Summer is a perfect time to be in Brighton; rain or shine. Festivals, gigs, open-air theatre, beach BBQs – the city is bursting at the seams with culture and entertainment. It’s a great opportunity for CitySocialisers to get to know some of the coolest local venues.

We’ve put together a quick guide to the biggest happenings by the sea this month, so why not get inspired and organise a Social of your own around one of these fantastic events? Don’t forget – we’d love to know where you’re meeting – so drop us a message on Facebook or Twitter and tell us what you’ve organised.

Brighton Festival
There’s still plenty of time to get involved in Brighton’s famous three-week festival which continues until the 27th May. This year Venessa Redgrave is overseeing this celebration of the arts, including music, theatre, dance and circus, film, literature and politics. There’s something for everyone to enjoy so make sure you visit Brighton Dome concert hall, which forms the heart of the Festival. Its grand atrium foyer is open throughout May and is a great place to meet up for a Social for a drink before seeing a thrilling act like the brilliant Circus Klezmer (Fri 25 – Sat 26 May )

The Great Escape Festival
Spread over 30 venues between 10th and 12th May, Europe’s leading new music festival is a great excuse to get out there and experience Brighton’s diverse bars, pubs, night clubs and traditional venues. There are more than 300 artists playing this weekend so if you’re planning a Social there’s bound to be something to suit your taste. Check out the full list of gigs to find out what’s going on. We recommend arranging events at the Pavilion Theatre, cozy, quirky rock den The Prince Albert and seafront favourite Digital.

The Bimble Bandada
We love the sound of this mini solar-powered festival at a soon-to-be-announced secret Brighton location on 27-29th July. If you and a few other CitySocialisers fancy a bit of a chilled out hippy frolic in a pretty countryside setting this is definitely one for you. The Bimble Inn is a mobile solar-powered tipi that plays host to all sorts of weird and wacky musical acts. Alongside the Bimble Inn you’ll get to enjoy a hot tub, the Small World Solar Stage, the Lost Horizon Sauna and the Church of Perpetual Enjoyment – we don’t know what that is but it sounds good to us!

Big Beach Bootique
It wouldn’t be summer in Brighton without an injection of fun from Mr Cook and this year is no exception. FatBoy Slim, the city’s homegrown superstar, is playing two gigs on the 1st a 2nd of June at the brand spanking new American Express Community Stadium joined by a crew of equally enormous names, including Carl Cox, Annie Mac and Doorly. For more information visit FatBoySlim Move quick to book those tickets! Odds on it’ll be a sell-out.

Brighton Festival Fringe
As if the main festival wasn’t enough there’s also Brighton’s Festival Fringe. A miasma of free events and outdoor spectacles between now and 27th May. Dip Your Toe is a great example of the spirit of the fringe – an interactive performance adventure in the streets, with a series of unique theatre pieces performed in and around six Victorian-style bathing machines across the city. If comedy’s your thing, what better than some free laughs? Brighton Must See is a display of quality comedy acts featured at the Edinburgh Fringe, taking place at rock and alternative pub The Caroline of Brunswick at 5.45pm between 12th and 27th May.

Caberet at Komedia
Komedia is Brighton’s best-loved cabaret venue and an ideal spot for a Social this summer, with one of the largest and most diverse arts and entertainment programmes in the UK. Have a drink in the bar and then settle down at a table with a bottle of wine, some nachos or even some good old fish and chips while being entertained by a host of cabaret acts including eccentric, anarchic punky pantomime artists The Lovely Brothers and The Gentleman Rhymer.

Photos cutesty of BrightonFringe/Facebook, alterna2/Flickr, BrightonVisitor