Christmas in Sussex: Your Ultimate Festive What’s On Guide
Celebrate the holidays in Sussex with our what’s on guide to the best Christmas activities! From charming markets to dazzling light displays, we've rounded up the top festive events for locals and visitors alike. Discover the magic of a Sussex Christmas with many of these festive events recommended by the Rural Sussex Girl, Brighton Girl and Worthing Girl communities.
Promotional Image from the Brighton Royal Pavilion Ice Rink
24th - 25th November: Sussex Christmas Fair at Brighton Racecourse
Time: Saturday 11.30am - 6pm, Sunday 10am - 4pm
Location: Brighton Racecourse
Price: £3.50 - £4.50 for adults (time dependent), kids go free (under 12)
Find unique Christmas gifts for your loved ones at the annual Sussex Christmas Fair at Brighton Racecourse.
24th - 25th November: Grittenham Barn Christmas Market, Petworth
Time: 10am - 4pm
Location: Grittenham Barn, Tillington, Petworth GU28 0PG
Price: £2.50 (children free) as a donation to The Sussex Snowdrop Trust
Enjoy hot drinks and food, whilst browsing a fantastic array of gifts and homewares, in a festive traditional Sussex barn and rustic outbuildings with breathtaking views of the South Downs.
24th November: Heathfield Late Night Shopping + Christmas Lights Switch On
Time: 3.45pm - 6.30pm
Location: Heathfield Fire Station
Price: Free
Enjoy Heathfield’s annual Christmas Lighting Up Event on Friday 24th November 2023 from 3.45pm until 6.30pm at the Fire Station. There will be performances, a pop-up Christmas market in State Hall, the Christmas Tree Festival display at Union Church, a Father Christmas visit and late night shopping at the wonderful independent shops on the High Street and Station Road.
25th - 26th November: Lewes Creatives Christmas Emporium
Time: 11am - 5pm
Location: All Saints Centre, Friars Walk Lewes, BN72LE
Price: Free
Find beautiful, lovingly-crafted gifts for your loved ones at the Lewes Creatives Christmas Emporium. Stallholders will be selling artwork, aromatherapy, ceramics, jewellery, photography and so much more.
25th November and 16th December: Rainbow Craft Events Artisan Maker’s Fair Brighton
Time: 11am - 5pm
Location: Brighton Unitarian Church, New Road, righton, BN11UF
Price: Free
“Join us for a FREE Artisan Makers fair with approximately 40 stall holders all showcasing quality handmade craft and designs. We will have 2 rooms packed full of our amazingly talented Makers and with so much choice there will be something for everyone too.”
25th November and 9th December: Brighton Open Market Christmas Maker’s Market
Time: 10am - 5pm
Location: Brighton Open Market
Price: Free
“Find fabulous makes and festive offerings at our BOM: Christmas Maker's Markets. Shop from an excellent range of super-talented creatives, showcasing handmade art, gifts, crafts, treats, homewares and clothes, on Sat 25 Nov and Sat 9 Dec. Our brilliant range of shops and cafes will also be open.”
25th - 26th December: Brighton’s Weekend Christmas Maker’s Fair
Time: 11am - 4pm
Location: Wagner Hall & Fig Tree Garden, 2 Regency Rd, Brighton, BN1 2RU
Price: Free
“Join us for a joyful celebration with over 80 local artisans, crafters, creators & foodies, spread across the weekend, who are ready to showcase their unique handmade treasures & designs.”
26th November: Worthing Winter Craft and Gift Fair
Time: 10.30am - 3.30pm
Location: Field Place, The Boulevard, Worthing, BN131NP
Price: Free
Browse 50+ talented crafters for your Christmas gifts!
26th November and 17th December: West Street Horsham Christmas Arts and Crafts Market
Time: 10am - 4pm
Location: West Street, Horsham
Price: Free
“Come and join us in West Street for our Pre Christmas Market on Sunday 26th November and then for our fully loaded festive market on Sunday 17th December.”
