What's on in Brighton

Brighton Museum and Art Gallery

Daily; not Mon

The Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, situated in the cultural heart of the city opposite the Royal Pavillion, boasts fine collections of fashion, art and design and an impressive display of Art Deco and Art Nouveau.

Hove Lagoon

Daily

Have you ever fancied learning how to sail, windsurf or drive a powerboat? Now you can, at Hove Lagoon in Brighton, where friendly, professional instructors offer short or long courses. Kids can enjoy fun-packed Activity Weeks during the summer or half-term to learn windsurfing, sailing, land and team sports and games.

Gardner Arts Centre

Daily

Located within the grounds of the University of Sussex, the Gardner Arts Centre is a performing arts and film venue with a capacity of 482. Presenting a wealth of diverse acts and productions throughout the year, the centre also showcases all the best movies, from Hollywood to Bollywood.

Royal Pavilion

Daily

Just behind Brighton's seafront, the Royal Pavilion rises like a mirage of Eastern exoticism. It is set in lush gardens, and the ornate interior features gilded dragons, carved palm trees and imitation bamboo staircases.

Joogleberry Playhouse

Daily

With a mission to spread a little "Joogleberry magic" to the world, the Joogleberry Playhouse offers a lively mix of cabaret, jazz, folk, flamenco and lots more in a renovated listed building in the heart of Brighton.

Komedia

Daily

Komedia is a popular arts venue in the North Laine cultural district in Brighton. Divided into two areas, Komedia Upstairs presents theatre, cabaret, music and children's shows, while Komedia Downstairs is home to the Kronenbourg Krater Comedy Club.

Brighton Marina

Daily

Brighton Marina is one of the city's main attractions and home to Brighton's only designer outlet shopping centre. The marina itself is home to around 1600 yachts and offers pleasure boat tours, sailing, fishing and diving.

Snooper's Paradise

Daily

Brighton's North Laine is the perfect place for a spot of antique hunting. Head to Snooper's Paradise on Kensington Gardens to pick your way through a jumble of retro furniture, curious knick-knacks and vintage odds and ends.

The Lanes

Daily

Nowadays The Lanes is a shopper's paradise, but the densely packed collection of narrow streets and alleyways (and the catcreeps and twittens that connect them) originally made up the fishing village of Brighthelmstone - Brighton in a former life.

The Brighton Toy and Model Museum

Daily; not Mon or Sun

The Brighton Toy and Model Museum houses the priceless tin-plate O-Gauge working railway, along with 10,000 other exhibits.

Brighton Beachfront

Daily

Brighton beachfront is the heart of this buzzing seaside city. It stretches from Brighton Pier, with its bumper cars and Victorian games arcade, to the ghostly West Pier, now partially subsided into the waters after a huge fire.

Preston Park

Daily

Preston Park covers 63 acres, with a formal rose garden, six bowling greens and 12 tennis courts, plus a children's playground, a croquet lawn, a garden for the blind and a small pond with stepping stones.

Revenge

Daily

Brighton's biggest gay club, Revenge is an award-winning venue in a superb location that packs out weekly with a variety of nights.

Nudist Beach

Daily

When the sun shines, bottoms are bared on Brighton's nudist beach, at the far end of the seafront, between Peter Pan's playground and the Marina.

North Laine

Daily

The North Laine shopping area (just north of Brighton's city centre) is the reason Brighton has a strong reputation for non-chain, owner-run quirky shops. With over 350 outlets selling everything from percussion instruments to crystals, juggling balls and Latin American furniture, shopping here is an integral part of Brighton's appeal.

Jubilee Library

Daily; not Sun

Opened on World Book Day in March 2005, the Jubilee Library in Brighton sets a green example by running only on renewable energy sources. The Sound and Vision area houses an impressive collection of world cinema and music.

Sea Life Centre

Daily

Believe it or not, Brighton's Sea Life Centre is the oldest aquarium in the world. Once a humble arena with rickety chairs and seals juggling balls on their noses, it has undergone a serious revamp and now boasts hi-tech attractions.

Ocean Rooms

Daily

Spanning three levels, Brighton's Ocean Rooms is one of the most sophisticated nightspots in town. Choose between the Live Lounge, Social Club and the main dance space, dubbed the Funktion Suite.

