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🐦 Harvest Markets, a Sweet New Spot & Spooky Surprises

🐦 Harvest Markets, a Sweet New Spot & Spooky Surprises

A full weekend of markets, laughs, fresh bakes, and a few ghostly surprises around Brighton

Ben Watkins
October 17, 2025

Hello Brighton 👋

Halloween’s creeping up, and the city’s serving plenty of treats before the tricks begin. From Sussex’s harvest bounty to John Bishop’s big laughs, it’s a weekend packed with food, comedy, and autumn charm. Add a dash of vintage treasure hunting, spooky adventures, and a new local bakery tempting commuters with sweet seasonal bakes and Brighton’s got your weekend sorted.

Here’s what’s squawking this week:

🎉 Sussex Peasant’s Autumn Harvest Market returns to Preston Park
🎭 John Bishop brings big laughs to the Brighton Centre
🍰 Award-winning local bakery opens its first Brighton shop
🍝 Hove’s modern Italian gem serving up handmade pasta and Sussex soul

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🎉 The Sussex Peasant’s Autumn Harvest Market

⏰ Sat, 9am–3pm
📍 Preston Park, Brighton

Celebrate Sussex’s finest local produce with a day of food, drink and friendly faces at Preston Park. You’ll find everything from artisanal olive oils and fresh venison to homemade jams, baked goods and quality meats from local farms.

Meet the passionate makers behind your favourite local products, enjoy live tastings, and pick up something truly seasonal to take home. A perfect Saturday outing for food lovers and families alike.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎤 John Bishop

⏰ Sat, 4pm & 8pm
📍 The Brighton Centre

The Liverpool funnyman returns to Brighton with his signature mix of sharp wit, warmth and laugh-out-loud stories about family life and fame. After years on stage and screen, Bishop remains one of Britain’s most relatable and loved comedians.

Expect big laughs, honest humour and a much-needed dose of joy as part of his new nationwide tour. Low Tickets!

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🖼️ Cartoon County Autumn Fair

⏰ Sat, 9am–5pm
📍 Open Market, Brighton

Brighton’s comic book community takes over the Open Market for a one-day celebration of graphic storytelling. Expect a colourful showcase of zines, prints, comics and original artwork from local illustrators and writers.

Whether you’re a lifelong comic fan or just curious about Brighton’s creative scene, this event is the perfect chance to meet artists, discover new talent and pick up unique pieces straight from the source.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🧰 Brighton Racecourse Antiques & Vintage Fair

⏰ Sun, 9:30am–3:30pm
📍 Brighton Racecourse

A treasure trove for collectors and the curious, this vast fair features over 180 indoor stalls filled with furniture, jewellery, art, glassware and more. Every item tells a story, whether you’re browsing for bargains or searching for something special.

It’s one of the South’s biggest vintage events, the perfect Sunday browse with sea views and endless nostalgia.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🧟 Monster Mystery Mansion

⏰ Sat, 1pm
📍 The Yellow Book, Brighton

Step into a thrilling interactive adventure inspired by classic survival-horror games. Equal parts D&D and “Choose Your Own Adventure,” this immersive experience puts you and your friends inside the mystery of the Spencer Mansion.

Expect twists, teamwork and a few jump scares along the way, perfect for gamers, thrill-seekers and anyone ready for something a little different this weekend.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎭 Comedy Club 4 Kids

⏰ Sat, 2pm
📍 Komedia, Brighton

All the laughs, none of the rude bits! Top stand-ups from the UK circuit bring their A-game for younger audiences in this long-running family comedy show.

Aimed at ages 6+, it’s a rare treat that parents and kids can enjoy together, with plenty of giggles and cheeky crowd participation along the way.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🍰 Piglet’s Pantry

Brighton Station just got a serious glow-up for hungry commuters, say hello to Piglet’s Pantry, the award-winning Sussex bakery that’s finally opened its very first shop. If the name rings a bell, it’s probably from their legendary pies at the Amex. Now, you can grab one without needing a match ticket.

This family-run crew have been rolling pastry and winning hearts for over a decade, turning humble British bakes into something worth writing home about. Think golden sausage rolls, buttery pies, and cakes that look too good to eat (but absolutely should be).

Right now, they’re in full spooky season mode with limited-edition Halloween treats like their Oreo spider cupcakes and pumpkin gingerbread biscuits (pictured) that are as charming as they are delicious. Perfect for a sweet autumn pick-me-up on your next train dash.

📍 Brighton Train Station
🕒 Mon-Sat 7am-8pm | Sun 9am-5pm
🌐 pigletspantry.co.uk

🍝 Cin Cin

Modern Italian cooking meets Sussex soul at this award-winning neighbourhood restaurant in Hove. With a focus on seasonal Sussex produce and handmade pasta, it strikes that rare balance of feeling refined without ever being pretentious. Sip an aperitif at the counter while watching the chefs at work, or settle into the back room for something a little more intimate.

The Michelin Guide awarded Cin Cin a Bib Gourmand, praising its “great value Italian food, where fresh ingredients are simply cooked and natural flavours are allowed to shine.” That ethos runs through everything here, from their delicate small plates to their perfectly balanced desserts, paired with wines from across Italy.

