It’s still light at 9pm, we’re having some pretty epic sunsets, England won their first match AND we’ve got a gorgeous new restaurant in town (more on that below)? Yep, things are looking pretty good right now.
The only problem? Deciding what to do first. This weekend brings everything from surf films and community dog shows to seaside saunas and enough live music to keep you busy until the longest day finally gives up and goes to bed.
And if that’s not enough, here’s a reminder that this weekend you can also watch an acclaimed Kazakh film, enjoy the last of the Brighton Book Festival, party on the beach, go see some outdoor cinema, bag free matchas at a new fashion shop or try a free meatball-flavoured lollipop (we’re not sure how we feel about that last one).
Read on for more of our best bits.
Book a table at Kemptown’s hottest new opening
Kemptown’s newest spot, The Vine House, opens on Friday and it’s one to have firmly on your radar. With serious wine pedigree behind it from 9 Vines’ Marc Wise and Tim Hall, plus a partnership with Wild Flor in the kitchen, it’s bringing together exceptional bottles and clever seasonal cooking under one very stylish roof. Inside, a sage-green tiled bar, a light-filled space, and art available to buy create a relaxed elegant space, while the unusually large south-facing garden (where they’ve even planted some Rathfinny Chardonnay vines) is a gorgeous spot for a sundowner. It’s also a bottle shop stocked with around 400 wines (and a library ladder) and a self-service wine machine pouring unusual bottles from as little as £2 a glass. And the food? With Wild Flor at the helm, we had high expectations and can confirm the food is every bit as good we’d hoped. The stuffed piquillo peppers and rhubarb crumble tart were particular standouts when we visited on Thursday. Safe to say, this is shaping up to be one of the summer’s go-to spots.
From Fri; 5pm
thevine.house
Watch surf films with a coastal creative crowd
Lowtide Heartbreak Club is a collective of Brighton surfers, photographers, filmmakers, artists and musicians, and this Friday they’re taking over vintage clothing shop The Loser Store for an evening of screenings celebrating local surf culture. Add DJs, drinks, Willie’s Phillys’ deliciously filthy sandwiches and you’ve got a pretty lovely Friday night by the sea.
Fri; 6pm – 10pm; free
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Celebrate the longest day of the year on the beach
Ruby Moon Swim (of full moon party fame) are putting on a Midsummer Fest fundraiser on Saturday over at the Beach Box Spa on Madeira Drive. Immerse yourself in an evening of cacao ceremonies, breathwork sessions, soundbaths, sea swims, yoga, and a dance party as the sun goes down. It’s one of the bigger solstice gatherings happening locally and feels like a pretty perfect fit for anyone who wants a dose of festival energy without leaving Brighton.
Sat; from 5pm; from £13.50
Book tickets
Join a silent disco-style woodland walk
The trees have been listening all along – and now they’ve got stories to tell. No, not the start of a horror film but an exploration of Craven Wood wearing wireless headsets as storytelling, movement and nature combine in a guided woodland performance. Created by artist Irene Soler and performer Jools Voce, this is part walk, part immersive theatre, part silent disco, and definitely one of the more unusual ways to spend a Saturday morning.
Sat; 11am; free (£5 deposit needed)
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Party with Hole In The Wall as they turn five
Five years in Brighton pub years is practically a lifetime, so hidden city-centre favourite The Hole In The Wall is marking the occasion with a full birthday weekender. Expect birthday cake, two special collaboration beers – a cask ale and a hazy pale, with the first cask/keg being poured free (Fri from 4pm & Sat from 2pm) until they run out. Saturday’s street party is the big one, with DJs, and Asian-inspired food from Preston Street’s No No Please who’ll be firing up the charcoal from 12.30pm. There’s also the return of the pub’s annual treasure hunt, with five signed beer mats hidden around Brighton. Find one and you’ll bag yourself merch and a free pint.
From Friday; from 4pm; free
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Catch an eclectic line-up this Refugee Week
You could spend Saturday afternoon watching one band. Or you could spend it working your way through an entire bill of musicians and performers showcasing music from around the world at Jubilee Library. Expect everything from traditional Kurdish music to Afghan fusion, and a friendly community vibe.
Sat; midday – 4pm; free
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Check out a city-centre village fete
For one glorious afternoon, Prestonville forgets it’s five minutes from Brighton station and behaves as though it’s deep in the Sussex countryside. The County Show is transforming Exeter Street Hall into a rural village with homemade baking, produce, crafts, competitions (best jam jar flowers!) and all the slightly eccentric community spirit you’d expect from a village fete. The difference is that this village happens to be in the middle of the city. Later in the day, the winners are announced in a celebration of community where neighbours, friends and curious visitors gather for food, bands, DJs, a tug of war and what may well be the most hotly contested dog show in Brighton. We’re big fans of this because it’s the sort of random hyper-local event that reminds us why we love living here.
Sat; from 9.30am and from midday – 9.30pm; free
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Dance to one of the biggest names in UK jungle on the beach
For anyone who spent time bouncing around to one of the OG jungle tracks ‘Original Nuttah’, this is a pretty big booking. Jungle pioneer Shy FX is curating an entire day of music at the Central Park beachfront venue, bringing together an eight-hour-strong line-up that stretches from drum & bass and dubstep to UK garage and amapiano house with a set by the man himself as the sun sets.
