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- 🐦 Seafront Reggae Bash, Apiary’s Farewell & Preston Park Kite Festivals
🐦 Seafront Reggae Bash, Apiary’s Farewell & Preston Park Kite Festivals
From sipping exotic rum cocktails on the seafront and bidding a fond farewell to Norfolk Square's honey-infused sanctuary, to watching giant kite displays take over Preston Park and catching a stellar Kate Bush tribute at the Rotunda Cafe.
Béla Molnar
July 03, 2026
Hello, Brighton & Hove!
It’s properly Friday, and the city is collectively exhaling now that the breeze has finally knocked the edge off that stifling glare. It actually feels like prime summer out there today. If you've been anywhere near the North Laine this week, you probably saw the absolute chaos of that double-decker bus getting itself firmly wedged into a shop corner on Trafalgar Street, definitely one way to completely gridlock the city. 🙃
There couldn't be a better day than today to kick off the weekend, as the legendary Love Supreme Jazz Festival takes place on the lawns of Glynde Place. If you haven't done it yet, please drop everything and cast your vote by midnight tonight for the best restaurant in Brighton, so your absolute go-to independent spot gets the spotlight it deserves. Grab yourself a glass of ice-cold squash, and let’s dive straight in.
Here is what’s squawking this week:
🎷 Catch world-class jazz, soul and R&B legends live at Glynde Place.
🐝 Toast the nine final weeks of honey-infused drinks and delish food at Apiary.
🪁 Watch spectacular giant kite displays soaring high over Preston Park.
🧜♀️ Join the glorious, chaotic wave of sea-worshipping Hove Mermaids.
🍹 Sip exotic rum cocktails to heavy, rolling basslines on the beach.
3/7/2026 - 5/7/2026
🎷 Love Supreme Festival 🕣 Fri 3 Jul-Sun 5 Jul Europe's biggest outdoor jazz festival returns to Brighton for three days of world-class jazz, soul, and R&B. This year's stellar lineup features major headliners Loyle Carner, Ezra Collective, and De La Soul, alongside a boutique wellness area, family entertainment, and an exclusive on-site Ottolenghi pop-up. 🎟️ More Info 🎨 Makers Festival 🕣 10am-4pm, Sat 4 Jul & Sun 5 Jul Spend the weekend exploring a curated market featuring independent artists, designers, and craftspeople spread across the lawns. Visitors can shop for handmade ceramics, textiles, jewellery, and original artwork directly from the creators. The free event also includes live music, artisan food, and craft demonstrations. 🎟️ More Info 🍹 Rum & Reggae Fest 🕣 12pm-10:30pm, Sat 4 Jul The ultimate Caribbean celebration lands on the seafront this Saturday. The massive day festival features an incredible lineup including Gentlemen's Dub Club, The Skints, and Mad Professor. Alongside the music, expect authentic Jamaican street food, carnival dancers, fire performers, and exotic rum cocktails. 🎟️ More Info 🎪 Charity and Community Day 🕣 10am-4pm, Sat 4 Jul Head down to this wonderful annual showcase. It is a fantastic family fun day packed with live music, craft stalls, raffles, and tombolas, as well as relaxing chair massages and Qi Gong taster sessions. Best of all, you'll get to meet the adorable Canine Partners puppies and support incredible local causes at the same time. 🎟️ More Info 🎨 Everythings Alright Fest 🕣 12pm-8pm, Sat 4 Jul & Sun 5 Jul Well, there has never been a better time to get inked up or at least peer at people who are. I highly recommend checking out this boutique art-and-music crossover event this weekend. It is packed with a properly eclectic mix of Brighton and London talent showcasing everything from fashion and bakes to tooth gems and actual tattoos, all soundtracked by heavy reggae and jungle beats. 🎟️ More Info | 🪁 Brighton Kite Festival 🕣 10am-8pm, Sat 4 Jul-Sun 5 Jul The South Coast Kite Festival takes over Preston Park this weekend. This free family event features giant kite displays alongside Cole’s Funfair, animal experiences, shopping stalls, character appearances, and a food court. Children can also enjoy free face painting and plenty of all-ages entertainment. 