Festival Information
South East
Overview
Brighton Festival is a curated multi-arts festival held annually across Brighton and the surrounding area. Taking place over three weeks each May, it presents a programme spanning music, theatre, dance, circus, visual arts, film, literature, and talks, with events staged in venues and outdoor spaces throughout the city.
Recognised as the largest curated arts festival in England, the festival brings together international and UK artists alongside locally based work. The programme is selected and shaped each year, often under the direction of a guest curator, resulting in a mix of new commissions, touring productions, and one-off performances.
Founded in 1967, Brighton Festival has a long history of presenting established and emerging artists across disciplines. The programme typically includes both ticketed and free events, with activity taking place in theatres, galleries, public spaces, and temporary festival sites.
Line-up
View the official
What's On webpage.
Note: Line-ups may evolve closer to the festival date. Always check the official website and social media channels for the most up-to-date information.
Festival Attendance: ≈130,000
This figure reflects recent Brighton Festival audience reach, based on published reports that the festival attracts around 120,000–150,000 attendees across all events over three weeks (2019: 150,581; 2023: 103,042; 2024: 120,466). It represents cumulative attendance across multiple venues and outdoor sites rather than a single-site capacity, and varies by year and programme.
Location
Brighton Festival takes place across multiple venues in Brighton and the surrounding area, with events held in theatres, galleries, outdoor spaces, and temporary festival sites. The central box office is located at: Brighton Dome, Church St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton, BN1 1UE.
Many performances are located within Brighton city centre, particularly around venues such as Brighton Dome, Theatre Royal, and sites near the seafront, making it possible to move between events on foot.
Some venues are located further afield, including locations in Hove, the University of Sussex, and sites outside the city such as Glyndebourne, so travel may be required depending on your programme.
Brighton is well connected by train, coach, and road, with the main railway station within walking distance of many central venues. Local buses, taxis, cycling routes, and pedestrian access make it easy to get around the city.
For travel planning and venue-specific directions, see the Getting to Brighton page and venue listings.
Tickets
Basic Price Range: Free - £80
This range reflects typical event ticket prices across the programme, from free listings to paid performances. Most events are priced at the lower end of the range, with higher-priced tickets limited to specific performances. Always check the official ticket page for current pricing.
Brighton Festival tickets are sold per individual event. Browse the official programme and book via the What’s On page.
How to book
- Online via the official programme listings
- By phone through the Brighton Dome ticket office (during the festival period) - 01273 709 709
- In person at the Brighton Dome box office (during the festival period)
Tickets are managed centrally by the Brighton Dome ticket office, which handles bookings for many events across the festival.
Ticket notes
- Tickets are sold per event, with each performance or activity booked separately
- Many events have limited capacity and may sell out in advance
- Free events are included in the programme alongside ticketed performances
- Access tickets and concessions are available for selected events
For ticketing queries or access requirements, contact the festival via the Brighton Dome ticket office or see the official programme listings for event-specific details.
Important Ticket Information
Use official booking links from the event listing. Always check the listing for venue details, accessibility information, age guidance and any content warnings before booking.
Accommodation
Brighton Festival is not a camping festival, you will need to make your own accommodation arrangements.
For accommodation options view the Visit Brighton website.
Packing Checklist:
Ensure you are fully prepared for your festival adventure with our Essential Packing Checklist.
Accessibility
Brighton Festival takes place across multiple venues in Brighton, with accessibility provisions varying between locations and individual events.
The festival offers a range of accessible performances and support options, including:
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performances
- Captioned and audio described events
- Relaxed and chilled performances for audiences who benefit from a more flexible environment
- Highly visual performances suitable for audiences with hearing impairments
An Access Scheme is available, offering support such as free Personal Assistant tickets and assistance with booking suitable seating.
Access information is provided on individual event and venue pages, and visitors are encouraged to check details in advance.
For further information or specific requirements, see the festival accessibility page or contact the access team directly.
