May in Brighton is the month of England’s largest arts festival – don’t miss out, book now!
Have a look at The Brighton Festival 2025 & The Brighton Fringe Festival 2025 where you will find art exhibitions, cabaret, theatre performances, music concerts and much more.
- Brighton Fringe: 3 May – 1 June
- Brighton Festival: 3 May – 26 May
- Artists Open Houses: 3, 4 & 5 | 10 & 11 | 17 & 18 | 24, 25 & 26 May
- The Great Escape Festival: 14- 17 May.
Brighton Festival, now the largest arts festival in England, is one of the major milestones in the international cultural calendar.
Over a three-week period, Brighton Festival explores a wide-ranging programme of music, theatre, dance, film, and literature. It has a long tradition of attracting the most exciting performers from across the globe and promoting local artists. Bringing fresh, challenging new work to Brighton.
Join us for a good night’s sleep
And where better to spend the night after a gig like this than New Steine Hotel! We can assure you of a good night’s sleep and an award winning breakfast the following morning.
May 2025 Top Picks
Ladyboys of Bangkok – Fri 2nd May to Sun 1st June
Victoria Gardens – Variety Performance
Time to get you Glow On as the Ladyboys Glow UP the Brighton Fringe!
Energetic, exotic, eclectic and completely unpredictable – those sensationally glamorous LADY BOYS OF BANGKOK
A show like no other show performed by “show girls” like no other girls.
It’s a night of pure escapism releasing audiences from the humdrum of everyday life in a euphoric bubble of laughter, glamour, glitz and music.
The entertainment is fast and unrelenting as the eclectic mix of music effortlessly flows from movie hits to superstar pop favourites & tributes, add a load of laughs and it’s going to be a night to remember!
Rotunda Theatre – Fri 2nd May to Sun 1st June
Regency Square – Fringe Show
The team behind Grist to the Mill Productions have seen how small and medium sized venues all around the UK are becoming less and less available to theatre companies. Due to the current economic climate many of these venues are either closing down or being re-purposed for educational or theatre outreach programs, and it is becoming more and more difficult for companies to program tours and get the dates they want. As the Rotunda can be erected anywhere where there is the space we hope to work with venues, promoters and communities all over the UK and bring exciting and entertaining work to new and existing audiences.
The Rotunda Theatre launched at Buxton Festival Fringe 2017 in July. We are proud to say The Rotunda is now also a major venue at Brighton Fringe since 2022, boasting two venues, BUBBLE and SQUEAK.
Land Beyond Festival – Fri 2nd May to Sun 4th May
Waterhall – Music Festival
- Festival Gates Open: 4:00 PM on Friday 2nd May 2025 and 12:00 PM on Saturday 3rd May 2025 and Sunday 4th May 2025
- Last Entry: 7:00 PM (Friday 2nd May) 5:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday
- Show Ends: 10:30 PM
- Festival Gates Close: 11:00 PM
The best is yet to come. This year, we’re taking Land Beyond Festival to new heights with:
- Awe-inspiring stage designs, including a 360-degree stage for a fully immersive music experience.
- Groundbreaking production.
- A reimagined Camping and Glamping Village, offering enhanced comfort, convenience, and style.
- An upgraded VIP experience with exclusive perks.
- World-class headliners and cutting-edge artists across diverse genres.
- Immersive installations and unforgettable encounters.
Fools Paradise – Fri 2nd May to Sun 1st June
The Level – Fringe Show
Sited at the centre of the CBD in the southern half of Tarntanyangga (Victoria Square) Fool’s Paradise will be an epicentre of activity for the Fringe. Presenting 2 unique venues, each with a stacked program of circus, physical theatre, comedy, music and magic, and an equally impressive program of food and beverage offerings from local South Australian producers.
Fool’s Paradise will be home 2 different venues, as well as an array of outdoor activities including flying trapeze lessons, mini golf and live music.
