Big events to look forward to in Brighton and Hove in 2020
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January
When: Sunday, January 19 10am-4.30pm
Where: Royal Pavilion, Brighton
What: For one day a year, visitors are given free entry to the Royal Pavilion. The open day celebrates the purchase of the site by the town of Brighton in 1850.
February
When: Sunday, February 23 times TBC
Where: Madeira Drive
What: In its 30th year, the half marathon will welcome runners to the city to complete a 13.1 mile route ahead of the Brighton marathon in April.
March
When: Sunday, March 22
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Hide AdWhere: The route begins at Tattenham Corner, Epsom, and finishes at Madeira Drive.
What: Since 1930, this veteran motorcycle event has seen pre-1915 models take to the roads of Sussex and Surrey.
April
When: Saturday, April 4, 10am-6pm
Where: Madeira Drive
What: In its 9th year, this motoring event attracts petrolheads from around the country to a free drive-in and display of vehicles.
When: April 19 at 9.45am
Where: Preston Park
What: An annual, long-distance running event established in 2010. Registration for this year has now closed but spectators and supporters are welcome.
May
When: May 1-31
Where: Venues across the city
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Hide AdWhat: Much like its Scottish equivalent, the Edinburgh Festival, Brighton Festival has its own fringe which sees comedy, art, and theatre at multiple venues.
When: May 2-24
Where: Venues across the city
What: Poet and guest director Lemn Sissay MBE will oversee the country’s biggest and most established arts festival.
When: Saturday, May 2, 10.30am-1pm
Where: The parade starts in Robert Street and travels through Jubilee Street, New Road, North Street, East Street, and Grand Junction Road to Madeira Drive.
What: This colourful parade traditionally opens Brighton Festival with 5,000 local schoolchildren wearing handmade costumes. Nature’s marvels is the theme for the parade this year which promises to be a celebration of the natural world.
When: May 13-16
Where: Venues across Brighton.
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Hide AdWhat: This festival showcases emerging talent and new music from across the globe at more than 30 venues in the city with a pop-up site on Brighton beach. A conference runs alongside the festival.
When: Sunday, May 17
Where: Hove Lawns
What: Athletes dressed as superheroes run through Brighton to raise money for the domestic abuse charity RISE. This is a family friendly event with a 5K, 10K, youth mile, and a kids’ 500m dash.
When: Sunday, May 31
Where: Cars will drive from Greenwich Park, London to Madeira Drive.
What: Classic vehicles gather on Madeira Drive after making their way South from London.
June
When: Date TBC
Where: Chalet Cafe, Preston Park
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Hide AdWhat: Cyclists take to the streets of Brighton and Hove but do not put on any clothes.
When: June 21
Where: The route finishes on the seafront
What: A 54-mile charity bike ride travelling from Clapham Common, London, to Brighton Beach through idyllic Sussex and Surrey countryside.
When: Saturday, June 29, 10.30am
Where: Stanmer Park, Brighton
What: A muddy 5K race to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
July
When: July 4-5
Where: Brighton Seafront
What: Europe’s largest free charity Beach Festival for water sports enthusiasts and beach lovers. Water sports, races, live music, and bars will be on offer at this family friendly event.
When: Sunday, July 5, 11am
Where: Stanmer Park, Brighton
What: A 5K race to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
When: Saturday, August 1, 11am
Where: Hove Lawns
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Hide AdWhat: The famous Pride Parade takes place during the city’s annual, weekend-long celebration of the LGBTQ+ community from Friday, July 31 to August 2.
When: Dates TBC
Where: Brighton Beach
What: A giant outdoor cinema pop-up on the beach.
August
When: Dates TBC
Where: Location TBC
What: Zippos Circus will return to Brighton with entertainment for all the family.
September
When: Sunday, September 13
Where: Hove Lawns
What: Athletes compete as they swim, cycle, and run across the city.
When: Saturday, September 26, 12-10.30pm
Where: Stanmer Park, Brighton
What: The biggest electronic music festival in Brighton will return to Stanmer Park for a fifth year.
October
When: Date TBC
Where: Location TBC
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Hide AdWhat: A mass of Volkswagens descend on Brighton for this annual motorist gathering.
November
When: Sunday, November 1
Where: Vehicles travel from London’s Hyde Park to Madeira Avenue, Brighton with a halfway checkpoint stop in Crawley.
What: Veteran vehicles complete the route to commemorate the Emancipation Run of November 14 1896, which celebrated the Locomotives on the Highway Act.
December
When: Monday, December 21
Where: Brighton Seafront
What: Residents and visitors gather on the shortest day of the year with homemade lanterns, a bonfire, and a procession. The event is hosted by arts charity Same Sky.