Brighton Fringe 2026: Our Hot Tips and Must-See Shows This May
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Brighton this May, Brighton Fringe is always top of the list.
Running throughout May, Brighton Fringe 2026 brings the city to life with comedy, theatre, cabaret, live music, family shows, immersive experiences, walking tours and unforgettable performances across Brighton & Hove.
Whether you’re a Fringe regular or this is your first year diving in, there’s something for everyone — from huge headline performances to hidden gems you’ll be talking about long after the curtain falls.
We asked the Brighton Fringe team for their top recommendations, and we’ve also added a few extra comedy favourites to help you plan your month.
Here are our Brighton Fringe hot tips…
Comedy Picks
📅 4 May | 7:45pm
One of the biggest comedy competitions of the festival, this is always packed with rising stars and future household names.
📅 Multiple dates throughout May
A revolving line-up of some of the freshest female comedians performing across the Fringe — perfect if you love discovering new stand-up talent.
📅 21 & 25 May
Comedy, bingo chaos and special guests — exactly what it sounds like, and somehow even better.
📅 15 & 17 May
Political chaos, comedy and strong opinions with a brilliant guest line-up.
📅 30 May
Rachel Quinn and Charlotte Madden bring their work-in-progress show to Brighton Fringe.
📅 7–8 May | 9:00pm
A surreal, high-energy comedy adventure packed with sketch, clowning, chaos and gloriously unpredictable theatrical mayhem.
📅 7–30 May | 7:00pm
Award-winning physical comedy packed with action, 80s bangers, big laughs and unapologetically brilliant theatrical chaos.
📅 26–27 May | 8:45pm
A sharp and funny musical comedy about teen fame, reality TV chaos and the cringeworthy journey of accidental child stardom.
📅 7–9 May
A hilarious interactive comedy mystery where dead celebrities, questionable mediums and one pot of ashes create total Fringe chaos.
📅 29 May | 6:30pm
A brilliantly absurd character comedy following a gloriously flawed middle-aged cyclist on the verge of a very entertaining breakdown.
Theatre / Performance
📅 26–28 May
An award-winning mix of drag, storytelling, song and burlesque as Jonny Woo shares his bold and brilliantly personal coming-of-age story.
📅 12 & 13 May | 6:00pm
A sharp and thoughtful love story exploring identity, culture and what it really means to belong between two worlds.
📅 28 & 29 May
A hilarious drag musical comedy packed with boyband chaos, pop nostalgia and a sharp take on fame, fandom and toxic masculinity.
📅 24–28 May
A camp, chaotic and heartfelt queer comedy where five women, custard fights and decades of history collide around one unforgettable kitchen table.
📅 3–7 May
A powerful and moving story exploring family history, identity and the untold legacy of survival across generations.
Circus / Dance / Physical Theatre
📅 25 May | 7:00pm
A powerful blend of acrobatics, live music and movement exploring connection, conflict and what it really means to live together.
📅 29–30 May | 9:00pm
An experimental solo performance blending movement, light and sound to create a powerful, dreamlike journey through transformation and identity.
📅 19–29 May | 8:30pm
A wildly entertaining mix of comedy, circus and acrobatics as the gods of Olympus throw the biggest party Brighton Fringe has ever seen.
📅 9 May | 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm
An immersive dance adventure where strange worlds, playful movement and a little chaos invite you to step into the unexpected.
📅 8 & 9 May | 7:30pm
A high-energy physical theatre show celebrating Buster Keaton’s life through cinematic mime, clowning, dance and unforgettable visual storytelling.
Family-Friendly Fringe
📅 2–17 May
A magical family favourite filled with giant bubbles, bubble volcanoes, storytelling and interactive fun for all ages.
📅 23–28 May | 11:45am
A joyful family show packed with juggling, clowning and creative chaos, where everyday objects turn into unforgettable adventures.
📅 2–17 May
A fun-filled family adventure of stories, songs, puppetry and clowning as the Seabream Sisters set sail on the high seas.
📅 28–29 May | 3:15pm
A hilarious family-friendly opera adventure where iconic characters, video game chaos and big boss battles collide on stage.
Cabaret / Variety
📅 8–29 May
A bold, bonkers mix of drag, burlesque and queer cabaret packed with camp energy, big laughs and unapologetic fun.
📅 1–29 May
A glamorous cabaret escape of live music, high kicks and 1930s sparkle, bringing musical theatre magic to Brighton Fringe.
📅 1–3 May | 7:30pm
A gloriously chaotic bingo night packed with outrageous comedy, camp cabaret, ridiculous prizes and plenty of brilliantly naughty fun.
📅 1 May | 9:30pm
A joyful cult cabaret celebrating the music, magic and mythology of Kate Bush with big songs and brilliant theatrical flair.
📅 22 May | 6:30pm
A wonderfully weird celebration of fandom, drag and pop culture, packed with outlandish performances and unapologetic nerdy joy.
📅 22 & 23 May | 6:00pm
An immersive after-hours adventure through Brighton Museum, where secret missions, live characters and surprises wait around every corner.
📅 14 May | 8:30pm
A hilariously camp comedy cabaret dating show filled with psychic chaos, big ballads and gloriously spooky queer energy.
Literature / Spoken Word
📅 13 May | 7:00pm
An inspiring evening of poetry, live illustration and spoken word performances with brilliant writers, artists and rising creative voices.
📅 20 May | 6:30pm
A powerful spoken word and dramatic performance exploring how addiction impacts families, relationships and the people left trying to cope.
📅 4 May | 8:00pm
A sharp and powerful one-woman show exploring women in surgery, ambition, burnout and breaking into a profession not built for them.
Music / Nightlife
📅 10 May | 3:00pm
A beautiful afternoon of live opera, summer gardens and sparkling drinks in a relaxed and magical outdoor setting.
📅 2 May | 9:30pm
A high-energy opening night party packed with big beats, brilliant cabaret, glitter, chaos and unapologetically fabulous Fringe energy.
📅 15 May | 8:30pm
A romantic candlelit piano performance blending beautiful music, storytelling and immersive atmosphere for a truly magical evening.
📅 1, 2, 29 & 30 May | 8:00pm
A feel-good live music party packed with iconic 80s and 90s movie soundtrack hits, big vocals and pure nostalgia.
Tours / Experiences
📅 2–31 May
Two fascinating walking tours uncovering the inspiring, bold and often overlooked women who helped shape Brighton and Hove’s history.
📅 1–30 May | 7:30pm
A family-friendly ghost walk through Brighton’s historic Lanes, packed with spooky stories, Victorian characters and haunted local history.
📅 9–17 May
Step back into Brighton’s wartime history with a fascinating air raid shelter tour, vintage games, music and nostalgic family fun.
📅 8–29 May
A magical walking tour uncovering Brighton’s witchcraft history, hidden mysteries and the city’s most fascinating occult stories.
📅 2–30 May | 2:00pm
A unique guided walk bringing Brighton’s famous Daddy Long Legs train back to life through history, storytelling and interactive tech.
Why Brighton Fringe Is One of the Best Things to Do in Brighton
What makes Brighton Fringe so special is that it completely takes over the city.
You can spend the afternoon at a walking tour, head to comedy in the evening, and finish the night at cabaret or live music — all within a few streets of each other.
Whether you book one big headline show or fill your whole month with Fringe plans, there’s no shortage of brilliant events to discover.
Ready to Book?
If you’re planning your May diary and looking for the best events in Brighton, Brighton Fringe should be right at the top of your list.
See you at the Fringe 🎭
Comments