Hello Brighton 👋

From a rescued seal pup making a comeback to a taproom serving up bold beers with a side of proper pizza, there’s plenty of good news (and good taste) around the city this week. Add in a Happiness Experiment with Fatboy Slim, a pretty sweet festival and a big charity challenge, then you’ve got a week full of flavour, fun and feel-good vibes.

Here’s what’s squawking this week:

🐟 Seal pup rescued on Brighton beach is on the mend
🎧 Fatboy Slim’s unique gig at The Old Market
🍫 Brighton Chocolate Festival returns with artisan treats
🗓️ Gigs galore, family fun and more across the city

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🐟 Seal Rescue Success

A young seal washed up on Brighton beach near the West Pier last week has been given a lifeline thanks to quick-thinking kids and local wildlife volunteers. The pup, now named Fern, was severely underweight and exhausted when he was found.

He’s now recovering at the RSPCA Mallydams Centre in Hastings, where staff say he’s “perking up” with regular feeds and care. After antibiotics and fluids, Fern is showing signs of strength and is already looking brighter.

→ Read more from BBC News

🎢 Brighton Thrill-Seeker Breaks World Record

Brighton’s Dean Stokes has made the record books after riding 55 rollercoasters in a single week. Starting at Brighton Palace Pier and finishing at Thorpe Park, Dean clocked up an astonishing 108 rides at 32 parks in just 16 days.

Despite stormy weather forcing closures along the way, he still smashed the Guinness World Record target of 30 rides. Supporters even joined him at parks to cheer him on.

Dean capped it all off with a “victory lap” on Hyperia, saying the challenge proves people should “get out there and do more of what they love.”

→ Read more from The Argus

🛍️ Brighton Shops Buck the Trend

Brighton and Hove is faring far better than most UK cities when it comes to empty shops. A national report found the city has the fifth-lowest vacancy rate at just 9%, well below the UK average of 14%.

In the city centre, the figure drops even further to just 3.6%, thanks to a strong mix of independents and bigger brands. IKEA’s new Churchill Square store adds to the buzz.

Council and business groups say the city’s success is down to partnerships and ongoing efforts to keep Brighton’s high street vibrant, welcoming and full of life.

→ Read more from Brighton & Hove News

Also in the News

📚 The Coast is Queer Returns – Brighton’s LGBTQ+ literary festival is back at the Attenborough Centre (Oct 9–12) with headline names including Juno Dawson, Munroe Bergdorf, Ali Smith and Jackie Kay, plus panels, workshops, performances and a new Queer Heritage Hub.
→ Read more from Sussex Express

😂 Eric Idle Live – Monty Python legend Eric Idle brings his new tour Always Look On the Bright Side of Life LIVE! to the Brighton Centre on Sept 12, sharing stories from his astonishing career and friendship with George Harrison.
→ See Tickets

✈️ Still Flying at 90! – Great-grandfather Peter Woodman from Seaford celebrated his 90th birthday by piloting a plane from Shoreham. The lifelong flyer has clocked up 96 different aircraft in his career and is still taking to the skies.
→ Read more from The Argus

🛒 IKEA Sees Big Queues – Hundreds queued from dawn for the launch of IKEA’s new Churchill Square store, complete with a steel band and seagull mascot. The two-storey shop spans 6,695m² and brings affordable Scandi design to the city centre.
→ Read more from Brighton and Hove News

🎧 The Happiness Experiment with Fatboy Slim

This September, Hove’s Old Market is turning into a giant science lab – with Fatboy Slim on the decks. The two-night Happiness Experiment (Wed 3 & Thu 4 Sep) blends club night energy with wearable tech and live surveys, led by Professor Paul Dolan from LSE. Tickets are very limited and already in hot demand.

🗓️ Wed 3 – Thu 4 Sept, 6pm–11:30pm
👉 Book Tickets Here

🍫 Brighton Chocolate Festival

Sweet tooths, rejoice! Brighton’s tastiest weekend returns as Wagner Hall fills with the UK’s best bean-to-bar chocolatiers. From Sussex’s own J.Cocoa (based in Hassocks) to small-batch makers from across the country, it’s all about local craft, ethical sourcing, and plenty of delicious samples.

This family-friendly festival of deliciousness is a chance to discover artisan treats while supporting small businesses who put passion before profit with a focus on sustainable practises and education about the art of chocolate making.

