Festival Information
South East
Overview
Brighton Festival is an annual multi-arts festival held across Brighton, Hove and the surrounding area. Its three-week programme spans music, theatre, dance, circus, visual arts, film, literature, talks and outdoor performance, with events taking place in established venues, galleries, public spaces and temporary festival sites.
First held in 1967, it is recognised as England’s largest annual curated multi-arts festival. The programme brings together international, UK and locally based artists through touring productions, commissions, collaborations and work created by the festival itself.
Ticketed performances are accompanied by free outdoor events, installations and community activity, including the Children’s Parade that traditionally opens the festival.
Line-up
Browse the official What’s On page for the festival programme, event information and booking links.
Festival Attendance: ≈ 130,000 total attendance
This is an approximate cumulative audience figure across the complete festival programme rather than a single-site capacity. The organiser reported a total audience reach of 131,250 for a recent edition, including ticketed performances, free outdoor events, installations and other activity across multiple venues. Attendance varies with each year's programme.
First held: 19672027 edition: 61st
Location
Brighton Festival takes place across multiple venues in Brighton, Hove and the surrounding area. Brighton Dome is a central festival hub and its ticket office is located at: Brighton Dome, Church Street, Brighton, BN1 1UE.
Many city-centre venues are within walking distance of Brighton railway station and one another. Other events may take place farther from central Brighton, so check the location and directions on each event listing when planning your visit.
Brighton is connected by train, coach and road, with local buses, taxis, cycling routes and pedestrian access available for travel 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 approximate range covers free and paid events across the programme. Most paid events are priced towards the lower end, while selected major performances or participatory workshops may cost more. Check individual listings for current prices, fees, availability and what is included.
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: 01273 709 709
- In person at the Brighton Dome ticket office
Tickets are managed centrally by the Brighton Dome ticket office, which handles bookings for many events across the festival.
Options include:
- Individual event tickets
- Concession tickets for selected events
- Family tickets for selected events
- Free events
Free events are a central part of the programme, although some may require advance booking because places are limited. Most paid events are towards the lower end of the listed range, while selected major performances or participatory workshops may cost more.
Important Ticket Information
Use the official booking link on each event listing. Check the individual listing for the venue, age guidance, accessibility, content information and any additional booking charges before purchasing.
Accommodation
Visitors staying overnight can choose from hotels, guest houses, hostels, apartments and other accommodation across Brighton and Hove. Central accommodation can be convenient for Brighton Dome and many city-centre venues, although visitors should check the location of their individual events before booking.
Explore local accommodation through the Visit Brighton website.
Packing Checklist:
Ensure you are fully prepared for your festival adventure with Festival Calendar UK's Packing Checklist.
Accessibility
Brighton Festival takes place across multiple venues, so facilities vary between events and locations. The programme includes assisted performances and support options such as:
- 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 for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences
The festival’s Access Scheme supports visitors with visible and non-visible access requirements. Eligible members can request a companion ticket at no additional charge and receive help identifying suitable seating and facilities.
Check individual event and venue pages before booking. Visit the festival accessibility page for the Access Scheme, assisted-performance listings and current contact details.
