Celebrate the magic of the season in Worthing with our comprehensive guide. From Worthing devotees to casual admirers, this guide ensures a magical yuletide experience.
Start your festive season with the delightful Worthing Christmas Market, offering seasonal shopping and local treats. Experience the enchantment of the Snowman Spectacular, featuring whimsical displays and fun activities for all ages. And the Worthing Ice Rink is something you definitely don't want to miss, bringing the joy of ice skating to the heart of the city. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Worthing
- Worthing Christmas Market
- Snowman Spectacular
- Worthing Ice Rink
- Christmas Craft Fair at Field Place
- Santa's Grotto at Brooklands
- Pantomime at Pavilion Theatre
- Christmas Wreath-Making Workshops
- Christmas Concerts at Assembly Hall
- Worthing Rotary Club Christmas Collection
- Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra Christmas Concert
Worthing Holiday Markets and Shopping
Worthing Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Local artisans showcase handcrafted goods
Description:
Worthing Christmas Market transforms the town center into a bustling hub of local creativity. Artisans from across Sussex display their handcrafted wares, offering unique gifts you won't find in typical shops. The air fills with the aroma of mulled wine as you browse stalls featuring everything from hand-blown glass ornaments to locally produced honey. This market continues a centuries-old tradition of winter markets in coastal English towns, providing a platform for small businesses to thrive during the holiday season. You can participate in live craft demonstrations, watching skilled artisans at work.
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Christmas Craft Fair at Field Place
What to Expect:
Workshops in traditional Sussex crafts
Description:
The Christmas Craft Fair at Field Place celebrates Sussex's rich artisanal heritage. Set in a historic manor house, the fair showcases traditional crafts alongside contemporary creations. Visitors can try their hand at Sussex trug making, a centuries-old basket-weaving technique unique to the region. The manor's grand rooms house displays of intricate quilts, hand-forged ironwork, and locally sourced wool products. Artisans demonstrate their skills, offering insights into time-honored techniques. The fair highlights the enduring legacy of craftsmanship in Sussex, connecting modern visitors with the area's cultural past.
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Christmas Craft Fair at Field Place
Christmas Fair at Denton Lounge
What to Expect:
Seaside-themed Christmas decorations and gifts
Description:
The Christmas Fair at Denton Lounge celebrates Worthing's coastal identity with a unique seaside twist on holiday traditions. Vendors offer handcrafted ornaments and gifts inspired by the sea, from driftwood Santas to shell-adorned wreaths. The lounge's panoramic views of the English Channel provide a stunning backdrop for this maritime-themed event. Visitors can create their own beach-inspired Christmas cards using sand and seashells. This fair pays homage to Worthing's long history as a seaside resort, blending holiday cheer with coastal charm. You'll discover how the town's relationship with the sea influences its festive celebrations.
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Christmas Fair at Denton Lounge
Worthing Holiday Giving Opportunities
Worthing Rotary Club Christmas Collection
What to Expect:
Interactive charity map showing real-time impact
Description:
Worthing Rotary Club's Christmas Collection revolutionizes charitable giving with cutting-edge technology. An interactive digital map displays the real-time impact of donations across the community. Volunteers equipped with contactless payment devices roam the town, making giving convenient and secure. The collection supports a range of local causes, from youth programs to elderly care services. This innovative approach to fundraising reflects Worthing's forward-thinking spirit while maintaining the tradition of holiday generosity. Donors can track how their contributions directly benefit specific projects in their neighborhood.
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Worthing Rotary Club Christmas Collection
Worthing Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Pantomime at Pavilion Theatre
What to Expect:
Local history incorporated into classic panto tale
Description:
The Pavilion Theatre's pantomime weaves Worthing's rich history into a classic tale, creating a unique theatrical experience. Actors don elaborate costumes that sparkle under the stage lights, bringing local legends to life alongside familiar panto characters. The script cleverly incorporates references to Worthing's past as a fashionable Georgian seaside resort, educating as it entertains. Audience participation reaches new heights with locally themed call-and-response segments. You'll find yourself immersed in a story that celebrates both timeless panto traditions and the distinct character of Worthing.
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Christmas Concerts at Assembly Hall
What to Expect:
Performances blend classical and contemporary Sussex music
Description:
Christmas Concerts at Assembly Hall celebrate Sussex's diverse musical heritage. The program intertwines classical compositions with contemporary works by local musicians, creating a unique auditory tapestry. The hall's exceptional acoustics amplify every note, from traditional carols to modern interpretations. Concertgoers can experience the premiere of a new piece commissioned specifically for Worthing, inspired by the town's coastal setting. This musical journey traces the evolution of Sussex's musical traditions, from medieval times to the present day. You'll discover how the region's landscape and history have shaped its distinctive sound over centuries.
