Refugee Week 2026 in Brighton and Hove: Events, Courage and a City of Sanctuary
Brighton and Hove celebrates Refugee Week 2026 from 15 to 21 June for the first time as an accredited Council of Sanctuary. Photo: Unsplash
Brighton and Hove is celebrating Refugee Week for the first time as an accredited Council of Sanctuary, with a full programme of events across the city from 15 to 21 June 2026
Monday 15 June marks the start of Refugee Week 2026, the world's largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. The festival runs from 15 to 21 June, centred around World Refugee Day on 20 June. This year's theme is Courage, a word that comes from the Latin cor, meaning heart. The 2026 artwork has been created by the beloved British illustrator Quentin Blake.
Brighton and Hove City Council is marking Refugee Week this year for the first time as an accredited Council of Sanctuary, recognising the organisation's work in welcoming and supporting residents who are seeking sanctuary. To achieve the accreditation, the council submitted a three-year action plan committing to continue creating a culture of welcome and providing grant funding for local charities and groups who support newcomers across the city.
The accreditation builds on work that Brighton and Hove's libraries have been doing for years. Jubilee Library became the second library in the country to receive Library of Sanctuary status in 2019, and the whole library service was accredited as a Library Service of Sanctuary in 2024.
Nemat is a refugee from Afghanistan who found his home in Brighton and Hove. He said: "In this city I've felt doors open to me, from neighbours who welcomed me to the opportunity to work with the council, which has changed my life as a refugee. Brighton has shown me that a new place can become a home when people choose to see you, support you, and believe in what you can offer. I am simply grateful to be part of this community."
Councillor Mitchie Alexander, Cabinet member for Communities, Equalities, Public Health and Adult Social Care, said: "276 thousand lives, with different cultures, hobbies, careers, family situations, with different burdens and joys, all connected in one belief: that everyone should be equal, feel included and free to live the life they desire, in safety and with dignity. This is Brighton and Hove."
She continued: "This year the spotlight is on courage. The courage shown when you uproot your life and face uncertainty with the aim of a better and safer future for you and your family. It's also about having the courage to step up for what is right and fair, the courage to educate yourself, the courage to broaden your horizons. The courage to recognise and welcome inclusion. There is plentiful courage going around in Brighton and Hove, and we're extremely proud to be celebrating Refugee Week for the first time as a Council of Sanctuary."
Over the last ten years, Brighton and Hove has offered a safe home to people fleeing Syria, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, worsening human rights in Afghanistan and, more recently, people from Hong Kong increasingly at risk from the Chinese authorities.
Simple Acts: nine ways to stand with refugees this Refugee Week
Refugee Week encourages everyone to take part in Simple Acts, everyday actions we can all do to stand with refugees and make new connections in our communities. This year's nine Simple Acts have been illustrated by Quentin Blake and are available at refugeeweek.org/simple-acts.
The nine Simple Acts for 2026 are: Have a Courageous Conversation, Get Drawing and Painting, Watch a Film Together, Walk and Talk, Share Food and Stories, Read a Book, Let Nature Inspire You, Move Together, and Join the Movement.
There is also a free Refugee Week Film Festival running during the week, where a curated selection of short and feature-length films exploring themes of displacement, migration, belonging and community can be watched worldwide free of charge. The 2026 film programme is available at refugeeweek.org/film-festival.
Full programme of events in Brighton and Hove
A packed week of events has been planned across Brighton and Hove. Here is everything happening, day by day.
Sunday 14 June: Refugee Week launch event
The Unitarian Church in partnership with Voices in Exile is hosting the Refugee Week launch event from 11am to 2pm at the Unitarian Church, New Road, Brighton. The Sunday service at 11am will focus on refugees and asylum seekers in the city and highlight people's lived experience. After the service from 12.30pm, the neighbourhood is invited to come together to share music, conversation and food. Speakers, musicians and poets will share what courage means to them. All are welcome. Food is pay-as-you-feel.
Monday 15 June: Launch evening and drop-in advice hub
EuroMernet, Community Base and No Hate Speech UK are hosting the Refugee Week launch evening from 7pm to 9.30pm at Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XG. A panel of speakers will recite selections from books written by former refugees, alongside music, dance and a buffet of home-made food. Drop in for free.
The We Are The Tree Advice Hub for Refugees and Asylum Seekers also runs from 10am to 3pm on the Jubilee Library ground floor. This drop-in advice and signposting hub runs every Monday. Advice is available on benefits, education, housing, the NHS and digital communication, with help with form filling.
The Sama Brighton Film Festival also begins today, running from Monday 15 to Friday 19 June. An offshoot of the long-running Sama International festival, it provides a platform for cinema made under conditions of political violence, censorship and exile. Five nights of screenings by filmmakers from Afghanistan, Iran and Kazakhstan at venues including The Depot, Pink Moon, The Rose Hill, Dukes at Komedia and Fabrica. For more information follow Sama Brighton on Instagram.
Wednesday 17 June: Martial arts, fitness and the Network of International Women
Nam Yang Brighton Martial Arts Fitness runs from 9.30am to noon at Hove Methodist Church, entrance on St Patrick's Road. A fun morning of energising martial arts fitness followed by a free lunch. No experience needed. Work out gear is available from the donation box. Refugees and asylum seekers always train for free at Nam Yang. Email info@namyangbrighton.co.uk for more information.
The Network of International Women meets at Jubilee Library community space from 10am to noon. The group is a platform for women from diverse cultures and backgrounds to meet, share experiences and knowledge, support one another and make friends. All newcomers are welcome.
Thursday 18 June: Film screening, advice session and Story Tree
Story Tree, a free drop-in for adult refugees and asylum seekers who want to improve their reading and listening in English, runs from 10am to noon at Jubilee Library community space. No need to book. Tea, coffee and biscuits included.
Voices in Exile runs a free advice session from 1pm to 3pm at the Jubilee Library foyer exhibition space, offering advice for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants on housing, benefits, healthcare and access to ESOL. For immigration advice, email advice@voicesinexile.org.
Refugee Courage, a screening of a locally made film by We Are The Tree, takes place from 5.15pm to 6.45pm in Jubilee Library conference room 2. A panel discussion follows, along with a unity in kindness and contribution award. To book your free place email info@wearethetree.org or message 07976 03999.
Friday 19 June: Dance day and community celebration
Refugee Week Dance Day runs from 10.15am to 2.30pm at The Dome, Anita's Room. A Latin grooves workshop, picnic lunch in the Pavilion and a creative dance workshop. No experience needed. Twelve places available with priority given to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. Transport costs covered and food included. Book your free place on 07454 335831.
Migrant Art of Coping with author Sohail Jannesari runs from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at Lark and Bloom Library, One Church, Florence Road, Brighton. A talk, panel discussion and wellbeing practices drawing from lived experiences of those seeking sanctuary.
A Refugee Week Community Celebration hosted by Communitas Dance runs from 4pm to 6pm outside South East Dance Studios, Circus Street, BN2 9AS. Free dance workshops, music, crafts and games with free refreshments. Everyone is welcome.
Saturday 20 June: World Refugee Day — Best Foot Music at Jubilee Library
The highlight of the Brighton programme falls on World Refugee Day itself. Best Foot Music in partnership with Brighton and Hove City Council presents a free afternoon of live music at Jubilee Library, Jubilee Street, Brighton, BN1 1GE, from noon to 4pm. Free, all welcome.
The line-up brings together four extraordinary artists from refugee and migrant communities across the south east and beyond.
Svitlo Amal, whose name means light and hope, is a Brighton-based Ukrainian and Syrian trio who play traditional Syrian, Arabic and Ukrainian folk and pop songs. They have been performing together since they met in 2023.
Suna Alan is a Kurdish Alevi singer based in London whose artistry is deeply rooted in traditional Kurdish dengbej music and shaped by the rich cultural diversity of her upbringing in Izmir, Turkey. Her repertoire extends to Armenian, Greek, Arabic, Sephardic and Turkish music. She has performed at the Southbank Centre and the Royal Albert Hall.
Khadim Sarr was born and raised in Dakar, Senegal. His career began as a dancer at the age of six. By 15 he was writing and singing his own songs. Over 25 years he has played in various bands in Senegal, producing albums and performing with artists including Youssou N'Dour.
Milad Yousofi is a London-based rubab player, composer and music producer working in contemporary Afghan folk, world-jazz and fusion music. He has performed at the Houses of Parliament, the White House and for His Majesty King Charles III.
Community stalls will run throughout the afternoon featuring Refugee Radio, Jollof Cafe, Sussex Interpreting Services, Stand Up To Racism Brighton, The Network of International Women, The Clocktower Sanctuary, Sanctuary on Sea and Hearts and Flowers.
Sanctuary Runners Brighton also celebrates Refugee Week this morning from 8.30am to 1pm at Hove Lawns. Join them for the 5K Hove Promenade parkrun or walk, followed by a picnic with football, yoga, Brazilian dancing, crafts and more. Look out for the Sanctuary Runners blue shirts.
Monday 22 June: EuroMernet farewell to Refugee Week
EuroMernet Social Gathering runs from 6.30pm to 9.30pm at Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XG. A poetry reading and feature-length film screening on the theme of courage, alongside talks, music and home-made food. Drop in for free.
Saturday 26 June: Online ESOL Ideas Swap
An online ESOL Ideas Swap for those who support English language learning runs from 1.30pm to 3pm. To book your place email linguatrust@outlook.com.
Exhibitions running throughout the week at Jubilee Library
Courage with Voices in Exile runs from 15 to 20 June in the Jubilee Library foyer gallery. Artworks created by the community about what courage means to them, with members of the Voices in Exile team available to chat to.
Words of Courage, curated by Umit Ozturk at EuroMernet in partnership with Brighton and Hove Libraries and No Hate Speech UK, runs from 15 to 27 June in the Jubilee Library window exhibition space. Portraits and inspirational words of artists, writers, poets, thinkers and activists who have become refugees.
Courage in the Face of Adversity: Stories of Hope and Resilience, curated by We Are The Tree, runs from 15 to 21 June in the Jubilee Library community space, exploring the journeys of displaced people within the local community.
EuroMernet Film Club will screen over a dozen films from around the world on the theme of Courage before, during and after Refugee Week. Email info@euromernet.org or follow @euromernet on Facebook for details.
How to support refugees in Brighton and Hove
Brighton and Hove City Council has published a page setting out the many ways residents and businesses can support refugees living and working in the city. You can find the full list at brighton-hove.gov.uk/how-help-refugees-brighton-hove.
Voices in Exile support refugees, asylum seekers and those with no recourse to public funds. A full directory of services and organisations supporting refugees across Brighton and Hove is available through Sanctuary on Sea.
Landlords who can offer self-contained, affordable properties for refugees from Afghanistan, Syria and other parts of the world can email the council's Refugee Help team directly. Employers can also help refugees by advertising opportunities through organisations in Sanctuary on Sea's directory of services, sending a clear message that refugees are welcome to apply.
The Homes for Ukraine scheme remains active. The council is looking for hosts in Brighton and Hove who can commit to at least six months. Hosts receive £750 per month as a thank you payment alongside information, advice and support. Call 01273 293117 and choose option 2 or email the council's Ukrainian Response team for more information.
For more Brighton and Hove news and events, follow ImJustBrighton. For everything happening in the city this month, read our Brighton Events Guide 2026.
This article is based on a Brighton and Hove City Council press release issued on 8 June 2026, sent directly to ImJustBrighton via Vuelio, and verified information from refugeeweek.org, bestfootmusic.net and brighton-hove.gov.uk. All event details are correct at the time of publication. Last updated June 2026.