🐦 Thai Heat, Local Treats & Festival Streets

From Brighton’s new Thai restaurant to citywide food trails and live music lighting up the weekend.

Good afternoon Brighton,

We’re rolling into the weekend with autumn vibes in full swing and plenty to keep you out and about. From critically acclaimed Thai street food spicing up the Lanes to Brighton’s new festival celebrating local food and culture, this week’s all about flavour and community. 

Here’s what’s squawking this week:

🎭 Plays, cabaret and comedy lighting up stages from Hove to Lewes
🛍️ October UnPacked brings Brighton’s indie scene together all month long
🎶 Gigs galore including Panic Shack, SYML and Brighton’s own Bishopskin
🍜 Refined Thai street food spot opens in The Lanes

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🎉 Coast Is Queer

⏰ Thu-Sun
📍 Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts

Brighton’s annual celebration of LGBTQ+ writing returns with four days of talks, panels, workshops and live performances. This year’s highlights include Juno Dawson’s Lovely Trans Literary Salon with Munroe Bergdorf, a conversation with literary icons Jackie Kay and Ali Smith, and a playful Zine Making workshop with Jacob V Joyce. Whether you’re a reader, writer or just love a good story, it’s a brilliant mix of insight, activism and inspiration.

🎶 Nick Cope’s Family Show: I’ve Lost My Bobble Hat!

⏰ Sun, 11am-12pm
📍 The Old Market, Hove

CBeebies favourite Nick Cope brings his hugely popular songs for kids (and secretly, their parents) to Hove. Expect laughter, singalongs and animated storytelling as Nick performs tunes from his hit show Popcast and beyond. It’s an hour of gentle humour and big heart that’ll leave families humming all day long.

🎤 Comedy Special: Ed Byrne, Naomi Cooper + Jacob Hawley

⏰ Sat, 6:30pm & 8:30pm
 📍 Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham

A powerhouse comedy lineup lands in Shoreham this weekend, headlined by Mock the Week legend Ed Byrne. Expect razor-sharp wit, brilliant storytelling and a top-tier support bill including Naomi Cooper and Jacob Hawley. With two evening shows to choose from, it’s a perfect night out for comedy fans who like their laughs smart and slightly chaotic.

🧶 Brighton’s Craft & Flea Makers Market

⏰ Sat, 11am-4pm
📍 St Bartholomew’s Church, Brighton

Step inside Brighton’s towering red-brick landmark and discover a treasure trove of handmade goods. The Craft & Flea Market gathers local makers, artists and small traders for a one-day shopping event bursting with creativity. From ceramics and candles to vintage finds, it’s the perfect place to pick up early Christmas gifts or simply support Brighton’s independent community.

🎨 Hove Local Market

⏰ Sat, 1:30pm-4:30pm
📍 Cornerstone Community Centre, Hove

A hidden gem in the heart of Hove, this friendly market brings together talented local artists, makers and collectors. Expect jewellery, art prints, homewares and beautifully made crafts that you won’t find on the high street. Whether you’re browsing or buying, it’s a lovely afternoon stop for anyone who appreciates creativity and community.

🎵 The Go Kid Music Club

⏰ Sat, 2pm-4pm
📍 The Brunswick Pub, Hove

Hosted by children’s singer-songwriter Al Start, The Go Kid Music Club is a fun, interactive show packed with songs, stories and plenty of laughter. Each month brings a different theme, with dressing up encouraged and dancing guaranteed. It’s a welcoming, all-ages event where families can enjoy live music together in a relaxed pub setting.

🎬 Cinebra Presents: A History Of Horror

⏰ Sat, 9:15pm-10:30pm
📍 Ironworks Studios, Brighton

The multi-award-winning duo Cinebra return with a hilariously twisted dive into the world of horror cinema. Combining live performance, parody and perfectly spooky camp energy, this is part lecture, part theatre, part utter chaos. Stick around after the show for the Horror Disco in the bar, where you can dance off the fear until midnight.

