November in Brighton and Hove means short days, early sunsets and a surprisingly busy calendar. The clocks have gone back, the seafront empties out a little, and the city fills its evenings with films, fireworks and art. If you want to know exactly when the sun sets this month, our post on the clocks going back has a sunset table, so we won't repeat it here.
Below is our round-up of things to do in Brighton and Hove in November 2026. We checked every date, time and venue on the organiser's or an official page on 31 October 2026. Plans can change, so treat every listing as check before you go.
Today, Sunday 1 November: the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
The RM Sotheby's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run finishes on Madeira Drive today. According to the organisers, the first cars cross the finish line from about 10am, with slower vehicles arriving through the day until the finish closes at 4:30pm.
The Run is for some of the earliest motor cars ever built, and the organisers say the field includes petrol, steam and even a few electric models, plus early bicycles and motorcycles. Madeira Drive is one of two official spots where you can see the vehicles up close from behind safety barriers.
The organisers ask spectators in Brighton to arrive on foot, as cars and bikes that aren't part of the Run won't be allowed onto Madeira Drive. Check the official Veteran Car Run timetable before you go.
Bonfire week
Lewes, Thursday 5 November
Bonfire Night falls on a Thursday this year. Lewes Bonfire is famous, but the official message is clear: Not in Lewes? Public bodies and the Bonfire societies ask people from outside the town not to travel in this year. Find a display near you, and check the official notices before you go. You can read the full joint public safety statement from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and its partners.
We'll cover Bonfire Night in Brighton, Hove and Lewes in more detail in Tuesday's post.
Hove Cricket Ground fireworks, Saturday 7 November
Sussex Cricket's Fireworks Night takes place at Hove Cricket Ground (the County Ground, BN3 3AN) on Saturday 7 November. Sussex Cricket says gates open at 5pm and the display starts at around 7pm.
Tickets must be bought in advance. Sussex Cricket says there are no ticket sales on the gate. Details, including what you can and can't bring, are on Sussex Cricket's Fireworks Night page. Check before you go.
Culture in November
CINECITY: The Brighton Film Festival, 6–15 November
CINECITY returns for its 24th edition from Friday 6 to Sunday 15 November 2026. The festival brings previews, international films, archive screenings, screendance and Q&As to venues including the Duke of York's, Dukes at Komedia, Fabrica, the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts (ACCA) and Lewes Depot. The opening and closing night films are both at the Duke of York's.
Tickets are sold by the individual venues. The full programme is on the CINECITY festival page.
VegfestUK Brighton, Saturday 7 November
VegfestUK Brighton is at the Hilton Metropole on Kings Road on Saturday 7 November, 11am to 6pm, according to the organisers. It's a one-day event with stalls, talks and performances. See the VegfestUK Brighton visitor information for the latest details, and check before you go.
Artists Open Houses winter festival, from Saturday 28 November
The Artists Open Houses winter festival opens its doors on the last weekend of the month. The 2026 winter weekends are 28–29 November, 5–6 December and 12–13 December, with 70 venues, including artists' homes, studios and workshops, taking part across the city and beyond.
The organisers say most venues open at weekends from 11am to 5pm, but times vary from house to house, so check each listing on the Artists Open Houses website before you set off. The organisers say work on show ranges from ceramics and textiles to prints and paintings.
Free and outdoors
Not everything in November needs a ticket or a plan.
- The starlings at the piers. From around November, large flocks of starlings gather over the sea at dusk before roosting under the piers. Displays aren't guaranteed. Our clocks post has tips on where and when to watch.
- A seafront walk before dark. The promenade from Hove Lawns to the Palace Pier is flat and lit, and a late-afternoon walk catches the light going down over the sea.
- The Downs on a clear day. Devil's Dyke and Ditchling Beacon both have wide views over Sussex. Set off early, aim to be back on the path before it gets dark, and wear shoes with grip, as the chalk gets slippery in the wet.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Preston Park fireworks display in 2026?
We couldn't confirm one. Brighton & Hove City Council's list of 2026 outdoor events on council-owned land doesn't include a Preston Park fireworks display, and when we checked on 31 October we couldn't find a 2026 display at Preston Park confirmed on an organiser's own website. If one is announced, check the organiser's details before you go.
What time does the Veteran Car Run reach Brighton?
The organisers say the first cars arrive on Madeira Drive from about 10am on Sunday 1 November, and the finish closes at 4:30pm.
Are tickets for the Hove fireworks sold on the night?
Sussex Cricket says tickets for Fireworks Night on 7 November must be bought in advance, and the ticket office on the gate will be closed.
When is CINECITY 2026?
CINECITY, The Brighton Film Festival, runs from Friday 6 to Sunday 15 November 2026.
Should I travel to Lewes for Bonfire Night?
Not if you live outside the town. Public bodies and the Lewes Bonfire societies ask people from outside Lewes not to travel in, and to find a display nearer home.
From all of us at Legally Green
Legally Green is a small independent business in Brighton and Hove, and we like this city in every season, short November days included. For more local guides, have a look at our blog. If you spot something we've got wrong, please get in touch or email legallygreenuk@gmail.com.