The best time to visit Brighton is June, July, August and September, when average highs sit in the comfortable high-teens to low-twenties and the seafront comes alive. June brings 18.8 °C highs, 10 rain days and 12.4 hours of sunshine a day, while July and August peak at 20.4 °C — perfect for Brighton Palace Pier and the pebble beach. July and August are the peak stretch, coinciding with school holidays when the city is at its busiest and priciest. Winter is the quiet low season, with December highs of just 9.2 °C, 14 rain days and only 3.8 hours of sunshine a day.
Best months JuneJulyAugustSeptember
Brighton month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.7 °C | 3 °C | 13 | 4.2 h |
| February | 8.6 °C | 4.2 °C | 12 | 5.4 h |
| March | 10.1 °C | 4.9 °C | 13 | 7.1 h |
| April | 12.6 °C | 5.9 °C | 10 | 10.3 h |
| May | 15.9 °C | 9.1 °C | 12 | 11.5 h |
| June | 18.8 °C | 12.6 °C | 10 | 12.4 h |
| July | 20.4 °C | 14.6 °C | 12 | 12.2 h |
| August | 20.4 °C | 14.7 °C | 12 | 11 h |
| September | 18.6 °C | 12.8 °C | 12 | 8.8 h |
| October | 15.2 °C | 10.4 °C | 14 | 6.6 h |
| November | 11.2 °C | 6.8 °C | 13 | 4.9 h |
| December | 9.2 °C | 5.3 °C | 14 | 3.8 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
Great for festival-goers and those who want mild days without summer crowds.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The prime window for the beach and pier; book ahead and expect crowds.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is a sweet spot — warm sea, softer crowds; later months turn grey.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
For off-season calm and seaside walks, not for sunbathing.
Notable events
- May
- Brighton Festival and Fringe
- August
- Brighton Pride
- December
- Burning the Clocks (winter solstice procession)
- November
- London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
Frequently asked
Is Brighton too hot in August?
No — August highs average 20.4 °C, comfortable rather than sweltering, with 11 hours of sunshine a day. It's the busiest month, though, thanks to school holidays and Pride.
What is the rainiest month in Brighton?
October and December both see the most, with 14 rain days each. Summer months like June are drier at 10 rain days, making them a safer bet for beach plans.
Is winter worth visiting Brighton?
It's quiet and atmospheric but cold and dim — January highs reach only 7.7 °C with 4.2 hours of sunshine a day. Good for off-season strolls and events like Burning the Clocks, less so for the seafront.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Brighton area guide →
Areas of Brighton
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Brighton — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.