It’s Brighton & Hove’s answer to modern Italian dining, honest, elegant, and full of warmth, it’s easy to see how it’s become a real local favourite. Whether it’s a long lunch, a midweek date, or a special celebration, Cin Cin delivers every time.

📍 60 Western Road, Hove
🕒 Tue-Wed from 5 pm | Thu-Sat 12:30pm-11:30pm
🌐 cincin.co.uk

Events marked with a * are sponsored

General Events

🎪 Kamperfest
Fri to Sun @ Plumpton Racecourse, Lewes
Weekend camping with live bands, DJs, food traders and classic cars. More Info

🎻 Baroque Odyssey
Fri, 6pm @ St George’s Church
Immersive musical journey inspired by Telemann’s Water Music. More Info

🎤 Lou Wall: Breaking the Fifth Wall
Fri, 7pm @ Studio Theatre, Brighton Dome
Meme-fuelled musical comedy where performance and reality collide. More Info

🎨 Take The Streets
Fri, 7pm @ Helm Gallery
Weekly art night with DJ, live tattooing and cocktails. More Info

🎤 Jen Brister: Reactive
Fri, 7:30pm @ Concert Hall, Brighton Dome
New stand-up from the Live at the Apollo star. More Info

🎤 Rob Newman: Where The Wild Things Were
Fri, 8pm @ Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome
A barnstorming new show about nature, futures and everything in between. More Info

🎭 God Don’t Live On A Council Estate
Fri, 8pm @ Lantern Theatre
Gritty drama about life, faith and survival on the margins. More Info

😂 Komedia Comedy Club
Fri, 8pm @ Komedia
Three top acts plus MC at Brighton’s award-winning comedy hub. More Info

💆 Theia Wellbeing Events - October
Sat, 10am-3pm @ The Shoreham Centre
Therapists, readers, retailers and wellbeing talks. More Info

🌳 SongPath Walk
Sat, 11am-1pm @ Stanmer Park Nature Reserve
A gentle, music-led walk with singer Joanna Harries. More Info

🎉 Connected Block Party
Sat, 1pm-11pm @ Block Bar
All-dayer with DJs and party vibes from London’s club crew. More Info

🎨 Cowgirl Blossoms: Paint or Sculpt and Sip
Sat, 2pm @ Tempest
Guided paint or clay session with drinks by the sea. More Info

🎭 LPOS: Hello, Dolly!
Sat, 2:30pm & 7:30pm @ The Windmill, Littlehampton
Classic musical comedy from LPOS’s 70th anniversary year. More Info

🎶 BREMF Emerging Artists Showcase
Sat, 3:30-5pm @ St Paul’s Church
Hear tomorrow’s baroque stars in short showcase sets. More Info

🎭 Extra Topping Comedy Showcase
Sat, 7:30-8:30pm @ The Yellow Book
Sketch, improv and character comedy hosted by Leslie Bloom. More Info

🎶 Choral Reimagined
Sat, 8:30-9:30pm @ All Saints Hove
Candlelit one-hour sound experience from 150 voices. More Info

🎭 Enter If You Dare Cabaret
Sat, 8:30pm @ Caroline of Brunswick
A spooky mix of burlesque, circus and song. 18+. More Info

🪩 Let The Sun Shine
Sat, 11pm-3am @ Komedia
Late-night indie, ska, soul and Britpop dance party. More Info

🎨 Collage Workshop in the Pub
Sun, 5-7pm @ Old Albion, Hove
Create your own collage over a drink with friendly guidance. More Info

😂 Scott Bennett - Stuff
Sun, 4:30pm @ Forge Comedy Club
Radio 4 favourite and rising stand-up star. More Info

Family Events

🦆 Short Stories Tall Tales: Ugly Duckling
Fri, 11:30am @ Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham
Interactive storytelling for ages 0-4. More Info

🧒 Family Workshop inspired by Daily Baroque
Sat, 11am-1pm @ Phoenix Art Space
Make colourful salt-dough sculptures together. 5+. More Info

👣 Mental Wellbeing Family Activity Walk
Sat, 11am-12pm @ Hove Park
Mindful nature walk with playful activities for kids and carers. More Info

🎭 Spencer Jones: Experimental Kids Show
Sat, 2-3pm @ Studio Theatre, Brighton Dome
Daft, joyous family comedy from the prop maestro. More Info

🧟 Monster Mystery Mansion
Sun, 1pm @ The Yellow Book
The spooky adventure continues with family-friendly chaos. More Info

🍨 Sundae Club
Sun, 11am @ Komedia
Theatre show, craft workshop and family disco for ages 2-8. More Info

🧟 Improv The Dead: Zombie Family Fun
Sun, 3:30-4:30pm @ The Yellow Book
You direct the silly zombie adventure. 7+. More Info

Ongoing

🎥 Play Back Forward (Exhibition)
Daily, 10am-5pm @ Hove Museum of Creativity
Immersive look at early film pioneers.

🎨 COLOUR - Final Week
@ Royal Pavilion
A sensory journey through the power and beauty of colour. More Info

🧵 Materialised
Daily, 11am-5pm @ Regency Town House
Free exhibition showcasing 18 leading designers and makers.

📸 Picture This: A Public Image
Daily, 12pm-8pm @ Gallery40, Gloucester Rd
Unseen LA punk photographs from 1978-80 by Spike.

Live Music