A collage of people working at Brighton Dome over many years. One is sepia tones, one is black and white, and two others are more modern colour photos

Heritage Open Day 2026 at Brighton Dome: Everyday Histories

News, History & Heritage

By Alex Epps, Heritage Lead at Brighton Dome

What can the life of a building tell us about the people who have lived and worked within it? As buildings change, adapt and find new purposes, they are shaped along the way by the people who use them. This Sunday 20 September, we celebrate Heritage Open Day at Brighton Dome with a day of free activities exploring more than 200 years in the life of the venue through the working lives of everyday people.

Black-and-white historical photograph of several men clearing rubble outside a large brick industrial building with a tall arched entrance. Broken masonry, timber planks, ladders, wheelbarrows, and tools fill the foreground, while damaged buildings surround the site.
Photography by Deane, Wiles and Millar, Brighton. Royal Pavilion and Museums, Brighton and Hove.

At 11am, a talk by archaeologist Dr Michael Shapland, who has spent the last twelve years visiting and recording a remarkable range of historic buildings, draws on highlights from his career to explore how historic buildings evolve, adapt, decline and endure. Through the perspectives of archaeology and architectural history and using familiar local examples, including a recent discovery relating to Oscar Wilde and Brighton’s Royal Albion Hotel, Michael will reveal the stories held within old buildings, while considering what it means to capture the ‘spirit’ of a place before it is lost forever.

Two people wearing black clothing facing each other in dancing positions. They are smiling and standing in front of a cream door and windows.

Our new exhibition, Everyday Histories: Working Lives at Brighton Dome, will offer a glimpse into the venue as a place of work, bringing together material researched by Brighton Dome Heritage Volunteers with photographs and reflections from people who work here today. It includes a series of portraits by photographer and Brighton Dome staff member Graham Cameron, who began photographing his colleagues during the recent redevelopment of the Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre.

There will also be opportunities to take a closer look at Brighton Dome itself with free Sneak Peeks into the Concert Hall and Corn Exchange, led by our Heritage Volunteers, alongside a range of creative activities for families. Be inspired by the people who have shaped Brighton Dome’s history and create a character of your own, try your hand at tile making inspired by the beautiful decorative tiles found throughout the venue, or design and make a badge to take home.

Old photo of lots of people on the floor after falling over on a rollerstaking ring

Separately, there is a special concert featuring Brighton Dome’s historic pipe organ on Sunday too, as musician Ashley Valentine explores its remarkable range of sounds and demonstrates why the organ is the perfect accompaniment to silent films (3.30pm, tickets £7). Following a Felix the Cat cartoon, Ashley will provide live accompaniment to two comedy classics: Laurel and Hardy’s Big Business (1929) and Buster Keaton’s The Scarecrow (1920).

Heritage Open Day at Brighton Dome takes place in the Foyer from 10am-4pm on Sunday 20 September and is free to attend. Find out more on our event page.