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- 🐦 Staring at Toads, Reggae Bingo & 50 Independent Makers!
🐦 Staring at Toads, Reggae Bingo & 50 Independent Makers!
From a proper 1540s pint at The Cricketers to massive stadium football screens, intimate folk sets around a Stanmer Park campfire, and beachside open-mic cyphers.
Béla Molnar
July 10, 2026
Hello, Brighton & Hove!
The vibe across the city right now is unmatched. We have officially unlocked peak summer mode, the seafront is bathed in glorious sunshine, and there is that brilliant, buzzing weekend energy bouncing off every single pavement from Kemptown to Hove.
If you're looking to soak up every drop of these beautiful blue skies, you are absolutely spoiled for choice. Our cultural calendar is a total blowout this weekend, packed with vibrant park festivals, massive beachside anthems, and fantastic independent creators to discover. Grab yourself a crisp, ice-cold drink, find a sunny spot, and let’s dive right into the best weekend of the summer.
Here is what’s squawking this week:
🐸 Eccentric toad puppetry coming to Jubilee Square.
🎱 Big cash prizes and dance-offs at Reggae Bingo.
🛍️ Over 50 independent creators are taking over the Unitarian Church.
🍺 Grabbing a 1540s historic pint at The Cricketers.
🔥 Acoustic indie-folk around a crackling Stanmer Park campfire.
10/7/2026 - 12/7/2026
🐸 Froglife Festival: Brighton 🕣 10am-4pm, Sat 11 Jul Because nothing screams a thrilling Saturday like staring at a bunch of local toads. If you want to help wildlife thrive, I highly recommend checking out this free pop-up. It is packed with creative nature activities led by an eccentric zoologist who doubles as a puppeteer and dancer. 🎟️ More Info 🏋️♂️ Brighton Fitness Festival 🕣 9am-6pm, Sat 11 Jul This is a stellar opportunity to kickstart your summer health goals right by the sea. You'll find a fitness competition, an exhibition packed with local wellness businesses, and a full schedule of expert-led talks and seminars. General entry is completely free and bags you a digital discount pack, though a tiny £2 charity donation is required if you want to jump into the main stage workouts. 🎟️ More Info 🛍️ Make A Market 🕣 10am-4pm, Sat 11 Jul If you want a brilliant excuse to skip the high street and support grassroots talent, this brand-new independent makers market is well worth a visit. Over 50 creators and traders will be packing out the space with a wide variety of unique, handmade pieces to browse. Plus, entry is completely free, and you can grab coffee and baked goods on-site to fuel your treasure hunting. 🎟️ More Info 💃 Summer Fiesta! 🕣 11am-7pm, Sat 11 Jul This is your chance to dive headfirst into a massive, vibrant immersion experience of Spanish and Latin culture right on the grass. Expect an action-packed day of traditional game stalls, live stage performances, bouncy castles, and an incredible lineup of food trucks. It is a brilliant, eco-conscious family day out that drew thousands of people last year, with all proceeds directly funding cultural learning trips for local schoolchildren. 🎟️ More Info | 🎸 Allday Indie Festival 🕣 5pm, Sun 12 Jul If you want to relive your messy youth with your feet in the sand, I highly recommend hitting this massive throwback beach party. Expect non-stop indie anthems from the Arctic Monkeys and The Kooks, mixed with era-defining club bangers, confetti, and heavy nostalgia. 🎟️ More Info 🏊♂️ Swim Brighton 2026 🕣 Sat 11 Jul Whether you're looking to build your ocean confidence or test your open-water endurance, this iconic stretch of coastline has you covered. Choose between a manageable 750m swim or a more demanding 2.5km challenge set between the Palace Pier and the Marina. You'll need to move fast if you want to brave the waves, as registration is closing soon. 🎟️ More Info 🔥 Campfire Club 🕣 7pm-10pm, Sat 11 Jul If you want a truly magical, stripped-back musical experience hidden away in the woods, this outdoor concert is the perfect summer escape. You'll get to sit beneath the trees around a crackling campfire to hear intimate indie-folk sets from Scottish singer-songwriter Rachel Sermanni and cellist Ceitidh Mac. The venue itself is a spectacular bonus, an award-winning, completely eco-friendly building made from recycled car tyres. 🎟️ More Info 🎤 Michelle Wolf: Best Job in the World 🕣 8pm, Sat 11 Jul This is a premier opportunity to catch one of the sharpest, most daring voices in modern comedy. The Emmy nominee and Daily Show alum, famous for her notorious White House Correspondents' Dinner set, is taking over the Corn Exchange for a night of brilliant stand-up. It promises to be a smart, fast-paced performance from a comic at the very top of her game. 🎟️ More Info |
🌵 Hi Cacti
I've been looking at how much character our independent shops bring to our streets, and honestly, nothing feels more like the soul of our city than Hi Cacti. We’ve all been drawn in by their vibrant, sun-drenched storefront up near Seven Dials, but the actual story behind this botanical paradise is brilliant. It’s a proper Brighton institution that has spent over a decade protecting our independent indie scene, keeping things beautifully unique.
