After hours and dancefloor action come to Brighton Festival

BRIGHTON FESTIVAL OPENING PARTY

Sat 3 May (9pm–1am)

The Old Market

This year, Brighton Festival kicks off with a party soundtracked by London-based tastemaker and producer, Ahadadream. His trademark percussive energy has wowed crowds at Fabric, DC10 and the Printworks closing party. A recent collaboration with Skrillex and Priya Ragu, TAKA, is laced with South Asian influence, as Ahadadream’s high-energy percussion balances Priya Ragu's R&B vocals. Keeping it hyped are Anish Kumar and Izzi, who both bring their skills and unique sounds to this compelling evening.

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GUNK

Thu 8 May (730pm)

Brighton Dome Studio Theatre

Saba Sams returns to her hometown to launch her electrifying debut novel, sharing the complexities of unexpected family life and the characters that make up the world of Gunk, a grotty student nightclub in central Brighton

One of Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists 2023, Saba Sams returns to her hometown to launch her electrifying debut novel, Gunk

Saba speaks with radio presenter and host Fee Mak about the complexities of unexpected family life and the characters that make up the world of Gunk, a grotty student nightclub in central Brighton.  

Jules has been divorced from her ex-husband Leon for five years, but she still works alongside him at the nightclub. With the arrival of Nim, a new employee at the bar, Jules is jolted awake for the first time in years and with an unexpected pregnancy in the mix, this novel poses questions around who we choose to build our families with.  

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AYNA

Fri 9 - Sat 10 May (6pm & 8.30pm)

The Arch

Set in a nightclub with a live DJ (Asta Hiroki), Ceyda Tanc Dance weaves Turkish folk dance traditions with modern British social dance to create hypnotic rhythm and striking synchronicity

A powerful exploration of ritual and the search for love, acceptance, and connection - whether human, physical, or spiritual.

Mirroring choreographer Ceyda Tanc’s dual heritage, AYNA weaves Turkish folk dance traditions with modern British social dance, reflecting on the power of dance to unite us. With hypnotic rhythm and striking synchronicity, an all-female cast reference the meditative movements of whirling dervishes, traditionally practiced by men.

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MAX COOPER: LATTICE 3D/AV

Sat 10 May (8pm)  

Brighton Dome Concert Hall

The ground-breaking electronic artist presents his most ambitious audio/visual experience to date: Lattice 3D/AV combines projections, lights and lasers to wrap the audience in luminous sculptures telling the story of his latest album On Being alongside back catalogue content and reworks. Supported by Chloé with SloMo AV

Over a 15-year career electronic composer Max Cooper has become renowned for immersive live shows performed in such unique venues as the Acropolis in Athens.  

Every show is unique and designed for the space and event, presented as a conversation with both the audience and the architecture through light and sound.  

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HAPPY HYPE

Fri 23 - Sat 24 May (7pm)

The Dance Space

An explosive, carnivalesque performance blending traditional medieval dances with modern clubbing movements and rhythms. Embracing queer exuberance and inclusivity to transform the space into a utopian world of dance soundtracked by tunes mixed by Mulah

Expect an explosive, carnivalesque performance where mischievous fairies blend traditional medieval dances with modern clubbing movements and rhythms, inviting the audience to join in the revelry.

Embracing queer exuberance and inclusivity, you are invited to transform the space into a festive, utopian world of dance soundtracked by tunes mixed by Mulah. Ending in a provocative, joyous climax - a carnival of liberation for all to revel and be free.

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MOVES FESTIVAL

Sun 18 May (all day)

The Old Market

A festival in a festival - this special Brighton Festival edition of MOVES Festival is an all-day celebration of music, culture and discovering new sounds.

Ned Archibong (QM Records) has curated a packed day of extraordinary artists, including IYAMAH, Kymara, Harleighblu, Tara Lily, Moon Idle, Sinead Campbell and Ellie Pepper. This is the 7th edition of QM Records' gathering, with a line-up celebrating strong female voices with amazing acts from Brighton, Bradford, London and beyond.

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THE OFFICIAL BRIGHTON FESTIVAL CLOSING PARTY

Sun 25 May (10pm–3am)

Brighton Dome Corn Exchange

ANOUSHKA SHANKAR & NERM PRESENT THE OFFICIAL BRIGHTON FESTIVAL CLOSING PARTY

Shiva Soundsystem's founder Nerm welcomes his friends and star guests to the decks for a super special closing party for Brighton Festival 2025. It’ll feature Mantra X Manara, Perera Elsewhere, OX7GEN, Equal-i, Vidya Patel, Bollyillusion and Nerm & Friends  

This will be far from your average night out as Nerm & Friends always smashes it out of the park with iconic, off-the-wall moments you'll never forget. From the jaw-dropping moment Anoushka Shankar graced an East London pub with a surprise performance to the unforgettable live collaboration of Nitin Sawhney mid-DJ set at Southbank.

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