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The Great Escape 2026

The Great Escape logo
Brighton, Brighton, Sussex

The Great Escape 2026

Taking place from 13–16 May 2026 in Brighton, Sussex, The Great Escape is a four-day festival showcasing new and emerging music across the city’s vibrant streets, seafront, and intimate venues.

Music

The Great Escape is Europe’s premier festival for discovering tomorrow’s stars, featuring hundreds of performances in over 30 venues including pubs, clubs, theatres, and a beach stage. Genres range from indie rock and electronic to hip-hop, jazz, and folk.

Workshops and Industry Panels

Daytime workshops and panels offer fans a deeper look into the music industry and creative process, complementing the live performances throughout the festival.

Atmosphere and Location

Set in lively Brighton, the festival combines fresh sounds with the city’s colourful street art, iconic pier, quirky shops, and pebbled beach. After shows, enjoy Brighton’s nightlife in waterfront bars and late-night venues, all enhanced by spring sunshine and sea breezes.

Lineup

DAY TBC

153 acts

Travel

For those traveling to Brighton, getting here is straightforward. Frequent trains run from London’s Victoria and London Bridge stations to Brighton in about 50 minutes. Trains from London St Pancras (with a change of train) also reach Brighton in roughly one hour. National Express and other coach services operate from London and major UK cities to Brighton. For example, a coach from central London takes about 2 hours. Brighton’s main train station and the adjacent coach station are centrally located, so once you arrive you’re just a short walk away from most festival venues and the seafront.

By car, Brighton is accessible via the A23/M23 from London or the A27 from the west. Travel time from central London is about 1.5 to 2 hours without heavy traffic. Keep in mind that parking in central Brighton can be limited and expensive, especially during busy events. If driving, consider parking on the outskirts or using a Park & Ride facility and taking a bus or taxi into the centre. During festival weekends, roads near the city can get congested, so plan extra travel time.

Brighton’s nearest major airport is Gatwick (around 30 to 40 minutes by direct train). From Gatwick’s South Terminal, there are frequent trains straight to Brighton station. Many international and domestic flights arrive at Gatwick. Other London airports (Heathrow, City, Stansted, Luton) can also be used, but typically require traveling into London first and then catching a southbound train. Another popular route is via the Eurostar: arrive at London St Pancras and transfer to a Brighton-bound train (about one hour).

Once in Brighton, getting around is easy. The city centre and festival venues are quite compact, so walking is often the fastest way to get between stages. There is also a local bus network (Brighton & Hove Buses) that serves the city and nearby areas. Taxis and ride-hailing services are plentiful for quick trips, and many visitors rent bikes or scooters. Overall, you should have no trouble moving between concerts, the seafront, and other attractions on foot or using local transport.

Accommodation options range from seaside hotels and guesthouses to hostels and rental apartments. Because the festival draws large crowds, it’s wise to book well in advance. Staying in or near the city centre (or along the seafront) keeps you close to the venues and nightlife. More budget-friendly lodging can be found in nearby neighbourhoods like Hove, which are well-connected by train or bus. Wherever you stay, Brighton’s friendly charm and endless entertainment ensure your trip will be comfortable and exciting.

Location & Map

Brighton, Brighton, Sussex

East Sussex., Brighton, Sussex, BN29NA

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • Review
    5/5

    The Great Escape Festival 2017

    "A Man in a Balloon, Artsy-Fartsy Fashion and an Alcoholic’s Karaoke. Written by Joshua Perrett, photography by Laurence McManus"

    Joshua Perrett | Photo Laurence McManus
  • Review
    5/5

    The Great Escape: Taking The Express To The Future Of Music

    "Brighton: The final day of The Great Escape was perhaps a little more muted than the second. Despite the sunny weather, there were grumbles about the length of "

    LiamD
  • Review
    4/5

    The Great Escape: Moments To Savour

    "Brighton: With the weather set to 'sit back, relax', the second day of The Great Escape was perfectly set up for the kind of festival atmosphere that it deserve"

    LiamD
  • Review
    4/5

    The Great Escape: Don't rain on my parade

    "Day One, Thursday 10 May Brighton: That a seaside town in the rain is the coastal version of a child's half-deflated balloon is something of a cliche. Yet I'm "

    LiamD

Tickets

The Great Escape tickets
Browse via Ticket Master
  • The Great Escape Festival 2027 12 May 2027 · On Sale
    Buy
  • The Great Escape Festival 2027 - Delegate Pass 12 May 2027 · On Sale
    Buy

Videos

The Great Escape 2026 — Official Video

The Great Escape 2026 — Highlights

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