October Unpacked: Arts & Culture

Collage Club at Jubilee Library: Join local collage legends Cult Milk for a new, free Collage Club at the library. Mindful making, cut and pasting with recycled books and magazines to help boost your mood and connect with others. For age 18+

Radiohead X Nosferatu Silents Synced pairs classic silent movies with epic rock music to bring audiences a unique big screen experience. Don’t miss out on the chance to experience this imaginative new take on an iconic horror film. Adult £15.85, Child £3, Student £14.35, Over-60s £14.35

Charlotte Tilbury - Blue Light Masterclass: Discover the iconic Charlotte Tilbury look with expert tips, live demonstrations, refreshments and an exclusive goody bag. Plus, Blue Light card holders can enjoy 20% off (T&Cs apply).

Selected 16: A screening of bold new artists’ moving image from across the UK. Selected 16 presents a vibrant collection of nine new short films by some of the most exciting and talented early career artists working today.

Jo Bannon: The Dirty Work: Peek behind the velvet curtain of The Dirty Work, a new solo performance by Jo Bannon blending the trickery of magic - white rabbits, magic wands, puffs of smoke - with the lived experience of visual impairment

Trauma Industrial Complex Live: Orwell Prize-winning author, BAFTA and RTS-winning documentary maker, and former BBC Reith Lecturer Darren McGarvey brings his acclaimed Fringe show to Hove. Bold, compassionate, and unflinchingly honest.

Writing Our Legacy’s Art & Nature Week: A weekend of workshops, talks, readings and walks to nurture your mind, body and soul in the South Downs landscape. Everyone and all ages welcome. Free lunch and transport from Brighton station. Under-18s free.

Brighton Makers Market: The last Brighton Makers Market of the season is coming to Jubilee Square! Discover a vibrant mix of indie makers, artists, designers & foodies, and shop small while supporting brilliant local businesses.

SPIRIT HOUSE XV: As we step towards the darker phase of the year, come join the mysterious realm of Artist Jim Sanders' extraordinary home studio. A magical, transportive installation of Art, Live Performance, Sound & Scent.

Independent Magazines at Komedia: Discover independent magazines at Cover Story Brighton’s pop-up at Komedia. Browse a carefully curated selection of the best in independent publishing, from culture and fashion to music, filxm and fandom.

ZINE SANDWICH with The Photocopy Club: Join a half-day zine workshop with The Photocopy Club and POST for Photoworks Festival 2026. Enjoy a local photo walk, build individual / collaborative zines, take your print home, and join a group exhibition. First group - 10am-1pm / Second group 2-5pm / Exhibition - 6pm till 8pm / Group sizes - 8 people per session

Hammer & Tongue Poetry Jam: Open Mic: A free afternoon of spoken word poetry and storytelling at the Fountainhead pub. Sign up to share your words on the mic or sit back with a pint. All levels of experience are welcome. Hosted by Leanne Shorley.

Thirty-Years of the C₆₀ Nobel Prize: A special event celebrating 30 years since University of Sussex Professor Sir Harry Kroto FRS was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of a new form of carbon: Buckminsterfullerene, C₆₀.

Artist Talk with Artist Holly Birtles: Photographic artist Holly Birtles explores eco-crises, performance and AI, discussing projects including Volcano Motherand Fighting Fish, and her blend of analogue and digital processes.

Hammer & Tongue Poetry Slam: Brighton's longest running spoken word night, featuring headline performances and our legendary poetry slam. Hosted by Leanne Shorley with performances from Dan Culmer, Louise E. Taylor & Sophie Glew.

Craig Revel Horwood: The Book of Panto: Join us for an evening with Olivier-nominated Strictly Judge and bestselling author Craig Revel Horwood! The Book of Panto is a vivid portrait of a centuries-old art form that's proving more popular than ever!

We Were Here - Film screening and Q&A: This documentary sheds light on the overlooked presence of African and Black individuals in Renaissance Europe, highlighting their depiction in masterpieces by some of the era’s most celebrated artists.

Listening Club: Glitter and be Gay: Joanna MacGregor delves into the music of BPO's October concert, The Stravinsky Connection. With visual examples and live piano, this informal talk will give you a new way of listening to Mozart and Stravinsky.

Your Projects - Your Lives: An evening of “Discovery” for artists and creatives: meet others, share ideas, explore creative challenges and find out about our monthly Crit & Creative Support sessions, with drinks and Between exhibition.

Crying into Bins: 20 years in hospitality – a cathartically funny poetical memoir. From the food waste bin into which her friend had a nervous breakdown, Lia tries to make sense of the twenty years she spent serving people

Tom Ward: Post-millennium Tension: Before Tom bails out on the modern world entirely to commit to nostalgia full-time he's giving the present tense one last try. Exploring the head f**k of popular culture in the modern world versus his youth.

The Sussex Peasants Big Autumn Markets return this October with a celebration of Sussex seasonal food, farming and community. Taking place At St George's Church, Kemptown, bringing together Sussex farmers.

