The Brighton Squawk
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🐦 Psych, Sequins & Supercars

🐦 Psych, Sequins & Supercars

From kaleidoscopic riffs to feather boas and roaring engines, Brighton’s big weekend ahead

Ben Watkins
August 29, 2025

Hello Brighton,

Despite the grey skies, Brighton doesn’t stop with kaleidoscopic riffs and glittering cabaret, from Brighton Psych Fest lighting up venues across town to feathers and sparkle at Wagner Hall. Out on the Downs, a historic farm swings open its gates, while along the seafront Brighton’s petrolheads gather for The Brighton Run. And if you’d rather stay dry, indie cafés and sizzling kitchens are ready to keep spirits high. August is bowing out with a bang, rain or shine!

Here’s what’s squawking this week:

🌀 Glittering burlesque, poolside cinema at Saltdean Lido, and a WWE legend in the ring
🌾 A National Trust Farm’s rare open day and car-fanatics take over the seafront
🧩 Puzzles meets coffee, cake and workshops
🥙 Turkish & Mediterranean flavours in a top-rated Hove restaurant

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🌀 Brighton Psych Fest

⏰ Friday
📍 Various Brighton Venues (Komedia, Chalk, Patterns & more)

The town is in a sea of color and noise for Psych Weekend, an all day party celebrating mind-expanding arts and music.

Headlined by Welsh icon Gruff Rhys, plus Jane Weaver, Gong, YIN YIN, Anna Erhard, Du Blonde, and 30+ more at the city’s top venues.

Run by Brighton promoters JOY. and Manchester Psych Fest, one ticket covers all venues. Expect an immersive mix of music, art, and community — from psychedelic afternoons to late-night adventures.

For hypnotic riffs, experimental jams, and the best crowds in town, this is Brighton’s end-of-summer blowout.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎭 Brighton Open Air Theatre: Wrestling & Tennessee Williams

⏰ Sat 2pm & 7pm + Sun 2pm
📍 Brighton Open Air Theatre (Dyke Road Park)

A packed weekend at BOAT: on Saturday, The Conor Baum Company stages a rare revival of Tennessee Williams’ Suddenly Last Summer at 2pm & 7pm. Then on Sunday, WWE legend Scotty 2 Hotty headlines a family-friendly Summer Wrestling Extravaganza with body-slams and meet-and-greet fun.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🕯️ Candlelight Concerts at the Pavilion

⏰ Sat, 7pm & 9pm
📍 Royal Pavilion, Brighton

Two magical evenings under the chandeliers of the Pavilion: at 7pm enjoy a soaring tribute to Fleetwood Mac, and at 9pm experience a full performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. The Sussex String Quartet set the mood in one of Brighton’s most beautiful settings — all by flickering candlelight.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

💃 Brighton Burlesque Festival & Summer Ball

⏰ Fri 6:30–10pm & Sat 1–10pm
📍 Wagner Hall, Brighton

Now in its third year, the Brighton Burlesque Festival takes over Wagner Hall for a full weekend of glamour, feathers and fierce routines. Friday night sees the UK’s best performers compete for the Seaside Crown. On Saturday, the doors open from 1pm for a day of market stalls, workshops, and the glittering Summer Ball, starring dazzling local and international talent.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎬 Outdoor Cinema: The Goonies

⏰ Sat, gates 6:30pm (film 8:10pm)
📍 Saltdean Lido

Relive the 80s adventure classic poolside at Saltdean Lido, with the chance for a quick dip beforehand! Pirate maps, booby traps and a hunt for hidden treasure all under the stars, a perfect end to the summer holidays.

🎟️ More Info

🚗 The Brighton Run #29

⏰ Sat, 7pm
📍 Black Rock, Brighton Beach

Brighton’s modified car scene takes over the seafront with supercars, bikes, quad bikes and custom paint jobs on show. Expect food stalls, merch, smoke grenades and a huge crowd of petrolheads by the beach.

🎟️ More Info

🌾 Saddlescombe Farm Open Day

⏰ Sat, 10am–1pm
📍 Saddlescombe Road, BN45 7DE

A rare chance to step behind the gates of a historic working farm on the South Downs. Explore the Tudor wing of the Manor House, stroll the Victorian walled garden, and join guided tours uncovering centuries of farming life in Sussex.

🎟️ More Info

🧩 Puzzle Bored

One thing Brighton is very good at is cafés, there are tonnes of great choices but there’s not one like Puzzle Bored, probably the coolest shop in town. This independently-run three-storey New Road café is as beautiful as it is unique, thoughtfully designed as a noise-sensitive haven in where all will feel at ease.

Owned by Mark and Denise, it is a calming, inclusive haven for neurodivergent people (of all ages) or those simply in need of a less noisy and overwhelming pace.

Here you’ll discover shelves upon shelves of lovely locally-designed jigsaw puzzles, plenty of which have been created with Brighton artists. Alongside tea, cakes, coffee and even mushroom cocoa and CBD beverages.

Boasting a warm atmosphere and regular creative activity days held in association with local charities and community groups, Puzzle Bored is one of Brighton’s most inspiring and welcoming venues.