Most people don't know it was founded back in 2015 by Sabina, who wanted to bring her vibrant "Tex-Mex" roots from Austin, Texas, to the UK. Instead of a standard plant store, she built a colourful cactus concept shop and community hub complete with a coffee bar, southwestern home decor, and creative workshops. Every single one of their signature pastel concrete planters is handmade by the female-led team at their local workshop, drawing on design inspiration from Latin American art and Mexican aesthetics.
What I love most is how they bring a genuine "mi casa es su casa" warmth to the neighbourhood, usually with Sabina's wire-haired dachshund pup Otto greeting you by the door. Skip the generic supermarket plant shelves this weekend, head up to Dyke Road for a damn fine coffee, and go support a true local treasure.
📍 83 Dyke Road, Seven Dials, BN1 3JE
🕒 Mon to Fri 8:30-4pm, Sat & Sun 9am-4pm
💰 Beautiful handmade gifts and easy-care indoor plants
🔗 More Info
🍺 The Cricketers
If you are wandering through the historic Lanes and fancy stepping into a living piece of local history, you have to head over to Black Lion Street and visit The Cricketers. Dating all the way back to 1547, this legendary spot is officially the oldest pub in Brighton. It is an absolute powerhouse of a local that has completely outlasted everything around it, remaining totally unbothered by modern trends and still packed out every single night.
The interior is a spectacular celebration of Victorian charm, complete with dark wood panelling, plush red velvet seating, and framed prints plastering the walls and ceilings. It even boasts a brilliant literary connection, as the iconic author Graham Greene used to drink here while writing Brighton Rock. Behind the bar, they serve up beautifully kept proper ales alongside a great selection of craft drinks and excellent pub food. Whether you are settling into a cosy corner downstairs or checking out The Greene Room upstairs, the atmosphere is completely unmatched. It is a timeless, independent-spirited institution that reminds you exactly why Brighton's historic heart is so special.
📍 15 Black Lion Street, Brighton, BN1 1ND
🕒 Mon to Thu 12pm-11pm, Fri & Sat 12pm-2am, Sun 12pm-10.30pm
🔗 Visit their website
10/7/2026 - 12/7/2026
Fri
🐶 Bluey's Big Play | 1pm, Fri @ Brighton Centre
A brand-new theatrical puppet adaptation of the Emmy Award-winning children's television series following Bluey and Bingo as they try to get Dad off his bean bag. More Info
🎱 Reggae Bingo | 7pm, Fri @ Horizon Nightclub
A live musical bingo event featuring comedy, dance-offs, and cash prizes soundtracked by dancehall, soca, and reggae anthems. More Info
🎵 Emerge x London Philharmonic Orchestra | 7pm, Fri @ Quarters
A free showcase of emerging Sussex artists spanning rap, R&B, and alternative sounds developed in collaboration with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. More Info
🎭 For What It's Worth | 7:30pm, Fri @ The Lantern Theatre
An Arts Council-funded original play written for young people exploring themes of connection, acceptance, and finding your voice in a hectic world. More Info
🎤 Stand Up Comedy for Venezuela! | 7pm, Fri @ Old Palesteine House
A charity comedy night featuring a lineup of local Brighton comedians to raise funds for earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela. More Info
🎵 Simon & Garfunkel - A Celebration | 8pm, Fri @ Ironworks Studios
An intimate acoustic tribute concert celebrating the timeless songs and vocal harmonies of the iconic duo alongside highlights from their solo careers. More Info
🕺 Up All Night: One Direction 16th Anniversary Party | 11pm, Sat @ Komedia
A themed pop appreciation club night dedicated entirely to the music of One Direction and the members' solo careers. More Info
🎤 Sunset Sessions | 6:30pm, Fri @ Brighton Beach (by the Bandstand)
An open-air musical gathering featuring open mic jam sessions, live DJs, and a hip-hop style cypher as the sun sets over the sea. More Info
Sat
🎶 Brighton Voices Summer Concert | 7pm, Sat @ All Saints Church, Hove
An evening of live vocal and choral arrangements showcasing the choir's diverse repertoire for their annual summer performance. More Info
