Theatre and cinema

Major theatres in Brighton include the recently expanded Komedia (also used as a music venue) and the Theatre Royal which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2007. There are also several smaller theatres such as the Marlborough Theatre and Nightingale Theatre, both above pubs, which attract a variety of mostly local productions.

Komedia

Stylish entertainment centre for all in the heart of Brighton's North Laine. With an exciting all-year programme of theatre, comedy, cabaret, jazz and world music plus great bars and food, Komedia offers a unique mix of dining out and live entertainment possibilities all under one roof.

Theatre Royal Brighton

With West End plays, comedies, musicals and a spectacular Christmas panto, we offer the best theatrical programme on the South Coast Joogleberry Playhouse

Quality entertainment and food with attitude under one roof in the heart of Brighton. Skylit ground floor cafe restaurant and magical cabaret bar with nightly jazz, flamenco and comedy.

Brighton Dome

A brilliant entertainment venue and unique centre for conferences. Brighton Dome is part of the historic Pavilion Estate and hosts a packed, year round programme of live music, dance, theatre, comedy and family events. Its versatile venues are also available for hire for any event from exhibitions or conferences to weddings.

Brighton Centre

One of the largest multi-purpose venues in the South of England, the Brighton Centre has the capacity, flexibility and experience to make your event an occasion to remember. Looking out on to Brighton's famous seafront, the Brighton Centre is the perfect location for all types of conferences, exhibitions, meetings and seminars.

The Brighton Centre is within walking distance of all the major hotels and many of the smaller guest houses and boutique-style hotels, and close to the historic Lanes, the Royal Pavilion and Brighton Pier.

Brighton Festival

Each May the city hosts England's largest arts festival. This includes organised processions such as the Children's Parade, outdoor spectaculars often involving pyrotechnics, and theatre, music and visual arts in venues throughout the city, some of which are brought into this use exclusively for the festival. The earliest feature of the festival, "Open Houses", are homes of artists and craftspeople, opened up to the public as galleries and usually selling the work of the inhabitant and their friends.

Fringe

The Brighton Festival Fringe runs alongside the main Brighton Festival, and has grown to become the second largest Fringe festival in the world. Together with the street performers from the Brighton Festival's ´Streets of Brighton´ and the Royal Mile-esque outdoor performances that make up Fringe City, the amount of outdoor spectacles and events to see more than doubles during May.

On September 1, 2007, competitors of the world's most hirsute faces from the UK, USA, Germany and other countries convened for the annual World Beard and Moustache Champinships in Brighton. Hosted by The Handlebar Club, categories include Dali moustache, goatee and full beard freestyle.

Gay scene

The City of Brighton & Hove acts as a magnet for lesbians and gay men from all over the world attracted to its bohemian atmosphere, open minded attitudes and raffish air. Brighton has now long been known as Britain's number one gay resort.

Kemptown is known as the 'gay village' and has a thriving and diverse scene ranging from leather workshops, pink parlours, and techno clubs, to specialist boutiques, hotels, estate agents and kickboxing classes.

Brighton hosts a Gay Pride carnival every August, which attracts thousands of participants and spectators. It consists of a carnival style parade through the city and a party and funfair in Presto Park. In fact Summer Pride has become so popular that there is now a Winter Pride in February each year.