22 years ago, William Ranieri left the sunlit shores of the Mediterranean to move to Brighton. Italy’s rich and enduring cultural heritage is not easily forgotten, though – and from that lingering connection, the Brighton Italian Festival was born.

The inaugural Brighton Italian Festival took place in October 2025 and by any measure was a successful launch. More than 20 events were staged, with very strong ticket sales and enthusiastic audiences, putting down a marker on Brighton’s cultural landscape.

Its second edition will take place in May 2026 with an even more ambitious programme of events, including its Jubilee Square street party, theatre, clowning, jazz, opera, workshops, cuisine, a Sicilian choir and intriguingly a spaghetti/disco fusion event.

So, how did this all come about?

Ranieri’s eyes twinkle as he describes his home in Puglia and admits to a small amount of homesickness. But more than nostalgia, his vision is to bring a little slice of Italy to Brighton, celebrating its vibrancy, warmth and soul. He has leaned on his background and experience in filmmaking and journalism, coupled with a deep understanding of Brighton and Italian heritage, to found and curate this event, providing a platform for some lesser-known artistic traditions.

There are, of course, other cultural heavyweight events taking place in Brighton at the same time, something that Ranieri sees not as competition, but as a shared opportunity. Together with the rest of his team, Serena Di Benedetto and Manuela Conti, he is looking to bring together the large Italian diaspora in and around the south of England, but also engage with locals and the strong contingent of tourists drawn to Brighton each year.

We are we promised? Music, theatre, prosecco, freshly cooked pasta, artisan street food and authentic
gelato… and much, much more.

The festival is on throughout the month of May at various locations in the heart of Brighton - details at https://brightonitalianfestival.com/

Roger Kay April 2026