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Christmas Concerts at Assembly Hall
Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Performance includes a world premiere of a Sussex-inspired composition
Description:
The Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra's Christmas Concert debuts a groundbreaking piece inspired by Sussex landscapes. This world premiere, composed by a local musician, captures the essence of the South Downs and coastline in symphonic form. The orchestra's strings mimic the sound of waves crashing on Worthing's pebble beach. Concertgoers witness musical history in the making, as this new work takes its place alongside beloved classical pieces. The performance showcases the orchestra's versatility, seamlessly transitioning between traditional carols and contemporary compositions. You'll experience a musical journey through Worthing's natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
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Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra Christmas Concert
Worthing Choral Society Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Incorporation of rare medieval Sussex carols
Description:
Worthing Choral Society's Christmas Concert resurrects rarely performed medieval Sussex carols. These ancient melodies, some dating back to the 14th century, offer a glimpse into the region's musical past. The choir's harmonies fill the venue with hauntingly beautiful sounds that have echoed through Sussex for centuries. Between songs, narrators share the historical context of each piece, bringing the past to life. This unique concert not only entertains but also preserves an important part of Sussex's cultural heritage. Audience members can join in singing a simple Sussex round, connecting them directly to this musical tradition.
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Worthing Choral Society Christmas Concert
Worthing Other Holiday Activities
Snowman Spectacular
What to Expect:
Interactive snowman-themed activities
Description:
Worthing's Snowman Spectacular brings Raymond Briggs' beloved character to life throughout the town. Giant snowman sculptures dot the landscape, each uniquely decorated by local artists. Children delight in a snowman-building competition using eco-friendly materials, fostering creativity and environmental awareness. The event pays homage to Briggs, who lived nearby in Sussex for many years. Visitors can embark on a snowman-themed treasure hunt, discovering hidden details in shop windows and public spaces. The spectacular culminates in a charming lantern parade, illuminating the streets with a warm glow.
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Worthing Ice Rink
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly synthetic ice rink
Description:
Worthing Ice Rink introduces an innovative, eco-friendly skating experience using synthetic ice. This cutting-edge technology allows for a full season of skating without the energy consumption of traditional ice rinks. The rink buzzes with the sound of blades gliding smoothly across the surface. Skaters of all levels can join in, with experienced instructors offering lessons to beginners. This modern take on a classic winter activity reflects Worthing's commitment to sustainable entertainment. You'll find the rink nestled in the heart of the town, surrounded by twinkling lights and festive decorations.
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Santa's Grotto at Brooklands
What to Expect:
Eco-themed Santa's grotto promoting sustainability
Description:
Santa's Grotto at Brooklands reimagines the traditional experience with an eco-friendly twist. Set in a lush garden center, the grotto showcases sustainable Christmas practices. Children meet Santa in a woodland setting, surrounded by living plants and recycled decorations. The jolly old elf shares tales of wildlife conservation and hands out seeds for children to plant at home. This innovative approach ties into Worthing's coastal location and commitment to environmental stewardship. Visitors can explore the center's winter garden, discovering cold-weather plants that thrive in the local climate.
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Christmas Wreath-Making Workshops
What to Expect:
Wreaths made from locally foraged materials
Description:
Christmas Wreath-Making Workshops in Worthing emphasize sustainability and local flora. Participants create unique decorations using materials foraged from the South Downs and Worthing's coastline. The workshops take place in a historic flint-walled barn, connecting crafters to the area's architectural heritage. Instructors guide attendees through the process of weaving wreaths with fragrant pine, holly, and sea lavender. This hands-on activity not only produces beautiful decorations but also educates participants about native plant species. The workshops revive a long-standing tradition of using local, natural materials for holiday adornments.
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Christmas Wreath-Making Workshops
Festive Afternoon Tea at The Chatsworth Hotel
What to Expect:
Tea menu inspired by Worthing's Edwardian heyday
Description:
The Chatsworth Hotel's Festive Afternoon Tea transports guests to Worthing's Edwardian golden age. The menu features delicacies inspired by popular treats from the early 1900s when Worthing was a fashionable resort town. Guests savor cucumber sandwiches, Victoria sponge, and Sussex Pond pudding while overlooking the same seafront that attracted visitors a century ago. The hotel's period decor enhances the historical atmosphere, with original features carefully preserved. You can sip specially blended teas from fine bone china, experiencing the elegance of a bygone era. This event offers a taste of Worthing's rich hospitality heritage.
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Festive Afternoon Tea at The Chatsworth Hotel
Traditional Christmas at High Salvington Windmill
What to Expect:
Interactive milling demonstration and bread-making
Description:
High Salvington Windmill hosts a Traditional Christmas event that brings 18th-century holiday customs to life. Visitors can participate in a rare winter milling demonstration, watching as grain becomes flour using wind power. The air fills with the aroma of freshly baked bread made from the mill's flour. This working post mill, one of the few remaining in England, offers a unique glimpse into historical agricultural practices. Guests can try their hand at traditional bread-making techniques, connecting with centuries-old culinary traditions. The event highlights the vital role windmills played in Sussex's rural communities during past holiday seasons.
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Traditional Christmas at High Salvington Windmill