What’s On in Brighton in May: 12 Festivals to Have on Your Radar
May in Brighton is festival season at its best. As the city moves into spring, the calendar fills with live music, comedy, theatre, food, art, open houses, family events, cabaret, community celebrations and late-night parties.
Whether you’re planning a May bank holiday weekend in Brighton, looking for things to do in Brighton this May, or building a full month of festival plans, there is something happening almost every week. From Brighton Festival, Brighton Fringe and Artists Open Houses to The Great Escape, Foodies Festival, Land Beyond and smaller cultural events across the city, May is one of the most exciting times of year to explore Brighton and Hove.
Here are 12 festivals taking place in Brighton this May.
Festivals Taking Place in Brighton This May
Brighton Fringe
Brighton Fringe returns from 1–31 May 2026, bringing a packed month of comedy, theatre, cabaret, music, family shows, spoken word, workshops and experimental performance to venues across the city. It is one of the biggest open-access arts festivals in England, which means you can expect everything from polished productions to unexpected gems in pubs, theatres, outdoor spaces and pop-up venues.
Dates: 1–31 May 2026
Tickets:Book Here
Brighton Festival
Brighton Festival celebrates its 60th edition in 2026, running from Friday 1–Monday 25 May. The programme spans theatre, music, circus, literature, dance, classical music, family events and outdoor performance, with highlights including free “Weekends Without Walls” across the city on 16–17 May and 23–24 May.
Dates: 1–25 May 2026
Tickets: Book Here
Artists Open Houses
Artists Open Houses is one of Brighton’s most loved May traditions, inviting visitors into homes, studios and creative spaces across the city. The 2026 May Festival runs across four weekends: 2, 3 & 4 May; 9 & 10 May; 16 & 17 May; and 23, 24 & 25 May. It is a brilliant way to discover local artists, buy original work and explore different neighbourhoods.
Dates: 2–4, 9–10, 16–17 and 23–25 May 2026
Tickets:Book Here
Foodies Festival Brighton
Foodies Festival comes to Brighton from Saturday 2–Monday 4 May 2026, bringing a bank holiday weekend of food, drink, chef demonstrations and live music. The Brighton line-up includes music from Scouting For Girls, B*Witched and Boyzlife, making it a strong choice for anyone who wants food stalls, drinks, entertainment and a festival atmosphere in one place.
Dates: 2–4 May 2026
Tickets:Book Here
The Great Escape
The Great Escape returns to Brighton in May as one of the UK’s leading festivals for new music, showcasing hundreds of emerging artists across walkable venues around the city. The 2026 conference runs from 13–15 May, while official festival communications refer to The Great Escape transforming Brighton from Wednesday 13–Saturday 16 May. Expect new bands, industry events and the chance to discover artists before they become huge.
Dates: 13–16 May 2026
Tickets: Book Here
Of Land, Sea and Sky at The Old Market
The Old Market is launching Of Land, Sea and Sky as part of Brighton Festival 2026, with a programme of immersive events inspired by nature, landscape, coastlines and climate. Taking place at TOM in Hove, the season includes soundbath experiences, XR encounters, films, music, installations, conversations and Q&As, with events running between 2–24 May 2026.
Dates: 2–24 May 2026
Tickets:Book Here
Land Beyond Festival
Land Beyond Festival takes place at East Brighton Park on Sunday 24 May 2026. Gates open at midday, with last entry at 5pm, the show ending at 10.30pm and gates closing at 11pm. The festival is an 18+ event and, according to the festival information, there is no on-site parking, so visitors are encouraged to use public transport, taxis or arrive on foot. (landbeyondfestival.co.uk)
Date: Sunday 24 May 2026
Tickets: Ticketed event
Caravanserai Brighton
Caravanserai returns to Brighton’s Valley Gardens North from Friday 1st May, opening with an “Opening Night Extravaganza” at Klub Kaput from 4pm–11pm. Across May, the programme includes comedy, theatre, live music, dance, cabaret and late-night events, making it one of the city’s most colourful Fringe-season destinations.
Dates: 1st - 31st May
Tickets: Free entry to the site, with ticketed shows (Book Here)
SpiegelGardens
SpiegelGardens runs from 1–31 May 2026 at Victoria Gardens, bringing Brighton Fringe energy to the heart of the city. The programme includes cabaret, comedy, music, nightlife, family shows and special events, with the launch party taking place on Friday 1 May and family programming starting from Saturday 2 May.
Dates: 1–31 May 2026
Tickets: Free entry to the site, with ticketed shows (Book Here)
Brighton Italian Festival
Brighton Italian Festival returns in May 2026 with its first Fringe edition, celebrating Italian food, music, culture and community across the city. The festival launches with Brighton’s first Italian Street Party at Jubilee Square on 2 May, followed by a wider programme of events including workshops, music and cultural celebrations throughout the month.
Dates: From 2 May 2026, with events throughout May
Tickets: Free and ticketed events available (Book Here)
St Ann’s Well Gardens Spring Festival
St Ann’s Well Gardens Spring Festival brings community, music and family-friendly festival energy to one of Hove’s best-loved parks. The official site highlights the AudioActive Stage for 2026, showcasing soul, jazz, house, garage, grime, drum & bass, DJs, live performers and emerging local talent. Brighton Rewind also takes place on Sunday 3 May, with tribute acts and throwback festival energy supporting the Spring Festival.
Dates: 2–3 May 2026
Tickets: Book Here