Thousands deserted their armchairs and televisions to enjoy one of the busiest weekends of celebration, protest and commemoration in living memory.

Events such as Picnic In The Park, Race for Life and the screening of Live8 helped to boost trade in Brighton and Hove, with several pubs recording near-record takings.

Hundreds of people took to the streets to support the Make Poverty History campaign while The Argus Family Fun Day at Brighton Racecourse attracted daytrippers from across the county.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Ken Bodfish said: "I can't think of another place where so many things could happen during the same weekend. That's what makes this city so fabulous."

Neil Hayward, of the Robin Hood pub in Norfolk Place, Brighton, said: "We had our second-busiest day ever on Saturday. We had Live8 on in the background but people kept coming in and asking us to turn it up. Everyone was singing along to Robbie Williams and Paul McCartney."

Lizzy Sturt, duty manager at the Sea Life Centre in Marine Parade, said more than 1,300 people had visited on Saturday. She said: "There's a real buzz around the city now the summer season is definitely under way."

The Family Fun Day was bigger and better than last year, with thousands of visitors taking advantage of free children's entertainment, bouncy castles and gladiator games.

About 8,000 women from across Sussex took part in Race for Life at Stanmer Park on Saturday and Sunday. The event is expected to raise up to £400,000 for Cancer Research UK.

There were ceremonies to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and hundreds formed human chains around the Royal Pavilion and St Peter's Church as part of the Make Poverty History campaign. Changeable weather meant the seafront was not as packed as on an average sunny July weekend. But many visitors to events taking place in Brighton and Hove headed for bars and restaurants.

Brighton and Hove Hotel Association president Roger Marlowe said most hotels had been booked up all weekend.

He said: "These events are vital because people wouldn't come to Brighton if there wasn't a lot going on.

"When the sun comes out people flock to Brighton and they're always telling me how much they like it and would love to live here."

Palace Pier general manager Grahame Copeland said: "I thought half of Brighton would be in London for Gay Pride and Wimbledon but I think a lot of Londoners have come here instead."