🎭 Hal Cruttenden: Can Dish It Out But Can’t Take It

⏰ Sun, 8pm
📍 Komedia, Brighton

One of the UK’s most recognisable stand-ups, Hal Cruttenden returns with a brand-new tour that takes aim at modern life, politics and parenting. Expect trademark self-deprecation, cheeky social commentary and tales of domestic chaos as Hal tries (and fails) to act his age. A sharp, funny and delightfully relatable night out from one of Britain’s comedy greats.

🎁 October UnPacked

This month, celebrate Brighton’s indie scene and support local business with October UnPacked, a brand new, city-wide celebration of local food, drink, art, and culture from Discover Brighton. The month-long programme brings together independent venues, makers, and traders from across Brighton, all under one creative banner designed to boost local business as the nights draw in.

Expect food trails, cocktail fests, art crawls, and even a doughnut adventure. From Kemptown cafés to The Lanes’ galleries, October UnPacked is all about celebrating the people and places that make Brighton tick.

📆 1st to 31st October  
🔗 Find Out More

🛍️ The Brighton Gift Card

As Christmas creeps closer, here’s a way to spread cheer and support local. The Brilliant Brighton Gift Card can be spent at more than 500 city businesses, from big-name shops to indie cafés, salons and restaurants. It’s an easy win for gifting or rewarding staff, with options for individuals and corporate buyers, plus both physical and digital cards that work with Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Give the gift of choice (and keep your spending local), all in one go:

🇹🇭 Namo

There’s a new name to know on Ship Street, the first solo restaurant from Thai chef Bookie Mitchell, Namo, officially opened its doors in August. After earning cult status through her pub residency at The Eagle and pop-ups, Bookie’s now bringing her bold, soulful take on Thai street food to the heart of The Lanes.  

The new Namo on Ship Street is a sleek, minimalist space serving refined Thai dishes rooted in Bookie’s northern heritage and family recipes, with plenty of street food flair still in the mix. Expect vibrant sharing plates, bold flavours, and the same heart that’s made Namo one of Brighton’s most-loved food names.  

And if you can’t get a table at the new spot, you can still enjoy Namo Eat at The Eagle Pub, the original residency that helped build the buzz. It’s a more casual setup, serving the classics that started it all.  

📍 24 Ship Street
🕒 Wed-Thu 12-3 & 5-9 | Fri 12-3 & 5-9:30 | Sat & Sun 12-4 & 5-8  
🔗 Menu and Bookings

Events marked with a * are sponsored

General Events

💃 Strictly Comes to Lewes (Charity Fundraiser)
Fri, 7pm @ All Saints Centre, Lewes
Get your sparkle on for a Strictly-style night of dancing and live music from the Les Paul Big Band. Tickets £20 via Amaze or on the door, raising funds for Sussex families with disabled children. More Info

🎭 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Fri, 7:30pm @ The Barn Theatre, Southwick
Award-winning adaptation of Mark Haddon’s bestselling novel continues its local run. More Info

🎤 Whole Otta Laughs
Fri, 8pm @ Maris and Otter, Hove
New monthly stand-up night hosted by Alex Farrow, featuring top UK comedy talent. More Info

🎧 Blow Up
Fri, 9pm @ Komedia
Legendary London club night returns with DJ Paul Tunkin and live band The Forty Fours. More Info

🎃 Purple Clubhouse - Haunted Clubhouse Party with Killer Karaoke
Fri, 6:30-10pm @ Brighton Railway Club
Neurodiversity-friendly Halloween party with DJs, dancing and karaoke. £6 entry, carers free. More Info

🎨 Take The Streets
Fri, 7pm @ Helm Gallery
Weekly art, music and cocktail night with live DJ and tattooing. Free entry. More Info

🎭 BREMF Players - Les Caractères de l’Amour
Fri, 7:30-9:30pm @ St Martin’s Church
Baroque opera from Ensemble Molière and Baroque Collective Singers. More Info

