10 things to do this weekend | 9th – 11th June

The Fringe Festival may have drawn to a close, but that doesn’t mean the fun has ended – there’s still heaps of good stuff going on in the city. And, with temperatures set to soar to a truly summery 27C this Saturday, we don’t need an excuse to spend time outside. Keep reading for our pick of the best of what’s on this weekend. Just don’t forget the SPF!

1. Celebrate Bison Beach Bar’s (re)opening at Sea Lanes 

Bison Beer’s Beach Bar is finally back at Sea Lanes after some very exciting redevelopments on the Madeira Drive site. With the long-awaited swimming pool opening to the public last Friday [Ed: we got an early swim in and can testify to how gorgeous it is], Bison are cranking up the heat this weekend for three jam-packed days of DJs, refreshing drinks, and mouthwatering food courtesy of the brilliant Wood x Coal. Get ready to celebrate their (re)opening in style, with a mix of chilled deep house, soulful funky beats, and an eclectic selection of soul, reggae, hip hop, and some of the greatest views in town. Best of all, entry is free! Plus, if you head down on the Saturday, neighbouring Sea Lanes biz Photomatic are offering free pics between 6 9pm to celebrate their own launch day.
Friday 9th June – Sunday 11th June; various times; free
300 Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1BX 
bisonbeer.co.uk

2. Support local talent at an open-air makers’ market

Paper Daisy’s lively Makers’ Market is back for the summer. Discover a diverse gathering of creatives, artists, designers, and local small businesses within the sheltered gardens of The Brighthelm Centre. There’s heaps to discover, from candles and quirky prints to delicate jewellery and a variety of local goods. Plus, a capella choir We Bop will be performing live at 2pm. Need a break? Head to the grassed area, grab a bite to eat from one of the food stalls, and soak up some rays. It’s the perfect escape from a hectic Saturday in Brighton, all while supporting local indies. And while you’re there, it’s a great opportunity to add to your TBR list at Afrori Books in its new Brighthelm Centre home round the other side of the gardens.
Saturday 10th June; 11am – 4pm; free
Brighthelm Gardens, Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XG
paperdaisyevents.co.uk

3. Watch an unforgettable adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night 

Mark your calendars for a theatrical treat this weekend. The Duke’s Theatre Company are putting on a dynamic adaptation of Shakespeare’s much-loved romantic comedy Twelfth Night at the Brighton Open Air Theatre. Performed by an energetic young cast and featuring innovative production design and original music, you’ll experience Shakespeare in a whole new light. We’d recommend getting there early to grab the best seats and enjoy a picnic under the setting sun. Sixteenth century food options entirely optional. And if you forget to bring a jumper for those evening chills, they have blankets and warming hot toddys at the well-stocked bar.
Friday 9th June and Saturday 10th June; various times; from £12.50
Brighton Open Air Theatre, Brighton, BN3 6EH
brightonopenairtheatre.co.uk

4. Get a free ice-cream at a new gelato shop in the Lanes 

What’s the essential accessory to summery weather? An ice-cream, of course. Or even better, ice-cream’s creamier cousin, a gelato. Happily, traditional Italian gelato maker Badiani – they’ve been making gelato since 1932 – is making its sweet debut in Brighton’s Lanes this Friday. Treat yourself to a tempting selection of 16 creamy classics or venture into the realm of culinary creativity with their famous gelato burgers, pinguinos, gelato cookies, waffles, crepes, and more. Better yet, to celebrate their tasty launch, you can bag yourself a free cup of their signature Buontalenti – just sign up on their website to claim this delicious offer. 
Daily; midday – 9pm; free (offer only available on Friday)
10 Duke Street, Brighton, BN1 1AH

badiani1932.com

5. Check out another new ice-cream store in Kemptown

Experience double the delight this weekend as another ice-cream (sorry, gelato) shop has recently opened in Kemptown: Cocco Gelato. If you haven’t been yet, we’d definitely add it to your must-visit list. Within just two days of their grand opening, this indie maker completely sold out of their authentic – and very tasty – gelato. Indulge yourself in their range of signature sundaes, one-of-a-kind freak shakes, delectable crepes, and a whole freezer full of exceptionally moreish treats. [Ed: Need a recommendation? Our current obsessions are the white chocolate and pistachio ice lollipop and the chocolate orange gelato.]
Monday – Sunday; 11.30am – 6.30pm
23 College Road, Brighton, BN2 1EU
cocogelato.co.uk 

