Another week, another bank holiday and we’re certainly not complaining. Here’s where you can watch the Coronation in Brighton, but if you’re looking for something non-Coronation-related (or, as we’ve just seen it hilariously referred to, Corribobs) to, then you’re in the right place. This is (from here on in) a guaranteed C-word-free weekend guide, filled only with Fringe fun, food and other fabulousness.
1. Go to the launch of Afrori Books in their new forever home
We’re very excited about this one! After one hell of a journey, the wonderful Afrori Books are launching their new shop with a flourish in their permanent new home in the Brighthelm Centre, just down the road from the station. As well as the opportunity to check out their spacious new book and light-filled space, there will be giveaways throughout the day, DJ Louise Fidelia will be spinning the tunes and shop manager Oliviyah will be serving up tasty mocktails. (And if you need something new to read, their recommendations are always spot on. We recently devoured Maame, their March book of the month and Fire Rush.)
Saturday 6th May; 10.30am – 6pm
Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton BN1 1YD
afroribooks.co.uk
2. Head along to a pop-up market (or two)
If you’re in the market for a market, you’re spoilt for choice this weekend. Street 2 Chic (tickets here) are holding a free festival fashion sale at The Arch on Saturday (11am – 4pm). You can expect bold statement earrings from Skanking Swede, colourful catsuits from Dazzle and Jolt, and custom-made headdresses from Divine & Wonder, as well as heaps of other goodies from indie designers, makers and vintage and preloved curators, plus a licensed bar and DJs. Also on Saturday (11am – 4pm), Paper Daisy Fair is back at the Brighthelm Centre gardens with its free-to-enter eclectic summer makers market. If you’re going to Afrori, you may as well pop around the back to the fair! As well as original art, baby hand/feet casting, and face painting, sellers include Seashore Bakes enticing us with decadent home-baked brownies and blondies, ceramic jewellery and home wares from Lili Toth Studio and original hand-painted vintage clothes by Geisel & The Fish.
Street 2 Chic: The Arch, 187 – 193 Kings Road, Brighton BN1 1NB
Paper Daisy Fair: Brighthelm Gardens, Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG
3. Swap til you drop at a party swap
The Fringe is here and festival season is heading right this way, so how better to get stuck into some planet-friendly shopping than via a party-themed clothes swap? With latest stats (from Hubbub) showing that 72 percent of women consider a dress to be outdated after just one outing, Sew Fabulous’ swap is the perfect way to get some new-to-you threads without fuelling the fast-fashion cycle. The rules are simple: just bring along your good-quality preloved party gear (think fabulously OTT, sequins, sparkles, headdresses, the works) and swap them for tokens for exciting new pieces. There will also be a team of stylists on hand to help you choose your new look.
Saturday 6th May; slots at 12.30pm, 1.30pm or 2.30pm; from £3
The Rose Hill, 70 – 71 Rose Hill Terrace, Brighton, BN1 4JL
sew-fabulous.org
4. Get your Fringe party started at Caravanserai
It’s (finally) that time again – yes, the Fringe officially kicks off on Friday and it’s safe to say we’re just a wee bit excited. We’d recommend heading down to the opening night of the Fringe’s newest pop-up – Caravanserai – from 4pm. You really need to be there in person to appreciate artist Pete Bateman’s free-to-enter immersive world, created from repurposed caravans and vintage funfair rides and curios. If you want to extend the immersive experience with a show, snap up tickets for Cirque Bizarre, a fabulously eclectic mix of live bands, DJs and circus performances in the site’s larger Luna Parc venue (Friday at 9pm; £16.50).
Venue opens Friday 5th May at 4pm; from free
St Peter’s Church North, Brighton, BN1 4GU
brightonfringe.org
5. Say g’day to BBQ fun at Circus Street
Portuguese-Australian pop-up Fumar Cozinha is embracing its Aussie side this bank holiday Monday with chef-owner Sean Brailsford cooking up a BBQ storm in front of White Cloud Coffee (where he’s also chef) on the Circus Street development. There’s chicken, prawns, lamb, pork rib and rib-eye – with sweet corn as the plant-based option – but it’s the marinades that really make these meats sing. Chicken wings with a cherry cola glaze? Lamb cutlets marinated in garlic, chilli and basil? Come to mama. As well as great food to get your chops around, there’ll be surfing-themed games, a fruit and flower giveaway stall, plant sales and a mini vintage and craft market.
