2-24 May 2020
Stunning portraits of Bamako’s iron workers by Fototala King Massassy
Striking recycled materials art exhibition by a Ghanaian artist
Find out about the Festival line up at our open day for all ages. Meet the…
Visually stunning story of two orphans journeying across Europe to freedom
Artist Nwando Ebizie creates an altered reality inspired by Afrofuturism
Upwards of 5,000 children will be taking part in this annual opening parade
An afternoon of the city’s best young musical talent
Dive into different worlds of music, and create your own sonic experience.
Maya Angelou’s legacy honoured in compelling live poetry and song
Malian musician Rokia Traoré shares her highly personal sixth album, Né So
Fun writing workshop with Miriam Halahmy that starts with tricky questions
The resurrection of well-loved and rarer music from the Grande Siècle.
The real-life fairy tale of a Welsh barmaid who bred a champion racehorse
Immersive talk from the artist behind Wet Sounds
An epic party with The Skints, Moses Boyd Exodus, Hollie Cook, DJs + more
Prominent creatives discuss how the Windrush affects their approach to work
A panel celebrating the contribution of translation to UK reading
Immersive, genre-blending, live classical music and dance event.
Sigrid Rausing & Ian Jack discuss the legacy and future of Granta magazine
Ben Okri reads from his new novel and discusses his adventures as a writer
Julien Faraut’s experimental film documents tennis legend John McEnroe
Soumik Datta and City of London Sinfonia with music for Indian film
Malcolm Martineau accompanies soprano Miah Persson and tenor Jeremy Ovenden
The story of an unfinished fiddle comes to life in Sam Sweeny’s live show
Readings from contributors to the working-class anthology Common People
Claire Wickes and Tomos Xerri play a mixed classical programme
The Marmen string quartet performs Haydn and Debussy
Journey through an interactive imaginary world
Jacob Sam-La Rose presents some of his now-accomplished poet mentees
Kneehigh’s hilarious, shocking and modern take on the Beggar’s Opera.
Writer Jon Ronson explores the curious world of porn in this new show
Free afternoon of inventive performances for all ages
A new work about motherhood-childhood brought to life by 100 voices
Reading featuring authors with writing textured by echoes of a distant home
World-renowned virtuosos from different continents create uplifting sounds
West African film exploring family, magic, sexuality and abandonment.
Geek Girl author, Holly Smale, introduces her new series, The Valentines
Acclaimed pianist performs Bach's demanding Partitas suite.
Zawe and Candice discuss the joys and perils of playing multiple roles
Puppeteer and storyteller Jum Faruq shares stories, music and crafts
Featuring works by Sibelius and Berlioz, as well as music from Greek Dances
S.K. Perry discusses her lyrical début, this year’s City Reads book
Intimate new show by Andy Hamilton where you even get to ask him questions!
Guitarist Michael Matthews performs music from Italy and Africa.
Grammy-winning entertainer Chilly Gonzales shares his love of the piano
An inclusive interdisciplinary performance making workshop
Riotously funny take on use of able-bodied actors to play ‘disabled’ roles
Baritone Marcus Farnsworth & pianist Libby Burgess perform a song selection
Season Butler & Joanne Ramos read from their dystopian debut novels.
Swiss pianist Jean-Sélim Abdelmoula plays Schubert and Schumann
What is strength? Where does it come from and how do we measure it?
US performance artist explores loss and identity through sound and movement
Activist quartet commemorates the impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
This operatic concert presents members of the Jerwood Young Artists scheme
Conversation on a new biography of the Wu-Tang Clan’s iconic hip hop album
Brighton Festival Youth Choir sing a fun repertoire of moon-inspired songs
Luke Jerram’s realistic illuminated model of the moon hangs in Queens Park
Shelina Permalloo discusses how migration has shaped her Mauritian cuisine
Early music vocal ensemble and oud prodigy inspired by migrant testimonies
It’s a community takeover, Your Place is becoming Our Place.
Drawing, reading and dancing with Gerald the Giraffe at the Jungle Dance
Discover what mischief Bad Nana gets up to with laughter and live drawing
Meet the silliest cat and King ever, heroes of Nick Sharratt’s new books
In Ghost Caribou, Thingumajig Theatre’s new night-time street act, giant…
8 young people from Brighton & Hove share personal stories after mentoring
Join us for a simple meal with shared stories about personal journeys
Rokia Traoré gives new life to traditional and international songs
Quality live jazz with themed storytelling for all the family to enjoy!
Author Joseph Coelho shares touching work on loss and teaches poetry & art!
This event has been postponed.
Cerrie Burnell, a former Cbeebies presenter, reads from her new novel.
Children's authors discuss tackling the themes of grief, loss and sadness
Ruby Wax on how to upgrade your mind as much as you’ve upgraded your iPhone
Saxophonist Jonathan Radford and pianist Ashley Fripp mix eras and styles
An evening of Malian dance you will not want to miss.
Lyrical Beethoven programme with Britten Sinfonia conducted by Thomas Adès
Sasha Clayton’s 24 and living with her mum, step-dad, and irritating little…
Dance masterclass with choreographer Wim Vandekeybus
The Ruisi Quartet plays Purcell and Beethoven
Multimedia experience that charts the course of mythology in one story.
Hear the story of the Mandinka sung in original griot form, and in English!
Onjali Q. Raúf reads from this year’s big read book for Sussex schools
All-female cast perform dance inspired by Maya Angelou’s poem, Still I Rise
Distinctive Afro-rock uniting varied Malian cultures with western sounds.
A reinterpretation of Sunday at the Village Vanguard by Bill Evans Trio
Luke Wright puts his hat in the ring to be the nation’s new Poet Laureate
Chineke!, Europe’s first majority BME orchestra cover the roaring ‘20s.
A one-woman performance blending Indian and contemporary dance with theatre
Circuit de Yeux’s live soundtrack for cult silent film Salomé hits Brighton
A playful and innovative investigation into what makes art art.
Young dancers mix Afrobeats, hip hop and folk in a performance party!
Plight of war-time refugees brought home in spectacle of light and sound
Two incredible artists, two amazing imaginations in conversation.
Expansive new collection of work from women writers of African descent
Minimalist and experimental contemporary music from Slow Moving Clouds
Chitra Soundar reads live from her prizewinning trickster tales from India
Syrian writer Nadine Kaadan leads reading and fun-filled art activities.
Author Ranjit Singh wows young readers with the tale of an adventure walk.
Shakespeare’s magic-filled comedy in the open air – with music and dance
Unscripted physical performance that joyfully explores what makes a man
Based on the true story of possibly the most successful art forger in the world,…
Ancient Taiwanese culture brought up to date in dance-theatre performance
Iconic Swedish singer-songwriter shares her new album Broken Politics
Gautam Malkani & Michael Donkor read from new novels featuring young carers
Spymonkey celebrate their 20th year with their iconic gothic comedy Cooped
Brand new live show with a girl, a boat and a magical story for every star
Editor Derek Owusu leads conversations on the lives of Black men in Britain
One-off concert with Philharmonia Orchestra combining Beethoven and Tippett