26th November - 24th December: Tulley’s Christmas Experience, Crawley
Dates: Every Saturday and Sunday from 26th Nov, including Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd
Location: Tulleys Farm, Turners Hill Rd, Turners Hill, West Sussex, RH10 4PE
Price: Prices vary from £7 to £75.95, dependent on the experience that you book
Tulley’s are infamous for going the extra mile when it comes to themed celebrations (the Rural Sussex Girl trip to Tulley’s for Pumpkin Picking was epic last month). This year’s Tulley’s Christmas Experience includes a range of festive activities for the whole family! Choose from The Santa Experience, Tulley’s Ice Skating, and/or The Mother Christmas Experience.
26th November: Southwick Community Centre’s Christmas Fayre
Time: 10am - 3pm
Location: Southwick Community Centre, 24 Southwick Street, Southwick, BN424TE
Price: Free
“Come and see the beautiful Christmas tree trail in our garden. Knitted by the wonderful folk of Southwick. There will be Mulled wine and goodies from the café, Father Christmas will be here all day. We’ve got over 25 food and gift stalls, our regular groups will be showing their work and inviting people to learn more.”
1st December: Brighton Girl Christmas Party
Time: 7pm - 11pm
Location: PLATF9RM Hove Town Hall
Price: £20 (Vote in the Brighton Girl Awards for £5 off!)
Kick off the Festive Party vibes in style with our very own Brighton Girl Christmas Party! Join us on 1st December from 7pm at PLATF9RM Hove for an evening of dancing, drinks, photoshooting and celebrating the winners of the Brighton Girl Awards. We’ll also be hosting a raffle of incredible prizes to raise money for Together Co and Survivors Network.
1st - 2nd December: Lewes Artist and Makers Fair
Time: 1st Dec (Opening Night) 6pm - 8.30pm, 2nd Dec 9am - 5pm
Location: Lewes Town Hall
Price: From £6.95 for Opening Night, £2 for adults and kids are free on the 2nd Dec
The Artist and Makers Fair at Lewes Town Hall is an eclectic fair with artists, makers, food, drinks, entertainment and more. This annual event has been community-organised to raise money for Western Road Primary School.
More info + Opening Night Tickets
2nd - 3rd December: Christmas Trees at The Macs Farm, Ditchling
Time: 10am - 4pm
Location: The Macs Farm, Dumbrells Court Road, Ditchling, East Sussex, BN68GT
Price: £6 parking ticket - must be purchased online in advance
“Experience the magic of the festive season and join us for a weekend filled with festive cheer, mouth-watering food, live Christmas music, local artisanal stalls, and the opportunity to handpick your perfect Nordmann fir Christmas tree (the king of Christmas trees, rich in green colour and the dropping of the needles is minimal!).”
For the first time ever, you don’t have to buy a tree to attend the event! All you need to do is book a £6 parking ticket.
Pre-order your tree/Book your parking ticket
2nd December: Brighton Open Market Christmas Vegan Market
Time: 10am - 5pm
Location: Brighton Open Market
Price: Free
“Enjoy a brilliant range of plant-based bites and a fantastic range of gifts, crafts, beauty and other treats.”
Palmeira Square at Christmas, photographed by Ashe Walker
2nd - 3rd December: Brighton Illustration Fair
Time: 10am - 6pm both days
Location: Wagner hall, 2 Regency Rd, Brighton BN1 2RU
Price: £2.88
“Join us this December for all the usual fun & games! 60+ of the countries best makers and sellers will be under one roof selling art, clothing, ceramics, merch, comics and much more…”
2nd - 21st December: Christmas at Drusillas Park
Time: Varied booking slots
Location: Drusillas, Berwick, Polegate BN26 5QS
Price: From £18 per child
Drusilla’s Park is a hot family favourite in Sussex all year round, but their Christmas celebrations are well-loved for being extra special.
2nd December: Glen Vue Christmas Fair, East Grinstead
Time: 10.30am - 3pm
Location: Glen Vue Community Hub, Railway Approach, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1BS
Price: £4 entry
Enjoy a festive Saturday of live music, mulled wine, great food, stalls selling crafts and gifts, and a drop in from Santa for the kids.
2nd December: Hastings Old Town Christmas Shopping Day
Time: 10.30am - 5.30pm (11am - 4pm for Santa and Mrs Clause)
Location: Butlers Gap, George Street, Hastings Old Town,
Price: Free
Support the local Hastings Old Town community at their Christmas Shopping Day with a Christmas market, live entertainment, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa and Mrs Clause.
