Hello, Brighton

Fatboy Slim is back with two gigs this week (and yes, there are still tickets for both), while a couple of council decisions are already causing ire, including the long-awaited replacement of the Aquarium roundabout, which means two weeks of overnight seafront closures in January.

But on the brighter side, we’ve got 5 heartwarming charity events, a date spot with (officially) the best lunch in town, and a whole heap of things to do across the city, with Thursday looking especially stacked.

Here's what's squawking this week:

📰 Aquarium roundabout works and fortnightly bin collections
🫶 Xmas events for a great cause, including charity gigs, markets and masterclasses
🍷 Date spot with 3 awards and a 10th anniversary
🎟️ Komedia comedy, candlelit Pavilion concerts, markets and live music

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🚧 Aquarium roundabout work starts in January, with two weeks of overnight closures

Brighton and Hove City Council says the old Aquarium roundabout will be removed and replaced with a traffic light-controlled junction linking the seafront to Valley Gardens, with new crossings and wider pavements aimed at making it safer for people walking and cycling. The works are part of the final phase of the wider Valley Gardens revamp, which has already brought new public space, cycle lanes and resurfacing.

The big disruption: the A259 by the pier is set for overnight closures from 8pm for around two weeks starting Tuesday 6 January, with diversions changing night by night. Critics in the Valley Gardens Forum say it risks worsening congestion and fumes, while the council says “smart” signalling tech should help keep traffic and buses moving, and that early January is the quietest time to do it.

→ Read more on Brighton and Hove News

🗑️ Fortnightly rubbish collections could be on the table

Brighton and Hove City Council is considering whether general rubbish should be collected every two weeks once weekly food waste collections are fully rolled out citywide. The argument is that bins are getting emptier as more waste shifts into recycling, so weekly collections may no longer be the most efficient or sustainable approach.

Deputy leader Tim Rowkins stressed this is not a final decision yet, with the cabinet being asked to let officers draw up options and a fuller report expected next spring or summer. Weekly food waste would continue, and the council says there would be no changes to recycling, communal bins or collections for flats.

→ Read more on Brighton and Hove News

😷 Flu rise triggers new mask rules at Brighton hospitals

University Hospitals Sussex says it’s seeing a rise in flu cases and is bringing in immediate precautions, asking staff and visitors to wear surgical masks in adult and children’s emergency departments, emergency admission areas, and wards where flu has been confirmed.

The trust is also urging people to avoid visiting hospital if unwell unless urgent care is needed, and to use NHS 111 for advice where appropriate. NHS England is also pushing the “right care, right place” message, citing new data suggesting many people attend emergency departments for issues that could be handled faster elsewhere, including pharmacies.

→ Read more on Brighton and Hove News

⚽ Tony Bloom denies claims of betting on Brighton matches

Brighton owner Tony Bloom has issued a firm denial after reports linked him to a lucrative anonymous gambling streak that allegedly included bets on Brighton games. Bloom says the claims are “entirely false” and that he has not placed bets on any Brighton and Hove Albion matches since becoming owner in 2009.

FA rules prohibit owners betting on their own team, but Bloom is included in a 2014 policy allowing him to continue gambling on other matches and competitions, with football bets audited annually by an accounting firm, according to his statement. The club says it is in contact with both the FA and the Premier League.

→ Read more on BBC Sport

Also in the news:

📚 Rottingdean is ‘volunteered out’: Rottingdean Library is now set to stay open for now, but a community-run option is being explored, with councillors warning the village is already stretched and “volunteered out”. → Read more on Brighton and Hove News

🧥 Mariah Carey’s Brighton Pride jacket heads to auction: The bright pink “Protect the Dolls” jacket worn on stage at Pride on the Park is being auctioned to raise money for LGBTQ+ media advocacy organisation GLAAD. → Read more on BBC News

🏙️ Western Road gets the nostalgia treatment: A new feature looks back at how Brighton’s busiest shopping street changed over the decades, from widening works to major store shifts and today’s red route plans. → Read more on The Argus

🎨 A huge mural is transforming Preston Park Station: A 90-metre artwork created with Grace Eyre and street artists Sprite and SNUB23 is taking shape at the station, promoting inclusion and the message “Kindness Changes Everything.” → Read more on The Argus

🗳️ Sussex mayoral election delayed to 2028: The government has confirmed mayoral elections in Sussex and Brighton will be postponed by two years, alongside an announced annual £38m investment fund for the region. → Read more on Brighton and Hove News

🚛 Real-time bin tracking goes live: Residents can now check collection progress online in real time, with in-cab tech marking completions and flagging missed collections for faster rescheduling. → Read more on Brighton and Hove News

🏊 Withdean’s new 25m pool plans approved: Councillors unanimously backed plans for a new five-lane pool and facilities at Withdean Sports Complex, with funding expected to be repaid through entry fees. → Read more on Brighton and Hove News

🧑‍🎄 Xmas Events for a Great Cause

🎧 Fatboy Slim: Charity Show

Friday 12 Dec, 11pm-3am @ Concorde 2
An intimate late-night DJ set raising funds for Martlets, bringing big energy and classic Brighton party vibes to the seafront. Still some tickets left only on Skiddle & there is another non-charity gig on Thursday with resale tickets available (check live music at the bottom!)

