Brighton’s been showing off this week – blue skies, actual sunshine, people suddenly remembering what it’s like to not wear a coat – and it’s very much feeding into the vibe for the weekend ahead. Everything just feels a bit more appealing when the sun’s out (even the queue for coffee is infinitely more tolerable).
Which means this weekend’s line-up hits a wee bit differently. Sea swims feel more doable, countryside escapes are calling our name, and anything involving a beer garden, a walk, or heading to the beach “for a quick drink” easily turns into hours of sunset-gazing and pebble-side dinners.
There’s music, foodie pop-ups, treasure hunts, a few wholesome moments for good measure – and plenty of opportunities to fully lean into that spring sunshine while it lasts.
Here’s what’s actually worth getting out of bed for.
Go plant-based as Tofu Vegan opens in Brighton
Brighton’s newest restaurant has landed in the Lanes, and it’s a biggie. Tofu Vegan – the London favourite known for its punchy, plant-based Chinese dishes – has officially opened its doors for the soft launch, bringing a full menu of bold flavours, sharing plates and some pretty convincing “this can’t be vegan” moments. It’s a pretty huge space featuring a sunny courtyard for when Brighton behaves, a big downstairs dining space, and even a karaoke room upstairs for when you want to turn dinner into a full night out. Dog-friendly, group-friendly and very easy to over-order at – consider yourself warned. They soft-launched on Friday with the grand opening coming next Friday. Get a sneak peek of what to expect here.
15 Meeting House Lane
tofuvegan.com
Go shopping at Brighton Craft & Flea Market
If your weekend plans involve “just a quick browse” that turns into leaving with three prints, a candle and something you definitely didn’t need, this one’s for you. The Craft & Flea Market brings together a rotating mix of independent makers, designers and small businesses under one very good-looking roof. No two markets are the same, so even if you went to the last one, you’ll find new stalls, new finds and plenty of temptation.
Sat; 11am – 4pm; £2.50
Book tickets
Get stuck into a charity treasure hunt around the city
Need an excuse to see more of the city? This charity treasure hunt has you roaming around Brighton solving clues, spotting details you’d normally walk straight past and probably getting mildly competitive in the process. AND it’s supposed to be gloriously sunny on Saturday. Better yet, it’s all in aid of Sussex Homeless Support, so you can feel good about it while you’re running around the Lanes pretending you’re on some kind of low-stakes version of The Apprentice. Pub stop(s) at the end are very much encouraged.
Sat; 2pm; donate what you can; meet at Richmond Square
Book tickets
Don’t miss the Med x Bison Beer pop-up
If, like us, your weekend plans revolve around “what and where am I eating next?”, this one needs to go on your list. The Med boys are popping up at Bison Beer in Hove for two days only, serving up their seriously moreish cheeseburgers made with 50-day aged Sussex-bred Aberdeen Angus. It’s a short, sharp burger residency with just classic, royale and plant-based options on the menu, plus bone marrow fries if you’re going all in. Beer, burgers, no notes. Don’t miss this one.
Fri 5pm – late & Sat midday – late
More information
Immerse yourself in the Lost Tracks album release
Lost Tracks Records is heading to Hove’s Capsule Records on Saturday for a listening session of the Accra to Addis album, a compilation of super-rare hidden gems curated by DJ Afrocat. The release is getting a proper spin in Capsule’s very lovely listening room, with live-streaming on Slack City Radio, plus an album signing. For a whole day of musical glory, stick around for the full-on Lost Tracks soiree over at On Air (the cool hifi bar/home of 1BTN radio just over the road).
Sat; listening experience, 1pm – 3pm; evening event, 6pm – 8pm; free
More information
Go wild at a St Patrick’s Day ceilidh
If your idea of celebrating St Patrick’s Day (belatedly, admittedly) involves less standing around drinking Guinness and more throwing yourself around a dancefloor, this is your moment. Fabrica is hosting a proper ceilidh with the inimitable Brighton Ceilidh Collective – live music, fast feet and a caller shouting instructions while everyone tries to keep up. Beginner? No problem. The whole point is just going with it and throwing yourself into the rowdy fun. Smiles pretty much guaranteed.