Evolution Arts & Natural Health Centre

Daily

If you've been promising yourself time to take up an extracurricular course of any kind, try the Evolution Centre in Brighton. From African drumming to life drawing and massage, there's very little on the arts and natural health front that you can't get your teeth into.

The Cricketers

Daily

Brighton's oldest pub, The Cricketers offers real ale and a relaxed atmosphere in the heart of The Lanes. Originally patronised by local fishermen, it is packed with random pub paraphernalia and decorated with an abundance of brass.

The Honey Club

Daily; not Tue

Some of the biggest names in clubland appear at Brighton's two-roomed Honey Club, which provides a varied selection of music throughout the week.

Screamers

Jan 2009 (monthly)

Screamers is Brighton's monthly gay comedy night, often featuring Tina C, the country & western drag star who introduces a star-studded bill.

Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts

6 - 7 Feb 2009 (annual)

The Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts show at the Brighton Centre welcomes 150 exhibitors selling card-making supplies, fabric, yarn, sewing machines, patchwork & quilting accessories, books, tapestry and art materials. There's also a full lecture programme.

Modelworld

13 - 15 Feb 2009 (annual)

Don't expect to meet Kate Moss during this event at the Brighton Centre. Instead, watch out for roaming robots, miniature railways and radio-controlled cars. Yes, it's that kind of Modelworld.

Brighton Science Festival

21 - 28 Feb 2009 (annual)

The Brighton Science Festival takes over a number of city venues every February. There are plenty of activities for families, including Bright Sparks Day and White Heat Day.

Volk's Railway

Mar - Sep 2009 (annual)

The Volks Railway can carry up to 40 passengers for about a mile along Brighton beach and is a lovely way to get to the Marina from the centre of town.

Waiting for Godot

23 - 28 Mar 2009

Sean Mathias directs Samuel Beckett's 20th-century classic Waiting for Godot at Brighton Theatre Royal, as part of a short UK tour before transferring direct to the West End. The play reunites Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart as Estragon and Vladimir.

Preston Manor

1 Apr - 30 Sep 2009; not Mon (annual)

Preston Manor is one of Brighton's hidden gems - a perfectly-preserved Edwardian manor house which the public can explore. It is as if the family have just popped out and you are snooping around their home.

Brighton & Hove Children's Festival

Apr 2009 (annual)

Brighton & Hove Children's Festival is packed full of fun activities for kids. Little ones can learn to drum, watch silent comedy films with Paul Merton, get their face painted and train to be an opera singer or a DJ!

David Byrne

14 Apr 2009

David Byrne is on tour with his band having just released Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, his first collaboration with Brian Eno since 1981. This show is at the Brighton Dome.

Brighton Festival

May 2009 (annual)

Every May, Brighton becomes a festival city for three weeks as everything from opera to stand-up comedy, readings, screenings and street theatre takes over indoor and outdoor venues.

Brighton Fringe Festival

May 2009 (annual)

Every year, venues across Brighton play host to the annual arts festival and its accompanying fringe. The fringe festival continues to expand, taking in everything from cabaret to comedy, classical concerts and club nights, theatre and exhibitions.

Children's Parade

May 2009 (annual)

If you're in Brighton this May and see an army of kids on the streets, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. Every year around 4000 children take part in a spectacular parade through Brighton's city centre.

The Great Escape Festival

May 2009 (annual)

T-Mobile Street Gigs join forces with The Great Escape for a bigger, better version of last year's new music festival. Bands from all over the world take over Brighton's venues, both big and secret...

Brighton Frocks

Jun 2009 (annual)

Brighton Frocks presents local designers at St George's Church. The event is held annually to celebrate the diversity of Brigton fashion, seeking national recognition for local designers and aiming to put the city on the UK fashion map.

London to Brighton Bike Ride

Jun 2009 (annual)

Every year around 27,000 riders take part in Europe's biggest fund-raising cycling event, pedalling all the way from London to Brighton on the south coast - a distance of 58 miles.

Brighton Pride Festival & Parade

Jul - Aug 2009 (annual)

Brighton Pride takes over the town for a week in summer, culminating in a flamboyant parade from the seafront to Preston Park on the final Saturday and street parties on St James's St.

