Venues across Brighton and Hove are gearing up to welcome first-time visitors as part of the city's bid to become Capital of Culture 2008.

Brighton Open Saturday, this Saturday, promises to provide people with a packed schedule of free visits, entertainment and workshops.

Street performers will also be out in force, bringing a carnival atmosphere to the city streets.

The day is a key feature of Try It For The First Time, part of the city's where else campaign to become capital of culture.

Through the scheme, groups and individuals are being given the opportunity to take part in activities they never thought possible, for free.

Jackie Lythell, who chairs the Where Else campaign, said: "Brighton Open Saturday is a tremendous opportunity to explore the superb arts venues we have in the city, particularly if you have not been before.

"We are setting out to show how arts and culture are for everyone."

Venues taking part include The Dome, Brighton Museum, Theatre Royal, the University of Brighton, Gardner Arts Centre, the Royal Pavilion and Komedia.

Activities on offer range from history talks, free tours and children's events to workshops, circus displays and costumed entertainment.

Four troupes of street performers will tour Churchill Square, North Laine and Pavilion Gardens during the day.

Costumed helpers will also be handing out schedules, helium balloons and Open Saturday flyers while Southern FM will broadcast live from the Theatre Royal in the morning.

Listed below are events being held across the city. People are invited to turn-up at the designated times for the free events:

Brighton Dome: All-day music and entertainment in the foyer; talks on the history on the hour from 10am to 1pm, and circus skills sessions on the hour from 10am to 1pm.

Brighton Museum: Trails around the building between 10am and 5pm; costumed characters in the galleries all day and storytelling at 10.30am, 11.45am, 1pm and 2.15pm.

Fabrica gallery, Ship Street: Children's jewellery making from 1pm to 4.15pm and author Sian Jones reading stories from 4.15pm to 5pm.

Theatre Royal: Southern FM broadcast in the morning; guided backstage tours at 9.15am, 9.45am and 10.15am; a talk entitled by the theatre's chief executive, Julien Boast, at 9.30am, 10am and 10.30am; puppet making and Snow White storytelling at 9am to 11am; and spectacular lighting and sound show at 11am.

Gardner Arts Centre: Displays of archived programmes, brochures, letters, photographs and building auditorium designs; live jazz from 1pm to 4pm; drama centre showcase every hour from 10am until 2pm; and backstage tours every hour from 10am until 2pm.

Komedia: Drinks and food available in the Cabaret Bar all day; free access to the building in between performances; Callaborators Theatre Company will be doing four performances of three shows called Brush With The Emperor, The Happy Prince and Can You Hear The Seagulls, between 11am and 3pm; children's author Louise Rennison will read extracts between 4pm and 5pm; there will be activities for under fives in the Theatre Bar from 11am to 2pm, and Herbie Flowers and friends will do a mini rock shop workshop for children aged seven and over from 11am to 3.30pm.

Royal Pavilion: Costumed characters will give free tours on the hour from 11.30am to 3.30pm and there will be free quizzes and trails all day in the music room.

University of Brighton: Brighton Theatre Company performance of pop-up book for three to 10-year-olds at 2pm; pop-up book workshop for four to 10-year-olds at 3.30pm; and drumming workshop at 11am.