What’s on Brighton January 2026
January in Brighton is anything but quiet. As the city shakes off the festive haze, its venues come alive with an exciting mix of music, arts and culture, offering plenty of reasons to wrap up warm and head out. From intimate gigs and legendary listening sessions to ballet, comedy and immersive experiences, here’s what’s on in Brighton this January 2026.
Credit: Horse Meat Disco
The month kicks off in euphoric fashion with Horse Meat Disco at Patterns on Thursday 1 January. The world-famous disco-house collective set the tone for 2026 with a New Year’s Day daytime party designed to banish the post-Christmas blues. Expect hands-in-the-air classics, modern dance floor connoisseurship and an inclusive crowd ready to start the year moving.
Mid-January brings a treat for music purists with Pitchblack Playback – Bob Dylan: Desire at The Old Market on Thursday 15 January. Celebrating 50 years of one of Dylan’s most powerful records, this unique listening experience takes place in complete darkness, with no distractions – just immersive, uncompressed sound and total focus on the music.
Credit: Kid Kapichi
Brighton’s much-loved record shop Resident hosts a run of unmissable intimate performances. On Friday 16 January, Cavetown returns to the city for an acoustic set on the release day of his fourth album, followed later that evening by Joni Mitchell – A Celebration at Ironworks Studios, honouring the songwriting icon’s timeless folk, jazz and rock classics. The following night, Saturday 17 January, East Sussex heroes Kid Kapichi play a live set and signing, ushering in a fearless new era ahead of their upcoming album.
Credit: Elles Bailey
The rest of the month continues to champion diverse sounds. Elles Bailey brings blues-soaked songwriting to Resident on Wednesday 21 January, while Dominie Hooper casts a spell at The Rose Hill on Thursday 22 January with ethereal folk textures and haunting vocals. Experimental pop fans can catch Insecure Men at The Hope and Ruin on Tuesday 27 January, before reggae royalty takes over Chalk on Friday 30 January with Eek A Mouse, Dawn Penn and Scientist. That same night, drum and bass heavyweights Delta Heavy keep the energy high into the early hours at Volks.
Rob Newman: Where The Wild Things Were
January also shines across Brighton’s arts and culture scene. Brighton Dome Backstage Tours run throughout the month, offering a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of the city’s most iconic venue. Dance takes centre stage with Performers of the Future on Sunday 18 January, while comedy fans can enjoy Rob Newman: Where The Wild Things Were at The Old Market on Saturday 24 January. Komedia delivers genre-defying music with North Sea Radio Orchestra and The Witching Tale, followed by the interactive chaos of Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote on 28 January.
Varna International Ballet: Swan Lake
The month closes in grand style with Varna International Ballet: Swan Lake at Theatre Royal Brighton on Saturday 31 January – a timeless classic to end a packed and inspiring start to the year.
Find more what’s on Brighton January 2026 events here.
