Discover the best of the holidays in Brighton with our comprehensive guide. From Brighton regulars to first-time tourists, our guide highlights the season's best activities.
Celebrate the winter solstice with a twist at Brighton’s beloved Burning the Clocks, where locals parade through the city with handmade lanterns before igniting them in a spectacular beachside bonfire. Feel the chill and thrill of skating with the stunning backdrop of the Royal Pavilion at the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink. And definitely don't miss the festive cheer of the Brighton Christmas Festival, a vibrant event offering everything from artisanal markets to live performances. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Brighton
- Burning the Clocks
- Royal Pavilion Ice Rink
- Brighton Christmas Festival
- Brighton Christmas Market
- Santa Dash
- Christmas Concerts at Brighton Dome
- Christmas Family Fun at The Level
- Brighton Beach Christmas Day Swim
- The Snowman Tour
- Christmas Special at Komedia Brighton
Brighton Holiday Markets and Shopping
Brighton Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Diverse mix of local and international holiday traditions
Description:
Brighton Christmas Festival bursts with multicultural flair, celebrating holiday traditions from around the globe. Stroll through a vibrant marketplace showcasing artisanal crafts and international cuisine. The festival honors Brighton's diverse community, featuring performances that blend local talent with global holiday customs. Visitors can try their hand at traditional craft-making workshops, learning techniques passed down through generations. This event, relatively new to Brighton's calendar, has quickly become a cornerstone of the city's winter celebrations.
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Brighton Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Seaside location with a mix of traditional and contemporary market offerings
Description:
Brighton Christmas Market brings holiday cheer to the iconic seafront. Wooden chalets line the promenade, offering a blend of traditional crafts and modern gifts against the backdrop of crashing waves. Sample locally-produced treats while browsing handmade decorations and artisanal goods. This market uniquely combines the charm of a classic European Christmas market with Brighton's quirky, contemporary vibe, reflecting the city's evolution from historic seaside resort to modern cultural hub.
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Christmas Craft Fair at Stanmer House
What to Expect:
Craft fair in a historic manor house surrounded by parkland
Description:
Stanmer House opens its Georgian doors for a Christmas Craft Fair that showcases local artisans. The elegant rooms of this 18th-century manor provide a refined backdrop for browsing handmade gifts and decorations. Visitors can wander through the house, admiring its period features while shopping for unique items. Stanmer House, built in 1722, sits within Stanmer Park, offering a glimpse into Brighton's aristocratic past amidst a celebration of contemporary craftsmanship.
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Christmas Craft Fair at Stanmer House
Brighton Holiday Giving Opportunities
Santa Dash
What to Expect:
Mass Santa run along Brighton's iconic seafront
Description:
Brighton's seafront transforms into a sea of red and white as hundreds of Santas sprint along the promenade. This lively charity event sees participants don full Santa suits, creating a surreal spectacle against the backdrop of the English Channel. Join the dash and feel the brisk sea air as you run. The Santa Dash, which began in 2003, has become a beloved Brighton tradition, raising thousands of pounds for local charities each year.
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Brighton Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas Concerts at Brighton Dome
What to Expect:
Diverse range of musical performances in a historic venue
Description:
The Brighton Dome resonates with holiday melodies during its Christmas concert series. This eclectic program spans genres from classical to contemporary, showcasing both local talent and international artists. The Dome's grand architecture, with its distinctive Indian-inspired domes, provides an acoustically rich setting for these performances. Audiences can experience everything from traditional carols to innovative interpretations of holiday classics. Built in 1803 as the Prince Regent's stables, the Dome has been at the heart of Brighton's cultural scene for over two centuries.
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Christmas Concerts at Brighton Dome
The Snowman Tour
What to Expect:
Live orchestra performance synchronized with the classic animated film
Description:
The Snowman Tour brings Raymond Briggs' beloved story to life through a unique audio-visual experience. A live orchestra performs Howard Blake's iconic score in perfect synchronization with the animated film, creating a multisensory journey. The performance often features a young soloist singing the haunting "Walking in the Air." This event celebrates the enduring legacy of Briggs, a longtime Brighton resident whose work has captivated generations.
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Christmas Special at Komedia Brighton
What to Expect:
Comedy shows with a holiday twist in an intimate venue
Description:
Komedia Brighton serves up laughter with a seasonal flavor during its Christmas Special. This intimate venue hosts a series of comedy shows that put a humorous spin on holiday traditions and experiences. Audiences can enjoy stand-up, sketches, and improv performances that playfully skewer the festive season. Komedia, housed in a former Tesco supermarket, has been a cornerstone of Brighton's alternative entertainment scene since 1994.
