The city is alive with street parades, art, comedy, music and enough to keep even the richest man entertained – it’s time for Brighton Festival, 2009. But with so much going on, it can all get a bit costly and confusing – so we’ve complied a little guide to help you round the Festival.

What’s the Festival all about?
Brighton’s arts festival is the largest multi-art form festival in England, and showcases over 200 events every year – and around 700 open access mixed arts events from the partnering Fringe Festival.

Now in its 43rd year, Brighton Festival 2009 is taking a different approach with the help of internationally celebrated artist Anish Kapoor. Acting as the Festival’s first ever Guest Artistic Director, Kapoor is not only helping to realise the Festival programme, but is also presenting six of his own works – including two new commissions specifically for Brighton.

There’s so much happening this year that it’s been hard for us to pick out the highlights. But finally we’ve narrowed it down to five fabulous goings-on…

Free for all
As a student in Brighton, it’d be a shame to miss out on the whole Festival just because it’s almost the end of the year and you’re running out of pennies. So get yourself along to Fringe City.

Each Saturday in May, the Fringe Festival performers gather on the streets to show the public their talents, while street performers come from around the world to show off their style and expertise – and the best part is, it’s all completely free. Just trot along to the Pavilion Gardens, New Road and Jubilee Square for some acts that will blow your socks off.

Enter the Spiegeltent
If you can afford to spend money in just one place during the Festival, then make it The Parlure Spiegeltent & Garden. It’s the place to find cabaret and comedy, tea dances and tap dancers, and music that will get you wiggling that thang into the early hours of the morning. Especially with the Shhh! Headphone Parties.

One of the highlights this year though has got to be the Swaparama Razzmatazz. Making it’s debut in Brighton, Swaparama is a night of rock ‘n’ roll, ‘60s shakers, ska, boogaloo, hip hop, pop and party classics where you swap your clothes with the person next to you each time the claxon belts out. No really, you do. So don a few layers that you’re not too attached to and get ready to have some fun – from 10pm on 14 May.

Dancing shoes
If you’re into your dance moves, then check out Bangers & Mash at the Concert Hall in Brighton Dome on 17 May at 9.15pm. This free event brings together local and regional youth dance companies, and five Brighton-based bands, with Hofesh Shechter’s company. Delivering a specially commissioned large scale performance exclusive to the Festival, this is one act that should not be missed.

Art at its best
Truly traditional parts of the Festival experience are the Artists Open Houses. This concept allows you to wander around more than 200 houses dotted through Brighton & Hove over the May weekends, to see roughly 1,000 artists’ work. You can enjoy a good old fashioned walk around all the houses – which become almost like galleries – for free, then meet the artists and buy some affordable works if you’ve got enough cash in the bank.

Closing the Festival
If you like fireworks – and come on, who doesn’t? – then head on down to the Marina for the finale of the Festival: The Big Splash. This final free event starts at 12pm and goes on into the night with the crème de la crème of British street theatre – including puppeteers, stilt walkers, a carnival, acrobats and some of the biggest and best fireworks you will EVER see. The perfect close to the perfect Festival.

For more information on any of the Brighton Festival 2009 events visit www.brightonfestival.org or www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk

You’ll find that some events will give you student-priced concession entry, which is a massive bonus if you’re planning on partying all night. And remember, if you can’t afford it this year, then why not get saving for Brighton Festival 2010?

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