October Unpacked: Brighton’s Month of Culture

October in Brighton is about to get a whole lot busier (and more exciting!) thanks to October Unpacked, a city-wide celebration bringing together over 100 events across arts, culture, comedy, food, music, and more.

As your City Concierge, we’re here to help you make the most of it. If you’re looking for things to do in Brighton this October, from quirky performances to foodie treats and thought-provoking talks, we’ve picked out some highlights you won’t want to miss, including events from our very own Connected100 members.

So, get your diary ready. October is officially unpacked…

Connected100 Highlights 🌟

We’re thrilled to see so many of our Connected100 members taking centre stage this month. Here are just some of their standout events:

• Redroaster is going big with Schnitzelfest, International Coffee Day, and Khao Bird pop-ups—serving up flavour with flair.

• Nostos is hosting Unlimited Street Food Wednesdays, a must for Brighton’s foodies.

• Komedia Brighton has a packed October line-up, from the brilliant Grace Petrie: This Is No Time to Panic to the legendary Komedia Comedy Club (plus loads more!).

• Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra brings its sweeping programme to the Dome with The Romantics, featuring Mahler’s mighty Symphony No. 5.

• Connected Brighton is hosting our very own Surplus Supper Club at The Community Kitchen, a chance to eat well and do good, raising awareness of food waste.

• The Community Kitchen invites you to cook, bake, and learn with a range of tasty masterclasses: Macarons with Sally Dellar, Steaks & Sauces with Chef Eloise, Sri Lankan Cookery with Chef Kanthi, and Nigerian Masterclass with Chef Lerato.

• South East Dance & Bird & Blend Tea Co. team up for High Society, a joyful mix of performance and tea-drinking ritual.

Other Cool Picks 🎉

October Unpacked isn’t just about our Connected100 family—it’s also bursting with experiences that make Brighton the unique city we love. A few standouts:

• Oktoberfest celebrations (throughout the month) – steins, bratwurst, and Bavarian vibes.

• Black History Month at The Queery – thought-provoking talks and events.

• Brighton Chocolate Tour & Tastings – for those with a sweet tooth.

• Boss’ Drag Queens Bottomless Brunch – camp, cocktails, and chaos in true Brighton style.

• Candlelight Concert: Hans Zimmer’s Best Works – a magical evening of film scores by candlelight.

• Halloween Specials – from spooky pub quizzes to drag bingo, silent discos, and gothic theatre, Brighton knows how to do October 31st properly!

Why October Unpacked matters to us 💛

We love this city—its people, places, quirks, and creative spirit. October Unpacked is more than a listings page; it’s a chance to show up for Brighton:

• Support independents: Spend with local venues, makers, kitchens and artists so they can keep our city vibrant all year round.

• Discover new corners: Try a neighbourhood you don’t usually visit—Kemptown, the Lanes, London Road, Hove—there’s magic everywhere.

• Give back: Choose events that fund community projects, tip your servers, buy from small businesses, and spread the word.

• Go together: Take a friend, invite a neighbour, meet someone new—little connections make a big city feel close-knit.

Plan Your Month

• Browse the full programme & book: https://discoverbrighton.org/october-unpacked/

• Explore all listings day-by-day: https://discoverbrighton.org/october-unpacked-listings/

• Hot tip: the popular events will sell out—grab tickets early.

October is one of the best months to explore the city. Whether you’re discovering new independents, learning a skill, or celebrating Halloween, you’ll never run out of things to do in Brighton this autumn. 💛