Create a Needle Felted Animal Workshop: Discover the fascinating art of needle felting and learn how to transform soft wool fibres into a unique three-dimensional animal sculpture. This workshop is perfect for beginner, and all materials are included

Discover the Raymond Briggs Archive: Join us for an intergenerational talk and comics workshop celebrating the work and creative world of Sussex author and illustrator Raymond Briggs. Discover the process behind the artist's iconic characters.

Peach & Ember: The Autumn Edit: Discover Peach & Ember's Autumn Edit: a curated collection of preloved fashion in the heart of Seven Dials. Drop in, browse new-season finds and enjoy a little fizz while you shop. Free entry, no booking.  

Beau-Events Art and Makers Market: Come along to Jubilee Square on October 10th between 11am-5pm to discover over 40 incredibly talented artists and makers, from illustration to jewellery, photography, painting, ceramics, cakes, and much more!

Beau-Events Art Markets: Join BeauBottletops and iHeart Pop Art for their group show STRATUM, exhibiting 20 individual artists at the Fishing Quarter Gallery on Brighton Seafront, a carefully curated exhibition showcasing an eclectic range of local Brighton Artists. STRAUM is about uncovering the rich layers of Brighton's art world, and discovering the treasures we will be showing within one of Brighton's most historical venues. From Pop Art to Ceramics, Mixed Media to miniature sculpture, photography and illustration - there is so much to see, you will not want to miss this. Private View 23rd October please RSPV via Event Brite link.

World Mental Health Day: Take part in free intro workshops to Chair Yoga, Qigong and Collage to celebrate World Mental Health Day. Boost your mood and balance mind, body and heart with Brighton Natural Health Foundation. Drop in.

Make Your Own Halloween Gonk: Get into the spooky spirit and create your very own fabric Halloween Gonk – a quirky little character with plenty of personality! No previous crafting experience is needed, and all materials included.

Deviants Market: Deviants Market presents Deviant Becomes Her; a queer 18+ alternative market. Expect to see a variety of LGBTQIA+ small businesses, help raise money for trans* fundraisers and potentially win some raffle prizes.

Raku pottery workshop in the woods: Experience the magic of pottery and fire at our full-day raku workshop in beautiful East Sussex woodland. Suitable for beginners & experienced potters, you will come away with a stunning pot and tile.

Jungle Harpies & African Vistas: Drawing inspiration from ancient symbolism, folklore, nature, geometry and the raw beauty of the African landscape, the exhibition brings together a collection of original artworks and live tattooing.

Mouth Painting Class: Explore the playful possibilities of mouth painting with artist Nu Goose. Learn about disability art, experiment with painting using your body, and create your own canvas in this inclusive, hands-on workshop.

BFI Amplified: Ish (15): BFI Amplified screening of Ish, following two 12-year-old friends navigating friendship, growing up and the fallout of a police stop and search. Plus there’ll be a bespoke mix by Brighton DJs Radio Calais.

The Coast is Queer: The Coast is Queer is the UK’s biggest and brightest LGBTQ+ literature festival, bringing together brilliant writers, poets, performers and readers to celebrate queer stories, ideas, voices and lives. Thursday 15: 19:00 - 20:30 Friday 16: 11:00 - 20:15 Saturday 17: 11:00 - 21:00 Sunday 18: 11:00 - 18:15 3-Day Festival Pass: £120/Flex Concession 1-Day Pass: £55/Flex Concession Individual event: £12/£15/£2 Student

Zentangle – Mindful Drawing Workshop: Take a mindful break — like yoga, but with a pen. In this calming Zentangle workshop, you’ll discover how simple, repeated patterns can help you slow down, switch off, and find focus. All materials included.

On the Sea and Grief: WRAP is honoured to invite you to a reflective, intimate discussion around grief, the sea and creative exploration of healing with Wendy Pye, founder of Luna Arts and artists Carrie Stanley and Elena Stevanoska.

Black is Beautiful: TARA Films and POST present Black is Beautiful at Brighton & Hove Doc Club. Part of Photoworks Festival 2026, the screening explores Kwame Brathwaite’s story, with a live filmmaker Q&A.

ON THE EDGE by Philip Morgan: Tom is 19 & an ex-sex-worker, previously street sleeper, now a novice social worker, keen to move away from his past. Into his homeless unit wanders Frank - seventy-five, eccentric, belligerent & terminally ill.

Art of Suminagashi Marbling: Discover Suminagashi, the Japanese art of marbling with floating ink. Learn how to create beautiful swirling patterns on water, then capture your unique designs on paper to take home. No experience needed.

Through the Night Door: Join Scarlet Ostick for a playful shadow puppet workshop. Make your own puppet to take home, then bring it to life through fun improvisation and performance as the sun sets on the beautiful Book of Shadows stag

Ukraine: Life Un/Broken: Support Ukraine at an exhibition launch with artists Igor Chekachkov & Dasha Tenditna. Explore photography and film, including Nation on Fire, documenting the war and its human cost.