🎟️ More Info 🎭 Around the World in 80 Days 🕣 7pm (Sat 4 Jul) & 2pm (Sun 5 Jul) A fearless troupe of actor-musicians brings Jules Verne’s globe-trotting classic to life this weekend. This joyful, open-air stage adaptation follows Phileas Fogg's race against time across continents. Audiences can expect dazzling live music, outrageous characters, inventive storytelling, and plenty of theatrical mayhem. 🎟️ More Info 🧜♀️ March of the Mermaids 🕣 12pm-8pm, Sat 4 Jul In an event that is just so Brighton, a massive wave of mermaids, pirates, and King Prawns will take over the seafront this Saturday. Gather on Hove Lawns at noon for a pre-parade picnic before marching at 2pm. The family-friendly spectacle wraps up at Fortune of War with an afterparty featuring live music and DJs until 8pm. 🎟️ More Info 🎩 Festival of Whimsy 🕣 2pm-11pm, Sat 4 Jul If you feel like avoiding the town centre, escape to this magical, all-day Wonderland-themed extravaganza. Hosted by Professor Elemental, it features an incredible lineup of live music, a comedy set from legend Mitch Benn, a cosplay competition, and quirky craft markets. You can even pre-book a Mad Hatter's picnic box to enjoy alongside the workshops and games. 🎟️ More Info 👶 The Baby Fayre 🕣 10am-3pm, Sun 5 Jul Because what screams "relaxing Sunday morning" quite like a room full of sleep-deprived parents and overstimulated toddlers? If you are expecting or currently navigating the early years, this is a must. It’s a massive showcase of small, local businesses offering everything from sensory resources and baby massage to soft play, castings, and essential first-aid info. 🎟️ More Info |
🐝 Apiary
I was thinking about how easy it is to take the spots we love for granted, and honestly, nothing feels more like the soul of our city than Apiary. We’ve all been charmed by their beautiful Norfolk Square spot, but we’ve just had the incredibly sad news that they are calling time at the bar/restaurant on August 29th. While it’s heartbreaking to see them go, we have exactly nine weeks left to pack out this absolute gem and celebrate everything they’ve achieved.
Most people don't know it was founded by a husband-and-wife team of passionate beekeepers who fell in love with the craft during lockdown. Instead of opening a standard cocktail bar, they built a completely unique, honey-infused sanctuary that champions bee-inspired small plates, artisan meads, and incredible honey-laced drinks. They are a massive asset to our community, even using their platform to host amazing Bee Experience Days and various other projects.
Let's make sure their final two months are an absolute triumph. They'll be honouring all gift vouchers until the final bank holiday week, and their scheduled hive experiences are still going ahead. Skip the usual corporate chain spots, book a table, and go give this beautiful independent team the massive, buzzing send-off they truly deserve.
📍 50 Norfolk Square, BN1 2PA
🕒 Wed-Thu: 5pm–11pm, Fri-Sat: 12pm–11:30pm, Sun: 12pm–9pm
🔗 More info & Book a table
🍺 The Basketmakers Arms
If you are wandering through the North Laine and need to escape the hectic crowds of shoppers, you need to head over to Gloucester Road and find The Basketmakers Arms. This place is an absolute legend of the Brighton pub scene, having earned much-beloved institution status over the last few decades. It is the ultimate traditional retreat where you can instantly shake off the hustle and bustle of the town centre the moment you walk through the door.
One of the most famous things about the place is its walls, covered in hundreds of vintage tins packed with hidden notes, jokes, and secrets left by cheeky locals over decades. Famous for an incredible selection of single malts and a range of pristinely kept cask ales. The kitchen does a brilliant job too, championing freshly caught local seafood specials alongside legendary traditional roasts on Sundays. The staff are famously friendly, the vibe is entirely unpretentious, and it remains a wonderfully welcoming spot where you can always be sure of a proper pint and a brilliant chat with the locals.
