November brings Brighton's most anticipated concert of 2025: Bob Dylan's only south coast appearance. A five-night Stewart Lee comedy residency at Brighton Dome, Love Actually in Concert's return, and BIMM University's graduation create sustained reasons to visit. But November is also when Brighton reveals its cosy side - wood-fired restaurants, intimate wine bars, and pubs with real fires come into their own as winter begins.
Date: Friday, 7th November 2025
Venue: Brighton Centre (5,000 capacity)
Tickets: On sale now, £80-100 range
Bob Dylan at Brighton Centre is the cultural event of November 2025. At 84, Dylan continues his Never Ending Tour, and this Friday night Brighton date is his only south coast performance. His setlists blend classics ("Like a Rolling Stone", "Tangled Up in Blue") with deeper cuts and recent material - you never know exactly what you will hear.
What makes Dylan's show unique is the strict no-phones policy. Mobile devices are locked in pouches you carry with you, creating an undistracted, intimate experience with one of music's most influential artists. No screens, no distractions - just you and Bob Dylan in a 5,000-capacity venue.
The Experience: Dylan typically performs for 90 minutes without an encore, finishing by 10 pm. The atmosphere is reverent but electric - this is bucket-list territory for music lovers.
Insider Tip: Book dinner for 10:30 pm or 11 pm at Burnt Orange, The Coal Shed, or Etch to avoid pre-show crowds (everyone eats at 6 pm). Hotels near Brighton Centre sell out fast for Dylan shows - people travel from across the UK and Europe.
Official: brightoncentre.co.uk/whats-on/2025/bob-dylan
Dates: Tuesday 11th – Saturday 15th November 2025
Venue: Brighton Dome Concert Hall (1,800 capacity)
Show: "vs The Man-Wulf"
Stewart Lee brings his new show to Brighton for an entire week - rare for any comedian. Lee's intelligent, deliberately-paced comedy has cultivated a devoted following who travel to see him, making this five-night run a major draw for both midweek breaks and weekend visits.
The Brighton Dome Concert Hall offers superior acoustics and sightlines compared to most comedy venues, and Lee's longer-form, considered style suits the intimate theatre setting perfectly. This isn't quick-fire gags - it's comedy as performance art.
Why a Five-Night Run Matters: Comedy residencies like this are unusual outside Edinburgh Fringe. Lee's fans treat it as an event worth building a Brighton trip around, combining multiple shows with dining and exploring the city.
Also at Brighton Dome in November:
Adam Ant + Toyah (Monday 3rd) - 80s icons reunited
Baxter Dury (Friday 21st) - Friday night city break perfect
Rob Brydon's Festive Night (Sunday 30th) - pre-Christmas music and comedy
Insider Tip: Tuesday-Thursday shows offer easier hotel availability than weekend performances. Combine with dinner at Plateau (St James's Street) for natural wine before, or Burnt Orange after. Our team can provide recommendations and help arrange bookings.
Tickets: brightondome.org
Price: £25-35 depending on seating
Love Actually in Concert
Date: Sunday 30th November 2025
Venue: Brighton Centre (5,000 capacity)
The beloved Christmas film with live orchestra returns after sell-out previous runs. The complete film screens whilst a full orchestra performs the score live - creating an unexpectedly emotional experience. It has become an annual tradition for couples and groups to make a weekend of it as Christmas approaches.
Also at Brighton Centre in November:
JLS (Tuesday 25th) - arena pop reunion, the boyband returns
The Australian Pink Floyd Show (Friday 28th) - established touring brand, Friday night weekend starter
Insider Tip: Love Actually in Concert on the 30th of November pairs perfectly with Brighton's Christmas lights switch-on and early festive atmosphere. The city begins its transformation into a winter wonderland this weekend.
Tickets: brightoncentre.co.uk
BIMM University Graduation
Date: Tuesday 18th November 2025
Venue: Brighton Dome Concert Hall
BIMM University (British & Irish Modern Music Institute) graduations bring musicians, producers, and proud families from across the UK. Unlike traditional university ceremonies, BIMM graduations celebrate music industry professionals - the atmosphere is more festival than formal.
