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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.

More info

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.

More info

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.

More info

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.”

More info

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.”

More info

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.”

More info

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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!

More info

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.”

More info

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.

Buy your tickets

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.”

Book your tickets

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.

Book your tickets

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.”

More info

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…”

Book your tickets

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.

Book your Santa Experience

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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.

More info

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.

More info

Sussex Christmas Ice Rinks

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.

Book your tickets

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.

More info

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.”

More info

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.”

More info

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!

More info

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.

More info


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Sussex Christmas Light Trails

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.

More info

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.

More info

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.

More info

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).

More info

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!

More info

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.

More info

Christmas in Sussex with the National Trust

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.”

More info

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.”

More info

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!

More info

We’ll be updating this article as we discover more fantastic festive events happening in Sussex!