4 Things to Do in Brighton & Shoreham-by-Sea This May

If you’re planning a weekend break by the coast, May is one of the best times to do it. With the bank holiday around the corner, Brighton and Shoreham-by-Sea really come into their own, with festivals, markets and community events filling up the calendar (and making staying in feel like a missed opportunity). 

And if you’re thinking about making a move? It’s a pretty good glimpse into what everyday life here can look like. 

Brighton Fringe: 1st-31st May  

Brighton Fringe is England’s largest open-access arts festival and turns the entire city into a stage for the entire month of May.  

Across Brighton, you’ll find everything from comedy in basement venues to theatre in pop-up spaces, live music in pubs, experimental performances in unexpected places, and family-friendly shows running throughout the month. The beauty of it is the variety. You can plan a full evening out or stumble across something completely new on a walk through the city. 

For those living at Home X, it’s all right on your doorstep, turning an ordinary week into something a little more interesting. 

Brighton Festival: 1st – 25th May 

Running alongside Fringe is Brighton Festival, which offers a more curated programme across music, theatre, dance, literature and visual arts. 

This is where you’ll find larger productions and internationally recognised artists, with performances that draw visitors from across the UK. It’s easy to make a full day of it, perhaps starting with an afternoon show before heading out again in the evening. 

Together, these two festivals give Brighton its distinctive energy in May, one more spontaneous, the other more structured, but both adding to the same atmosphere. 

Adur Festival: Shoreham’s creative community in focus 

Over in Shoreham-by-Sea, Adur Festival runs from 23rd May to 7th June across the wider Adur district. 

This festival focuses on local creativity, with performances, exhibitions and events that bring people together. It’s a little more low-key than Brighton’s larger festivals, but that’s part of its appeal. 

For residents at Wharf Twenty One or Dock Makers Quarter, it reflects the strong sense of community that Shoreham-by-Sea is known for, where events feel genuinely connected to the place and the people who live there. 

Shoreham Artisan Market: 23rd May 

The Shoreham Artisan Market takes place on the fourth Saturday of every month and is a favourite among locals. 

With up to 50 traders, it’s a relaxed way to spend a morning or afternoon, browsing handmade goods, picking up food, and enjoying the atmosphere. 

Set right in the centre of Shoreham-by-Sea, it’s surrounded by independent cafés and shops, so it often turns into a longer visit without much planning at all. 

Why Brighton & Shoreham-by-Sea stand out 

What really defines these coastal towns is the mix of scale and pace. Brighton offers a constant flow of major cultural events, nightlife and creative energy, while Shoreham-by-Sea provides a calmer, more community-focused lifestyle with strong local identity. 

Between them, you get access to beaches, the South Downs, independent shops, festivals, markets and a steady calendar of events throughout the year. It’s a balance that suits a wide range of lifestyles, whether you want energy and activity, or something a bit slower with easy access to nature. 

For many people, that combination is exactly what makes the area so appealing as a place to live, not just visit. 

Thinking about making the move? Explore our available homes at Home X, Dock Makers Quarter and Wharf Twenty One on our website today.