Experience the heart of the holidays in Crawley! Let our guide lead you to all the community events and activities. Whether you're a familiar face or a fresh visitor, our guide unlocks the holiday treasures of Crawley.
One of the highlights of the season is the Crawley Christmas Light Switch On, where the town illuminates in festive cheer. Take a nostalgic journey with Santa Specials at Bluebell Railway, featuring a magical, family-friendly train ride with Santa himself. And the Christmas Ice Rink is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a delightful skating experience for all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Crawley
See these and even more events listed below!Crawley Holiday Light Displays
Crawley Christmas Light Switch On
What to Expect:
Community-wide celebration marking the start of the holiday season
Description:
Crawley transforms as thousands gather for the annual Christmas Light Switch On. The event illuminates the town center with dazzling displays, creating a warm glow that reflects off the faces of excited onlookers. You can join local choirs in singing traditional carols, a custom that dates back to the town's founding in the 13th century. The switch-on ceremony unites residents and visitors alike, symbolizing the start of Crawley's holiday festivities.
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Crawley Christmas Light Switch On
Crawley Other Holiday Activities
Santa's Grotto at County Mall
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa experience in a modern shopping center
Description:
County Mall in Crawley hosts an immersive Santa's Grotto, bringing North Pole magic to this contemporary shopping destination. The grotto features interactive elements that engage children in Santa's workshop activities. This modern take on a classic tradition reflects Crawley's status as one of Britain's post-war New Towns, blending innovation with holiday spirit. Young visitors can help the elves with toy-making tasks before meeting Santa himself.
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Nearby Events
Santa Specials at Bluebell Railway (East Grinstead)
What to Expect:
Vintage steam train ride with Santa
Description:
The Bluebell Railway roars to life with the Santa Specials, offering a journey through time on lovingly restored steam trains. Passengers embark on a nostalgic trip through the Sussex countryside, where the rhythmic chug of the engine mixes with the jingle of sleigh bells. Children receive a special gift from Santa himself, continuing a tradition that began with the railway's first Christmas run in 1960. The experience captures the essence of a bygone era while creating new memories.
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Santa Specials at Bluebell Railway
Christmas Ice Rink (Horsham)
What to Expect:
Open-air ice skating in a historic market town
Description:
Horsham's town center sparkles with the addition of a temporary ice rink, transforming the ancient market square into a winter playground. Skaters glide across the smooth surface, surrounded by the town's Tudor and Georgian architecture. The rink offers a unique perspective on Horsham's rich history, which dates back to AD 947. Visitors can perfect their figure eights or simply enjoy the crisp winter air while taking in the picturesque surroundings.
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Winter Wonder Lights at Wakehurst (Ardingly)
What to Expect:
Botanical garden illuminated with artistic light installations
Description:
Wakehurst bursts into a kaleidoscope of colors as the Winter Wonder Lights event transforms the botanical gardens. Intricate light installations weave through the landscape, highlighting the natural beauty of the plants and trees. The event showcases the garden's diverse collection of over 500 acres, including species from around the world. Visitors can embark on a self-guided tour, discovering hidden light features and learning about Wakehurst's role in global seed conservation.
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Winter Wonder Lights at Wakehurst
Pantiles Christmas Market (Tunbridge Wells)
What to Expect:
Georgian colonnade setting for artisanal market
Description:
The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells' historic Georgian colonnade, comes alive with a bustling Christmas market. Local artisans and craftspeople display their wares under the elegant covered walkway, offering unique gifts and seasonal treats. The market honors the area's spa town heritage, which dates back to the discovery of the Chalybeate Spring in 1606. Visitors can sample mulled wine while browsing handcrafted items, surrounded by the charm of 18th-century architecture.
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Reigate Christmas Fayre (Reigate)
What to Expect:
Medieval town center hosts traditional Christmas fair
Description:
Reigate's medieval town center transforms into a lively Christmas Fayre, blending modern festivities with historical charm. Stalls line the ancient streets, offering local produce, handmade crafts, and seasonal delicacies. The event pays homage to Reigate's rich past, which includes a mention in the Domesday Book of 1086. Visitors can explore the town's hidden passages and cellars, normally closed to the public, for a unique glimpse into Reigate's underground history.