Families typically book 1-2 nights, combining the ceremony with Brighton experiences. Tuesday graduation means midweek restaurant bookings surge.
Brighton Cocktail Week
Dates: Saturday 1st – Saturday 8th November 2025
Citywide bars
Brighton Cocktail Week transforms the city's bars with special cocktails, masterclasses, and events. Participating venues offer exclusive drinks you won't find any other time. Perfect for weekend bar-hopping packages or midweek cocktail exploration.
Expect The Plotting Parlour, Bohemia, The Tempest Inn, and dozens more to create signature November cocktails. Many offer two-for-one deals or discounted masterclasses.
Official: visitbrighton.com (event listings)
Insider Tip: Combine Cocktail Week (1st-8th) with Stewart Lee's residency (11th-15th) for a week of culture and excellent drinks.
November is when Brighton's wood-fired restaurants and cosy pubs truly shine. As grey skies and early darkness settle in, these venues become essential:
BURNT ORANGE (The Lanes)
Best Restaurant Brighton 2025 winner. Their wood-fired autumn menu reaches its peak in November: charred squash hummus, glazed duck breast with harissa parsnips, jerk crab curry. The historic coach house becomes magical with fires lit, dim lighting, and sharing-style dining that encourages lingering.
Why November: The courtyard closes, driving everyone inside, where the atmosphere intensifies. The open fire, seasonal menu, and early darkness create perfect conditions for long dinners.
Booking: burnt-orange.co.uk
Insider Tip: Tuesday-Wednesday 6 pm bookings offer the same menu with a more intimate atmosphere. Bar seats provide the best view of fire-cooking action.
EMBERS (The Lanes)
Live-fire cooking is designed for sharing. Everything cooked over kiln-dried ash and birch wood - the gentle smokiness becomes especially appealing as temperatures drop. Their Sunday roast (Best in Brighton 2025) books out weeks in advance.
The Experience: Kitchen counter seats offer the best view of the fire-cooking action. The lively atmosphere keeps energy high even on dark November evenings.
Booking: emberbrighton.co.uk
Sunday Roast: Includes unlimited Yorkshire puddings. Book at least three weeks ahead
PLATEAU (St James's Street, Kemptown)
Natural wine bar with 200+ wines you literally cannot find elsewhere in the UK, sourced directly from small European producers. November is perfect for exploring their warming wine selection - natural reds from the Loire, orange wines from Georgia, and skin-contact whites.
Tuesday Wine School: £35 for six tastings with sommeliers, plus 20% off bottles purchased. Genuinely educational without being intimidating. Book ahead as spaces are limited.
Style: Walk-ins welcome at the bar, bookings for dining
Price Guide: Small plates £7-16, wines from £28/bottle
COSY PUBS WITH REAL FIRES:
The Chimney House (Upper Hamilton Road)
Two working fireplaces, premium gastropub food, extensive wine list. Named for its chimneys with good reason. Perfect for Sunday lunch or evening dining when you want genuine warmth.
The Fountain Head (near Brighton Station)
Two open log fires, exposed brickwork, and exceptional Sunday roasts. Family-friendly until 7 pm, then transforms into an intimate local.
Haus on the Hill (Hanover)
Brighton Bier's pub pairs award-winning ales with Caribbean food from Danny O'Shea's kitchen. A traditional saloon bar keeps the fire burning all winter.
The White Rabbit (North Laine)
Eccentric décor, Ralph Steadman-style artwork, quirky atmosphere. The garden closes, but fires burn - winter is when this pub truly comes alive.
Insider Tip: Arrive by 5:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays to secure fireside spots. Sunday lunchtimes require bookings weeks in advance.
Where to Stay
The Square Townhouse offers the perfect November retreat. Recognised among the Top 1% of Boutique Hotels Worldwide, our Team can help arrange restaurant bookings and provide local recommendations for Brighton's cosiest season.
Contact: info@squaretownhouse.com
Direct Booking: squaretownhouse.com
Book early: Dylan weekend (7-8 Nov) sells out first; Stewart Lee midweek shows offer better availability
