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🐦 Music, Mutts & Markets

🐦 Music, Mutts & Markets

Comedy in basements, opera on deck, and live music flooding every venue, Brighton’s weekend is set to be a showstopper.

Ben Watkins
September 05, 2025

Happy Friday Brighton & Hove,

It’s a stacked weekend in the city with festivals, comedy, and live music spilling into every corner. From street parties to open-air opera in the park, there’s no shortage of ways to keep yourself entertained. We’ve got a couple of standout local gems in the mix, from makers markets to intimate basement comedy, plus plenty of good food and drink to fuel you along the way.

Here’s what’s squawking this week:

🎶 Huge gigs from 808 State, Throwing Muses & Fun Lovin’ Criminals
🎭 Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore and Down the Hatch Comedy Club
🛍️ Brighton’s Makers Market brings local artists & creators to Jubilee Square
🍽️ Our rock-tastic local biz of the week and drink in this week’s Pints and Plates

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🏉 Women’s Rugby World Cup

⏰ Sat, 5-7pm & Sun, 2:45-4:45pm
📍 Amex Stadium

The biggest women’s rugby tournament of all time comes to Brighton (twice!). This weekend there’s a double billing with two huge clashes: England face off against Australia on Saturday, followed by New Zealand vs Ireland on Sunday. There’s only a few left for the England game (from £35)

🎟️ Tickets

🐶 Dogs & Sprogs

⏰ Sat, 11am-4pm
📍 Hove Lagoon

Part dog show, part kids’ fair, this mini-festival is a proper family day out by the water. Expect everything from dog shows and parades to puppet shows, storytime, live DJ sets, market stalls and plenty of food and drink. A big community vibe and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for all ages.

🎟️ More Info

🎭 Down the Hatch Comedy Club

⏰ Sun, 7pm (doors 6pm)
📍 Komedia

On the first Sunday of the month, Komedia’s basement transforms into Brighton’s liveliest underground comedy den. Expect a night of queer and alternative comedy (allies welcome!) with lineups that have previously included James Acaster, Jayde Adams and Jordan Brookes. This month features Zoe Lyons alongside Sam Nicoresti, Alex Mitchell and Will Owen, all for just £6 a ticket, with snacks and drinks on hand.

🎟️ Tickets

🎵 R&B Lovers

⏰ Sat, 3-9pm
📍 Horizon

Dig out the glitter and glam, Horizon is throwing a massive summer party dedicated to 90s and 00s R&B anthems. Six hours of non-stop throwbacks will bring TLC, Usher, Destiny’s Child and more back to the dancefloor. A guaranteed sell-out for anyone who grew up on MTV Base and club classics.

🎟️ More Info

🌍 Summer Fusion Festival

⏰ Sun, 11am-4:30pm
📍 Jubilee Library & Jubilee Square, Brighton

A free celebration of refugee music and culture right in the heart of the city. Expect live bands, interactive dance performances, art workshops, and community film screenings, alongside craft stalls and information centres. A vibrant, family-friendly event that mixes creativity with community spirit — and it won’t cost you a penny.

🎟️ More Info

🎛️ Allen Ginsberg’s Howl: Reimagined

⏰ Sat, 7:30-10:30pm
📍 The Old Market

A world premiere event blending live music, immersive visuals and spoken word to reimagine Ginsberg’s legendary countercultural poem. Performed by Ashley Slater (Freakpower) with visuals by VJ Bob Jaroc (Fatboy Slim, Dua Lipa), this one-off promises an intense, multi-sensory journey. Expect dark synths, acid techno touches and a raw, emotional atmosphere.

🎟️ More Info

🛍️ Brighton’s Makers Market

⏰ Sat, 10:30am-5pm
📍 Jubilee Square

A lively marketplace showcasing Brighton’s best independent makers, designers and artists. Browse stalls packed with unique crafts, art, jewellery and homewares while soaking up the buzz of the city centre. Perfect for gift-hunting or just discovering something new and handmade.

🎟️ More Info

⚓ Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore

⏰ Sun, 4pm (doors 3pm)
📍 Brighton Open Air Theatre

Set sail on the high seas of satire with Gilbert and Sullivan’s timeless comic opera. Performed by a cast of six on a nautical set, HMS Pinafore skewers class, politics and patriotism with wit and infectious tunes, no wonder Queen Victoria herself said of the original, “We are not amused!” A perfect afternoon of open-air theatre packed with romance, sharp dialogue and plenty of laughs.

🎟️ Tickets

🧗 Boulder Brighton

Stashed away on the Victoria Road Trading Estate, just five minutes from Portslade station, Boulder Brighton has been the city’s go-to indoor climbing centre since 2013. Founders Tom and James turned a warehouse into more than 1,000 square metres of climbing walls, from beginner-friendly slabs to serious overhangs, all topped off with a cosy café and shop.

What makes them special isn’t just the scale of the centre, but the community feel. They’ve welcomed everyone from first-timers and school groups to national-level competitors, and run regular projects with local charities and support groups. Whether you’re in it for fitness, fun, or friendship, it’s one of Brighton’s most inclusive sports spaces.

And September is the perfect time to give it a go, as it’s Slabtember 2025, their annual month-long celebration of slab climbing. Each week brings fresh blocs, guest setters, quirky challenges and prizes, plus shoe demos and new slab merch.