Sat; 2pm; from £24.48
Book tickets
Discover what’s lurking off Brighton beach
Most of us spend a lot of time looking out at the sea, but far fewer spend any time thinking about what’s actually in it. If you fancy exploring the side of Brighton most of us never see, Secrets Beneath The Sea is a new open-air exhibition from Sussex Wildlife Trust that’s transforming the beach near the i360 into a celebration of the marine life living just off our coastline. Leading underwater photographers are exhibiting striking underwater images that feature everything from sharks and dolphins to brightly coloured sea slugs, thornback rays and the mysterious contents of the Sussex seabed.
Until Sun; free
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Catch a beach party by the West Pier
The sun’s out, the longest day of the year is here and the good folk at Brighton Sunset Sessions have thoughtfully organised another beach party. Hot off the heels of Friday evening’s brilliant session, they’re back on the prom by the West Pier on Sunday with four hours of global grooves, with DJs spinning everything from Afrobeats and Amapiano to Arabic sounds, Afro house, dancehall and Latin beats. It’s free, it’s outdoors and it finishes just in time for sunset. Bring your dancing shoes. Or don’t. It’s a beach.
Sun; 4pm – 8pm; free
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See Aflo The Poet in a one-off summer fundraiser
If you’ve seen Aflo The Poet perform before, you’ll know she doesn’t do half-measures. The Brighton poet, activist and academic headlines this special summer fundraiser at Fabrica alongside Choir With No Name and the BBG DJ Collective. That means spoken word, live music, DJ sets and festival-style décor, all raising money for organisations doing genuinely good things in the city.
Sun; 4pm – 6.30pm; from £13
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Slurp your way around the city for £15
Brighton has plenty of food festivals, but an entire festival dedicated to oysters feels a little more niche. Running across ten days, the inaugural Brighton Oyster Festival sees restaurants and bars across the city serving oyster-and-drink pairings for just £15, alongside special dinners, tasting events and, yes, a professional oyster shucking competition. Some of our favourite spots are taking part, too, including English’s, Embers, Lost in The Lanes, Crazy Goose and Stem, for starters. Build your own oyster trail, venue-hopping in pursuit of mollusc-based glory or go all in one of the special events, like cocktails under the sharks at Sea Life. Not bad for a food that’s essentially a posh seaside lozenge.
Fri 19th – Sun 28th June; from £15
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Scream-sing your way through a Riot Grrrl club night
Feminist punk doesn’t get enough air time these days, but the Riot Grrrl Club are putting an end to that. They’re putting on an evening dedicated to the movement downstairs at Komedia with music from Bikini Kill, Hole, L7, Bratmobile, Le Tigre and Amyl & The Sniffers. Brighton’s own Girlbass founder Mala Clough will be on DJ duties, keeping the scream-singing joy going into the small hours.
Fri; 11pm; £7
Book tickets
Picnic among the vines for English Wine Week
The sun’s shining, the mercury’s nudging 30C, this could almost be the French Riviera. Ramp up the pretence a notch further with a picnic in the vines at Bolney Wine Estate. It is the start of English Wine Week after all. Book a hamper for two and indulge in sandwiches and sweet treats, with the option to add a bottle of bubbly.
Daily from Sun until Sun 28th June; midday, 1pm or 2pm pick-up; from £40 for two
Book tickets
Party for free at the Fortune of War
The Fortune of War’s annual Fortune Fest is back with five days of free music overlooking the beach. It’s another vibey line-up with the likes of Pollito Boogaloo, El Melting Pot, Leggy Reggae, The Virgin Vinyls and more playing sunny tunes for an up-for-it crowd. Not bad for the price of absolutely nothing.
Daily until Sun; free
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Drop in on Brighton’s newest community radio station
After a string of pop-ups, takeovers and one-off broadcasts, Offie Radio has finally found a permanent home. From this Sunday onwards, the indie community station offshoot of the Brighton-based music mag will be broadcasting live every week from Pink Moon in the Lanes, with more than 20 recurring shows featuring DJs, hosts and special guests. Grab a coffee and maybe a treat or two, settle in and catch a live set while you’re there.
Weekly from Sun; from midday; free
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Let Dad loose on the racecourse
In case you’ve forgotten, it’s Father’s Day this weekend and Brighton Racecourse are going big on the ‘big kid’ energy. Alongside an afternoon of flat racing, you’ll find a golf simulator, inflatable gladiator duel, giant foot darts, penalty shootout, bungee run and an inflatable assault course, all included in the ticket price. If you or your dad’s favourite hobby is turning every activity into a competition, this could be a good shout – provided you let him win, of course.
Sun; from midday; £22
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GET OUTTA TOWN
Head to Worthing’s answer to Brighton Festival
Worthing’s biggest cultural weekend is back and the programme is looking pretty strong. Homefield Park is playing host to three days of free live music, art, workshops, installations and community events. This year’s line-up includes Brighton favourites Fujiiya & Miyagi, reggae legend Macka B, afro-funk outfit Lakuta, and more, all spread across three stages. You’ll also find immersive art installations, creative workshops, local food and drink, an art trail and plenty of Fringe events happening across Worthing throughout June (check out the brilliant Pigeon exhibition at colourful clothes shop Hello Dodo – above). If you’ve been looking for an excuse to hop on the train and see what our neighbours are up to, this is a pretty good one. Making a day of it? Have a read of our Worthing guide here.
Fri – Sun; from 2pm on Fri and 11am Sat and Sun; free
worthingfestival.org.uk
