Sadly, many of Brighton’s brilliant events were cancelled or postponed in 2020. So, we’re very much hoping and looking forward more than ever to these events in Brighton and Sussex taking place from April this year. Here are just a few highlights of what’s on in Brighton 2021 with many more still to be announced, subject to Government change.
April
Easter Egg Roll, Devil’s Dyke, 5th April. Take your own hand decorated hard-boiled egg and try your luck at this Easter custom – the egg that gets furthest down the Dyke valley wins. There is also a ‘Best decorated egg’ competition.
Brighton Design Show, Wagner Hall, 8th – 11th April
A celebration of emerging designers from Brighton and beyond. The show will include exhibitions, table top fair, talks, workshops, pop-ups, tours and surgeries.
Theatre Royal reopens its doors with shows now on sale including the hit modern thriller, Dial M for Murder, 13th – 17th April.
May
May is Brighton’s festival month when the city celebrates creativity, community and culture. There is so much going on this month that it is best to start planning your festival activities early.
Brighton Festival, 1st – 21st May. The largest curated annual arts festival in England is a celebration of music, theatre, dance, circus, art, film, literature, debate, outdoor and community events.
Foodies Festival: 1st – 3rd May. A celebration of food, drink and wellbeing on Hove Lawns.
The Great Escape, 12th – 15th May. The Great Escape is the festival for new music, showcasing 500 emerging artists from all over the world in 30+ walkable venues across the city and a pop-up festival site on Brighton Beach.
Brighton Fringe: 28th May – 27th June. Brighton Fringe welcomes international performers and audiences as it showcases the creative heart and soul of the city and its unique cultural heritage. This vast celebration of the weird, wild and wonderful has grown out of, and is inspired by, home-grown talent.
June
Brighton Rugby 7s festival, 11th – 13th June. Competitive rugby 7s collides with the most creative music from the city and beyond, alongside a conference for rugby enthusiasts, providing three days of entertainment at Brighton Rugby Club, Waterhall.
Brighton Half Marathon, 27th June. Postponed from its usual February date, the Brighton Half Marathon, organised by local charity, Sussex Beacon, offers a fast, flat course which takes in Brighton’s iconic sites.
July
Love Supreme Jazz Festival, 2nd – 4th July. Now in its ninth year, Love Supreme is Europe’s biggest outdoor jazz, funk and soul festival and will return to the picturesque setting of Glynde in the South Downs. Confirmed artists include TLC, Sister Sledge, Brand New Heavies and the Isley Brothers.
Sussex Gin Festival Borde Hill, 10th July. Celebrate the extraordinary craftsmanship of independent Sussex, British and worldwide gin distillers at this unique festival. With delicious hot and cold artisan food, captivating demonstrations on all things gin, and not forgetting our main stage with live entertainment all day, this is one of the hottest festival tickets for 2021.
August
BA i360’s 5th Birthday, 4th August. We turn 5 in 2021 and will be hosting a celebration that runs into our Pride Silent Disco party on Friday 6th August.
Pride Brighton & Hove, 6th – 8th August 2021. The UK’s biggest LGBTQ Pride festival consisting of Pride in the Park party, the Pride Parade and Pride Village Party. 2021 is Brighton Pride’s 30th anniversary, the theme is FABULOUSO and we have no doubt it is going to be just that!
September
Brighton Marathon, 12th September. We cannot wait to see the return of The Brighton Marathon Weekend, rescheduled from its regular April date, it is sure to be one of the best yet for the 18,000 participants and the 150,000 spectators that line the city streets to show their support.
October
A Princes Treasure Exhibition, Royal Pavilion, until 16th October. The last chance to see over 120 remarkable decorative works of art, originally commissioned by the Prince Regent, on loan from the Royal Collection for display at the Royal Pavilion.
Halloween at Phileas Fogg’s World of Adventure, dates to be confirmed. Spooky challenges and ghoulish goings on are plentiful at this immersive theatre experience.
November
Brighton Dome, various dates. The historic events venue hosts a full schedule of entertainment this month including Tim Peake, My Journey to Space. The astronaut presents his story and footage of his visit to the International Space Station in 2015 to conduct a spacewalk (and run a marathon!) whilst orbiting Earth.
December
Breakfast with Santa and Santa Flights at British Airways i360, throughout December. The big man himself will be returning with his cheeky elves to surprise and delight children during our special breakfasts and pod flights. Tickets on sale from October.
Santa Dash, 11th December. One of Brighton’s most fun events, the 5k festive run takes place on the seafront promenade with everyone dressed in a full Santa suit, organised by local charity, Rockinghorse, that raises vital funds for sick children in Sussex.