Music, art, Eurovision and magic – it’s all going on in May!

Traditionally known as festival month, May has a host of entertainment lined up to mark the beginning of summer in the city. This year as well as the Brighton Festival, Fringe, Artists Open Houses and The Great Escape, Brighton & Hove is also hosting a Eurovision celebration.

Eurovision big screen

Our Eurovision ‘big screen’ event takes place in collaboration with The Great Escape  – the city’s annual new music festival that showcases 500 emerging artists from around the world, at more than 40 venues between 10 – 13 May.

On the day of Eurovision – Saturday 13 May – the big screen will be set up in Jubilee Square with a covered area and some seating to ensure the space can be used whatever the weather. Musicians and bands will perform on stage throughout the day before the televised event is shown on screen from 7pm.

Sing-along for Ukraine

The line-up includes a special sing-along event at 12pm where everyone is invited to join national initiative #HelpUkraineSong   led by a local Ukranian choir. The event is part of a global movement to unite people through music.

People will come together to perform ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’ by The Beatles and have the opportunity to donate to War Child, a specialist charity that is working to protect, educate, and provide for the millions of children impacted by the ongoing war.

Share your Eurovision memories

The Brighton Museum team will also be in Jubilee Square (in the Jubilee Library foyer) on Eurovision day, to gather information for an upcoming exhibition in 2024, marking the 50th anniversary of ABBA winning Eurovision in 1974, at the Brighton Dome.

The museum aims to tell the story through the memories and experiences of people who were there and are inviting people to come along to share their memories or paraphernalia, such as photos or old tickets. Share your memories with the Brighton Museum.  

Lighting up

Landmarks across Brighton & Hove will be lit up in support of Ukraine and in celebration of Eurovision on 13 May. The Royal Pavilion, Brighton Pier, Brighton Centre, Brighton & Hove Town Halls, Brighton i360 and Mazda Fountain will all be illuminated in blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

Brighton Fringe

The Brighton Fringe, England’s largest arts festival, runs from 5 May – 4 June, showcasing local, national and international creative performers. The festival is committed to helping the arts flourish and anyone can register to put on an event.

Brighton Festival

Brighton Festival is the city’s annual, curated, multi-arts festival, offering music, theatre, dance, circus, art, film, literature, debate, outdoor and family events at venues across the city from 6 – 28 May.

Artists Open Houses

AOH offers the opportunity to see work in nearly 200 artists’ homes and studios at weekends throughout May. Several venues are also showing work in their gardens, providing a great day out viewing art indoors and out.

The council’s Executive Director, Economy Environment & Culture, Donna Chisholm, said:

“We’re so lucky to have such an inspiring range of arts and culture going on in our city year-round but May is definitely the icing on the cake. There is so much talent to celebrate and wherever you go there will be something to see or do.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for people to get together to enjoy the best of Brighton & Hove and soak up the spirit of our vibrant, magical city.”