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🐦 Rare Vinyl Bargains, A Giant Seed Swap, and World-Class Ballet

🐦 Rare Vinyl Bargains, A Giant Seed Swap, and World-Class Ballet

A Weekend of Hidden Detectives, Historical Dramas, and (even more) High-Stack Pancakes

Ben Watkins
January 30, 2026

Happy Friday, Brighton!

This weekend invites you to swap your winter blues for some Tex-Mex sunshine at a vibrant Seven Dials plant haven or settle into a 70’s retro armchair for some of the city's fluffiest American-style pancake stacks. Plus, Brighton’s event calendar is back to being packed with stuff to do, offering everything from the grace of world-class ballet to the community spirit of the UK’s largest seed swap at the Open Market and the return of Komedia’s record fair.

Here’s what’s squawking this week:

🩰 Swan Lake, murder mysteries and a triple header of ‘by candlelight’
🌱 The UK's biggest community seed swap returns to the Open Market
🌵 A slice of Texas with cacti and creative lifestyle goods
🥞 Indulgent pancake stacks and 70s-style retro vibes for P&P

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30/1/26 - 1/2/26

💿 Record Fair

⏰ Sunday, 10-4pm
📍 Komedia

Specialist sellers offer thousands of vinyl bargains and rare collectors’ items for music lovers to browse throughout the afternoon. It is a fantastic opportunity to find that elusive pressing or simply discover new sounds from local experts.

🎟️ More Info

🩰 Swan Lake: Varna International Ballet

⏰ Saturday, 2:30pm
📍 Theatre Royal Brighton

The prestigious Bulgarian company makes its UK debut with a breathtaking performance of the world’s most famous ballet accompanied by a live orchestra. Audiences can expect a masterful display of classical technique and emotional storytelling in this timeless production.

🎟️ More Info

🎙️ A Word With The Bird

⏰ Saturday, 3:00pm
📍 Sweet @ The Yellow Book

This family-friendly chat show features three comedic guests performing live before sitting down for a humorous interview with Mark Tournoff. It is designed to be a delightful afternoon that tickles both your brain and your funny bone.

🎟️ More Info

🌱 Seedy Sunday

⏰ Sunday, 10:00am
📍 Brighton Open Market

The UK’s largest community seed swap returns for its 23rd year to help gardeners prepare for the upcoming allotment season. You can swap, donate, or buy everything needed for your garden while connecting with the local growing community.
🎟️ More Info

🔍 Brighton and Hove Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows

⏰ Anytime
📍 Royal Pavilion

Aspiring detectives must investigate real locations to solve the mystery of a famous travel blogger found dead on a ghost tour. Participants will need to step into the shoes of the city's best sleuths to uncover which suspect is lurking in the shadows.

🎟️ More Info

🎭 The Lion in Winter

⏰ Saturday, 7:30pm
📍 Brighton Little Theatre

This sharp-tongued historical drama explores the explosive power struggle between Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine over the Christmas of 1183. The play delivers a masterclass in wit and warfare as a family battles for control of a kingdom.

🎟️ More Info

🌵 Hi Cacti

In Seven Dials is a little gem that’s a vibrant slice of Austin, Texas, having been featured in publications like The Guardian, Vogue and The Times, the owner, Sabina, has become famous for their knowledge and specialisation in succulents. The shop also doubles as a creative hub where shoppers can find hand-painted pots and quirky lifestyle goods that bring a sun-drenched, desert aesthetic to Brighton’s greenery scene.

With half of its stock sourced from small UK makers and the rest imported directly from the Southwest US and Mexico, they celebrate independent creativity alongside Sabina’s own interactive horticulture book and seasonal workshops like their succulent wreath-making last month. The business also serves as a dedicated platform for local artistry, providing a stage for independent creators to showcase their work amidst a mini-fiesta of desert greenery.

By demystifying gardening for beginners and even sharing botanical recipes, the shop acts as a steadfast advocate for slowing down and reconnecting with nature. Whether you just fancy a gluten-free treat and a coffee or are seeking expert advice on your first succulent, this Seven Dials gem is an essential destination for those looking to bring a slice of Tex-Mex sunshine and mindful living into their home.