September Workshops at Puzzle Bored

📸 Polaroid Play Workshop - Wed 10 Sept, 10.30am (£35)
Get hands-on with instant photography and playful creativity.

🎨 Paint Your Partner Workshop - Thu 18 Sept, 7pm–9pm (£30)
A light-hearted evening of art where you and your partner are both muse and painter.

🧼 Parent & Child Whipped Soap Making - Sat 20 Sept, 10.30am (£34)
A fun family activity creating colourful, scented whipped soaps to take home.

🫙 Kimchi Making Workshop - Tue 23 Sept, 6pm (£40)
Learn the art of fermenting this Korean staple with guidance and tastings.

📍 New Road, BN1 1UG
🌐 Browse Their Puzzles & Events

🥙 MEDITERRA KITCHEN

Boundary Road isn’t short on food spots, but Mediterra Kitchen is worth the trip for its mix of Turkish tradition and Mediterranean flair. Family-run and full of heart, every plate feels like it’s been made just for you with the flavour and the presentation being spot on everytime.

Expect sizzling lamb and chicken shish fresh off the grill, rich moussaka, and mezze spreads stacked with smoky aubergine dips, falafel, and halloumi. Wash it all down with Turkish wines, cocktails, or a cold pint, and don’t skip their brilliant £15.95 two-course lunch deal.

Whether it’s brunch, dinner, or a late-night celebration, Mediterra serves up bold flavours with a side of genuine hospitality. A spot that feels instantly welcoming, and one you’ll be glad you discovered.

📍 85 Boundary Road, Hove BN3
🗓 Open 12pm - 11pm Mon - Fri

Events marked with a * are sponsored

General Events

🖼️ Take The Streets – Fridays at Helm
Fri, 6pm @ Helm Gallery, Brighton
Live DJ, tattooing and cocktails in an immersive art-meets-music night. Free entry. More Info

🎉 Party In Your Pants
Fri, 8pm–1:45am @ WaterBear Music Bar
Inclusive feminist paint party full of radical joy and music. Tickets

💃 Brighton Burlesque Festival: Seaside Crown
Fri, 6:30pm–10pm @ Wagner Hall
UK’s top burlesque performers compete for the Seaside Crown. Tickets

💃 Brighton Burlesque Summer Ball & Market
Sat, 1pm–10pm @ Wagner Hall
High-calibre burlesque superstars in a glamorous summer ball. Tickets

🕯️ Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Sat, 7pm @ Royal Pavilion, Brighton
Iconic Fleetwood Mac hits performed live by candlelight. Tickets

🕯️ Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
Sat, 9pm @ Royal Pavilion
Atmospheric string quartet playing Vivaldi by candlelight. Tickets

🚗 The Brighton Run #29
Sat, 7pm @ Black Rock, Brighton Beach
Static meet showcasing modified cars, bikes, food and merch. More Info

🎭 Suddenly Last Summer (The Conor Baum Company)
Sat, 2pm & 7pm @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
Rare Tennessee Williams revival of a dark, poetic classic. Tickets

😂 Komedia Comedy Club
Sat, 8pm @ Komedia Brighton
Top stand-up talent in Brighton’s legendary basement comedy club. Tickets

🎤 Dan Jones: Remontadan (WIP)
Sun, 7:30pm @ Komedia Brighton
Award-winning comedian tests new material in an intimate work-in-progress show. Tickets

🚗 Brighton Marina Car Boot Sale
Sun, 7am–2pm @ Level 9 Car Park, Brighton Marina
Large-scale car boot with many stalls. More Info

🌿 Nature Connection with Moss + Mates
Sun, 10am–12pm @ Wild Park Local Nature Reserve
Gentle morning stroll with prompts to connect with nature, plus tea and chats. More Info

🚶 The Brunswick Town Walk
Sun, 11am @ The Regency Town House, Brunswick Square, Hove
Guided 90-minute walk exploring Brunswick Town’s history. Tickets

🏊 Brighton & Hove Triathlon 2025
Sun, All Day @ Hove Lawns & Brighton Seafront
Swim, bike, run across a traffic-free seafront route - from first-timers to pros. More Info

Family Events

🤼 Summer Wrestling Extravaganza with Scotty 2 Hotty
Sun, 2pm @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
WWE legend headlines family-friendly wrestling show with meet-and-greet. Tickets

👨‍👩‍👧 Mental Wellbeing Family Activity Walk
Sat, 10am–11am @ Preston Park, Brighton
Fun family walk with activities promoting wellbeing and emotional health. Tickets

🐎 Saddlescombe Farm Open Day
Sat, 10am–1pm @ Saddlescombe Road, BN45 7DE
Rare chance to explore a working farm with guided tours, walled garden and history talks. More Info

🎉 End of Summer Fun Day
Sat, 12pm @ Old Boat Corner Community Centre, Carden Hill
Community fun day with stalls, games and family activities. More Info

🤼 Wrestling on Brighton Beach – UKPW: Forbidden Shore
Sat @ Brighton Beach
Body-slams by the sea in this free beach wrestling spectacle. Tickets

🎨 COLOUR – Children’s Exhibition
Ongoing @ Royal Pavilion, Brighton
Immersive rainbow adventure through colour, light and sound in George IV’s Pavilion. 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