Brighton Dome

We are an arts charity made up of an historic events venue, a music education service and the biggest curated cross-arts festival in England. Together we bring the arts and culture to a wide and diverse audience.

Brighton Dome

As the south coast's premier multi-arts venue, each year we present over 600 events spanning music, theatre, dance, comedy, literature, spoken word, visual arts, film, digital, community and participatory events.

Our magnificent grade listed building situated in the heart of the city forms part of the Royal Pavilion Estate, and has been a shining beacon for the community for over 200 years. Starting as a grandiose riding stables for Prince Regent and transforming into many guises thereafter; from a place of protest and solidarity for Suffragettes, to a refuge for wartime dances in WWI, a temporary hospital in World War II and even a roller-skating venue. Read more about our history.

Brighton Dome is an extraordinary space in which to bring the arts alive.

A hub for artists across the region, Brighton Dome commissions and supports both emerging and established artists and companies, enabling them to develop, take risks and deliver work of the highest quality. Read about our Associate Artists and Programme Partners.

Brighton Festival

'Brighton Festival has been at the forefront... an arts festival that makes connections with the real world' The Times

Each year we produce Brighton Festival, the largest curated annual arts festival in England.

A celebration of music, theatre, dance, circus, art, film, literature, debate, outdoor and community events, Brighton Festival takes place in familiar and unusual locations across Brighton & Hove and further afield for three weeks every May.

Renowned for its pioneering spirit and experimental reputation, Brighton Festival has become one of the city’s most enduring symbols of inventiveness.

The inaugural programme in 1967 included Laurence Olivier, Anthony Hopkins, Yehudi Menuhin, The Who, The Pink Floyd, Concrete Poetry. So we have a long tradition for attracting the most exciting performers from across the globe, as well as promoting local artists, and bringing fresh, challenging work that opens minds right across Brighton & Hove and beyond.

Our ambitious and daring programming aims to make the most of the city’s distinctive cultural atmosphere, and draws some of the most innovative artists and companies from the UK and around the world.

Since 2009 we have welcomed a major cultural figure to guest curate and enhance the prestige of the artistic programme. Anish Kapoor, Brian Eno, Vanessa Redgrave, Michael Rosen, Hofesh Shechter, Ali Smith, Laurie Anderson, Kae Tempest, David Shrigley and Lemn Sissay have contributed significantly to our innovative programming as Guest Director.

Every year Brighton Festival is opened by the popular Children’s Parade. Produced in partnership with Same Sky, we work with over 5,000 parents, teachers and young people from 60 Brighton &Hove schools alongside artists, musicians and choreographers. The annual event is always a whirlwind of colour, music, dance and fun attracting over 20,000 to the streets to celebrate the creativity and imagination of our next generation.

Create Music

The third part of our arts portfolio is a strong music education service that teaches over 4k children and young people music across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. Music is paramount to young people. It energises and helps them explore their emotions, helping them feel connected and cope with difficult times. Young people tell us that they see music-making as an essential part of their lives - it makes them feel worthwhile. It is well documented that the creative process of making music has a deep and profound impact on well-being.

Inspiring Creativity and Enriching Lives

We believe in the transformative power of the arts and that they can provide a catalyst for social change for good. So our aim is to inspire and enable artists to be their most creative and to champion the power of the arts to enrich and change lives.

We are committed to bringing all sorts of art to all sorts of people. From inviting the greatest artist to our stages, to music lessons in schools or weekend morning singing and theatrical make-up workshops - we aim to inspire creativity in people of all ages with experiences to remember for a life time.

As a charity and the South East's leading performing arts venue, we inspire generations and create thousands of lasting memories. There are many ways you can get involved and support our work in the city from joining as a Member or Patron, getting involved as a sponsor or making a donation.

Brighton Dome is supported by Brighton & Hove City Council and Arts Council England. Brighton Dome & Festival Ltd is a registered charity number 249748.