What's On in Brighton & Hove: 27 September 2026

Good Morning, Brighton

Well, here we are in late September — that lovely time when the summer crowds thin out and Brighton feels like it belongs to us locals again. The autumn light's gorgeous at this time of year, especially along the seafront, and there's a real sense of community energy as we head into October. This week, we're shining a spotlight on Kemp Town, one of our most characterful neighbourhoods, and there's some really heartwarming local news to celebrate.

This Week in Brighton & Hove

- A tribute to Maureen Harkess: Our community lost a truly special person this week. Maureen was a force for good in Brighton for decades, bringing people together through Mosiac and countless neighbourhood initiatives. If you knew her work, take a moment to reflect on the difference she made.

- The Masked Singer comes to the museum: Brighton Museum's opening a major new exhibition in October featuring 24 elaborate costumes from the hit ITV series. If you've got a soft spot for sequins and mystery, mark your calendars — this one's going to be brilliant.

- Dogtember continues at Saltdean Lido: If you've got a four-legged friend, there's still time for them to make a splash. The popular dog swim is running for two more weekends — a genuinely joyful event.

- Whitehawk community grants now open: Local residents and groups can apply for up to £10,000 to support grassroots projects. If you've got an idea for your neighbourhood, this could be your moment.

This Weekend

Kemp Town's absolutely worth a proper wander this weekend. St James's Street is the heart of it — genuinely independent shops, cafés, and galleries that reflect the neighbourhood's bohemian spirit and LGBTQ+ heritage. The energy's completely different from the North Laine, and that's precisely why it's brilliant.

If you're after some seaside time, the beach is as free and wonderful as ever. The pebbles are still warm-ish, the light's beautiful, and a walk from Kemp Town eastwards along the seafront towards the Marina is genuinely restorative. Stop at the water's edge and just breathe in that salt air.

For something different, Preston Park up north is perfect for an autumn afternoon. There's space to move, the trees are just starting to turn, and if you fancy a coffee, there are proper local spots nearby.

Where to Eat and Drink This Week

Kemp Town's food scene deserves your attention. English's of Brighton, our legendary seafood spot just off the seafront (established 1945), is perfect if you're after something proper and unpretentious — they know what they're doing with fish. For something more casual and buzzy, the independent cafés and restaurants along St James's Street offer everything from brunch spots to intimate dinners. It's worth just wandering and seeing what calls to you — that's genuinely how you discover the best local places.

Worth Knowing

As we move into October, remember that the clocks change soon, so those beautiful long evenings are finite. Get out there and make the most of them. Also, if you're planning to visit the upcoming Masked Singer exhibition at Brighton Museum, early booking will likely be sensible — it's going to be popular.

Finally, a gentle reminder: our local businesses, volunteers, and community organisers like Maureen keep Brighton special. When you're out this weekend, support the independent shops and venues that make this city genuinely unique.

Enjoy your week. It's a good time to be here.

— The BrightonAndHove.co team