Sussex Christmas Ice Rinks
Brighton Royal Pavilion’s Ice Rink, 28th Oct - 7th Jan 2024
Worthing Ice Rink (Steyne Gardens), 11th Nov - 18th Feb 2024
Eastbourne’s Lightning Fibre’s Ice Rink, 9th - 31st Dec 2023
Tulley’s Christmas Ice Rink, 26th Nov - 24th Dec
2nd December: Bolney Christmas Wine Fayre
Time: 10am - 1pm or 2pm - 5pm (dependent on your time slot)
Location: Bolney Wine Estate, Foxhole Lane, Bolney, Haywards Heath, RH17 5NB.
Price: £5, Free to Wine Club Members
Join the expert Bolney Wine Estate team for a taste of their full wine range, with local food, drink and lots of gifting ideas.
2nd December: Tarrant Street Market and Festive Entertainment in Arundel
Time: 10am - 5.30pm
Location: Tarrant Street, Arundel
Price: Free
Enjoy a day of browsing stalls and enjoying live entertainment in the vibrant Tarrant Street in Christmassy Arundel.
Arundel Festive Christmas Tree Illuminations from visitarundel.co.uk
2nd December: Forest Row Christmas Trail
Time: 10am - 3.30pm
Location: A trail around Forest Row
Price: Free
"Follow the trail around Forest Row, spot the Stars of Hope and get your sheet stamped. Each star will be placed in a shop window with a letter next to it, once you find all the letters, create the hidden words and head to the Pre-School on Hartfield Road to meet Father Christmas, who has a present for every child. This must be done before 3.30pm.”
2nd December: Shoreham Christmas Maker’s Fair
Time: 10am - 3.30pm
Location: The Shoreham Centre, Pond Road, Shoreham-By-Sea, BN43 5WU
Price: Free
“Indulge in the joy of discovering one-of-a-kind gifts, handmade decorations, and delightful treats all personally selected. From beautifully hand crafted jewellery and ceramics to intricately designed textiles, home wares and artwork there's something for everyone at the Shoreham Christmas Makers Fair.”
3rd December: Worthing Festive Craft Fair (So This Is Christmas)
Time: 10.30am - 3.30pm
Location: The Charmandean Centre, Forest Road, Worthing, BN149HS
Price: Free
‘“So This is Christmas’ is a festive handmade, craft and vintage fair returning to Worthing, West Sussex this Christmas on Sunday 3rd December 2023. The fair will be held in aid of St Barnabas House, a local hospice doing wonderful work.”
5th December: Lindfield Village Christmas Festival Night
Time: 6pm - 9pm
Location: Lindfield High Street
Price: Free
Enjoy an evening of late night shopping, fairground rides and street food stalls in the beautiful village of Lindfield.
Christmas in Eastbourne, photographed by Elliot Mason
7th December: Lewes Late Night Shopping
Time: 6pm - 9pm
Location: Lewes High Street
Price: Free
Enjoy an evening of late night shopping, food and drink in Lewes’ High Street and Precinct, Santa’s Grotto at Lewes House, a Christmas Market in Lewes Town Hall, live music, entertainment and a whole lot more in Lewes!
7th - 10th December: Eastbourne Victorian Christmas Market
Time: 10am - 6pm
Location: Eastbourne Town Centre
Price: Free
This year’s Eastbourne Victorian Christmas Market will have live music, carole singers, mulled wine and cider, stilt walkers, bavarian bar, Christmas market, circus acts and a Christmas parade.
Sussex Christmas Light Trails
Leonardslee Illuminated (Lower Beeding, Horsham), 24th Nov - 21st Dec 2023
Glow Wild at Wakehurst, 23rd Nov - 1st Jan 2024
SteamLights (Bluebelle Railway), 17th Nov - 31st Dec 2023
The Brighton Lights (One Garden), 15th Dec - 23rd Dec 2023
8th December: Cuckfield’s Christmas Street Festival
Time: 6pm - 8pm
Location: Cuckfield (various places)
Price: Free
Join the gorgeous village of Cuckfield for an evening of carol singing, late night shopping, a snow machine, a craft fair at the Old School, stalls run by local charities and the chance to see Santa.