What’s On at Boulder Brighton

🧗 Slabtember 2025 - 10 new slab blocs every week, with prizes and challenges all month.
👩‍🦰 Women’s Sessions - supportive, social climbs led by female coaches.
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ Sessions - monthly meet-ups creating a safe, welcoming space on the walls.
👧 Kids & Youth Classes - fun, structured climbing for ages 7+ to build confidence and skills.

📍 Victoria Road Trading Estate, Portslade
🔗 Find out more

🍻 The World’s End

Another type of establishment that may be new to readers is this arcade pub, that’s equal parts watering hole, retro playground and Scalextric fever dream. The World’s End on London Road has made a name for itself as Brighton’s go-to spot for burgers, beers and button-bashing.

The food menu leans big and bold with cheeseburger-loaded fries, sticky Korean wings, classic hot dogs, and their “What the Frickle” double-patty tower of a burger with beer-battered pickles.

Vegans are well looked after too, with plant-based versions of burgers, dogs and wings that don’t skimp on flavour. Wash it all down with rotating craft beers, cocktail specials like £6 Margarita Madness every Wednesday, or catch their Saturday late-night DJs spinning everything from funk to indie.

And beyond the pints and plates, there’s the World’s Raceway, giant, high-tech Scalextric track with live commentary. Plus, Brighton’s newest Murder Mystery Escape Room set in an old mansion upstairs, where you play jury in a Regency-era whodunnit.

📍 60-61 London Road
🔗 Book your table or Raceway session

Events marked with a * are sponsored

General Events

🎤 FILTHY FRIDAYS with TOM WARD
Friday, 8-9:30pm @ Nautilus Lounge, St James’s St
Monthly stand-up with TV headliner Tom Ward plus local acts. Get Tickets

🎭 Flarewave Festival: Last Rites
Friday, 7:30pm @ Brighton Dome
A powerful fusion of movement and visuals in a story of love, memory and farewell. Tickets

📓 Story Magic
Friday, 11am @ Komedia, Brighton
A fun interactive storytelling session for little ones and families. More Info

🤫 The Maydays: Confessions!
Friday, 7:30pm @ Komedia, Brighton
Improv comedy inspired by audience confessions — unpredictable and hilarious. More Info

📚 Death Comes to Pemberley
Friday, 7:30pm @ Theatre Royal Brighton
A gripping stage adaptation of P.D. James’ sequel to Pride and Prejudice. Tickets

🕯️ Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Friday, 7pm @ Royal Pavilion
String quartet performs Fleetwood Mac classics by candlelight. Tickets

🎧 Pearly Cow Terrace Friday Night DJs
Friday, from 6pm @ Pearly Cow, Kings Rd
Cocktails and sunset sounds overlooking the West Pier. Website

🎉 Southampton Street Party
Saturday, from 2pm @ Southampton Street, Brighton
Annual community street party with neighbours, music and plenty of atmosphere.

💃 R&B Lovers
Saturday, 3-9pm @ Horizon, Brighton
Big summer party spinning 90s and 00s R&B anthems. More Info

😂 Komedia Comedy Club
Saturday, 8pm @ Komedia, Brighton
Another night of brilliant comedy in the heart of Brighton. More Info

🔊 UKG Day Rave Brighton
Saturday, 2-7pm @ PRYZM Brighton
Daytime UK garage session to keep the vibes high. Tickets

🎛️ Allen Ginsberg’s Howl: Reimagined
Saturday, 7:30-10:30pm @ The Old Market, Hove
Immersive AV and live performance reinterpreting a counterculture classic. Tickets

🎤 Down the Hatch Comedy Club
Sunday, 7pm @ Komedia, Brighton
A showcase of rising stars and circuit favourites. More Info

⚓ HMS Pinafore
Sunday, 4pm @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic comic opera outdoors with wit and catchy tunes. More Info

🪩 Brighton Sundae – Marcia Carr & Russell Ruckman
Sunday, 2-8pm @ Patterns Brighton
Soulful house and dance on the seafront to close out the weekend. More Info

🏛️ Brighton as it is; 1831
Sunday, 11am-12:30pm @ Pavilion Gardens
An immersive Regency-era history walk with “Mr Henry Adams.” Free, donations welcome. Get Tickets

Family Events

🐶👶 Dogs & Sprogs
Saturday, 11am-4pm @ Hove Lagoon
Dog show, kids’ entertainment, DJ Krisis, stalls, food and the Gather Inn bar. More Details

🎨 Summer Fusion Festival
Sunday, 11am-4:30pm @ Jubilee Library & Jubilee Square, Brighton
Live music, dance, art workshops and community film screenings, a creative celebration in the city centre. More Info

🎨 Free Form by Leap Then Look
Fri 3-7pm, Sat 12-5pm, Sun 12-5pm @ The Sidings, Newhaven
Interactive sculpture designed with local young people, perfect for playful families. More Info

💍 Silver Ring Making Workshop
Sunday, 12-4pm @ with Natalie Clavier
Make your own silver ring in a guided jewellery session. More Info

Live Music

💼 Voluntary Directors Wanted - Brighton & Hove Community Land Trust

Help shape community-led housing in Brighton & Hove with Brighton & Hove Community Land Trust. No experience needed - just enthusiasm, commitment, and a willingness to learn. We welcome people from all backgrounds. Email [email protected] to get involved today. Apply by Sept 8