Brighton Festival hosts global and local artists in May. We offer many events for free, making it easier for everyone to enjoy diverse, accessible, enriching arts experiences, creative community activities and family fun. In our 60th year, we’re facing rising costs and need to raise more funds.
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The arts nurture wellbeing, learning, and social inclusion, helping people and communities thrive. Yet many people cannot afford to access them. Most people say ticket prices are the main barrier for them to attend arts events. Free arts experiences and creative opportunities are vital. 70,000 people attended Brighton Festival free events last year. But rising costs and deficits across the sector threaten free event provision. A reduced programme would significantly worsen community well-being.
We will prioritise a varied, high-quality free programme in 2026, including the 40th Children’s Parade, connecting schools, families and communities; Our Place, in its 10th year, supporting community-led projects; ecological outdoor sculpture; the UK’s best outdoor performances and free tickets for community groups via Audience Club. We fundraise widely, work with schools, partners and local authorities to deliver events, but rising costs mean we need more support to sustain our free programme.