Ukraine: Life Un/Broken: Join us for a special evening of documentary film and photography exploring the human cost of the ongoing war in Ukraine with two acclaimed photographers who have experienced and document it firsthand.

Mogul Mowgli (15): Riz Ahmed stars as a rising British Pakistani rapper forced to confront his past, family and identity when illness threatens his first world tour. A bold, electrifying story of heritage and belonging.

Seaglass Jewellery Workshop: Make your own seaglass and sterling silver ring or pendant! Suitable for beginners, I will provide you with as much or little support as you need. Sessions are in a small group of up to 6 participants.

Feeling the SEA? Monoprinting Workshop: Artist Lucinda Button will host a mono-printing workshop based on how to connect your feelings with the sea. Learn fundamental mono-printing techniques and simple hand stitch to create your own mixed media art.

Candle Making Workshop: Discover the art of candle making and learn how to create your own beautifully scented candle. Explore fragrance, wax and the making process, then pour a unique candle to take home and enjoy, or give as a gift.

Half-day pottery taster workshop: Get creative and give pottery a try at this half-day hand-building workshop. Relax in our small and friendly studio, and our expert tutor will guide you to make a mug, salt-pig, oil burner, vase or plant pot.

Opera Viva! A semi-immersive experience: Opera Viva returns to the Brighton Italian Festival (17 Oct 2026)! Presented by Simon Gray, this intimate, semi-immersive experience brings Italian opera right to you where singers and audience share the space.

Rebecca Wheatley: A Woman's Touch: Through a sparkling cabaret of songs and personal stories, Rebecca Wheatley says the things we all feel but aren’t supposed to admit about romance, childbirth, menopause and caring for elderly relatives.

Sicily and Sardinia: A performance: Daniele Marzeddu’s Films of Sicily and Sardinia follows D.H. Lawrence's footsteps, featuring an original soundtrack by composer Michele Bertoni. A stunning Mediterranean cinematic and musical journey.

POST x Photoworks Photobook Club: Join artist Amin Yousefi at POST x Photoworks Photobook Club to explore Ibrahem Hasan’s Yesterday, Come Closer, a photobook examining Palestinian memory, home, displacement and resistance.

Limbo (12A) + live oud performance: Ben Sharrock’s poignant film Limbo follows a young Syrian musician awaiting his asylum decision on a remote Scottish island. The evening features a live oud performance by Brighton-based musician Alaa Wehbi.

Crochet a Pumpkin Workshop: Get cosy and crochet your own charming pumpkin! Learn the techniques needed to create a colourful autumn decoration to take home. Perfect for those with a little crochet experience looking to build their skills

Meditative Painting & Sound Healing: Join Magdalena Reising and Helen Nestor for an evening of meditative painting and sound healing. Respond to harp, voice and singing bowls while creating your own artwork. No painting experience needed.

Introduction to Linocut Printing: Discover the art of linocut printing. Learn how to create a simple design, safely carve your lino block, apply ink and hand-print your image. A fun, hands-on introduction that's perfect for beginners.

Charlotte Tilbury - Brush Along: Join Charlotte Tilbury Brighton for an exclusive Brush Along Masterclass. Learn professional tips and techniques to recreate the signature look, with refreshments and a goody bag included. Limited spaces!

Tide & Place: Artists in Conversation: How can creative practice shape our relationship with the environment? Hear from six contemporary artists and educators, connect with local creatives and explore the 'Tide and Place' exhibition at WRAP.

Kristin Hersh is one of alternative music’s most compelling and independent voices. Known for her work with Throwing Muses and 50FootWave, alongside a prolific solo career, her songwriting blends raw emotion with inventive musicality. Her live shows are intimate, intense and deeply affecting - built around hypnotic guitar work and a voice that moves between fragile and powerful. With a career spanning decades, Hersh remains a truly singular artist, constantly evolving while staying unmistakably herself.

Amy Matthews - Definitions of Toast TOAST /təʊst/ (verb): Apply heat and impart irreversible change. Toast can’t be bread again. (noun, informal): Something that’s finished / over, or doomed to be. (noun): The act of honouring a sentiment by raising a glass, often to new beginnings. Amy doesn’t get angry and she’s starting to feel left out, so she’s on a quest to feel fury; from what she can discern from the world around her, it appears to be all the rage… literally. Amy is navigating the joy of her first queer relationship whilst dusting herself off from a string of several alcoholic partners. You’d think she’d have plenty to be cross about, and yet, whilst everyone seems to be more furious than ever, she just can’t seem to tap into her own anger - so she’s challenged herself to learn. This lack of wrath may also have something to do with a processing lag that is becoming increasingly disruptive - and comical - in her life. Her emotions seemed to be delivered by carrier pigeon, if they arrive at all. This is a show about being awarded Best Supporting Actor in your own life, the beauty of fully embracing […]

Bird Bath: For one day only during Dreamy Place, Bird Bath will bring the sounds of Sussex nature reserves and recovery sites to Attenborough Centre. Come for as long as you like and soak in the magic of nature’s song.