Event Details
Brighton Festival – Three Weeks of World-Class Arts by the Sea
The Brighton Festival is England's largest curated multi-arts festival, transforming the vibrant seaside city of Brighton into a cultural hub each May. Over three weeks, hundreds of events fill theatres, concert halls, galleries and outdoor spaces across the city. The festival brings together international artists working in theatre, dance, music, literature and visual art alongside free community events for all ages.
History and Significance
Founded in 1967, Brighton Festival has over six decades of history. The landmark 60th edition in 2026, led by new Chief Executive Lucy Davies, marked a bold new era: for the first time in its history the festival produced its own original work. Past Guest Directors have included world-renowned figures such as Anish Kapoor, Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson and Kae Tempest, each bringing a distinctive artistic vision to the programme.
Programme Highlights
- Children's Parade: Europe's largest children's parade opens the festival with thousands of costumed children filling the streets of Brighton.
- Theatre and Circus: International productions at Brighton Dome Corn Exchange and venues across the city centre.
- World-Class Concerts: Performances from global music legends spanning jazz, classical, folk, electronic and world music.
- Visual Art: Exhibitions and large-scale outdoor installations, including temporary artworks along the Hove seafront.
- Literature and Debate: Readings, panel discussions and conversations with international writers and thinkers.
- Our Place: Free community workshops and performances in Brighton's neighbourhoods.
- Free Outdoor Events: At least 25 free events per edition, ideal for families and spontaneous visitors.
Venues and Locations
Brighton Festival is not a single-site event. Performances are spread throughout the city, with Brighton Dome and its Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre forming the artistic heart of the festival. Additional venues include theatres, galleries, parks, the seafront and temporary festival spaces across Brighton and Hove. Some events also take place in the surrounding area, including Glyndebourne and the University of Sussex campus.
Tickets and Prices
Tickets are sold per individual event. Many performances are priced at £15 or less, with a significant portion of the programme entirely free of charge. Booking is handled through the Brighton Dome ticket office. Reduced-price tickets are available for selected events for visitors under 30. Advance booking is strongly recommended for popular productions as many events sell out well before the festival opens.
Visitor Tips
- Brighton is around one hour from London Victoria by train; the railway station is within easy walking distance of most central venues.
- Brighton Festival is not a camping festival; accommodation must be booked separately and fills up quickly during May.
- The programme includes both free and ticketed events; combining both makes for a full and affordable festival experience.
- Most venues are walkable from the city centre, the seafront and Brighton Dome.
- The concurrent Brighton Fringe, the third largest fringe festival in the world, adds hundreds of additional shows across the city.
- May weather in Brighton can be changeable; bring a light waterproof for outdoor events.
Alongside the Festival: Brighton Fringe and The Great Escape
Visiting Brighton in May means experiencing a rare convergence of major events. The Brighton Fringe runs alongside the main festival and, as the third largest fringe festival in the world, adds hundreds of further events across dozens of venues. The Great Escape, one of Europe's most important new music festivals, showcases over 450 emerging artists from around the world across more than 30 walkable venues in the city centre. Together, these three festivals make May the ideal month to visit Brighton.