📍 12 Gloucester Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 4AD
🕒 Mon to Sat 11am to 11pm, Sun 12pm to 10.35pm
🔗 Visit their website
 🎧 On The Beach: Fatboy Slim 📅 Thu 16 Jul & Sun 19 Jul Fatboy Slim brings a massive homecoming celebration to the pebbles for Big Beach Boutique 7. With Friday and Saturday fully sold out, legendary party-starters can still catch the iconic DJ on Thursday and Sunday for an unforgettable open-air dance music experience right on the Brighton seafront.  🏳️🌈 Pride on The Park - Brighton Pride 📅 Sat 1 Aug & Sun 2 Aug The official Brighton & Hove Pride fundraiser returns for an inclusive weekend of music, protest, and celebration. This year's stellar lineup features massive performances from Raye, Jessie J, Diana Ross, and Paris Hilton, alongside top-tier electronic talent like Armand Van Helden, The Blessed Madonna, and Purple Disco Machine. 🎟️ Buy Tickets |  🎷 Madness presents Madrophenia 📅 Fri 24 Jul The legendary Nutty Boys are heading to the coast to headline a momentous outdoor summer party. Madness will perform their massive catalogue of iconic British anthems live on the pebbles, with a fantastic supporting lineup featuring reggae royalty David Rodigan and the high-energy Hot 8 Brass Band. 🎟️ Buy Tickets  🎸 On The Beach: The Maccabees 📅 Sat, 25 Jul A massive full-circle homecoming show topping an incredible cross-section of British indie. Joining them on the Editors, Miles Kane, Anna Calvi, Ash, Badly Drawn Boy, and local favourites Lime Garden. The band aims to top the legendary energy of an early Brighton gig that famously got them banned when fans hung from the ceiling.
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3/7/2026 - 5/7/2026
Fri
🧛♂️ The Slayers | 7pm @ Preston Manor
An immersive, three-hour vampire-hunting experience where you'll join a council of slayers, tackle challenges, form tactical alliances, and root out the undead in disguise. More Info
🎤 Alex Mitchell Headlines | 8pm @ Artista
Fringe award-winner Alex Mitchell takes the headline spot at Brighton's best small comedy venue, backed by MC Ross Smith and a stellar supporting lineup. More Info
🧙♀️ Jinkx Monsoon: Speaking Of Witch | 7:30pm @ Theatre Royal
The two-time RuPaul’s Drag Race winner, powerhouse vocalist, and Broadway star brings her unique blend of comedic theater and spectacular music to the stage. More Info
🎧 Sunset Silent Disco | 7:15pm @ Whitecliffs Cafe, Saltdean
Dance to three channels of classic hits (60s–90s) inside a beachside cafe as the sun goes down, featuring a fully stocked bar and stunning sea views. More Info
🕵️♂️ Murder Mystery Night | 7pm @ Brighton Palace Pier
An interactive, immersive murder mystery evening on the iconic pier featuring live actors, a welcome drink, and classic fish and chips. More Info
🎤 Filthy Fridays with Ben Norris | 8pm @ The Brunswick
Catch highly respected TV regular and comedy veteran Ben Norris for a masterclass in relaxed stand-up, razor-sharp crowd improvisation, and expertly crafted material. More Info
🎸 R.E.M. by Stipe | 7pm, @ Concorde 2
A definitive live tribute celebrating the legendary alternative rock icons, bringing enigmatic arena-sized anthems and soaring choruses to the Brighton beachfront. More Info
🎭 Kanpur 1857 by Niall Moorjani | 6pm & 8pm @ The Lantern Theatre
Based on historical events, this provocative new play comically satirizes contemporary conflicts around gender identity, colonial violence, and making art during times of crisis. More Info
Sat
🐱 Kaspar: Prince of Cats | 2pm, Sat @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
A magical family adventure brought to life through enchanting puppetry and original music, following an unlikely bond with an extraordinary cat. More Info
🎤 The Comedy Experiment: Tony Law Preview | 4pm, Sat @ Caroline of Brunswick
A top-tier comedy preview packing out the pub's upper room with brand new material from surreal legend Tony Law and a mystery TV headliner. More Info
🏴☠️ Kids' Club: Hook + Pirate Party | 10:30am, Sat @ Duke of York's Picturehouse
A proper nostalgic morning packing out the cinema with a pre-film pirate party followed by a screening of Steven Spielberg's classic adventure Hook. More Info
✨ Disabled + Disobedient: GOLDEN HOUR | 7pm, Sat @ Brighton Dome Studio
