Brighton Bear Weekend 2027: dates, events, hotels

Brighton Bear Weekend is a community-focused bear celebration in Kemp Town, Brighton’s gay quarter, open to bears, cubs and their admirers. The 2027 edition is expected to run from Thursday, July 8 to Sunday, July 11, with a quiz night to kick things off.

Event Highlights

• Quiz Night. A laid-back Thursday warm-up and an easy way to meet other bears. In 2025 it was at Nautilus Lounge.
• Welcome Party and Brighton Bear Contest. An outdoor Friday party at Dorset Gardens, with DJs, food stalls and the contest to crown Mr. Brighton Bear.
• UpRoar Club Night. The party moves on to DUST later on Friday for a busy dancefloor.
• Garden Party. The Saturday daytime event at Dorset Gardens, with a festival feel, community stalls, food vendors and the contest winner announced. Pre-party drinks follow at Fallen Angel.
• Sunday Lunch and Underbears. A traditional Sunday lunch at The Kemp, then the weekend wraps up with the Underbears party at Nautilus Lounge.

Most events sit close together around Kemp Town, so it’s easy to bar-hop between venues.

Where to stay

See TravelGay’s picks for the best gay-friendly hotels in Brighton.