6. Get your thrift on at a yard sale 

Get hyped for the Platf9rm Yard Sale: Round 2 – where you can get stuck into some sustainable shopping and have a fun day out. You’ll find a whole range of pre-loved goodies, from vintage clothing and antiques to art, books, records and jewellery. They don’t allow pro sellers or businesses at the moment, so prices are unlikely to be too steep. They’ve also got pop-up food stalls on the square outside (Tiger Eats Carrot and Breadwinners) and cocktail trucks (Mama’s Cocktail Bar), plus live music from Platform B DJs. Proceeds from ticket sales, which include a free coffee, will be donated to Rise, the Brighton-based charity that helps those affected by domestic abuse.
Saturday 10th June; 11am – 5pm; £5
The Grounds, Church Road, Hove, BN3 2AF 
platf9rm.com

7. Enjoy some dim sum in a sunny beer garden

Craving the delightful combo of dumplings and beer to kickstart your weekend? Then you’re in for a treat. This weekend’s food pop-up at The Brzn Arms features Get Sum Dim Sum’s delicious hand-rolled dumplings. You‘ll be able to feast on their tasty riceboxes, refreshing cucumber salads, and, of course, their signature homemade dim sum infused with Asian fusion flavours, and check out their new chicken pad Thai flavour. Get stuck in with a fresh pint of Brzn Beer in the pub’s sunny yarden. Happy days.
Friday 9th June and Saturday 10th June; from 4pm on Friday and from midday on Saturday
62 Beaconsfield Rd, Brighton, BN1 4QJ
brzn.business.site 

8. Head to a mini food festival and support a local school

Get ready for a mouthwatering event that combines great local cuisine with a charitable spirit. The Hove Food Feast is not your ordinary food festival – it’s a collaborative effort of several local eateries, including steak restaurant Carne, gastropub The Urchin, and pizza and pasta restaurant Pesca Trattoria, to raise funds for local primary, St Andrew’s. The restaurants will be showcasing their dishes (which each cost £2.50), alongside live music, a bar, kids activities and cooking sessions from the Table Talk Foundation, which raises money to support food education in Sussex.
Saturday 10th June; from midday; £5 (kids go free) 
St Andrews CofE Primary School, Belfast Street, Hove, BN3 3YT
st-andrews.brighton-hove.sch.uk

9. Experience the magic of musicals by candlelight at the Royal Pavilion

There’s something very special about candlelight concerts. Hundreds of candles glowing while musicians perform some of your favourite tunes. Add in a spectacular building like the Royal Pavilion as a backdrop and you’ve got yourself a real treat. This Saturday, Candlelight Concerts is bringing the magic of musicals to King George IV’s seaside palace – a string quartet will be performing music from Mary Poppins to The Lion King and Frozen. Hakuna matata, baby.
Royal Pavilion, 4/5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton, BN1 1EE
feverup.com

10. Unleash your inner detective at Komedia

Get ready for a night of intrigue and laughter as Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote heads to Komedia this Sunday. Immerse yourself in the world of the cult hit TV series with an interactive screening of the iconic Murder, She Wrote episode “Ever After” hosted by super-fan Tim Benzie. Step into Jessica Fletcher’s (RIP Angela Lansbury) shoes as she navigates the glitzy and dramatic world of daytime soap operas, where secrets and danger lurk behind every door. The night features games, prizes, a theme tune singalong and LOTS of audience participation, but the question is, who’ll be first to unravel the mystery?
Sunday 11th June; 8pm; from £12
44-47 Gardner St, Brighton, BN1 1UN
komedia.co.uk

By Beth Musselwhite