Sat; 7.15pm – 10.30pm; £15
fabrica.org.uk
Take to the dancefloor with Gok Wan (sort of)
Yep, that Gok Wan – and yes, if you didn’t already know, he also DJs. And actually, he’s pretty good at it. A firm favourite on the UK club circuit, he’s built a reputation for feel-good, disco-leaning house sets that keep dancefloors packed and smiling. Head along to Concorde 2 on Saturday for uplifting vocals, big energy and a crowd that’s there for a good time rather than anything too serious. One for when you want to dance, without overthinking it.
Sat; from 6pm; £26.88
concorde2.co.uk
Meet Kylie (Wears Berghaus)
Club concept Kylie Wears Berghaus (originally Berghain, but that had to be changed as the legendary Berlin club kicked up a fuss) has been tearing through Manchester, London and Bristol, and now the Kylie Minogue dance music edits project is taking over Patterns for a headline set. Think unreleased tracks and genre-hopping fun across acid and trance, breaks and techno, all stitched together into one long, sweaty set. It’s Kylie, but not as you know her.
Sat; 11pm – 4am; from £15.50
patternsbrighton.com
Slow down at a mindful photography walk
If your brain feels like Brighton on a Saturday afternoon (busy, loud, slightly overwhelming), this is a calmer alternative. This mindful photography walk is basically a guided wander around the city with a camera, focusing on slowing down, noticing things properly and actually looking at your surroundings for once. You don’t need to know anything about photography – it’s more about perspective than perfect shots, with guidance on how to capture small moments.
Sun; 10am – midday; £30 (get 50 percent off with code ‘MARCHMADNESS’)
Book tickets
Go topless at a charity sea swim
If you’re going to throw yourself into the sea this weekend, you may as well do it for a good cause, so here’s a sea swim with a bit more purpose behind it. This topless dip on Brighton beach is raising money for CoppaFeel!, the breast cancer awareness charity, with a focus on normalising chest checks and starting conversations that people often still avoid. It’s not about how far you swim or what you wear (topless very much optional) – it’s more about showing up, supporting the cause and maybe doing something slightly out of your comfort zone while you’re at it. Cheerleading from the sidelines is absolutely ok too.
Sun; 2pm; donations
More information
Soak up the sounds at the Off Licence mag launch party
Hang out with the Off Licence magazine team on Sunday as they celebrate one year of Offie Radio – the mag’s community radio station – AND the latest issue of their super-cool music and culture mag (our words, not theirs, but we’re sure they’d agree). They’ll be broadcasting live at Pink Moon with DJs popping up throughout the day. You’ll be able to get your hands on the new mag to peruse over a coffee, a pint, or some of Pink Moon’s excellent vegan dumplings while you listen in. And while we’re on the topic, Offie are launching a new monthly club night at Alphabet next weekend (more on that later).
Sun; midday – 6pm; free
More information here
GET OUTTA TOWN
Spring into Equinox with morris dancing at Trenchmore Farm
If your ideal Saturday involves leaving Brighton and stumbling across something vaguely pagan in a field, then you’re in luck. Trenchmore Farm in Horsham is hosting a Spring Equinox Morris Dance – think an afternoon of bells, sticks, live folk and people enthusiastically welcoming in the new season and waking up the orchard. Expect traditional Morris sides, plenty of dancing, and more good vibes than you can shake one of those sticks at. This is wholesome, slightly eccentric fun at its finest. Not to mention a solid excuse for a countryside reset – especially when you factor in the cosy Cider Tap barn, which serves up Trenchmore’s excellent Silly Moo cider, plus 3 Bros on lunch duty with their seriously good Wagyu burgers.
Sat; 11am – 4pm (dancing midday – 3pm); free
trenchmore.co.uk