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Christmas Special at Komedia Brighton
Christmas Panto at Theatre Royal
What to Expect:
Traditional British pantomime in a historic theater
Description:
The Theatre Royal Brighton stages a raucous Christmas pantomime, blending slapstick comedy, musical numbers, and audience participation. This quintessentially British tradition comes to life on the stage of one of the country's oldest working theaters. Audiences can boo the villains and cheer the heroes in this interactive performance. The Theatre Royal, opened in 1807, has hosted pantomimes for over two centuries, making it a cornerstone of Brighton's holiday entertainment.
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Christmas Panto at Theatre Royal
Brighton Other Holiday Activities
Burning the Clocks
What to Expect:
Community-created lantern parade culminating in bonfire
Description:
Brighton's winter solstice ignites with Burning the Clocks, a luminous procession unlike any other. Locals craft intricate paper and willow lanterns, parading through the streets to the seafront. There, a blazing bonfire consumes the timepieces, symbolizing the year's end. You can join in by making your own lantern at community workshops. This tradition, born in 1993, celebrates the diverse spirit of Brighton while marking the passage of time.
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Royal Pavilion Ice Rink
What to Expect:
Ice skating rink set against the backdrop of the Royal Pavilion
Description:
Glide across glistening ice beneath the exotic silhouette of Brighton's Royal Pavilion. This unique rink transforms the Pavilion Gardens into a winter spectacle, blending Regency splendor with seasonal cheer. Skaters can perfect their pirouettes or simply enjoy leisurely laps around the 880-square-meter rink. The Pavilion, once a seaside retreat for King George IV, provides a stunning backdrop that sets this skating experience apart from typical holiday outings.
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Christmas Family Fun at The Level
What to Expect:
Holiday activities in a recently renovated urban park
Description:
The Level, Brighton's beloved urban park, comes alive with Christmas Family Fun. This event utilizes the park's modern amenities, including its popular skate park, for unique holiday-themed activities. Children can participate in skateboarding workshops with a festive twist. The Level, which underwent a major renovation in 2013, blends its rich history dating back to the 16th century with contemporary recreational spaces, creating a distinctive setting for this holiday celebration.
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Christmas Family Fun at The Level
Brighton Beach Christmas Day Swim
What to Expect:
Traditional Christmas Day sea swim on Brighton's pebble beach
Description:
Brighton's pebble beach hosts a chilling yet exhilarating Christmas Day tradition. Brave swimmers plunge into the frigid English Channel, invigorating their senses and marking the holiday in a uniquely Brighton way. Spectators cheer from the shore as participants emerge from the icy waters. This long-standing custom dates back to the 1860s, reflecting Brighton's enduring connection to the sea and its reputation for eccentric traditions.
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Brighton Beach Christmas Day Swim
Nearby Events
Artists Open Houses Christmas Festival (Brighton & Hove)
What to Expect:
Intimate access to artists' homes and studios during the holiday season
Description:
Brighton's Artists Open Houses Christmas Festival invites art enthusiasts into the private spaces of local creators. This intimate event transforms homes and studios into temporary galleries, showcasing a diverse array of holiday-themed artwork. Visitors can chat with artists about their creative processes while browsing unique pieces. The festival, which began in 1982, reflects Brighton's long-standing reputation as a haven for artists and creatives.
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Artists Open Houses Christmas Festival
Festive Fun Day (Hove)
What to Expect:
Family-oriented holiday celebration in Hove's historic park
Description:
Hove Park bursts with holiday spirit during the Festive Fun Day. This family-focused event transforms the Victorian park into a hub of seasonal activities. Children can embark on a winter-themed treasure hunt through the park's winding paths. The event showcases Hove's community spirit, bringing together local organizations and businesses to create a day of shared joy. Hove Park, established in 1906, continues its long tradition of serving as a gathering place for community celebrations.
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Glow Wild at Wakehurst Place (Haywards Heath)
What to Expect:
Illuminated trail through botanical gardens and conservation areas
Description:
Wakehurst Place transforms into a luminous landscape during Glow Wild. This after-dark experience leads visitors through illuminated trails that wind through the botanical gardens and conservation areas. Thousands of lanterns light the way, creating mesmerizing displays among the trees and plants. Visitors can contribute to a collaborative art installation, adding their own light to the spectacle. Wakehurst, Kew's wild botanic garden in Sussex, uses this event to highlight its vital work in plant conservation and biodiversity.