The city streets have been filled with stunning art and parades as it celebrates the 60th edition of England's largest annual curated multi-arts festival.
The Brighton Festival began with the 40th annual Children's Parade.
The parade, described as the largest of its kind in Europe, managed to bring together thousands of children and locals in a procession named 'Read all about it!'.
Artworks like Soft Machines on Hove Promenade and Shhh... (an exhibition exploring the force of silence by Abigail Norris and Isobel Smith) showcased the festival’s creative punch.
Contemporary circus group NoFit State debuted carnation.
In addition, Kohlhaas, a world premiere theatre production produced by the Brighton Festival, and the latest works from immersive live-art pioneers KlangHaus were also showcased.
The festival, which will run until May 25, boasts an impressive line-up of events and activities that take place in various locations.
Among the highlights of the packed weekend were visits from the 10th edition of Our Place, an event described as a 'free family programme developed by and for the community', and a children's event with author Michael Rosen and MC Grammar.
The city’s tradition as a hub for cultural innovation, collaboration and artistic experimentation is mirrored in the festival, which attracts artists and companies from all over the globe, while also giving a platform to local artists.
This 60th edition marks a fresh era for the festival under the new artistic leadership of Chief Executive Lucy Davies.
The festival programming team, helmed by Lucy Davies and accompanied by Producing Director Beth Burgess, is now introducing original work for the first time.
In a collaboration with Millimetre and Making It Out, artist Ivan Morison and Heather Peak presented Soft Machines, a project featuring enormous, embodied forms made from agricultural materials on Hove Promenade.
This project is expected to run until May 24.
The circus show is set to run until May 25 and is an exploration of rebellion, resistance and hope during turbulent times.
Theatre lovers also had the opportunity to take in Kohlhaas, the world premiere of a theatre production by the Brighton Festival programming team.
Directed by Omar Elerian and starring Arinzé Kene, the show delves into the psychology of protest and resistance and marks the first original theatre work produced by the festival programming team.
Abigail Norris and Isobel Smith's show Shhh… will continue to run until May 31.
Created over two years, the show presents paired works resonating with tension, pressure and autonomy, engaging attendees in a sculptural dialogue exploring silence as a charged force.
The Brighton Dome Concert Hall auditorium hosted a performance of Bach’s St John Passion (May 4), bringing together young soloists from Les Arts Florissants, the Brighton Festival Chorus and Youth Choir, accompanied by the artistry of Britten Sinfonia.
Music lovers also have plenty to look forward to at the Brighton Festival.
Patti Smith will return for a two-night residency, performing with her long-time collaborators as The Patti Smith Quartet (May 12).
Smith will also be presenting an exclusive event, An Evening of Words and Music (May 13).
Laurie Anderson, former Brighton Festival Guest Director, will present The Republic of Love (May 6).
The Brighton Festival celebrates a wide variety of music styles, with many acclaimed artists, orchestras and ensembles coming to perform.
This includes the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra performing Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10 (May 17), and international star pianist Denis Kozhukhin performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the London Symphony Orchestra under Chief Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano (May 8).
From Joelle Taylor performing a staged reading of her new poetry collection Maryville (May 8-9), to Philippa Perry discussing her new book Shrink Solves Murder (May 7), the festival also holds a busy schedule of literature events.
The festival is made possible with the support of funders like Brighton & Hove City Council, the Arts Council England, the Pebble Trust, Mayo Wynne Baxter and the University of Sussex, among others.
