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Things to do | Posted 25 Oct 2019

Whether you’re a local planning on filling your 2020 calendar or looking to make the most of your next stay in Brighton, we’ve got the low down on all the exciting festivals and events going on in the next 12 months. So, without further ado, let’s get stuck in.

Anatomy Lab Live: Contagion

29 February 2020
The nationally acclaimed dinner and dissection experience is coming to Brighton. The event will be looking at how infections affect the organs and you’ll work with real specimens and learn more about infectious diseases in a fully working decontamination tent. Dinner is included in the ticket price.

Bad Pond Festival

2-3 May 2020
The leading left-field and experimental rock music festival is heading to Brighton’s famous Concorde 2. Some of the names booked onto the line-up include Palm Reader, The Physics House Band, Tangled Hair and Colossal Squid.

Banff Mountain Film Festival

3 April 2020
Get lost in a thrilling night of adventure with a new collection of short films from the world’s most prestigious mountain film festival. Showing in Brighton for one night only, you can join fearless explorers and intrepid film-makers via phenomenal cinematography.

Brighton Balboa Festival

25-27 September 2020
Essentially a festival celebrating the wonderful world of dance. Dance to your heart’s content with a weekend of Balboa (a swing dance that originated in Southern California) with top teachers, cool DJs and hot bands.

Brighton Comic-Con and Gaming Festival

21 March 2020
Held at Brighton Race Course, this one’s a great opportunity for gaming and comic book fans alike to don their favourite character’s costume, immerse themselves in an alternative realm and surround themselves with like-minded enthusiasts.

Brighton Early Music Festival

8-9 February 2020
BEMF returns in 2020 with four performances of Marco de Gagliano’s La Dafne (1608), a highly entertaining and delightful piece of work featuring a rich contrast of textures and sonorities, performed by a very talented cast of young singers and players.

Brighton Festival

2-24 May 2020
An annual celebration of music, theatre, dance, circus, art, film, literature, debate, outdoor and family events. Hosted in familiar and unusual venues across Brighton, it’s turned into one of the city’s longest-lasting symbols of creativity.

Brighton Marathon

19 April 2020
In one of the country’s most vibrant cities and with the stunning backdrop of the sea, be part of a fundraising army and take part in one of the UK’s favourite long-distance running events, famous for its buzzing atmosphere and roaring crowd support.

Brighton Music Conference

22-25 April 2020
The UK’s foremost electronic music conference and networking event for professionals and enthusiasts. Bringing together leading speakers and delegates from the industry with 60+ talks, 180 speakers, seminars, workshops, networking and club events. There’ll also be club nights hosting world-class DJs and artists.

Brighton Ride

19 April 2020
Taking place ahead of the Brighton Marathon and 10K, the ride offers cyclists of any ability the chance to enjoy the sights of the city on closed roads for over 50 kilometres. If you sign up you’ll get tonnes of support in fundraising and a jersey to wear on the big day.

Brighton Tattoo Convention

2-3 May 2020
With up to 500 exhibitors across two days, expect to see world-class tattoos, apparel, accessories, jewellery, books, equipment and much more.

Brighton & Hove Pride

31 July - 3 August 2020
Brighton & Hove Pride’s widely acknowledged as one of the country’s most popular pride events and comes with a glittering and truly inclusive community festival, amazing performances and spectacular celebrations.

Doomsday Festival

6 June 2020
A one-day event for extreme metal fans. Expect nothing less than some of the finest bands the genre has to offer; Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal and everything in between, including the artwork of special guest Christophe Szpajdel.

Foodies Festival & Exhibition

8-10 May 2020
Featuring chefs cooking live in the chef’s theatre, discover mouth-watering food from pop-up restaurants and taste international street delicacies, champagne, wine and beer. You can also get your name down for masterclasses to see Bake Off winners in the cake and deserts theatre.

The Great Escape Festival

14-16 May 2020
Coined ‘the festival for new music’ it showcases new music by emerging stars from all over the world. Where? At a pop up site on Brighton beach. Spontaneous collaborations, secret gigs and club nights add to the fun of the festival and make it one not to miss.

JATS Swing Festival

21-24 February 2020
Jumpin’ at the seaside is bringing international swing dance teachers to Brighton for three evenings of live music, DJs and competitions as well as two days of Lindy Hop and solo dance classes with world-re-known superstars.

Land Beyond Festival

8-9 June 2020
Escape to a land less explored with this newcomer to the Brighton festival scene, showcasing music from the house, jazz, soul, disco, funk scenes and more.

Rio Carnival comes to Brighton

18 July 2020
Hosted by Secret Carnival Club, expect to see, hear and taste Brazil and immerse yourself in the culture. Expect Latin parade performers, a samba band, steel drummers and loads more.

Roots

3-17 January 2020
From the award-winning company behind Golem comes a brand new show - Roots, which is a medley of rarely told stories offering a peek into the imaginations of pre-industrialised people, brought together with hand-crafted animation, storytelling and a live score involving Peruvian prayer boxes, donkeys jaws, violins and musical saws.

Sussex higher education exhibition

13 March 2020
Join UCAS experts, university representatives, employers and gap year specialists at this exhibition aimed to help students explore a wide range of academic and career opportunities. Expect seminars, talks, stands and advice at this Brighton-based event.

Washed Out Festival

11-12 September 2020
Rooted firmly in the Brighton DIY community and curated by a team of driven and passionate live music promoters, Washed Out aims to build communities via a DIY approach to art and punk culture, bringing you some of the best bands and artists the scene has to offer.

Found something that tickles your fancy? If you’ve found your event but now need somewhere to stay for the night then check out our conveniently located hotels in the heart of Brighton.

Discover more blogs like A-Z of London Festivals.

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