Brighton’s in full spring mode this weekend: sunshine (hopefully), sea air and a city suddenly even more full of people in Lycra. Yep, it’s marathon weekend. That means road closures, supportive crowds, and determined faces pounding the seafront. But it’s not just about the runners this weekend (although if you’re one of them – good luck!), there’s plenty more going on, from free chips to doses of culture, the reopening of Kemptown’s secret garden, and pints of beer. Here’s what’s worth your time.
Get a sneak peek of some of the Fringe’s best acts
If you missed the launch party and can’t wait for Brighton Fringe, then Pick of the Fringe at Ironworks is your early taster – a one-night showcase serving up some of the most exciting acts from this year’s programme before May properly kicks off. There’s cabaret from some of our favourites (Gaylien de Mars, Felix Le Freak), plus bite-sized plays, drag, music, camp comedy, a bit of all the good stuff. It’s the perfect way to get ready for the busiest month of the year and a very solid shout if you fancy a little amuse-bouche of what to expect without the usual overwhelm of deciding who to go and see. For more help banishing the indecisiveness, check out our guide here.
Fri 10th April; 8pm; from £6.12
Book tickets
Get free chips at this tasty relaunch
Brighton’s best chips are back! Yes, Be Fries, of Belgian double-cooked chip goodness, sadly closed a fair few years ago (although they’ve still been making their delicious Be Saucy sauces), but now they’re back and having a proper party to mark the occasion. Get yourself down to the i360 for top tunes from local DJs and the chance to get your hands on some free chips – cones on them for the first 100 who buy a drink. And don’t worry if you miss out on the freebies, they’ll be frying up the best chips in the biz every day from the terrace.
Fri 10th April; from 6pm; then daily 11am – 7pm
More information
Welcome the return of this hilltop cafe
It’s time for another return! Wild Cherry, the family-run wholefoods shop and cafe with the distinctive tree-like seating on Queens Park Road, is back after a difficult few months and a temporary closure. They’re reopening on Saturday with a new name – the Fig and Olive cafe – and a more relaxed look. They’ll be serving up free nibbles and tasters, plus music and good vibes as a proper community thank you. Have a stroll through the park, then stick around to give some love to one of the area’s loveliest spots as it starts a new chapter.
Sat 11th April; 9am – 6pm
wildcherry.co.uk
Celebrate the local grassroots music scene
Brighton’s grassroots scene is taking over the city again this weekend as Homegrown Festival returns for its third year – a one-day, multi-venue celebration of the incredible artists and spaces that make our city’s music scene what it is. You’ll find over 60 Brighton-bred acts playing everywhere from teensy haunts to bigger local favourites, with one wristband getting you access across nine independent venues. Plus ticket holders get access to exclusive Pommy’s pizza discounts. It’s basically an excellent excuse to spend Saturday venue-hopping and discovering your next favourite band before everyone else catches on.
Sat 11th April; various venues; from £38.50
homegrownbrighton.co.uk
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Get your groove on at a gallery
We love a bit of an arty party and Whistleblower Gallery is bringing the fun this Saturday. Together with psychedelic artist Pinky (whose vibrant Tune In Turn On exhibition is on show there until 18th April), they’re turning their Hove space into a free daytime disco. Brighton Sundae are handling the music for this free afternoon party soundtracked by DJs Mr Dan and D-Novo. Bring a buddy and a bottle for good tunes, good people and a very civilised way to get your groove on – all in one of Hove’s coolest creative spaces.
Sat 11th April; 2pm – 6pm; free
More information
Catch these exhibitions before they close
It’s your last weekend to catch Gender Stories, Brighton Museum’s thoughtful exhibition exploring how gender has been shaped, challenged and lived across time, culture and everyday life. There’s major artworks, photography, personal stories and community voices, all unpacking identity in ways that feel human rather than heavy-handed. One for anyone after a culture fix with a bit more depth than your standard gallery wander. And, over in Hove, Play Back Forward is having its last hurrah at Hove Museum of Creativity (free entry). Film nerds, curious kids and anyone who loves a bit of analogue magic should make time for the immersive exhibition that dives into Brighton and Hove’s role in the birth of cinema, mixing rare archive footage with hands-on installations, new artist commissions and creative work by local young people.
Until Sun 12th April; 10am – 5pm; from £8 (gets you access to the whole museum)
brightonmuseums.org.uk
See the Singing Barber in action
Peter Joannou, aka Brighton’s Singing Barber, is back belting out tunes live from the little window above his Middle Street barber’s shop this Saturday. Blessed with clever fingers and a soulful voice, perfect for crooning the music of Frank Sinatra, Elvis and other legends, this is one of those Brighton experiences you need to see at least once.
Sat 11th April; 6pm; free but collecting donations for Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance
brightonssingingbarber.co.uk
GET OUTTA TOWN
Grab a beer or three at this tap takeover
Barely a weekend goes by before we see another beer festival. Not that we’re complaining mind you. This weekend is the turn of Brighton’s cousin on the West side. Worthing’s biggest indie beer crawl, the Tap Takeover, is back this weekend, turning the town into one giant pub hop for craft beer lovers. Twenty independent venues are each teaming up with a different brewery – from local favourites to cult names from further afield – so whether you’re into crisp lagers, hazy pales or weird and wonderful sours, there’s plenty worth heading west for.
Fri 10th – Sun 12th April; free
worthingtaptakeover.co.uk