9th - 10th December: Brighton Etsy Christmas Market
Time: 10am - 5pm
Location: Fabrica, 40 Duke Street, Brighton, BN1 1AG
Price: Free
This very popular and beautifully curated Christmas Market is a huge hit in Brighton! Find your loved ones the perfect gift created by the city’s talented Etsy sellers.
9th - 10th December: Grand Christmas Fair, Hastings
Time: 11am - 4pm
Location: Observer Building, 53 Cambridge Road, Hastings, TN341DT
Price: Free
Browse 45 fantastic stalls for the perfect Christmas gift.
9th December: Sustainable Christmas at One Garden
Time: 10am - 4pm
Location: One Garden Brighton Stanmer Park, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN1 9SE
Price: From £5 (workshop prices vary)
One Garden are hosting a series of events throughout the day, blending creativity, eco-consciousness, and festive traditions. This includes Christmas Dress Clothes Swap Extravaganza (11am - 1pm), Christmas Herbal Remedies Workshop (10am - 2pm) and Fermentation Workshop (11am - 4pm).
10th December: Worthing Christmas Fair and Gift Fair with Santa’s Grotto
Time: 10.30am - 4pm
Location: Field Place, The Boulevard, Worthing, BN131NP
Price: Free
Browse 50+ talented crafters for your Christmas gifts AND your kids get the chance to see Santa!
10th December: Brighton Christmas Artisan Market
Time: 11am - 4pm
Location: Circus Street Market, Circus Street, Brighton, BN2 9QF
Price: Free
Paper Daisy Events are hosting the Brighton Christmas Artisan Market on Sunday 10th December, at Circus Street Marketplace in Brighton! Join the dog-friendly crowd for a day filled with festive joy, local crafts, music, delightful food & drink treats.
Christmas in Sussex with the National Trust
A Nutcracker Christmas at Nymans, 18th Nov- 1st Jan 2024
Christmas with Mouse and Mole Family Trail at Sheffield Park, 1st Dec - 2nd Jan 2024
Colours of Christmas at Petworth House, 25th Nov - 1st Jan 2024
A Bodium Castle Christmas, 25th Nov - 1st Dec
Twilights at Standen House (local choirs singing around the Christmas Tree designed by 'Interior Design Masters' show, winner, Banjo Beale and runner up, Amy Davies), Sat 25 Nov, Sat 2 & Sun 3 Dec, Sat 9 & Sun 10 Dec, Sat 16 & Sun 17 Dec, then daily Mon 18 – Fri 23 Dec.
13 December: Artists & Makers Christmas Market
Time: 5pm-7.30pm
Location: Priory School, Lewes
Price: Free
Beautiful and affordable locally made gifts, plus seasonal refreshments.
16th December: Festive Saturday - Arundel Farmers Market and Festive Entertainment
Time: 9am - 2pm
Location: High Street, Arundel, BN18 9AD
Price: Free
“Buy foodie gifts and treats at the Arundel Farmers Market on Saturday 16th December. Get in the Christmas spirit with even more festive entertainment running throughout the day. Plus a Fair Trade & Sustainable Market at the Norfolk Centre will be running from 9am to 4pm.”
16th December: Brighton Open Market Christmas Food and Drink Market
Time: 10am - 5pm
Location: Brighton Open Market
Price: Free
“Stock up on tasty Christmas treats at Brighton Open Market's first-ever Christmas Food and drink Market. Alongside all our fabulous permanent traders, you'll find a fantastic range of festive goodness from local and independent suppliers.”
16th December: The Gun Brewery Big Christmas Market
Time: 12pm - 5pm
Location: Gun Brewery, Gun Hill, Heathfield
Price: Free
Pop along to The Gun Brewery for their big Christmas market, with a wide range of art, crafts and food stalls set up around the venue full of gifts and treats just in time for Christmas. The taproom will be open to serve the best beers and ciders (especially Mulled Cider), with street food available too!
We’ll be updating this article as we discover more fantastic festive events happening in Sussex!