🍕 Fatto a Mano Pizza Masterclass for Tarner Community Project

Saturday 13 Dec, 6-8.30pm @ Fatto a Mano Dough Kitchen 
A hands-on Neapolitan pizza masterclass with snacks, drinks, your own pizza to eat and dough to take home. Every penny goes towards buying Tarner Community Project a pizza oven for their after-school club and youth work. More Info

🎶 The Big Christmas Singalong! 2025 (Choir with No Name)

Thursday 11 Dec, 7.30pm @ Brighton Dome 
A big, feel-good festive singalong supporting a choir for people impacted by homelessness, run in partnership with BHT Sussex. Expect Christmas classics with a twist, plus special guest musicians to make it extra shiny. More Info

🥫 The Food Bank Ball (bring a donation for entry)

Monday 15 Dec, 7.30-11pm @ The Hope & Ruin 
A charity gig where tickets are free (minus a small booking fee) and entry is a food bank donation item from the organisers’ list. The lineup includes Cutflowers, Fat Lloyd and Aquatic Ape Theory, so you can do good and have a proper Monday night out. More Info

🎁 The Flour Pot Fiveways Christmas Market (raffle for PREPT)

Thursday 11 Dec, 6-10pm @ The Flour Pot Bakery, Fiveways 
A festive market night with 20+ local traders, hot food specials, cocktails, free kids face painting and live music. There’s also a raffle raising money for PREPT, so bring your best “just one more ticket” energy. More Info

🍷 Fourth and Church

A go-to for wine lovers, Fourth and Church has been picking up serious local love in recent years, including BRAVO’s Best Wine List in 2023 and 2024, and now this year they have been voted the Best Lunch in Brighton for 2025. It is a restaurant, wine bar and specialist wine merchant rolled into one, so the date options are pretty versatile, from settling at the bar with snacks and spirit-led cocktails, a light lunch with a glass of wine, or making an evening of sharing plates and a few courses in a relaxed, quietly polished setting.

This December also marks their 10th anniversary, so the festive menus are leaning into celebration mode, with set lunch options, a la carte winter plates, and an opulent tasting menu with a wine flight if you want to go all out this Christmas. If you are planning a group date, the private dining room (and two-sharing menus for parties of six or more) is a strong shout, and the Tuesday to Saturday Aperitivo Hour (4-6pm, free snacks with drinks) is a very easy way to start the night, while being just as easy on your wallet.

📍 84 Church Road, Hove
⏰ Tue 5pm-10pm, Wed-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm
🧑‍💻 Bookings, Menus & More

🏡 Modern, Open-Plan Living

A gated, double-fronted contemporary mansion with 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and over 4,100 sq ft of slick open-plan living, plus a self-contained studio that could bring in a handy side income. With walls of glass, roof lanterns, terraces, and parking for up to six cars, all a short hop from Seven Dials, Preston Park Station and the seafront.

📍 Dyke Road Avenue, BN1
💰 £2,000,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

Tuesday

🎭 Simon Evans and Friends
Tue, 7:30pm @ Ropetackle Arts Centre
A sharp headline set of brand-new material from one of the UK’s most respected comedians. Tickets

🎵 Dr Robert & Matt Deighton (with Nick Corbin)
Tue, 7:30pm @ The Hope & Ruin
A rich, atmospheric live show blending psychedelia, acoustic textures and deep-cut influences. Tickets

🎨 Kemptown Arts Association Winter Group Exhibition
Tue, 11am-5pm @ Fishing Quarter Gallery
A group showcase of painting, prints, ceramics, photography and more from KTAA members. More Info

Wednesday

🎤 Suspiciously Elvis Christmas Special
Wed, 7pm @ Komedia
A Vegas-style Christmas tribute night with live band, big energy and full festive sparkle. Tickets

🎨 Bespoke Christmas Wreath Making
Wed, 7pm @ Studio 39, Hove
A hands-on workshop for experienced crafters creating bespoke festive wreaths. Tickets

🤣 Cool-Aid Comedy
Wed, 8pm @ Caroline of Brunswick
A long-running new-material night featuring pro, semi-pro and emerging comics. Tickets

✨ Christmas Party with Love at First Sign
Wed, 7pm @ The Wine Cellar
A festive astrology-themed social night filled with lively seasonal vibes. Tickets

🤣 Queer Af Comedy
Wed, 7:30pm @ The Brunswick
A joyful celebration of LGBTQ+ humour with a standout queer comedy lineup. More Info