🗓️ Sat 27 – Sun 28 Sept, 11am–5pm
📍 Wagner Hall, Brighton
❓ More Info

🥾 GOSH South Coast Challenge

Ready for an adventure with a purpose? The South Coast Challenge invites you to walk, jog, or run 25km, 50km or even 100km across the stunning South Downs, from Eastbourne through Brighton to Arundel.

Every step raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, funding vital care and research for children and families. With rest stops, medics, and medals at the finish, it’s a challenge worth every stride.

🗓️ Sat 6 – Sun 7 Sept
📍 South Downs Way (Eastbourne to Arundel via Brighton)
❓ More Info

🍻 Date Spot of the Week: UnBarred Taproom

Born in a shed back in 2014, UnBarred now runs one of Brighton’s best indie taprooms. With over a dozen beers on tap (plus more in cans), they cover everything from crisp lagers to juicy IPAs, rich stouts and low-alcohol brews. Their cans double as mini art pieces too, thanks to collabs with local Brighton artists.

It’s not just beer though. Fatto a Mano keep you fuelled with proper Neapolitan pizza and Italian bites (turns out Lasagna Fritta is a thing and I’m glad it is). Plus, tonight’s the night to drop by with Bingo Bangers kicking off at 7:30pm with prizes, interactive fun, and 20% off drinks for players. Book Here.

If bingo’s not your thing, there’s a monthly quiz (second Tuesday, £2 entry + 20% off beers), or you can level up with a tutored tasting with 3 beers for £20 or 5 for £30. Basically, there’s plenty of ways to turn this into a cracking date.

📍 Elder Pl, Preston Circus
🧑‍💻 More Info & Online Store

🏡 Powis Villas Perfection

A beautifully refurbished home on Brighton’s very central and prestigious Powis Villas, with herringbone floors, restored features, and a glass-roofed Harvey Jones kitchen that floods the space with light. With generous bedrooms, a flexible lower-ground suite, and a private garden, it’s elegance and modern chic rolled into one.

📍 Powis Villas, BN1
💰 £1,500,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

Tuesday

🪐 Asteroid Workshop for Kids (ages 6–12)
10:30am @ Dyke Road Park Cafe
Explore the fascinating world of asteroids and meteorites with space-themed art outdoors. More Info

🎻 La Glorieta de Brighton: Social Tango
7pm–10pm @ Brighton Beach Bandstand
Open-air tango evening for all levels, set to the sound of the sea. More Info

🎨 Leisure Art Jamming Workshop
4pm @ WRAP, Queens Road
Relaxed paint-and-sip session with friends — no stress, no pressure, just creativity. Tickets

🎮 Tuesdays at The World’s End with Gaming Retro-bution
Tuesday, 8pm–11pm @ World’s End
Play from 1,500+ retro games set up around the bar. Always free entry and free to play. More Info

📖 The Enchanted Castle Make & Move (ages 3–8)
2–4pm @ Hanover Centre
Creative dance and storytelling adventure for kids with Magic Moves Dance. Tickets

💘 Speed Dating in Brighton (Ages 35–55)
7:30pm–9:30pm @ The Fitz Regent
Speed dating evening for singles aged 35–55. Tickets

🎪 Punch & Judy’s Fun and Games Time
2:30pm–3:30pm @ West Pier Centre, Kings Road Arches
Family-friendly seaside Punch & Judy show plus classic games. Tickets

Wednesday

🎶 Open Mic Night
8pm @ The Bees Mouth
Friendly open mic welcoming singers, poets, and performers of all kinds. More Info

🎭 The Wild Washerwomen
2pm–3:30pm @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
Family theatre adaptation of Quentin Blake’s tale of six lively washerwomen. Tickets

🎲 Sal’s On The Game
9pm–10:15pm @ Charles Street Tap
Cabaret gameshow with Sally Vate, prizes, and plenty of laughs. More Info

🧘 Community Yoga Class – Low Cost and Accessible
12pm–1pm @ About Balance
A weekly accessible lunchtime class exploring classical yoga postures, open to everybody. More Info

🛍️ Closing Down Sale at Circles Store
Wed – Sun, 12pm–5pm daily @ Circles, Church Street, Brighton
Selling off preloved fashion, sustainable bags, stationery, lifestyle products and vintage gems. More Info

❓ Mad Dog Pub Quiz
8pm–11pm @ Mad Dog Brewery, Duke Street, Brighton
Six killer rounds, fresh face behind the mic, banter and bragging rights for the best team name. More Info

