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- 🐦 New Year, New Pub & Last-Chance Exhibitions
🐦 New Year, New Pub & Last-Chance Exhibitions
Inside the mission-led North Star, vintage hauls at Shabitat, and your first weekend guide of 2026.
Ben Watkins
January 02, 2026
Happy New Year, Brighton!
I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year. We’re sliding straight back into the groove for our first edition of 2026, and while the city is off to a quiet start, there is still plenty to get stuck into. With classical concerts and last chance to see exhibitions to the first Kemptown Market of the year and even a xmas tree recycling workshop for the kids.
Here’s what’s squawking this week:
👀 The last weekend to see two exhibitions at Brighton Museum
🕯️ Candlelight concerts with Coldplay, Ed Sheeran and Hans Zimmer
🍽️ A new pub with a charitable cause and must-try roasts
🎁 A huge co-op store with vintage fashion and pre-loved furniture galore
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2/1/26 - 5/1/26
🛍️ Kemptown Village Food and Makers Fair ⏰ Saturday, 10am-3pm A relaxed, community-minded market celebrating independent makers, with stalls spanning street food, baked treats, art, ceramics and handmade gifts. Ideal for slow browsing, chatting to local creatives and picking up something genuinely unique. 🎭 Sunny Afternoon ⏰ Friday & Saturday, 2.30pm & 7.30pm The story of The Kinks told through their biggest songs, charting fame, fallouts and the chaos of the British music scene. High energy, heavy on the hits and full of Mod attitude from start to finish. 🕯️ Candlelight: Hans Zimmer’s Best Works ⏰ Saturday, 7pm Iconic film scores performed by a string quartet inside one of Brighton’s most dramatic buildings, lit entirely by candlelight. Expect sweeping cinematic moments paired with a genuinely atmospheric setting. | 👔🛵 Last Chance Exhibitions: Ben Sherman & Mod Fashion and Style ⏰ Until Sunday Two tightly linked exhibitions marking the final weekend to explore Brighton’s deep connection to Mod culture and style. From the evolution of Ben Sherman’s iconic designs to a wider look at how Mods reshaped British fashion, music and youth identity, this is a smart, nostalgic double-bill that rewards a proper wander. 🕯️ Candlelight: Coldplay vs Ed Sheeran ⏰ Saturday, 9pm A string-quartet reworking of Coldplay and Ed Sheeran favourites, blending pop melodies with classical arrangements. Romantic, polished and designed to be easy, immersive listening. 🏇 Sussex National Raceday ⏰ Sunday, 10.30am-4.30pm One of Plumpton’s biggest fixtures, featuring seven races and the endurance-testing Sussex National Handicap Chase. A full winter day out with countryside views, live sport and a lively crowd. |
♻️ Shabitat Workers Co-operative
An old favourite Lewes Road treasure trove returned in 2024 and is back and humming along as an independent workers’ co-op. While the management has shifted, the soul of the place remains the same: keeping "perfectly good stuff" out of the landfill and in our homes.
It’s the ultimate local alternative to fast fashion. You’re just as likely to find a vintage designer gem as you are a reliable pair of winter boots, all without the Brighton North Laine price tags. Beyond the rails, there's furniture, books, and their legendary pay-what-you-want CDs and DVDs, making it nearly impossible to browse and not make at least one purchase.
If you’re having a clear-out, they’re always looking for furniture and clothes to keep the stock moving. You can give them a shout on 07565 242032 or email [email protected] to sort a collection - they usually do their rounds on Tuesdays and Fridays.
📍 Saunders Park Depot, Lewes Road, BN2
🕒 Mon-Sat, 10:30am-5pm & Sun 11am-6pm
🔗 More Info, Online Stores & Donations
🌟 The North Star
A fresh face for the city centre, The North Star only just landed opposite the Royal Pavilion last month. It’s the new flagship for Team Domenica, a local charity that helps young people with learning disabilities and autism get into the workplace. You’ll see candidates training behind the bar and on the floor this spring, and it's a model that works, with 80% of participants finding long-term employment through the charity's Supported Internship Programme. (You can find out more about Team Domenica and support them here.)