🎭 The Tempest (The Whole Pack Theatre)
Wed & Thu 7:30pm @ The Actors Pub
A bold, mischievous pirate-queen twist on Shakespeare’s magical island tale. Tickets

Thursday

🛍️ The Sussex Peasant Christmas Market
Thu, 9am-2pm @ The Bull, Ditchling
A festive market filled with local food, handmade gifts and Sussex producers. Tickets

🎭 Boast in Show: Does Christmas
Thu, 8pm @ Komedia
Six comedians battle it out in a festive edition of the chaotic comedy showdown. Tickets

🛍️ Sydney Street Late Night Shopping
Thu, 9am-8pm @ Sydney Street, Brighton
A festive shopping evening with mulled wine, mince pies and extended hours across the North Laine.

🎭 2 Promoters, 1 Pod
Thu, 8pm @ The Hope & Ruin
Two veteran festival promoters offer a brutally honest look at the industry. Tickets

🎵 Lucy Pickering’s Court & Spark
Thu, 8pm @ The Brunswick
Jazz arrangements reimagining Joni Mitchell, Carole King and James Taylor. More Info

🛍️ Free Christmas Sip ’n’ Shop at Haus of Palette
Thu, 5:30pm-8pm @ Haus of Palette, Hove
Browse festive gifts with Prosecco, live illustration and new stock reveals. Tickets

🎵 Festive Feelings: City of Stars
Thu, 7:30pm @ All Saints Church
A theatrical winter concert packed with musical-theatre favourites. Tickets

🎨 Wild Things Exhibition
Thu, open all day @ Kellie Miller Arts
A vivid end-of-year exhibition celebrating imagination, nature and surreal creativity. More Info

🎵 Coldplay & Ed Sheeran by Candlelight
Thu, 9pm @ Royal Pavilion
A candlelit string-quartet tribute to two of the biggest modern artists. More Info

🎵 Candlelight: Tribute to Adele
Thu, 7pm @ Royal Pavilion
A soulful candlelit celebration of Adele’s greatest hits. More Info

Friday

💃 Connected Brighton Christmas Disco
Fri, 8pm @ Komedia
A festive nightlife event with DJ Roy, dancing and a friendly social vibe. Tickets

🎵 The Good Vibe Christmas Concert
Fri, 7:30pm @ St Bartholomew’s Church
A Brighton pop choir performing seasonal favourites with live band. Tickets

🎭 Best of Cabaret Lab
Fri, 7:30pm-10:30pm @ Rock Inn
A one-night showcase of standout cabaret acts from past editions. Tickets

🛍️ The Sussex Peasant Christmas Market - Hove
Fri, 9am-4pm @ St Andrew’s Church, Hove
A festive market spotlighting Sussex food, gifts and makers. Tickets

Live Music

Dr Robert & Matt Deighton (with Nick Corbin) | The Hope & Ruin | Tue, 7:30pm | Tickets
Matt Berninger | Concorde 2 | Tue, 7pm | Tickets
Ronboy | Concorde 2 | Tue, 7:30pm | Tickets

Bryan Adams: Roll With The Punches | The Brighton Centre | Wed, 6:30pm | Tickets
Florentenes | Green Door Store | Wed, 7pm | Tickets
Carley’s Wreck and Ruin | Prince Albert | Wed, 7pm | Tickets
The Wildhearts | Concorde 2 | Wed, 7:30pm | Tickets
Reverend Beat-Man & Milan Slick | Prince Albert | Wed, 8pm | Tickets
The Rolling People | Green Door Store | Wed, 8pm | Tickets

DUCKWRTH | Chalk | Thu, 6:30pm | Tickets
Bandit | Prince Albert | Thu, 7pm | Tickets
Ryan O’Reilly & Jadea Kelly | The Folklore Rooms | Thu, 7pm | Tickets
Bohemian Betyars | Green Door Store | Thu, 7:30pm | Tickets
Fatboy Slim | Concorde 2 | Thu, 7pm | Tickets

Matthew Sear | Brighton Unitarian Church | Fri, 12:30pm | Tickets
Black Grape | Chalk | Fri, 6pm | Tickets
D-Block Europe: PTSD2 Tour | The Brighton Centre | Fri, 6:30pm | Tickets
Hacktivist | Molly Karloff | Regional One | Chalk | Fri, 7pm | Tickets
Healthy Junkies | The Bee’s Mouth | Fri, 7:30pm | Tickets
Fatboy Slim - Charity Show | Concorde 2 | Fri, 11pm | Tickets

Last week’s trivia asked for the odd-one-out of Father Christmas’ Reindeer and it looks like it was too easy, with 88% of you getting it right: Snowbell.

This week’s trivia is for the Oenophiles, as we’re looking at the wine, inspired by our date spot of the week, Fourth and Church: