A cosmopolitan collection of culture in Brighton

Brighton & Hove will be in its element this May as it marks the start of the summer with the arrival of four exciting, world-class festivals. The Queen of pop, King of modern art and Princes of Brit rock are all backing Brighton as the place to be in May.

With two bank holidays and vibrant Brighton just an hour outside of London, there is no better time to flee to the sea for a truly best of British break.

Brighton Festival, 2-24 May

The biggest and boldest arts festival in England. This year’s event will see internationally renowned, Turner Prize winning artist Anish Kapoor, the festival’s Guest Artistic Director, will unveil two new works and bring a selection of his existing iconic giant sculptures to the city, including ‘Sky Mirror’ which will be located in city’s Royal Pavilion Gardens.

With 26 premieres and exclusives, including seven events commissioned by Brighton Festival and 11 free outdoor events, this year’s Brighton Festival promises three weeks of serious fun.

The Hofesh Shechter Company reclaims the Brighton Dome for a third year of residency, feeding the appetite of festival goers with an exclusive dance performance ‘Bangers and Mash’. Featuring over 200 young dancers and musicians this spectacular event takes place on 17 May at 9.15pm and is absolutely free.

The final day of the Brighton Festival (24 May) sees the spectacular return of ‘Big Splash’ at Brighton Marina. Offering the best in alfresco family entertainment and a celebration of British Life, the jam-packed day of free entertainment, fun and amazement is themed around the general quirkiness that is Britain. Featuring comedy, aerial acrobatics, face painting and British themed make and take workshops the event will come to a dramatic end with a dazzling firework display.

Brighton Festival Fringe, 2-24 May

Madonna is coming to Brighton. The queen of pop will make her debut at the Impure Art Gallery in the form of the famous ‘1979 Madonna Nudes’ by Schreiber, which will be making their UK premier at the colourful Brighton Festival Fringe.

Pop on board and meet iconic pop-artist Sir Peter Blake on 9 May on his very own ‘Art Bus’. Designer of the Beatles Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover, Sir Peter Blake will be showcasing his original artwork and signing copies of his new book, One Man Show. The bus will be stationed outside of Theatre Royal Brighton from 2 May.

With more than 700 events over 200 venues offering cabaret, comedy, classical concerts, club nights, theatre and exhibitions, Brighton Festival Fringe is one not to be missed.

The outdoor carnival of Fringe City and Fringe Street returns to Jubilee Street and New Road every weekend, with a Foodies Festival on 16 and 17 May featuring demonstrations from top chefs such as Aldo Zilli.

This year international performers ‘The Lady Boys of Bangkok’ and ‘The Chinese State Circus’ perform alongside some of the best stand-up comedians in the business and the now infamous Spiegltent will return to showcase jaw dropping cabaret.

Great Escape, 14-16 May

Taking place over three days, the Great Escape is Europe’s leading festival for new music. This year’s event will showcase over 300 new local and international artists, across 25 venues throughout the city over three days.

Whilst the mighty Kasabian headline the festival, The Great Escape is the best place to catch up and coming artists such as Little Boots, Casiokids, VV Brown and I Blame Coco as well as Brighton based bands The Maccabees and British Sea Power. Other bands include Esser, Enter Shikari and Lightspeed Champion.

Artists Open Houses, first four weekends in May

The UK’s biggest free visual arts festival will not only be bigger and better than ever before, it will also be three dimensional. Billy Cowie will be exhibiting two 3-D art installations Ghosts in the Machine at Lighthouse and Reverie at Regency Town House.

Over 1,000 artists and more than 200 homes, gardens and studios will be transformed into impromptu galleries. Stroll along one of the 15 mapped trails for art, exercise, tea and cake.

A basement den of martial arts, naked 3-D dancers and a plush cinema in someone’s front-room will launch the new mini festival - HOUSE. The collection of eight exhibitions designed by renowned artists and showcased in the homes of local residents will follow the theme of ‘art and domestic space’.

VisitBrighton will sponsor the first Visitors’ Choice Award as part of Artists Open Houses Festival. Visitors attending the Selectors’ Choice exhibition will be able to vote for their favourite with the winning artist receiving the inaugural award. In addition, one visitor selected at random will win a mini ‘Art Lovers Break’ to the city including a nights’ accommodation.

For more event information, venue information and special offers taking place throughout the festivals visit the dedicated section of the VisitBrighton website - visitbrighton.com/site/culture/festivals.