A full-throttle, genre-bending cabaret packing out the studio with a stellar line-up of deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent talent celebrating Disability Pride Month. More Info
🍵 Japanese Tea Tasting: Matcha Lattes and More | 9:30am, Sat @ Starling Studio
A silky, whisk-heavy masterclass for matcha fans, packing out the studio with premium Japanese powdered teas, frothy lattes, and artisan sweet pairings. More Info
🎤 Jordan Brookes Headlines the Secret Comedy Club | 8pm, Sat @ Artista
An absolute powerhouse of an evening packing out Brighton's award-winning indie venue with surreal Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Jordan Brookes and top-tier support. More Info
🎼 Kate Bush Tribute | 8pm, Sat @ Rotunda Cafe
A stellar tribute night packing out the cafe as a premier performer effortlessly runs up that hill through the iconic hits and hypnotic vocals of the legend herself. More Info
Sun
🎷 MET Vintage Market | 10am, Sun @ The MET College
A massive Sunday market packing out the campus with almost double the vintage sellers, live jazz tunes, speciality coffee, and great veggie street food. More Info
🧘♂️ Free Beach Meditation | 10:30am, Sun @ West Pier (opposite i360)
A peaceful, 30-minute guided meditation session by the sea, open to all experience levels. More Info
🌌 Tanabata Japanese Star Festival | 11am, Sun @ The Open Market
A free community festival celebrating Japanese culture with authentic food stalls, artisan crafts, a tea workshop, and traditional festival games. More Info
💿 Hove Record Fair | 11am, Sun @ The Brunswick
My personal favourite vinyl fair, packing out the pub with top-tier vinyl junkies, live DJs, and crates of classic wax to filter through. More Info
🧖♀️ Sunday Spa Sessions | 3pm, Sun @ Saltdean Lido
A relaxing 55-minute (£20) wood-fired sauna session featuring a lavender Himalayan salt scrub and essential oil ice balls to create scented steam. More Info
🎨 Artisan Craft Market | Sun @ Saltdean Lido
A community market showcasing handmade jewellery, ceramics, artwork, textiles, and independent local businesses with free entry. More Info
🎷 Jazz Roast | 1pm, Sun @ Cases Wine Bar
A Caribbean-style Sunday roast lunch by Chef Chrissie Ranx accompanied by live jazz music from special guests. More Info
🍗 Reggae Reggae Soul Garden BBQ | 1pm, Sun @ The Islingword Inn
A lively afternoon barbecue featuring Jamaican-inspired dishes by Chef Brian Moyo (Moyos Burgers) and sweet reggae and soul tracks spun by resident DJs. More Info
🎨 Beau-Events Art Fair | 11am, Sun @ New Road
A gorgeous gathering of local creatives in the heart of town, packing out the street with stellar indie artists and a welcoming community vibe. More Info
Live Music
The Funky Motown Soul Show | 7pm, Fri @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
Adam Beattie & Fiona Bevan | 7:30pm, Fri @ The Folklore Rooms
Amy Winehouse: A Celebration | 8pm, Fri 3 @ Ironworks Studios
Bazooms | 7:30pm, Fri @ Pipeline
Cryer Mya | 7pm, Fri @ Pink Moon
The Dirty Nil | 7pm, Fri @ The Green Door Store
Ela Southgate's Songs of the Summer | 5:30pm, Fri @ St Andrew's Church
Freaks Off A Leash: Nu Metal Night | 8pm, Fri @ Dust Brighton
Ho99o9 | 7pm, Fri @ Patterns
In Turn | 9pm, Fri @ The Brunswick
Jinkx Monsoon: Speaking Of Witch | 7:30pm, Fri @ Theatre Royal
Mary In The Junkyard: Live + Signing | 6:30pm, Fri @ Resident Music
R.E.M. by Stipe | 7pm, Fri @ Concorde 2
Ruena, Ziggy Phoenix, Spooky Huge | 7pm, Fri @ Waterbear venue
Change The Scene | 12pm, Sat @ The Green Door Store | Tickets
Down by The Sea | 2pm, Sat @ The Prince Albert | Tickets
The Puppet Folk Experience | 2pm, Sat @ Studio at Komedia | Tickets
Underground Playground: Colin Dale | 4pm, Sat @ Alphabet | Tickets
O'Flynn | 5pm, Sat @ Concorde 2 | Tickets
Crazy P Summer Disco | 6pm, Sat @ The Arch | Tickets
EERA + My Precious Bunny | 7pm, Sat @ Revenge | Tickets
Mötley Crüde: Mötley Crüe Tribute | 7pm, Sat @ Dust Brighton | Tickets
Just Lust - DJ Club Night | 8pm, Sat @ The Rossi Bar | Tickets
Kate Bush tribute | 8pm, Sat @ Rotunda Cafe | Tickets
Positive Sounds Beach Party | 9pm, Sat @ Carats Cafe Bar | Tickets
Shobek // Artemisia Nathair // Jo Burke | 7pm, Sun @ Brighton Electric | Tickets
Tropic Gold x Banks Arcade | 7pm, Sun @ Zahara | Tickets