Forget those polished, soulless chain pubs, The North Star is a proper local serving up an incredible Sunday Roast, with current options including South Downs Lamb, White Park Sirloin of Beef and Squash & Chestnut Wellington for the veggie crowd. While the vegan selection is slim, the daily menu offers high-quality, unfussy pub grub, with standout gastro-pub staples as well as some very original dishes like Bouillabaisse, Celeriac Schnitzel and Salt & Pepper Squid.
It’s only been open a few weeks but it already feels like a part of the area, and you get the added bonus of backing a crew that’s doing something genuinely life-changing for local young people.
📍 2-3 Pavilion Buildings, BN1
🕒 Mon-Thu 11am-11pm(-12am Fri-Sat) & 11am-10:30pm Sun
🔗 More Info, Menu’s & Bookings
2/1/26 - 5/1/26
General Events
😂 The Secret Comedy Club Friday
Friday, 7:00pm-11:00pm @ Artista Cafe and Gallery
An intimate, no-heckling comedy night with a rotating lineup of headline acts, rising talent and a friendly crowd. More Info
😂 Komedia Comedy Club
Saturday, 7:00pm @ Komedia
A classic mixed-bill comedy night with three acts and an MC at one of the UK’s most respected independent venues. More Info
🎷 Mike Hatchard’s Jazz Breakfast (with Pete Long)
Sunday, 10:30am @ The Shoreham Centre
A relaxed morning of jazz and blues, including Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, performed by virtuoso musicians with a guest vocalist. More Info
🪄 James Phelan: The Man Who Was Magic
Monday, 8:00pm @ Komedia
A five-star magic show blending sharp comedy with genuinely baffling illusions, delivered by one of the UK’s standout performers (sunday show is soldout!). More Info
🎤 Taster with Pop, Soul and Gospel Choir
Monday, 6:15pm @ St Mary Magdalene Primary School
A welcoming, no-audition taster session for anyone curious about singing in harmony as part of a large community choir. More Info
💍 Ring Making Workshop
Monday, 11:00am and 12:00pm @ Posh Totty Designs
A hands-on jewellery workshop where you’ll design and carve your own bespoke ring using traditional wax-carving techniques. More Info
🎪 DreamSpin Learn to Hoop
From Monday @ Hanover Community Centre
Beginner-friendly hoop dance classes mixing circus skills, rhythm and simple choreography, suitable for ages 14+. More Info
🖼️ Sun Child Moon Child
All weekend, times vary @ Helm Gallery
A solo exhibition by Marcelina Amelia exploring ritual, memory and inner-child themes through new, contemplative works. More Info
🎬 Play Back Forward
All weekend, 10:00am-5:00pm @ Hove Museum of Creativity
An immersive exhibition exploring Brighton and Hove’s early film pioneers through archive footage and interactive displays. More Info
Family Events
🥾 FREE HIKE: Amberley to Shoreham-by-Sea
Saturday, 10:15am-6:00pm @ Amberley Station
A full-day South Downs hike starting at Amberley Station and finishing by the sea at Shoreham, ideal for blowing off festive cobwebs. More Info
🎄 Little Seedlings Club: Christmas Tree Recycling Workshop
Sunday, 10:15am and 11:30am @ Dobbies Brighton
A hands-on workshop where children learn about sustainability and turn old Christmas trees into mini wildlife habitats. More Info
🎨 Drop-in Festive Crafts
Friday-Sunday, 10:00am-3:30pm @ Arundel Wetland Centre
Creative, hands-on festive crafts included with admission, free for WWT members and ideal for a relaxed family visit. More Info
🍽️ Sunday Drag Roast!
Sunday, 1:00pm-4:00pm @ Brighton Music Hall
Award-winning roasts, live music and two free, family-friendly drag shows in a lively seaside setting. More Info
Live Music
Blues Corporation - New Years Charity Gig | The Brunswick | Friday, 7pm | Tickets