A fun-packed day of dazzling performance art, music, storytelling and fascinating talks and workshops will take place on Wednesday as part of the Theatre Royal's 200th birthday celebrations and to mark the completion of work on New Road.

The free event kicks off at 2pm with a street party in the smart, newly pedestrianised New Road, and will spill out into surrounding cultural venues including Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, Brighton Dome, the Royal Pavilion and Pavilion Gardens, the Unitarian Church and Jubilee Library.

The day's programme includes jive dancing from Ragroof (2pm) followed by a big band at the specially erected bandstand (4.15pm) on New Road, a string quartet to entertain picnicers in the Royal Pavilion Gardens (3pm) and a broad range of activities for children and adults alike.

The Theatre Royal will be hosting interactive workshops for children as well as guided tours throughout the day if you fancy a backstage peek. Staff at the Royal Pavilion will also be showing people what it was it like to visit the impressive palace as a guest of the Prince Regent in its 19th-century heyday.

Ending the day on a high note will be a site-specific spectacle,The Light Ensemble, created by three artists, circus act Wrong Size, composers from New Music Brighton and visual artist Esther Rolinson and featuring five stilt-walking dancers in costumes woven with programmable LED lights (10.30pm).

  • Starts 2pm. Most events are free but for the few ticketed events call the relevant venue's box office.