💃 Disrupted Rhythms: A Rhythmanalysis Dance Workshop | 1pm, Sat @ Brighton Youth Centre - A free, guided movement and experimentation workshop exploring personal and social rhythms, exclusively open to LGBTQIA+ residents facing low income or social isolation. More Info
🎤 The Comedy Experiment: Laura Lexx Preview | 4pm, Sat @ Caroline of Brunswick
A new material stand-up comedy showcase featuring a mix of rising talent alongside a preview set from TV headliner Laura Lexx. More Info
🎭 Noises Off | 2pm, Sat @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
A fast-paced, classic backstage slapstick farce following a chaotic theatre company as they attempt to rehearse and perform a disastrous production. More Info
⚽ World Cup - England vs Norway | 3pm-2am, Sat @ American Express Stadium
Watch the World Cup live on giant wrap-around screens at The Terrace fan zone, featuring bars, street food kitchens, and a lively stadium atmosphere. More Info
🥂 Mystery Musicals Bottomless Brunch | 12:30pm, Sat @ Komedia
A themed bottomless brunch hosted by Lee Peart featuring movie-musical sing-alongs, games, lip-sync challenges, and a secret musical theme revealed upon booking. More Info
🎨 TBOY Takeover | 11am, Sat @ Helm Gallery
An exclusive gallery takeover by artist TBOY, featuring the unveiling of brand-new artwork alongside live music and drinks. More Info
🪩 126 presents: Nina Yamada, LILA, Moova and Bluegammon | 8pm, Sat @ Fabrica
A creative gallery takeover blending immersive visuals, interactive screen-printing, and a collaborative drawing wall with a groove-led lineup of house, jazz, and global dance DJs. More Info
Sun
🎭 If I Told You Once and The Birds | 2:30pm & 4:50pm, Sun @ Brighton Open Air Theatre - A dual performance celebrating the power of storytelling, weaving together global folklore and mythical tales to explore escape, hope, and survival. More Info
🧘 Yoga on the Beach | 11am, Sun @ Brighton i360 Seafront
A joyful annual outdoor community yoga event held on the seafront to raise funds for the Brighton Natural Health Foundation charity. More Info
🚗 Hove Car Boot Sale | 7am-1pm, Sun @ Hove Park School
A popular weekly outdoor car boot sale featuring local sellers, bargain hunting, refreshments, and on-site facilities. More Info
🎤 Comedy on Sunday | 6pm, Sun @ The Caxton Arms
A lively weekend stand-up comedy showcase hosted by Vaiga Perkauskaite and featuring a rotating lineup of Brighton's top comedy talent. More Info
🎷 Rotunda Jazz | 5pm, Sun @ Rotunda Café Bar (Preston Park)
A monthly outdoor afternoon of classic jazz and easy listening hosted by Lucy Pickering, featuring a live house band backing guest headliner Charlotte Glasson. More Info
Live Music
Greg Abate | 5:30pm, Fri @ St Andrew's Church
Aftersbtn - Deep Cuts Terrace Party | 6pm, Fri @ Patterns
Kevin Morby | 6pm, Fri @ Chalk
Bright'n Sleazy 2 | 6:30pm, Fri @ Daltons
The Dead Reds - Album Release Show | 7pm, Fri @ The Hope & Ruin
Him & Earl - Live Album Launch | 7pm, Fri @ Alphabet
Vegas Lounge | 7:30pm, Fri @ The Barn Theatre, Southwick
Simon & Garfunkel - A Celebration | 8pm, Fri @ Ironworks Studios
Tom Walker Band - live at Rock Inn | 8pm, Fri @ The Rock Inn Kemptown
The Seagrass Band | 9pm, Fri @ Fiddler's Elbow
Berlin presents Carina Lawrence | 3pm, Sat @ Alphabet
Big Long Sun / Lindow Man / Thimble | 7pm, Sat @ The Green Door Store
Brighton Voices Summer Concert | 7pm, Sat @ All Saints Church, Hove
Cabana Launch Party w/ Late Replies | 11pm, Sat @ Patterns
Knox Hill & Friends | 6:15pm, Sat @ Patterns
Melt Your Brains Fest | 2pm, Sat @ The Hope & Ruin
Mistress Nightclub at Madam Lola's | 10pm, Sat @ Madam Lola's
QED's Daytime Summer Party | 6pm, Sat @ Brighton Electric
Rainbow Chorus Summer Concert| 7:30pm, Sat @ St George's Church
Shake Some Acton #161: Foxy, the Phobics, Botox | 7pm, Sat @ Pipeline
SOUTH: Luke Dean, George Smeddles, JWave + more | 3pm, Sat @ Quarters
Summer Of Love - The Tone Rangers Choir | 7pm, Sat @ South Portslade Community Centre
The Sleeves | 7pm, Sun @ The Rose Hill
Angus Bishop Jazz Trio | 5:30pm, Sun @ The Rock Inn Kemptown
Asbo Derek's July Extravaganza | 2pm, Sun @ The Prince Albert
Pansy Division | 7pm, Sun @ The Green Door Store
We Are Still Young: Summer Terrace Party | 4pm, Sun @ Concorde 2
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