Prepare for a holiday adventure in Eastbourne! Our guide features all the top festive happenings. From Eastbourne old-timers to fresh faces, our guide is your key to unlocking festive wonders.
Kick off the season with the Eastbourne Bandstand Christmas Concert, where classic holiday tunes bring timeless joy to all. Explore unique gifts and festive charm at the Sovereign Harbour Christmas Market, perfect for getting into the holiday spirit. And the Christmas Pantomime at Devonshire Park Theatre is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering laughter and delight for the whole family. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Eastbourne
- Eastbourne Bandstand Christmas Concert
- Sovereign Harbour Christmas Market
- Christmas Pantomime at Devonshire Park Theatre
- Eastbourne Christmas Spectacular
- Santa Specials at the Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway
- The Nutcracker Ballet
- Festive Craft Fair at Eastbourne Town Hall
- Meads Magic Christmas Event
- Christmas Wreath Workshops at Birling Gap
Eastbourne Holiday Markets and Shopping
Sovereign Harbour Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Waterfront market with local artisans and boat displays
Description:
Sovereign Harbour, the largest marina complex in Northern Europe, hosts a vibrant Christmas market along its picturesque waterfront. Local artisans showcase handcrafted gifts, while festively decorated boats twinkle in the background. Visitors can sample regional delicacies and warm up with spiced cider. The market highlights the area's maritime heritage, blending nautical themes with holiday cheer. Stroll along the quayside and discover unique treasures that capture the essence of coastal living.
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Sovereign Harbour Christmas Market
Festive Craft Fair at Eastbourne Town Hall
What to Expect:
Local artisans showcasing in a historic civic building
Description:
Eastbourne Town Hall, a Victorian architectural gem, hosts a craft fair that celebrates local artistry. The grand rooms echo with the buzz of creativity as artisans display their handcrafted wares. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafting techniques. Built in 1886, the Town Hall provides a stately backdrop for this showcase of contemporary talent. Explore the ornate interiors while discovering unique gifts that reflect the region's artistic heritage.
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Festive Craft Fair at Eastbourne Town Hall
Eastbourne Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Eastbourne Bandstand Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Open-air concert in a historic Victorian bandstand
Description:
The Eastbourne Bandstand, a Victorian architectural gem, transforms into a melodious hub for the holidays. Brass bands and choirs fill the air with classic carols and contemporary tunes. Visitors can sip mulled wine while enjoying panoramic views of the English Channel. This tradition dates back to 1935 when the bandstand first opened, continuing to captivate audiences with its seaside charm. Bundle up and immerse yourself in the joyous atmosphere of this unique open-air concert.
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Eastbourne Bandstand Christmas Concert
Christmas Pantomime at Devonshire Park Theatre
What to Expect:
Traditional British pantomime in a historic Edwardian theater
Description:
The Devonshire Park Theatre, an Edwardian gem, comes alive with the raucous laughter and cheers of a traditional British pantomime. This beloved holiday spectacle combines slapstick comedy, musical numbers, and audience participation. Visitors can boo the villain and cheer the hero in true panto fashion. The theater, opened in 1884, has hosted pantomimes for over a century, making it a cornerstone of Eastbourne's cultural heritage. Experience this quintessentially British art form in a setting that exudes Victorian charm.
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Christmas Pantomime at Devonshire Park Theatre
The Nutcracker Ballet
What to Expect:
Professional ballet performance in a seaside town
Description:
The timeless tale of The Nutcracker pirouettes into Eastbourne, bringing world-class ballet to this coastal town. Graceful dancers leap and twirl to Tchaikovsky's iconic score, transporting audiences to a land of sweets and snowflakes. Visitors can marvel at the intricate costumes and elaborate sets. This performance continues a long tradition of bringing high culture to seaside resorts, a practice that began in the Victorian era. Witness this beloved holiday classic in an unexpected setting by the sea.
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Eastbourne Other Holiday Activities
Eastbourne Christmas Spectacular
What to Expect:
Multi-venue celebration across the town
Description:
Eastbourne's Christmas Spectacular engulfs the entire town in a whirlwind of holiday cheer. From the Victorian pier to the bustling town center, each venue offers a unique festive experience. The air fills with the aroma of roasted chestnuts as street performers entertain crowds. Visitors can ice skate in the temporary rink set up in the heart of town. This event showcases Eastbourne's evolution from a quiet fishing village to a vibrant seaside resort. Explore the town's diverse attractions, each with its own holiday twist.
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Eastbourne Christmas Spectacular
Santa Specials at the Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway
What to Expect:
Ride on miniature steam trains with Santa
Description:
The Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway offers a diminutive delight with its Santa Specials. Tiny locomotives, lovingly crafted replicas of their full-sized counterparts, chug through a winter landscape. Children can meet Santa in his railway carriage grotto after the ride. This unique attraction pays homage to Britain's rich railway heritage, scaled down for a whimsical experience. Hop aboard these charming trains and journey through a miniature world of holiday wonder.