Loop Festival

Aug 2009 (annual)

The all-day Loop music festival in Brighton's Victoria Gardens showcases everything from futuristic electronica to acoustic folk. Other aspects of digital culture including animation, films, dance performances and VJ sets are also scheduled.

The Barlow Collection

1 Sep 2008 - 31 Jul 2009; Tue and Thu only (annual)

The Barlow Collection is a unique collection of Chinese works of art from the 12th century BC to the 18th century AD. It includes outstanding examples of archaic ritual bronze vessels, pottery tomb figures and burial vessels.

Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival

Sep 2009 (annual)

The Brighton & Hove Food and Drink festival celebrates the best of food and drink in Sussex. Local delicacies are the star of the show, with special events taking place across Brighton and Hove including markets, demonstrations and competitions.

National Speed Trials

Sep 2009 (annual)

Cars and bikes of all shapes and sizes fill every inch of Madeira Drive, near Brighton Pier for the National Speed Trials. Various prizes are awarded, including one for the fastest 100m sprint on wheels!

Ace Café Reunion

Sep 2009 (annual)

Disciples of chrome and leather descend on Brighton's seafront from the original Ace Café on London's North Circular. Up to 40,000 sparkling motorcycles get involved, after a weekend of celebrating in London.

Fiery Food UK

Sep 2009 (annual)

In its fourth year in 2008, Fiery Food UK moves to Brighton's Old Steine. The festival offers a huge variety of chilli-related products, hot and spicy food and drinks from around the globe. Try them...if you dare!

UK Air Guitar Championships

Sep 2009 (annual)

Flex those fingertips and dig deep into the wardrobe to find your spandex pants. This heat of the UK Air Guitar Championships is at Brighton's Concorde 2.

Big Beach Boutique

Sep 2009 (annual)

Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, performs on Brighton beach to an adoring home crowd this autumn, for the fourth Big Beach Boutique. Guaranteed to be a storming success.

Brighton Photo Fringe

Oct - Nov 2009 (annual)

The Brighton Photo Fringe runs in parallel with the Brighton Photo Biennial, using the increased awareness of photography in the media and public to create opportunities for photographers in the area. Exhibitions take place all over Brighton, Hove and Shoreham.

Brighton Early Music Festival

Oct - Nov 2009 (annual)

The annual Brighton Early Music Festival takes place in various venues with the 2008 theme being 'These Fairest Isles'. It comprises traditional and early music mostly from Ireland and the British Isles. Please visit the festival website for full listings.

Paramount Comedy Festival

Oct 2009 (annual)

Fresh on the heels of Edinburgh Fringe is the Paramount Comedy Festival, Brighton's own homage to all things funny. The Corn Exchange, Concert Hall and Pavilion Theatre host performances by Alan Carr, Frankie Boyle, Lee Evans and Ed Byrne.

The Italian Job

Oct - Nov 2009 (annual)

Inspired by the 1969 film, the Italian Job is a sponsored Mini Cooper rally which travels to Italy, picks up loads of local wine, then heads back to the UK to auction it. All proceeds go to children's charities.

Brighton 10K

Nov 2009 (annual)

The Brighton 10K is one of England's fastest 10km routes. Two thousand people take part, with both elite runners and joggers enjoying the seafront route that starts and finishes on Madeira Drive.

Rock 'n' Gem Show

Nov 2009 (annual)

Scores of crystal, mineral, fossil and gemstone experts gather at Brighton Racecourse for the Rock 'n' Gem Show, devoted to some of Earth's more interesting offerings. Pick up tips on what crystals can do for your mind, body and soul.

Christmas at The Royal Pavilion

Dec 2009 (annual)

Celebrate the festive season with Christmas at The Royal Pavilion in Brighton. The fairytale palace puts on a series of Victorian events, including a magic lantern show, traditional Victorian prose and poetry readings, a festive fare and a green-robed Santa.

Burning The Clocks

Dec 2009 (annual)

The annual Burning The Clocks event in Brighton includes a children's lantern parade through the city centre and finishes with a firework display on the beach next to Madeira Drive. Many of the paper lanterns are burnt too.