pm @ New Venture Theatre
Dark comedy about a disillusioned assassin questioning her deadly career. Tickets
🎭 Second Chance Fringe: Duty
Sat 8 Nov, 9pm @ The Lantern Theatre
WWI-era drama following three Sussex friends facing very different calls to duty. Tickets
🎻 Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
Sat 8 Nov, 9pm @ Royal Pavilion
Experience Vivaldi’s masterpiece performed live by candlelight. Tickets
🎉 HIVE at Rossi
Sat 8 Nov, 9pm-2am @ The Rossi Bar
House, techno and garage takeover with no phones on the dancefloor. Tickets
🎷 Ironworks Jazz Breakfast
Sun 9 Nov, 10am-12:30pm @ Ironworks Studios
Morning jazz session with Lucy Pickering’s trio, free coffee and muffins. Tickets
🎖️ Littlehampton Remembrance Sunday
Sun 9 Nov, 10:30am-12pm @ Littlehampton War Memorial
Parade and remembrance service with wreath laying and silence at 11am. More Info
🎭 Kill Local (Final Performance)
Sun 9 Nov, 2:30pm @ New Venture Theatre
Final showing of this sharp, dark comedy about morality and murder. Tickets
🎅 A Fairytale for Christmas
Sun 9 Nov, 7:30pm @ Theatre Royal Brighton
The hit Irish Christmas concert returns for another feel-good festive run. Tickets
Family Events
👶 Baby & Children’s Market
Sat 8 Nov, 9:30am-12pm @ The Shoreham Centre
Preloved baby gear, family stalls, coffee and play zones. Tickets
🧸 Dad La Soul Playdates: Sussex Wow Club
Sat 8 Nov, 10am @ Plus X Innovation, Brighton
Saturday playdate for dads and kids featuring creative games and music. Tickets
🎤 MC Grammar: Books, Beats and Barz
Sat 8 Nov, 1:30pm @ The Old Market
Rap, rhyme and reading collide in this high-energy family show. Tickets
Live Music
Pop Will Eat Itself | Concorde 2 | Friday, 7pm | Tickets
Da Lata | The Verdict | Friday, 7:30pm | Tickets
Fickle | Green Door Store | Friday, 7:30pm | Tickets
Dry Cleaning | Part of Mutations Festival | Friday, 3pm | Tickets
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs | Pat of Mutations Festival | Friday, 3pm | Tickets
Pengshui | Daltons Showrooms + Bar | Saturday, 7:00PM | Tickets
Metallica Reloaded | Concorde 2 | Saturday, 7:00PM | Tickets
Takuya Nakamura | Volks Club | Saturday, 6:00PM | Tickets
Anjunadeep x Percolate | Concorde 2 | Saturday, 11:00PM | Tickets
A.M.C + Phantom | Volks Club | Saturday, 11:00PM | Tickets
DXNBY | Patterns | Saturday, 11:00PM | Tickets
Emma Rawicz INKYRA | Brighton Dome – Studio Theatre | Saturday, 8:00PM | Tickets
Mohammad Syfkhan | Rose Hill | Saturday, 8:00PM | Tickets
Escape Club Reunion with Lisa Loud | Patterns | Saturday, 4:00PM | Tickets