What's On in Brighton

Van Morrison In Concert — One of rock and soul's most enduring voices takes the stage at the Brighton Dome at 6:45pm, and if you know Van Morrison, you know this is not an evening to take lightly. Expect a masterclass in musicianship — from the smoky lilt of Moondance to the hypnotic sprawl of his later work — delivered by an artist who has been doing this for over six decades and still commands a room like no one else. Check the website for tickets, because nights like this have a habit of selling out before you've had time to think about it.

The Rock Orchestra: Arena of Fire — Imagine your favourite arena rock anthems reimagined for a full orchestra, wrapped in dramatic lighting and unleashed inside The Brighton Centre at 6:30pm — that is exactly the spectacle the Rock Orchestra promises with Arena of Fire. It is the kind of show that converts sceptics on the spot, hitting that sweet spot between classical grandeur and sheer rock-and-roll adrenaline. Check the website for tickets and prepare to be genuinely, unexpectedly moved.

Max Cooper: 3D/AV Live — Max Cooper is one of electronic music's most visually and sonically ambitious artists, and his 3D audiovisual live show at The Old Market from 6:45pm is nothing short of a full sensory event. Intricate, immersive, and utterly unlike a standard club night, this is the kind of experience that reminds you why live electronic performance is its own art form. At just £7, it is an almost absurdly good deal for what promises to be a transportive Friday evening.

Congregational — Over at the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange, Congregational arrives at 8:00pm with the kind of theatrical intrigue that demands your attention — a performance set inside one of Brighton's most architecturally stunning spaces, where the building itself becomes part of the drama. At £20, this sits squarely in the accessible end of the theatre spectrum and promises something that lingers long after the final curtain. If you love performance that feels genuinely site-specific and alive, do not sleep on this one.

Cabarave: Scary Tales -Eva lazarus, Dj cant Say no, Pete Bennett — The Volks Nightclub — Brighton's iconic seafront institution — throws open its doors at 10:15pm for a Halloween cabaret-rave hybrid that sounds like exactly the chaotic, joyful night out this city does better than anywhere. Eva Lazarus brings serious vocal firepower, Pete Bennett adds a dose of loveable unpredictability, and DJ Can't Say No keeps the floor moving between it all. Tickets are £10–£16, the costumes will be spectacular, and the memories will be the kind you piece back together over brunch on Saturday.

Born on Road | Brighton — If drum and bass is your religion, Born on Road at Concorde 2 from 11:30pm is your Friday night sermon, and this touring brand has built a fierce reputation for bringing the very best of the genre to dancefloors across the country. The Concorde 2 is a venue with proper sound and proper energy, the crowd will know every drop, and the bass will be felt in your chest long before you reach the door. Tickets are £13–£18 — lace up, dress up, and get there.