Hello, Brighton & Hove!

It feels like that sweet, brief calm before the storm of next week's Bank Holiday madness, but don't let the temporary lull fool you. There is more than enough in the weekend lineup to get stuck into. Whether you're heading to Preston Manor for Picturehouse's outdoor cinema finale featuring Dirty Dancing and Paddington 2, tucking into house-made bratwurst at The Brick's German beer celebration, or browsing independent stalls at The Big Gay Market down at Daltons, there is plenty happening.

Also, a dear friend of mine Marley is hosting a Support Local Supper Club on Sunday at the Crossbar in partnership with the brilliant She Shucks for an afternoon of oysters, English sparkling wine, and if you're feeling brave your very own oyster shucking lesson. Book tickets here.

If you fancy a quieter pace, wander over to Kemptown's oldest bookshop for a browse, or catch a Bee Gees tribute performance under the open sky at BOAT.

Grab a hot or cold drink, soak up the late summer energy, and let's dive into this weekend's top picks!

Here is what’s squawking this week:

🎬 Outdoor cinema season finale lands at Preston Manor.
🌭 German beer and bratwurst weekend hits The Brick.
🛍️ Free LGBTQ+ makers market opens at Daltons.
📚 Community vibes at Kemptown’s oldest bookshop.
🍺 Rotating Sussex craft brews at The Windmill.

📚 Kempton Bookshop

I absolutely love this little bookshop, and as we all know, independent bookshops can do with every bit of support we can give them. The Kemptown Bookshop is a total gem, standing proud as Brighton’s oldest independent bookshop. If you already know this spot, fantastic keep supporting them. If you haven't been yet, you really should pop in; it is a wonderful place.

Spanning three beautifully curated floors on St. George’s Road, it is so much more than just a place to pick up a great read. Instead of just stacking shelves, they’ve built a vibrant community hub complete with children’s story times, book clubs, writing groups, and even dedicated co-working sessions. They host regular book launches and showcase local writers, keeping our city’s rich literary spirit alive and kicking.

What I love most is the sheer warmth of the space; it’s the kind of shop where you can easily lose an hour browsing recommendations and chatting about stories. Skip the online algorithms this weekend, stroll over to Kemptown, and go support a true local treasure.

📍 91 St. George’s Road, Kemptown, BN2 1EE
🕒 Mon-Sat: 9am–5:30pm, Sun: 10am–4pm
💰 Books, gifts, events, and community groups
🔗 More Info

🍺 The Windmill

Tucked away on Upper North Street, The Windmill is an absolute masterpiece of a classic back street boozer. Serving locals since 1828, this independent spot manages to feel like a hidden sanctuary while sitting just moments from the city centre hustle.

If you are a fan of Sussex brewing, this place is genuine heaven. Their taps feature a rotating lineup of local legends like UnBarred, ABYSS, Beak, and Burning Sky, alongside what many argue is the best pint of Guinness in Brighton. Rather than sticking to one fixed menu, they host incredible rotating street food kitchen pop-ups, giving rising local culinary talent a platform. Outside, you will find a glorious south-facing sun trap terrace, while inside boasts a cosy open fire, a traditional Sussex toad table, and a new first-floor private function room. It is independent, fiercely loyal to local craft, and a proper neighbourhood gem.

📍 69 Upper North Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3FL
🕒 Mon-Tue 12pm-10pm, Wed-Thu 12pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-1am, Sun 11am- 11pm

🍽️ Pop-up alert: Don't miss Chow Bella taking over the kitchen this weekend (serving 12pm to 9pm) for their celebratory relocation pop-up!
🔗 Visit their website

Fri

🌮 CASAZUL Summer Weekend Tacover | 12pm, Fri & Sat @ Picturehouse at Komedia-CasaAzul hosts a vibrant pop-up featuring artisanal tacos, refreshing drinks, live music, and Mexican dance performances in the North Laine art-house cinema space. More Info

🪩 Wildblood & Queenie X Saltdean Lido | 7pm, Fri 21 Aug @ Saltdean Lido
Brighton DJ duo Wildblood & Queenie bring their signature glitter-fuelled disco, nu-disco, and Italo house set to the lido ballroom, with drink specials and food available on the summer terraces. More Info

🎸 Bob Dylan – A Celebration | 8pm, Fri 21 Aug @ Ironworks Studios
A tribute night celebrating Bob Dylan's catalogue, featuring live performances from Tig Savage, Ben Westwood, Anna Searight, and Pierce Joyce. More Info

🎸 Mystery Jets: Live + Signing | 6:30pm, Fri @ Resident Music The Eel Pie Island-formed band performs a 45-minute set of their eccentric songwriting to celebrate the release day of their new album A Hole To See The Sky Through, followed by an in-store signing. More Info

💃 Outdoor Cinema: Dirty Dancing | 6:30pm, Fri @ Preston Manor South Lawn & Garden-An outdoor screening of the iconic romantic drama, featuring a £7 drink/snack credit included with every ticket and the film beginning shortly after sundown. More Info

🐱 Movie Night with Cats! | 8:30pm, Fri @ Purrfect Space
A cosy screening of Kedi, the documentary following Istanbul's street cats, held in a venue filled with resident rescue felines, with complimentary hot drinks provided. More Info