📍 83 Dyke Road, Seven Dials
⏰ 8:30-4pm, Mon-Sun (From 9am Sat/Sun)
🧑‍💻 Online Store & Website + Hi Cacti Book

🥞 Nowhere Man

We’re back with some more pancake stacks this week with Nowhere Man, where the beautifully presented plates are matched with an interior like a technicolour trip back to the seventies, serving up some of the most indulgent American-style pancake stacks in the city. The space is a masterclass in retro kitsch, featuring cracked faux-leather armchairs, shag pile rugs, and vintage gig posters that create the cosy, nostalgic feel of a warm and welcoming living room.

The menu is a dream for brunch lovers, focusing on thick, fluffy stacks ranging from simple maple butter ‘Beginners’ to the ‘All American Dream’, a sweet and savoury powerhouse topped with smoked bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh blueberry compote (they also have plenty of vegan options too!). Beyond the pancakes, you'll also find loaded bagels like the pastrami-packed New Yorker and of course, some excellent coffee, all soundtracked by the crackle of a vinyl record player.

With a hidden back garden ready for summer days and a tattoo parlour tucked downstairs, the cafe feels like a quintessential Brighton spot. It is a space that prioritises character over polish, making it the perfect spot to settle into a retro armchair for a long-overdue catch-up or a much needed hungover Sunday brunch.

📍 53 Upper North Street
⏰ 9:30-4pm, Mon-Sun, (From 9am Sat/Sun)
🧑‍💻 Instagram & Deliveroo

30/1/26 - 1/2/26

General Events

😂 The Treason Show
Friday, 8:00 PM @ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Mark Brailsford and the team bring topical songs and sketches to the stage in this savagely funny satirical showcase. More Info

🎻 Vivaldi Four Seasons & Hanz Zimmer by Candlelight
Friday, 7 PM & 9 PM @ Royal Pavilion
Experience the cinematic magic of Hans Zimmer and the emotional power of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons as the Piccadilly Sinfonietta performs both masterpieces under the glow of candlelight. More Info

🤣 The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins (Last Tickets)
Saturday, 8:00pm @ Brighton Dome
The beloved broadcaster returns to stand-up with a hilarious treatise on stigma and the unlikely happenings from her storied career. More Info

🎤 The Comedy Experiment
Saturday, 4:00pm @ Caroline of Brunswick
A famous TV comedian from Live At The Apollo or Mock The Week performs new material during a happy hour afternoon session. More Info

✨ Late To The Disco: The Winter Warmer
Saturday, 7:00pm @ The Freemasons
Codesouth DJs supply the vibes in an all-inclusive space designed for making friends and dancing the winter blues away. More Info

💿 The Brighton Moon-Hop
Saturday, 11:00pm @ Komedia
A brand new monthly club night brings the best of Reggae, Roots, Ska, and Rocksteady to the dancefloor until the early hours. More Info

🎻 Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi
Saturday, 7:00pm @ Royal Pavilion
An accomplished string quartet performs the whimsical and nostalgic scores of Studio Ghibli amidst the glow of hundreds of candles. More Info

🍷 Wild Cultures Workshop: Fermented Drinks
Saturday, 2:00pm @ Everflyht Vineyard
Participants learn the art of brewing probiotic-rich kombucha and other fizzy treats to boost health and immunity in this hands-on session. More Info

😂 Komedia Comedy Club
Friday & Saturday, 8:00pm @ Komedia
Three top acts and a professional MC take to the stage at this record-breaking venue for an evening of premier independent comedy. More Info

🤠 A Country Night in Nashville
Sunday, 7:30pm @ Theatre Royal Brighton
This ultimate celebration features the hits of Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash to capture the energy of the Grand Ole Opry. More Info

🎭 Jonathan Oldfield + Luke Rollason WIP
Sunday, 7:30pm @ Komedia
Two award-winning comedians present an hour of new nonsense and character comedy as they work through their latest material. More Info

🖼️ Gender Stories Exhibition
Ongoing @ Brighton Museum & Art Gallery
This thought-provoking display features works by David Hockney and Grayson Perry exploring how gender is expressed across different cultures. More Info

Family Events

🦀 The Big Rock Pool Challenge BioBlitz Battle
Saturday, 2:00pm @ Ovingdean Beach
Citizen scientists are invited to explore the coastal environment and connect with the community through hands-on discovery in local rock pools. More Info

🎙️ A Word With The Bird
Saturday, 3:00pm @ Sweet @ The Yellow Book
This family-friendly chat show features three comedic guests performing live before sitting down for a humorous interview with Mark Tournoff. More Info

Live Music