Brighton Festival 2026

England's Flagship Curated Arts Festival

The 2026 edition of Brighton Festival concluded on 24 May 2026 following three weeks of international music, theatre, contemporary dance, installation art, literature, and outdoor spectacle. Established in 1967, Brighton Festival is the largest annual curated multi-arts celebration in England.

The 2026 season was directed by celebrated sitarist, composer, and producer Anoushka Shankar, marking the first time a classical Indian musician led the festival's artistic vision. Her programme highlighted themes of cross-cultural dialogue, improvisation, feminine leadership, and oral storytelling.

Festival Footprint and Heritage

Brighton Festival occupies a unique place in the national arts calendar. Each May, the festival runs concurrently with the Brighton Fringe and the citywide Artists Open Houses, temporarily transforming Brighton & Hove into one of the dense cultural laboratories in Europe.

Key venues for the 2026 festival included:

• Brighton Dome Estate: Concert Hall, Corn Exchange, and Studio Theatre on Church Street.
• Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts (ACCA): Experimental performance and interdisciplinary sound at the University of Sussex campus.
• Open Space Collaborations: Site-specific community spectacles along the beach promenade and East Brighton parklands.

Looking Ahead: Brighton Festival in May 2027

Following the successful conclusion of the 2026 programme, the Brighton Dome & Festival leadership is preparing for the May 2027 edition. The appointment of the next Guest Director and initial festival commissions are traditionally unveiled in late autumn and early spring. The Society's arts desk will publish full preview notes as soon as official programmes are confirmed.