🎸 GOAT FEST 2026 | 2pm, Fri @ Alphabet
An all-day festival celebrating Brighton's independent music scene with a lineup of emerging artists across Jazz Fusion, Neo Soul, and psychedelic rock, culminating in a headline album release performance by Goetia. More Info

🎭 The End of the Pier Show | 1pm & 3pm Fri @ Brighton Palace Pier
A family-friendly 50-minute musical celebrating the pier's history through a blend of classic seaside tunes, comedy, and modern hits performed by the Palace Pier Performers. More Info

🎬 Safe Space Screening | 8pm, Fri @ Komedia Brighton
A screening of a short film trilogy shot through mirror perspectives in female spaces, exploring relatable themes of school dramas, drunken fallouts, and chaotic outfit malfunctions. More Info

Sat

🎻 Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons | 6pm & 8pm, Sat @ St George's Church-An evening featuring Vivaldi's classic cycle reinterpreted through Max Richter's minimalist and postmodern lens, performed live by the Mystery Ensemble. More Info

🎸 Chris Harper | Back To Brighton | 7:30pm, Sat @ Komedia Brighton
Indie artist Chris Harper returns to Brighton alongside special guest support acts for an energetic live gig. More Info

🎈 Martlets Charity Fun Day | 11am, Sat @ Stanmer House
A family-friendly charity event featuring games, live music, dancing, food, and a prize draw with proceeds supporting hospice care and children in hospitals. More Info

🕺 Outdoor Cinema: Stop Making Sense | 6:30pm, Sat @ Preston Manor South Lawn & Garden-Jonathan Demme's legendary concert film capturing Talking Heads live at the Pantages Theatre comes to the open air, with a £7 food and drink voucher included with every ticket. More Info

Sun

🪩 Bee Gees Gold | 2pm, Sun @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
A tribute show featuring West End and international touring performers celebrating the legendary harmonies, iconic falsettos, and disco hits of the Bee Gees. More Info

🔥 Raku pottery workshop in the woods | 11am, Sun @ Knowlands Wood, Barcombe-An outdoor workshop in the East Sussex woodland where participants decorate pre-bisqued pottery with custom glazes and experience the traditional Japanese raku firing process, taking home finished pieces the same day. More Info

🎭 The SHOT Show – One Year Anniversary Special! | 7:30pm, Sun @ The Brunswick-A variety night celebrating its first anniversary with a lineup of stand-up comedy, live music from singer-songwriter Izzy Lunn, magic and cabaret from Simon Vertue, plus a few surprises. More Info

🎙️ Hammer & Tongue: Poetry Jam | 3pm, Sun @ Fountainhead
A free, open-to-all spoken word poetry open mic session hosted by Leanne Shorley, where poets get up to 4 minutes to perform alongside drinks and food from Boysterous Burgers. More Info

🐻 Outdoor Cinema: Paddington 2 | 6:30pm, Sun @ Preston Manor South Lawn & Garden-An open-air screening of the beloved family sequel following Paddington as he tries to retrieve a stolen pop-up book for Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, with a £7 food and drink credit included in the ticket price. More Info

Live Music

Psychic & Wellbeing Event + MASCOT GRAVEYARD + Guests | Fri @ Prince Albert
Live at The Brunswick | Fri @ The Brunswick
Silky Beatz | Fri @ Fortune of War
Mystery Jets: Live + Signing | Fri @ Resident
Drake Night (Brighton) | Fri @ Dust
Spooky Huge | Fri @ Rossi Bar
Free The Jungle w/ Samurai Breaks | Fri @ Quarters
Disco On The Terrace | Fri @ Concorde 2
MISGENDERED + BRICK + CLOUDED + SPREE | Fri @ Daltons
HOT VOX: Quarter Final | Fri @ Folklore Rooms
ALT ANTHEMS | Fri @ Daltons
Sad Dads | Fri @ Green Door Store
Way Dynamic | Fri @ Chalk
H&R Presents: Collect Call + Darcy + Bethany May | Fri @ Hope & Ruin

Blue Stragglers + Cousins (the band) | Sat @ The Brunswick
Rey Rave | Sat @ The Brunswick
GET YOUR ROCKS OFF KARAOKE (FREE!) | Sat @ Caroline of Brunswick
Fairytopia | Sat @ Rossi Bar
Spaceship HOAXWIND Returns to The Brunswick | Sat @ The Brunswick
Fleetwood Bac | Sat @ Concorde 2
Chris Harper: Back To Brighton | Sat @ Komedia
FAMILY OF STRANGERS + BARRIERS + JOE BITTER + SPECIAL GUESTS | Sat @ Prince Albert
Urban Moves Showcase | Sat @ Fortune of War
N.A Events Presents Jamie Fielding | Sat @ Concorde 2
Uncut Jams Presents: The Trip | Sat @ Quarters
Hannah Julian | Sat @ Folklore Rooms
THAT 70'S NIGHT // BRIGHTON BEACH // LATE ROCK & ROLL LIVE | Sat @ Daltons
Tempers Fray ‘No Peace In Death’ Release Show | Sat @ Green Door Store
REVOLT Presents: Yumi And The Weather + HyerDense + French Toast | Sat @ Hope & Ruin
epidemik Brighton Takeover | Sat @ Volks

Ross Harding - Blues Shadows Live Experience | Sun @ The Brunswick
X-TAPES | Sun @ Daltons
Riskee and the Ridicule | Sun @ Hope & Ruin
KLAMP | Sun @ Green Door Store