Childrens’ Parade – Sat 3rd May – 10.30am
Madeira Drive and New Road – Parade
A fiesta of colour, costume and live music to kick start Brighton Festival
Schools across the city come together to think about our future. What do we want to change, what do we want to cherish, and what do we want to chuck.
How do we change the world and create a New Dawn?
A parade of ideas for a better day.
Foodies Festival – Sat 3rd, Sun 4th and Mon 5th May
Preston Park – Food Festival
Join us at Brighton Foodies Festival 2025 for our biggest celebration yet of top chefs, tasty food, delicious drinks and live music. See headliners Pixie Lott performing live on Saturday 3rd May, The Wanted 2.0 with founding members Max George and Siva Kaneswaren on Sunday 4th May and Scouting For Girls performing Monday 5th May.
Watch MasterChef Champions, Michelin-starred and top local chefs cooking their signature summer recipes in the La Española Chefs Theatre.
Don’t miss our newest features: our Cook School with hands-on lessons from a top chef (£25 supp), boogie on down in our Silent Disco (£8 supp), and learn from Dragons’ Den stars Lumberjaxe on our BBQ Stage featuring barbecue and firepit cooking.
NEW for 2025: The Tasting Theatre with Fabulous Food Finds lets you try new, interesting and delicious things while meeting some of the makers and expanding your foodie knowledge (£5 supp).
Brought to you by Great Taste, the world’s largest and most respected award scheme for ood and drink. The Great Taste Market is a gathering place for food and drink lovers and a space where people can come together to discover new tastes and celebrate the art of good food.
Brighton Backyard Ultra Marathon – Sat 10th May
Stanmer Park – Running Event
The Brighton Backyard Ultra starting on 10 May 2025 is a last one standing endurance race based at Stanmer Park, Brighton. Runners complete a 4.16 miles loop every hour, on the hour until there is one person standing. The course is an “out-and-back” route with an incline.
London to Brighton Historic Commercial Vehicle Society – Sun 11th May
Madeira Drive – Vehicle Rally
Probably the best known of our activities are the annual London To Brighton Run held early in May, the Tyne Tees Run early June and the Trans Pennine Run from Manchester to Harrogate on the first Sunday in August when hundreds gather to see the greatest displays of historic commercial vehicles anywhere in the world. There are several other HCVS events held throughout the country during the summer months and all are open to commercial vehicles of 20 or more years of age.
The Great Escape Festival – Wed 14th May to 17th May
Beach & Jubilee Street – Multi-venue Music Festival
The Great Escape is the festival for new music, showcasing 450 emerging artists from all over the world in 30+ walkable venues across the city and a pop-up festival site on Brighton Beach. It’s the first place to discover your new favourite artist and see them in an intimate setting before they go on to headline major festival stages.
Brighton Valley Concert Series x Noughty 90s – Fri 23rd May to Sun 25th May
East Brighton Park – Music festival – Get ready to throw it back Brighton, as we bring pure 90’s and 00’s vibes to East Brighton Park
With stages hosted by Garage Nation and AWOL, plus our Resident DJ Dan Harding on the Main Stage, expect non-stop bangers all day long!
Prepare yourselves for Daniel Bedingfield (“Gotta Get Thru This,” “If You’re Not the One”), Basshunter, DJ Sammy, Liberty X, Blazin’ Squad, plus Oxide & Neutrino, Artful Dodger, DJ Pied Piper, Micky Finn, Grooverider, N-Trance, and more!
R&B Lovers – Saturday 3rd May – Horizon Brighton
Brighton get ready for a massive Spring 90s & 00s R&B Party coming in May 2025!
- 6 hours of Old School 90s & 00’s RnB Anthems – Music
- Live Performers & Hosts
- Venue Decor
- Festival Production
- Confetti Showers
- Glitter Stations
- Massive Giveaways
- State of the art sound system
- VIP Area
MONACO | Reggaeton VS Afro Beats | Fridays | Horizon Brighton
Get ready to embark on a weekly fiesta that’s about to turn your Fridays into a whirlwind of Afro-Latino magic!
