Hello and happy weekend! This week we’ve been eating our way through Brighton’s newest burger opening, eyeing up a coffee rave, planning our Trans Pride weekend and plotting the best free way to enjoy Fatboy Slim’s On The Beach. (Hint: the upper prom or bobbing about in the water, a picnic and maybe one of Roti King’s new Roti & Rosé beach boxes with Plateau.) Here’s what we’d be getting out for over the next few days.
FROM FRIDAY
Watch Brighton turn a little bit Brazilian
Even if you’ve never danced forró in your life, this is worth wandering past. This weekend (up to and including Sunday), Brighton is filling with the sounds of live Brazilian music, partner dancing, Brazilian food and colourful outdoor socials, with one of the highlights of the weekend’s Forró Festival seeing dancers take over the iconic bandstand at Sunday’s closing party. If you’re feeling brave, there are beginner workshops too – but it’s just as much fun to grab an ice-cream and soak up the atmosphere.
Until Sun; various times and prices
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Get your Wurst on
Bratwurst, schnitzel, proper German and Czech beers… it’s all happening at The Brick from Friday as Wild Flor is back with the kind of Brat summer we can get on board with. That means Bavarian-style house-made sausages, Bier cheese, Käsespätzle, curry ketchup, deep-fried strudel and a giant crispy pork knuckle for Sunday lunch if you’re feeling particularly ambitious. Jawohl to all of that.
Fri – Sun
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SATURDAY
Stand with the trans community this Saturday
Brighton’s Trans Pride returns on Saturday, bringing thousands together for a day of protest, celebration and solidarity. Speeches begin at 11.30am before the march sets off at midday from Valley Gardens, following an extended version of last year’s route and finishing back at Victoria Gardens, where the main events kick off at 1.30pm. There’ll be live music, community stalls, workshops, a makers’ market, family and sober spaces at Dorset Gardens, plus plenty of ways to show your support – whether you’re marching or cheering from the sidelines. There’s also a Trans Pride makers’ market at the Dome (from 1pm), a free street party at The Actors (from 2pm), and the always-epic Polyglamorous after-party at the Corn Exchange (from 7pm).
Sat; from 11.30am; free
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Refresh your wardrobe and get a free viral cookie
If your wardrobe revolves around vintage sportswear, baby tees, slip dresses and all things Y2K, you’ll probably already know Y2K Vintage. The London favourite opened The Dressing Room on Sydney Street on Friday. Alongside rails packed with curated ’90s and noughties fashion, if you head along on Saturday, you’ll get one of Milk Shed Coffee’s impossible gooey cookies with every purchase, plus there are scratch cards offering the chance to win prizes all day.
Sat; 10.30am – 6.30pm
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Celebrate the songs that made you
Remember making someone a mixtape? (Or, let’s be honest, a Spotify playlist.) This free zine-making workshop explores music as a love language, inviting you to turn the songs that define you into a pocket-sized zine through collage, writing and drawing. It’s open to LGBTQIA+ people on low incomes, or those experiencing financial hardship or social isolation, with all materials provided.
Sat; 1pm; free
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Recharge at a mindful music festival
Fancy a day rave with a difference? Lightworks is taking over the Earthship in Stanmer Park with an all-dayer built around music, wellbeing and community. That means DJs and live MCs plus workshops, mindful spaces and plenty of time to soak up one of Brighton’s loveliest green settings. It’s all organised by local community interest company EOTT, whose events aim to get people talking more openly about mental health
Sat; 1pm – 9.30pm; £20
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Grab the group chat for a women-only club night
Sometimes you just want a girls’ night where the only thing you’re worrying about is whether to order another round. Brighton Girls Club is putting on a women-only club night at Horizon that promises exactly that, with R&B, Afrobeats, noughties throwbacks and feel-good anthems. Flying solo? There’s even an optional beach pre-drinks beforehand to help you meet people before heading to the dancefloor. Bonus points if you embrace the dress code: ‘Oops, I’m at the wrong event’.
Sat; 6pm – midnight (your ticket allows you to stay on after when the club reopens to the public); from £5
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SUNDAY
Turn your coffee run into a party
Coffee and clubbing don’t usually belong in the same sentence, but Beats & Caffeine is trying to change that. The UK-wide daytime party is taking over Redroaster in Kemptown this Sunday, swapping pints for flat whites and cocktails for caffeine (or decaf). You’ll get three hours of house, disco, Afro and vocal beats from up-and-coming DJs, speciality coffee, light bites and a crowd that’s there to dance rather than drink. If you’re sober, sober-curious or just fancy a Sunday that doesn’t end with a headache, this could be your new favourite weekend ritual.
Sun; 12pm – 3pm; £19.25
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Support queer creatives across two brilliant markets
Trans Pride isn’t just about the parade. On Sunday, you can support trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists at not one but two brilliant markets. Head to Daltons on the seafront for the official Trans Pride Artists & Makers Market, where all table fees go to Trans Pride Brighton, then pop over to Komedia for the Deviants Market, showcasing LGBTQIA+ artists, makers, vintage sellers and independent businesses and raising money for Trans Pride. A great excuse to shop small while supporting the community.
Sun; 11am – 4pm (Daltons) and 10.30am – 4pm (Komedia); free entry
Dance through your Sunday in a secret(ish) garden
More dancing over this way, this time at Pink Moon. Their secret garden is turning into an open-air dancefloor this Sunday as Offie Mag, Offie Radio and Big Ears are celebrating their station’s new home with an afternoon of DJs, dancing and sunshine. Headlining is acclaimed DJ, producer and NTS Radio host Shy One, making her first Brighton appearance since releasing her latest album, alongside West African music specialist Dare Balogun and a stacked supporting cast of local selectors. AND they’re showing the World Cup final inside if you’re still interested now England are out. Sun; 12pm – 10pm; £17.30
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Spill the T on the dancefloor
Round off Trans Pride weekend with an afternoon that’s equal parts tea dance, disco and community. Inspired by Strictly Ballroom, Fabrica’s Sunday T-Dance fundraiser brings together DJs, pop-up dance classes, queer history chat, tea, cake and a dancefloor where traditional partner roles are thrown out the window. Come for a twirl, stay for the atmosphere – and help raise money to keep Trans Pride free.
Sun; 3pm – 6pm; from £11
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GET OUTTA TOWN
Discover a new creative space in Newhaven
Fancy a little adventure beyond Brighton? Head to Newhaven for the launch of Undercurrents, the brand-new summer cultural programme transforming The Sidings into a hub for music, art and community. Saturday’s free launch party features DJ sets from Chris Coco and DJ Uffie, live music, poster workshops, giant games, food from local traders and beers from Abyss Brewery.
Sat; 2pm – 10.30pm; free
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Get inspired by the great outdoors in Arundel
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at the sea and thinking ‘I should write more’, this one’s for you. Writer and walking guide Saira Niazi is leading a creative workshop through the South Downs, using the landscape, water and coastline as inspiration for reflective writing. The session involves a gentle walk, plenty of prompts and a chance to explore how place shapes memory, identity and storytelling – plus an excuse to spend the day exploring beautiful Arundel while you’re there. There’s a free minibus shuttle from Brighton station and you don’t need any writing experience to get involved.
Sat; 12pm – 2pm; from free
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Give your weekend a glow-up
Or spend the day at Pells Pool, where Wellness Waves is bringing together fitness classes, massages, wellbeing talks and food and craft stalls at the UK’s oldest freshwater public pool. Throw in a swim and a wander around Lewes afterwards and you’ve got yourself a pretty solid Saturday.
Sat; 1pm – 6pm; £8
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