7 things to do this bank holiday weekend

It’s the last bank holiday before Christmas (how? HOW?), the weather’s looking gorgeous, so it’s time to make the most of it. Try out Brighton’s latest vegan restaurant (it opens Saturday), indulge your inner Harry Potter, get away from the madness at Brighton’s (no-longer-so-secret) secret garden, check out a candlelight concert, or some impressive light installations or just get stuck in to one of our other top picks below.

Give them a round of a-paws
Yes, it’s time to show off your best friend (or add more conviction to your belief that yes, you really do need to get a dog) as the delayed Pride Community Day and Dog Show is this Sunday. Get down there for 11am if you want to enter your pooch in categories like waggiest tail and best drag dog. There’s also a doggy and owner photo booth, a dog catwalk show and food by Brighton lunch club Lunch Positive.
Sunday, 28th August, 2022; midday – 5pm; free (there’s a charge for entering your dog in each category)
Preston Park, Brighton, BN1 6SD

brighton-pride.org

Fete accompli
Speaking of dog shows, there’s also one at this village fair, the brilliantly named Patcham Duck Fayre (which, sadly, is sans ducks). Run by the RSPCA, it kicks off at 12.30pm with entries taken from midday. Not mad about dogs? There’s also everything you’d expect from a traditional summer fete (a tombola!), as well as fairground rides, a model railway replica of Volk’s, a whole host of dance and music performances (including Marta Scott’s dancers who always bring the party), a family zone with free craft and circus skills workshops, face-painting and balloon-modelling, plus plenty of refreshments.
Sunday, 28th August, 2022; 11am – 4.30pm; free
Patcham High and Junior School Field

patchamduckfayre.co.uk

In pursuit of hoppiness
One for the beer fans as Brighton’s Unbarred Brewery is belatedly (boo, Covid) celebrating its birthday with a mammoth beer trail this weekend. They’ve created a tap takeover journey of six Brighton craft beer pubs (kicking off at The Good Companion in Seven Dials and going on to Easy Tiger, The Quadrant, Star & Garter, William IV and The Pond) before finishing at their taproom off London Road for more beery celebrations (they’ve got a new gluten-free beer too), music and open-fired cooking and local charcuterie. Grab a trail card from any of the pubs involved or download it here, collect your stamps and claim your prizes. Birthday presents for everyone!
Saturday, 27th August, 2022; food from midday, DJs from 7pm
19-23, Elder Place, Brighton BN1 4GF

unbarredbrewery.com

Pub be good to me
The Coleridge Street Party is back! Head over to West Hove for this street takeover with the Ancient Mariner and enjoy an afternoon of live music, retro console games and heaps of family fun in their sprawling beer garden. They’ll also be launching their new Asian-inspired menu from Lime Street.
Sunday, 28th August, 2022
59 Rutland Road, Hove BN3 5FE

ancientmariner.pub

Get into the Spirit (Level) of things
We went to Spirit Level’s last pop-up at Cafe Rust in Kemp Town and have only good things to say about their well-crafted tasty drinks. If you’re going down the boozey route, pace yourselves though as these babies are STRONG! This Saturday they’re at the gorgeous Cafe Rust in Hove, which has one of the area’s best rooftop suntrap gardens, and then they’re at Tilt in September. Cheers!
Saturday, 27th August, 2022; 7–11.30pm
Cafe Rust, 81 George Street, Hove, BN3 3YE

The Spirit Level

Have a Bagel(man)
We were very sad to see the closure of Bagelman’s Brighton Station store, so we’re delighted they’re back with new bagels, fresh branding and a new store that opens on Bank Holiday Monday with a grand opening flourish. And if you want to bag a free coffee, make sure you’re one of the first 50 people there at 10am when they throw the doors open.
108, St James Street, Brighton, BN2 1TH; from 10am
bagelman.co.uk

There’s an art to it
Brighton is full of brilliant art and when better than a long weekend to get out and see lots of it. We’re long-time fans of Dave Pop’s art, it’s a bit like being smacked in the face by a rainbow. In the best possible way. And Seaside Sauce – Extra Topping, his latest vibrant exhibition is on until Tuesday, so head down to the seafront Fishing Quarter Gallery to catch it while you still can. Just look for the giant prawn and the gallery’s opposite. Shellfish, us? Never!
Kings Road, Brighton BN1 1NB
brightonfishingmuseum.org.uk

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