Artists Open
Houses May 2026

The Artists Open Houses May 2026 festival – listings now live!

AOH May 2026 Festival weekends:
May 2,3&4(Bank Holiday) |9&10& | 16&17| 23,24&25

 AOH May 2026 listings

Throughout May Brighton and Hove will be alive with festivities, including nearly 200 Open Houses spread across the city, along the coast and out to the village of Ditchling and beyond. Each weekend in May, artists will be opening their doors to welcome you inside, offering a unique opportunity to meet artists and makers in their homes, where you can hear about the making of the artwork, both the how and the why.

The beautiful 2026 AOH brochure cover illustration is by artist and printmaker Alej Ez; his artwork Modern Bathers weaves together personal ritual, local history, Modernist influence, and Brighton’s built and maritime landscape into one layered composition. Don’t miss the chance to visit Alej Ez’s Brunswick home to see his print series People and Places, Revelations of Love, of which Modern Bathers is a part, or find his work in three other venues around the town.

In other Open Houses you can experience a pop-up dog tattoo parlour – tattooing dogs on humans – chatting ceramic vases, transient inflatable sculptures and artwork using living bacteria, DNA and technology to create intricate textile installations. Enjoy a sundowner in a Secret Garden, a creative cacophony in a Little Picture Palace, or enter a hidden tunnel to the Dream Fishing House. Many Open Houses also offer workshops for both adults and children to get involved, learn new skills and explore their creativity.

The Artists Open Houses festival welcomes all artists, from those just starting out on their careers to established artists and makers, including school and university students, neurodivergent artists, those with learning disabilities and mental health issues and residents of senior homes. Meeting the artists and makers and buying directly from them, means you are not only making unique purchases, but supporting both emerging and established creatives from throughout the city and region.

Visiting the Artists Open Houses presents a great way to explore Brighton and Hove beyond the usual tourist routes, whilst being creatively inspired – and maybe even sampling homemade cake and tea in artists’ homes or gardens. A truly perfect day out! Take a look through our online listings and plan your May weekend festival tours.

For more information contact [email protected]

Whether you’re just starting out in your career, returning after a break, or are a professional and established artist, the Artists Open Houses is a great place to exhibit and be noticed.

“Artists Open Houses connect artists and makers with an audience of art-lovers, buyers and industry professionals – and is also fun to take part in, exhibiting with your friends in your own home.”
Judy Stevens, Artists Open Houses Festival Director