Brighton Festival 2025 in England

Brighton Festival is an annual city-wide arts extravaganza, which takes place in Brighton and Hove in East Sussex every May. The curated event, which spans almost a month, features music, theatre, circus, art, film, dance, literature, and children's activities in multiple venues across the city, including Brighton Dome, i360, Royal Pavilion Gardens, and Theatre Royal. Brighton Festival attracts dozens of artists and performers from around the world. It is also known for unique happenings, such as setting a World Record for the most massive Table Tennis game ever.

Children's Parade (May 3, 2025)

Brighton Festival Children's Parade is the largest such event in Europe. Thousands of joyous children take over Brighton with their amazing show. The kaleidoscope of color, jaw-dropping costumes, and live music kicks off the festival on the first Saturday of May. A loud and vibrant procession has been one of the main highlights of Brighton Festival since 1985. 65 local schools and groups participate in this fiesta of dance, music, and fun for all ages.

The parade has a different imaginative theme every year. Children prepare their own costumes with much creativity. Same Sky’s team of artists also works with kids, teachers, group leaders, and volunteers to make wonderful sculptures and puppets, prepare dance routines, and parade chants.

Festival History

Brighton Festival was initiated in 1964. After three years of ideas exchange and preparation, Ian Hunter, the future Artistic Director of the Festival, submitted a program, and the first festival was held in 1967. The inauguration edition of the festival featured Laurence Olivier, Anthony Hopkins, and Yehudi Menuhin. At present, Brighton Festival is the largest arts festival in England and one of the most renowned international cultural events, attracting the most innovative performers from all over the world. Past guest directors of the festival have included Aung San Suu Kyi, Anish Kapoor, Michael Rosen, and Vanessa Redgrave.