Only in Brighton - 2014 events

Today's guest blog features Charlotte Barrow from VisitBrighton talking about her favourite events for the forthcoming year. Working for the council's tourism department means that she has exclusive access to the Brighton and Hove events calendar.

Brighton Festival Children's Parade 2013 - David Matthews Photography

As I work in the Marketing team of VisitBrighton whenever I meet up with friends I am asked about what events are coming up as they assume I can remember every single one! So when Brighton Chamber asked if I would mind doing a guest post about upcoming events, I was more than happy to say yes and hopefully avoid any future interrogations ;)

So what am I looking forward to? Of course May is always a fantastic time to be in the city, thanks to the Brighton Festival, Brighton Fringe, the Great Escape and Artists Open Houses.  I love the fact that there are always lots of free events and public installations so everyone can join in with the festival atmosphere. I also have fond memories of the Great Escape, once our wristbands were on we were running all over the place to catch as many bands as possible.

In addition to the big events are all the quirky, smaller ones that really could only happen in Brighton. The Science Festival is a haven for geeks but you don’t have to be a boffin to enjoy their events, which this year includes The Simpsons & their Mathematical Secrets as well as Lego Robots! WhaleFest challenges us to think about marine conservation while also celebrating these magnificent creatures. The event will be opened by Gok Wan and will include a special screening of the Oscar-nominated BlackFish. While we are on a fishy theme I must also mention the March of the Mermaids…

2014 will also be a special year due to a number of anniversaries. Along with the rest of the country the city will be commemorating the centenary of the start of the First World War. The Royal Pavilion will host a special exhibition about the fact the building was used as a hospital for Indian soldiers. The Brighton Museum will take a look at some of the individual stories of the impact of war to Brighton & Hove residents. There will also be a seafront exhibition of photographs showing soldiers recuperating in Sussex.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Abba winning the Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo at Brighton Dome so expect lots of gloriously kitsch & camp related events. 2014 is also the 50th anniversary of the infamous clash between the Mods & the Rockers on the seafront, making it the perfect time to relive your Mod youth.

For full event listings, including more 'Only in Brighton' events go to: www.visitbrighton.com/whats-on

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk