Brighton Hots Up for Inaugural Sauna Festival

Pack your chicest swimwear and a plush robe; a trip to the beach is about to get a whole lot steamier.

From 29–31 May 2026, the iconic Brighton shoreline is trading its usual fish and chips for a high-end hit of hygge. The inaugural Brighton Sauna Festival is coming to town, and it’s set to be the most rejuvenating weekend on the social calendar. Hosted by the British Sauna Society, this isn’t just a quick sweat session; it’s a stylish nod to Brighton’s heritage as the UK’s original wellness destination. We’re talking Victorian restoration meets modern-day luxury, right on the pebbles.

The setup is far from your sterile gym sauna. This festival is a pop-up spectacular featuring over 20 mobile saunas that are as eclectic as Brighton itself. You can expect to find the fabulous Pink Sauna, a massive 25-seater Hot Box for the social butterflies, and quirky converted horseboxes and trucks alongside luxe sauna tents and the local legend, Beach Box Spa. With spaces for 180 guests per session, there’s plenty of room to find your zen alongside enthusiasts from Durham to Devon.

What’s a Brighton party without a soundtrack? The legendary Rob Da Bank – the genius behind Bestival and SLO MO Wellness – is at the helm, curating the vibes. As the sun dips, the energy rises with live DJ sets from 6pm every evening. The weekend reaches a fever pitch on Sunday, 31 May, under a rare Full Blue Moon. Imagine plunging into the English Channel under the moonlight before retreating into a glowing, cedar-scented sanctuary. Pure magic.

Themed Sauna Sessions

The festival follows the rhythm of the tides, with two-hour sessions tailored to your mood. You might choose RISE from 8am to 10am for a serene and meditative start, FLOW from 10am to 12.30pm for something grounding, or DRIFT from 1pm to 3pm if you are feeling social and vibrant. For those seeking something deeper, TIDE from 3.30pm to 5.30pm offers a slow, sensory experience, while GLOW from 6pm to 8pm brings chilled ambient Ibiza vibes. Finally, SUNSET from 8pm to 10pm provides upbeat social fun to end the night.

If you want to go beyond the basic steam, look out for the guided rituals. We’re talking traditional leaf whisking and theatrical Aufguss performances – the art of rhythmic towel waving – led by international masters. It’s wellness, but make it performance art. Fay MacDonald of the British Sauna Society tells Belle: “We are blending Brighton’s heritage for health and social connection with the massive modern surge in sauna culture to create something fresh, joyful, and unique.”

This is the perfect excuse for a seaside getaway with the girls. It’s restorative, Instagrammable, and undeniably cool. Tickets are exclusively available via the Lowlu app. Over 18s only. See you on the pebbles, belles!

Miss B

Belinda Wanis, aka Miss B, is a Belle About Town who likes to bring a little bit of style into every aspect of her life. An experienced journalist with over 20 years in the industry she turned to the web, creating Belle About Town in early 2010, to fill a gap for tech-savvy stylish women who want the best life has to offer at their fingertips.

She loves a decadent cocktail bar, a beautifully cut dress, cultural getaways, quality over quantity and is partial to Asian-fusion food.

A globetrotter, who has lived in Australia, the UK and Denmark, she enjoys holidaying in the sun and you can often find her on a beach in Thailand or on shopping breaks in Sydney or New York. But her first love is, of course, London!