Thursday

🎶 Brighton Mod Weekender 2025 (20th Anniversary)
Frid 22 – Mon 25 Aug @ Komedia & across Brighton
Celebrating two decades of Mod culture with live music, DJs, scooters, and parties. Tickets

🎭 THE D.E Experience
9pm @ Centre Stage Brighton
Drag legend D.E Experience brings glitz and glamour to kick off the Bank Holiday weekend. More Info

🎉 Schools Out For Summer!
2:30pm–5pm @ Hollingdean Community Centre
Kids’ summer disco with games, arts and crafts, and plenty of family fun. More Info

🌈 Brighton Gay Speed Dating (Ages 35–55)
7pm–9:30pm @ The Bootlegger, Brighton
Meet, chat and mingle at a gay speed dating night for ages 35–55. Tickets

Friday

🎤 Paloma Faith
6:30pm @ Stanmer Park
Chart-topping star Paloma Faith headlines an outdoor summer concert. Tickets

😂 Komedia Comedy Club
Fri 22 Aug, 8pm (doors 7pm) @ Komedia Brighton
Top stand-up with Will Duggan (MC), Prince Abdi, Carey Marx and Archie Maddocks. Tickets

💃 Madonna Vs Lady Gaga
8:30pm–12am @ Ironworks Studios
A fierce night of live vocals, iconic looks, a fan quiz, and an after-party of non-stop bangers. Tickets

🌲 Bushcraft vs Minecraft – Summer Holiday Clubs
8:45am–3:15pm @ Cottesmore St Mary’s School, Hove
Build dens, shelters and tools with hidden resources — a mix of bushcraft and Minecraft fun. Tickets

🕺 The 5th Brighton Rhythm & Soul Weekend
Fri 22 – Mon 25 Aug @ The KoKo Club, Queens Hotel
Northern Soul, Motown and rare grooves all weekend long at Brighton seafront’s KoKo Club. Tickets

🐞 MiniBeast Hunt
11am–1pm @ St Ann’s Well Gardens, Hove
Guided bug hunt for children aged 4–11. Free but booking required. More Info

🎨 From Seville, with resistance
6–8pm @ SAFE Gallery, Brighton
Art showcase by Lola Lasanta celebrating resistance and resilience through powerful works. More Info

Live Music

Tuesday

🎶 Folklore Monthly Showcase w/ Miler, Anna Pancaldi + Poesy | 7:30pm @ The Folklore Rooms | More Info | Free entry showcase with three artists in an intimate setting.

🎸 Fail Better presents Metamorphosis: Hill Collective / Qujaku / Powellophonics | 7:30pm–10:30pm @ The Green Door Store | Tickets | Experimental and underground live sounds.

Wednesday

🎤 BURNER + Always Expire + Devilhusk + Monovoid | 7pm–12am @ Daltons, Madeira Drive | Tickets | Heavy metal night on the seafront.

🎶 Babyteeth | 7pm @ The Green Door Store | Tickets | Alt-pop outfit bringing infectious hooks.

🎸 The Gulls | 7:30pm @ The Hope & Ruin | Tickets | Energetic indie-rock with a raw live edge.

🎶 Dlina Volny + Support | 8pm @ The Prince Albert | Tickets | Belarusian post-punk trio with dark-wave sounds.

Thursday

🎤 Halle Kearns + Support | 7:30pm @ Komedia Brighton | Tickets | Rising US country-pop singer-songwriter.

🎸 The Rifles | 7:30pm @ Komedia Brighton | Tickets | Indie rock stalwarts with singalong anthems.

🎶 Mirepoix | 7pm @ The Green Door Store | Tickets | Dreamy indie band mixing shoegaze textures.

Friday

🎶 Des Was a Bowie Fan: Brighton Special | 11pm–3am @ Daltons Beach Club | More Info | Indiepop, new wave and Bowie classics till late.

🎶 Brighton Beat Club | 9pm @ Komedia Brighton | Tickets | A night of live funk, soul and rhythm.

🎸 Mod Weekender: The Molotovs + The Len Price 3 | 7pm–10pm @ Patterns | Tickets | Explosive mod rock and garage revival night.

🎸 The Kinx | 6pm @ Chalk Brighton | Tickets | Top Kinks tribute band.

🎸 Acoustic Afternoon @ The Brunswick | 2pm–5pm @ The Brunswick, Hove | More Info | Laid-back unplugged sets in the pub’s garden.