Time: 11:00 PM – 5:00 AM
Get ready to groove to the sounds of the hottest artists in the Afro-Latino scene across two sensational rooms, each delivering a unique vibe that’ll keep you dancing till dawn!
The Tunnel: The Beat Haven (Latin Love Affair)
Expect a caliente lineup featuring your favorite Latino sensations, including Maluma, J Balvin, Bad Bunny, and many more! We’re curating a playlist that will make your hips sway and your heart race. Get ready to immerse yourself in the passion and rhythm of Latin music!
The Auditorium: Afro Beats Fiesta
Step into the Afro room and let the beats of Burna Boy and other Amapiano and Afro Beats maestros take you on a rhythmic journey. Think WizKid, Sho Madjozi, and a blend of Afro beats that will have you moving and grooving all night long!But wait, there’s more!
Complimentary Tapas on the House!
We’re not just serving up beats; we’re serving up flavors! Enjoy free Spanish tapas at the bar because what’s a party without a little extra spice?
Fun & Inclusivity for All 18+ (ID Required)
Horizon Nightclub is all about creating a space where everyone can come together, dance, and celebrate life! We’re breaking down boundaries and turning Friday nights into a multicultural extravaganza.
Gather your squad, bring your best moves, and join us at Horizon Nightclub for the Afro-Latino party of the year, every Friday! Let’s make memories that will have you counting down the days till the next one!
The Dualers – Saturday 31 May 2025
Chalk, 13 Pool Valley | £32.50 – £40.02 | 18:00
Prancer the Dancer’s Dance
Dance Disco Party Fun Show – Sun 25 May 2025, 14:00
Prancer the Dancer invites you to tear up the dance floor and power the disco with collective electric dance energy. DJs and special guests from the worlds of cabaret and circus, dance routines to learn together and gymnastics ribbons aplenty, join Prancer and friends for a fab night out (but in the daytime).
Prancer’s DanceDanceDiscoPartyFunShow is co-commissioned by Marlborough Productions, the Southbank Centre and Brighton Festival.
Prancer the Dancer was originally commissioned by Marlborough Productions, Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts and Fatt Projects. Supported by Shoreditch Town Hall and Cambridge Junction.
Alcotraz Brighton: Cell Block One-Three
6th MAY – 29th May 2025
Tickets from £28.50 – £44.50 every Thursday , Friday and Saturday
Hidden below unsuspecting footsteps on the Brighton seafront lies Cell Block One Three, a secret basement home to a covert speakeasy prison. Successfully smuggle liquor past the Warden and get it into the hands of the longest-serving inmates to enjoy delicious cocktails for you and your gang.
Inspired by Hollywood Movies and TV that have brought to life infamous prison stories, Alcotraz is a first of its kind, a fully immersive theatrical cocktail bar and has become a viral sensation. Alcotraz is more than just a themed cocktail bar, combining the very best of immersive theatre with a world-class cocktail experience. From the orange jumpsuits upon entrance, to the real metallic cells, Alcotraz becomes the perfect backdrop to enjoy a drink within an epic yet intimate environment. Successfully smuggle your liquor past the Warden and serve your time with a covert supply of personalised cocktails.
Proud Cabaret Brighton – Saturday 8th March 2025
Ticket from: £32
Brighton’s most iconic venue, Proud Cabaret Brighton is an indulgent cocktail bar, restaurant lounge and club inn the heart of Kemptown. Host to some of the best, most unique nights out in the city.
A den of 1920s charm and vintage regalia, this stunning venue not only sits under a dome of history, once used as a mausoleum and boxing club, Proud Cabaret sits under a dome of baroque architecture too. From gilded features and a majestic collection of vintage inspired artwork to its plush VIP party booths and Twentieth Century furniture, Proud Cabaret have transported this venue back to the charms of previous era where up to 220 party people can let themselves go!
Proud Cabaret has something for everyone, and something for those of you after that oh so special night out in Brighton. Prepare to be entertained. Prepare to party. A night awaits that you won’t forget.
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