🎶 In the Shadow of the Tower
Sat, 1-2:30pm @ St Nicholas’ Church, Brighton
17th-century music from refugee composers and collaborations with Brighton’s settled communities. More Info

💃 Hold Back The Night
Sat, 7:30pm @ Queens Hotel
Dance yourself dizzy to 70s and 80s soul and disco classics with top DJs. More Info

🎭 Kieran Hodgson: Voice of America
Sat, 7:30pm @ The Old Market
The four-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee returns with a new show after eight years. More Info

💃 Cabaret at the Hilton Metropole
Sat, 6:30pm-midnight @ DoubleTree by Hilton Metropole
Dinner, drinks and dazzling cabaret performances hosted by Damon Beard. £65 pp. More Info

🎨 Deviants Market - Night Of The Living Deviants
Sun, 10:30am-4pm @ Komedia
A queer kink market with LGBTQIA+ makers, fundraisers and spicy raffle prizes. Free entry. More Info

🎙️ Elis & John - That Feels Significant: Live!
Sun, 7:30pm @ Theatre Royal
Comedy duo Elis James and John Robins bring their hit podcast to the stage. Tickets

🎭 Act New Plays New Playwrights - Staged Readings
Sun, 7:30pm @ The Lantern Theatre
Four new plays by emerging writers performed script-in-hand by professional actors. More Info

Family Events

🎃 Purple Clubhouse - Haunted Clubhouse Party with Killer Karaoke
Fri, 6:30-10pm @ Brighton Railway Club
A neurodiversity-friendly Halloween party with music, karaoke and community vibes. More Info

🤼 Wrestling Spectacular
Sat, 7:30-10pm @ Stanley Deason Leisure Centre
Family wrestling event with solo bouts, tag teams and plenty of entertainment. More Info

🎵 The Go Kid Music Club
Sat, 2-4pm @ The Brunswick Pub, Hove
Interactive live music show for kids hosted by Al Start. More Info

🎶 Nick Cope’s Family Show: I’ve Lost My Bobble Hat!
Sun, 11am-12pm @ The Old Market, Hove
Beloved CBeebies performer sings songs from Popcast. More Info

Live Music

Panic Shack | Chalk | Fri, 6:30pm | Tickets
HAAi (HUMANiSE Instore) | Resident Music | Fri, 6:30pm | Tickets
Molly Nilsson | Patterns | Fri, 7pm | Tickets
Le Lamb, Swallowtail & More | The Hope & Ruin | Fri, 7:30pm | Tickets
Ogbert the Nerd | East Street Tap | Fri, 7:30pm | Tickets
Thomas Truax | Prince Albert | Fri, 8pm | Tickets
Club Angel | Patterns | Fri, 11pm | Tickets

Nirvana UK | Concorde 2 | Sat, 6pm | Tickets
SYML: Nobody Lives Here Tour | Chalk | Sat, 6:30pm | Tickets
Calum Scott Instore | Resident Music | Sat, 6:30pm | Tickets
JADE (Jade Thirlwall) | Brighton Dome | Sat, 7pm | Tickets
Thala | Dust | Sat, 7pm | Tickets
Oasis Maybe | Patterns | Sat, 7:30pm | Tickets
Bishopskin | Alphabet | Sat, 7:30pm | Tickets
Strange New Places w/ Get In Her Ears | The Rossi Bar | Sat, 7:30pm | Tickets
Mungo’s Hi Fi - 25th Anniversary Tour | Concorde 2 | Sat, 11pm | Tickets

The Dirty Strangers + The Sixx | Prince Albert | Sun, 2pm | Tickets
Tanita Tikaram | Resident Music | Sun, 6pm | Tickets
Dakhabrakha | Chalk | Sun, 6:30pm | Tickets
The Spitfires | Patterns | Sun, 7pm | Tickets
Naima Bock | West Hill Hall | Sun, 7:45pm | Tickets