Monday 8th May; midday – 4pm
Outside White Cloud Coffee, 6 Market Square, Circus Street BN2 9AS
Fumar Cozinha
6. Enjoy a pint on Brighton’s newest roof terrace
Bison Beach Bar had its super-soft launch last bank holiday weekend and they’ve got another treat in store for this one with the opening of their roof terrace on Friday. Hellloooo, sexy. Yep, it’s all gearing up to the full opening of the Sea Lanes site (there’s even water in the pool now!) on 2nd June. But back to Bison – if it’s raining (which is looking increasingly likely), they’ve got plenty of indoor space to cosy up in over a beer or three and some of Wood x Coal’s pop-up BBQ creations. While you’re there, don’t forget to visit neighbouring Fika for coffee, delicious panuozzo and more of those tasty sea and poolside views. We’ll cheers to that.
Open daily midday – 11pm; free
Sea Lanes, 300 Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1BX
bisonbeer.co.uk
7. Dose up on art as the Artists Open Houses trails open
May is always a big, big month (we’re still campaigning for the fun to be spread more evenly throughout the year), and this weekend also sees the start of the Artists Open Houses. As ever, you can’t really go wrong, Brighton and Hove is bursting with talented creatives and, let’s be honest, even if you’re not that interested in art, it’s always fascinating to peek behind the doors of people’s houses and it’s a great way to explore the city. Several of our favourite houses are back this year, including the Flamingo House and Garden on the Hove trail (they’ve also got music, refreshments and workshops and demos to get involved in) and Peggy Poppleton and friends on the Seven Dials route. But there are plenty of new houses we’re excited about, too: such as the Brighton Etsy team’s takeover of Starling Studio on the Fiveways trail, Rapture at the Regency Town House (with exhibitions, talks and multi-disciplinary performances) on the Brunswick Town trail, and Wits’ End on the Dyke Road trail, which gives you the chance to see author Robert Rankin and his wife’s creations, from cover sculptures and ceramics to limited-edition books, and enjoy a cuppa in what they say is the UK’s smallest sculpture garden.
Saturday 6th – 29th May; various times; free
various locations
aoh.org.uk
8. Marvel at the design and sculptures at the Children’s Parade
Every year, the Brighton Festival officially kicks off with the Children’s Parade, where around 5,000 kids take to the streets for an explosive carnival of colour, show-stopping sculptures and sounds. The theme for this year’s schools and community organisations to get stuck into – with help from Same Sky artists – is ‘One World, learning and growing from each other’. You can cheer them on by the following the route from Jubilee Street to Madeira Drive – whistles at the ready!
Sunday 7th May; from 10.30am; free
Parade starts on Jubilee Street and ends on Madeira Drive
brightonfestival.org
9. Make a splash at Ruby Moon Swim’s full moon event
It’s that time again! Kick off your second bank holiday weekend with ethical swimwear brand Ruby Moon Swim and Yoga in the Lanes for their popular full-moon swim, paddle, yoga and dance event (pick the ones you fancy!). This month there’s music by Ben from Best Enjoyed Now. The weather may be warming up, but it’s chilly later in the evening and whenever you come out of the water, so don’t forget warm clothes!
Friday 5th May; 8pm; free
Meet on the beach in front of Hove Lawns Cafe (look for the Ruby Moon banner)
The Lawns Cafe, Hove Promenade, Kingsway, Brighton
rubymoon.org.uk
10. Check out Pala’s pop-up sunglasses shop
Brighton-based ethical sunnies brand Pala have had a busy week – they’ve launched their colourful sunglasses collab with fellow sustainable brand Lucy & Yak AND opened up a pop-up shop. Phew. They’re showcasing their latest collections and raising funds for an eyecare facility in Sierra Leone. It’s the perfect opportunity to see and try their glasses on in person and, if you’ve got any old sunnies or specs you’ve had enough of, they’ll recycle them responsibly and give you 10 percent off in the shop. Post-bank holiday, they’re also hosting a clothes swap next Tuesday.
Daily until Thursday 11th May; 10am – 6pm; free
35 North Gallery, 35 North Road, Brighton BN1 1YB
palaeyewear.com
Photo credits: Sophie Sheinwald (Ruby Moon)
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