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Santa Specials at the Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway
Meads Magic Christmas Event
What to Expect:
Community-led celebration in a historic village
Description:
Meads Village, known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture, comes alive with community spirit during its Christmas event. Local shops and homes compete in a window-dressing contest, transforming the streets into a storybook scene. Visitors can join in caroling led by local choirs. This event harks back to the area's heyday as a fashionable retreat for the well-to-do in the late 19th century. Wander through the charming streets and experience the close-knit atmosphere of this historic neighborhood.
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Christmas Wreath Workshops at Birling Gap
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly wreath-making using coastal materials
Description:
Birling Gap, part of the dramatic Seven Sisters cliffs, offers wreath-making workshops with a coastal twist. Participants create unique decorations using locally foraged materials like driftwood and sea lavender. You can learn about the area's flora and its historical uses in holiday traditions. This National Trust site provides a stunning backdrop of chalk cliffs and crashing waves. Craft a piece of the coast to take home while gaining insight into sustainable holiday decorating practices.
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Christmas Wreath Workshops at Birling Gap
Nearby Events
Drusillas Park Winter Wonderland (Alfriston)
What to Expect:
Zoo animals in a holiday-themed setting
Description:
Drusillas Park transforms its animal habitats into a wintry spectacle, where meerkats frolic in fake snow and penguins waddle through twinkling lights. This unique blend of wildlife and holiday cheer offers a fresh twist on traditional festivities. Visitors can meet Santa's reindeer and learn about their Arctic cousins. The park, established in 1925, has evolved from a simple tea garden to a beloved family attraction. Observe how different species react to the seasonal changes in their environments.
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Drusillas Park Winter Wonderland
Christmas at Charleston (Firle)
What to Expect:
Bloomsbury Group-inspired Christmas celebrations
Description:
Charleston, once home to the Bloomsbury Group, infuses its Christmas celebrations with artistic flair. The farmhouse, adorned with avant-garde decorations, reflects the unconventional spirit of its former inhabitants. Visitors can participate in art workshops inspired by Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant's works. This event offers a glimpse into how the artistic elite celebrated the holidays in the early 20th century. Immerse yourself in the bohemian atmosphere of this historic house and its creative legacy.
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Michelham Priory Winter Wonderland (Hailsham)
What to Expect:
Medieval-themed Christmas at a moated priory
Description:
Michelham Priory, England's longest medieval water-filled moat, transports visitors to a bygone era with its Winter Wonderland. The ancient buildings are adorned with period-appropriate decorations, creating an authentic medieval Christmas atmosphere. Visitors can try their hand at traditional crafts like candle-making. Founded in 1229, the priory offers a unique glimpse into holiday celebrations from centuries past. Step back in time and experience the festivities as they might have been in the Middle Ages.
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Michelham Priory Winter Wonderland
Stargazing Nights at the Observatory Science Centre (Hailsham)
What to Expect:
Astronomy-themed holiday event
Description:
The Observatory Science Centre combines celestial wonders with holiday cheer during its Stargazing Nights. Powerful telescopes reveal the winter sky's marvels, while astronomers share tales of celestial holiday lore. Visitors can learn about the Star of Bethlehem from a scientific perspective. Housed in the former Royal Greenwich Observatory buildings, this event continues the site's long tradition of astronomical research. Gaze upon the cosmos and discover the astronomical connections to holiday traditions.
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Stargazing Nights at the Observatory Science Centre
East Dean Christmas Fayre (East Dean)
What to Expect:
Traditional village fair in the South Downs National Park
Description:
East Dean, nestled in the rolling hills of the South Downs, hosts a Christmas Fayre that captures the essence of rural English traditions. Local farmers and artisans gather to showcase their wares, from handmade cheeses to woolen crafts. Visitors can warm up with a glass of locally-brewed ale. The village green, dating back to medieval times, serves as the heart of this community celebration. Immerse yourself in the timeless charm of this quintessential English village during the holiday season.
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A Dickensian Christmas Celebration (Lewes)
What to Expect:
Victorian-era Christmas reenactment in a historic town
Description:
Lewes transforms into a living tableau of Charles Dickens' London during its Dickensian Christmas Celebration. Streets bustle with costumed characters, from chimney sweeps to ladies in crinolines. Visitors can sample authentic Victorian treats like roasted chestnuts. The town's rich history, dating back to the Saxon era, provides a fitting backdrop for this journey into the past. Step into the pages of "A Christmas Carol" and experience the sights and sounds of a 19th-century holiday celebration.
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A Dickensian Christmas Celebration