What’s on in Brighton
Summer / Autumn 2026
Following a jam-packed Spring season filled with dazzling musicals, critically acclaimed plays and two world premiere productions, Theatre Royal Brighton this week launches its new What’s On Guide for Summer.
Theatre Director Sophie Denney said: “What an exciting season we have lined up, with so many brilliant shows in store. Whether you’re in the mood for a musical, play, live music or something else entirely, there’s something for every audience. You’ll be spoiled for choice!”
The coming season kicks off with the return of local favourites Brighton Theatre Group and their brand-new production of one of the world’s favourite family musicals, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Wed 12 – Sun 16 Aug), following their 2025 sold-out run of Les Misérables – Let the People Sing.
Then, football fans are in for a treat as producers Treason Productions and Brighton Shakespeare Company bring their brand-new production of Stand Or Fall – The Fall and Rise of Brighton and Hove Albion (Wed 23 Sep – Sat 26 Sep) to the stage, charting the epic highs and lows of Brighton’s beloved football club.
Audiences can also look forward to the arrival of inventive and moving who-dunnit The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Tue 29 Sep – Sat 3 Oct), before things take a spookier turn with heart-thumping thrillers The Haunting of Hill House (Tue 20 – Sat 24 Oct) and Paranormal Activity (Tue 24 – Sat 28 Nov).
In December, the crowning glory of Broadway and the West End SIX (Tue 1 – Sat 5 Dec) returns for a royal week-long run, before we settle in for a fabulously pink festive season as Amber Davies (Strictly Come Dancing) stars in Legally Blonde The Musical (Tue 15 Dec 2026 – Sat 2 Jan 2027)— the ultimate feel-good rom-com!
Families can also look forward to The Christmas Cracker (Fri 18 – Tue 22 Dec), a mischievous interactive adventure taking place around the theatre promising Elves, puppets and festive mayhem.
Looking ahead to 2027, Out of Chaos’ high-octane production of Macbeth (Mon 18 – Tue 18 Jan 2027) returns, before we welcome another stunning Agatha Christie adaptation with The Hollow (Tue 2 – Sat 6 Feb 2027), starring Peter Polycarpou as Belgian detective Hercule Poirot.
Drama fans are in for a treat, as John Partridge takes to the stage as the chilling serial-killer Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs (Mon 1 – Sat 6 Mar 2027), followed by Simon Beaufoy‘s classic play The Full Monty, celebrating 30 years since the iconic film and starring Strictly Come Dancing extraordinaire Kevin Clifton.
The season also brings much-loved magical family musical The Gruffalo (Mon 16 – Tue 17 Nov) to Brighton, but not before an astounding double-bill of Horrible Histories (Thu 29 – Sat 31 Oct) transports families to two iconic historical time periods — the Terrible Tudors and the Awful Egyptians.
Alongside the main auditorium programme, Theatre Royal Brighton’s ATG Inspire creative learning programme is excited to introduce their new season of workshops and events. Highlights include the launch of two brand new on-stage Summer Schools (Mon 3 – Fri 7 Aug) for 6-10yr olds and 11-15yr olds, plus the opportunity to explore behind the scenes of a working theatre in Backstage World (Thu 27 Aug), a family workshop for 8 – 14 yr olds and their grown-ups.
The Colonnade Bar, Theatre Royal Brighton’s charming next-door pub, has also launched a delicious new Summer Cocktail Menu with a 2 for £20 offer running through until September. Drinks can now be enjoyed alongside hot pizza, ordered and delivered direct to your table from local Brighton restaurant Pizza Pilgrims. Plus, enjoy free live music with The Colonnade’s Summer Sessions — theline-up includes local artists Keziah (Thu 30 Jul) and Nik Barrell Trio (Fri 31 Jul), with more to be announced soon.
To browse the full What’s On Guide, including a spectacular selection of one-night only events, click here. Copies can also be picked up in person from Theatre Royal Brighton.
All shows and events are on sale here