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Tulleys Christmas Experience (Turners Hill)
What to Expect:
Farm-based Christmas adventure with multiple themed attractions
Description:
Tulleys Farm in Turners Hill expands its offerings with a comprehensive Christmas Experience. The event features multiple themed areas, including an elf village, reindeer encounters, and a gingerbread decorating workshop. This agricultural setting provides a unique backdrop for holiday activities, showcasing the farm's evolution from a simple fruit stand in 1937 to a major regional attraction. Visitors can ride the Santa Express, a tractor-pulled sleigh that tours the festively decorated farm.
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Christmas at Hever Castle (Hever)
What to Expect:
Tudor castle decorated for a traditional English Christmas
Description:
Hever Castle, childhood home of Anne Boleyn, dons its Christmas finery, offering visitors a glimpse into Tudor holiday traditions. The castle's rooms are adorned with period-appropriate decorations, while the grounds feature a themed trail inspired by classic Christmas stories. This event highlights the castle's 700-year history, blending educational elements with seasonal cheer. Guests can participate in traditional Tudor games and crafts, experiencing Christmas as it might have been celebrated centuries ago.
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Cranleigh Christmas Fair (Cranleigh)
What to Expect:
Village-wide Christmas celebration with community focus
Description:
Cranleigh, England's largest village, unites for its annual Christmas Fair, showcasing local businesses and community spirit. The High Street buzzes with activity as shops and stalls offer unique gifts and seasonal treats. This event celebrates Cranleigh's rich history, which dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086. Visitors can join in community carol singing, a tradition that echoes through the village's ancient streets and modern developments alike.
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Chichester Christmas Market (Chichester)
What to Expect:
Roman and medieval city hosts traditional German-style market
Description:
Chichester's city center, with its Roman walls and medieval architecture, provides a stunning backdrop for a traditional German-style Christmas market. Wooden chalets line the streets, offering authentic German cuisine, handcrafted gifts, and mulled wine. This event blends Chichester's 2000-year history with continental Christmas traditions. Visitors can climb the cathedral tower for a panoramic view of the market and the city's historic skyline.
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Hollycombe Steam in the Country Christmas Fair (Liphook)
What to Expect:
Victorian steam-powered fairground with Christmas theme
Description:
Hollycombe Steam in the Country transforms into a Victorian Christmas wonderland, featuring vintage steam-powered rides and attractions. The fair showcases working steam engines and fairground organs, their melodies mixing with the scent of roasted chestnuts. This unique event preserves a slice of British industrial heritage, with some rides dating back to the early 1870s. Visitors can experience the thrill of a steam-powered carousel or take a ride on a miniature steam railway.
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Hollycombe Steam in the Country Christmas Fair
Lingfield Park Christmas Party Nights (Lingfield)
What to Expect:
Racecourse hosts evening Christmas parties with live entertainment
Description:
Lingfield Park Racecourse swaps horse racing for holiday revelry with its Christmas Party Nights. The venue's grandstands and hospitality suites transform into festive party spaces, complete with live bands and DJ sets. This event showcases the racecourse's versatility, building on a horse racing tradition that dates back to 1890. Guests can enjoy a gourmet dinner while overlooking the floodlit racecourse, offering a unique perspective on this historic sporting venue.
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Lingfield Park Christmas Party Nights
Petworth House Christmas (Petworth)
What to Expect:
17th-century mansion decorated in different historical Christmas styles
Description:
Petworth House, a grand 17th-century mansion, celebrates Christmas through the ages with rooms decorated to reflect different historical periods. Each space tells a story of how Christmas was celebrated from the house's construction in 1688 to the present day. This event highlights Petworth's rich artistic heritage, home to one of the finest art collections in the National Trust. Visitors can explore the state rooms and servants' quarters, each offering a unique glimpse into Christmas past.
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Arundel by Candlelight (Arundel)
What to Expect:
Medieval town illuminated by candlelight for evening Christmas celebration
Description:
Arundel's medieval streets glow with the warm light of thousands of candles during this unique evening event. The town's shops, cafes, and historic buildings open their doors, creating an intimate atmosphere that harkens back to Christmases of old. This celebration honors Arundel's rich history, which includes one of the oldest working castles in England. Visitors can join lantern-making workshops and participate in a procession through the candlelit streets, immersing themselves in the town's timeless charm.