Christmas & New Year

Brighton & Hove is the ideal place for a festive break, get all your Christmas shopping wrapped up ready to enjoy the festive events plus there are plenty of places to go for warming winter meals…

Christmas Shopping

Christmas shopping in Brighton is a breeze with hundreds of independent shops in the twisting alleyways of The Lanes and the bohemian North Laine as well as the seafront arches. Big name stores can be found at Churchill Square Shopping Centre plus the outlet shops of Brighton Marina.

Christmas Events

The Royal Pavilion Ice Rink returns giving visitors the chance to skate with the exotic palace providing a magical backdrop. Burning the Clocks takes place on 21^st December to mark the winter solstice. The lengthening of days are celebrated with a paper lantern parade through the city followed by a ceremonial bonfire on the beach.

Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained? How about a round of crazy golf down at Brighton Marina? GLOBALLS ® is great fun for all the family with two courses full of giant, glow-in-the-dark animals. Book the Jurassic course to see dinosaurs getting into the festive spirit! Read our blog for more festive family-fun ideas.

The classic Christmas tale The Snowman is being celebrated at the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery with an exhibition of original illustrations by Raymond Briggs. For alternative shopping ideas explore the artworks on display as part of the Christmas Open Houses; there are also Christmas Markets at Brighton Palace Pier; Brighton Dome and Brighton Open Market.

Just outside the city are the beautiful gardens of Wakehurst and in November and December they will be hosting the magical lantern trail – Glow Wild. Trees, ponds and forest floors will be brought to life with hundreds of glowing lanterns and torches of fire.

Father Christmas

There will be plenty of opportunities to meet Father Christmas this year as he makes guest appearances at several Brighton attractions including Volk’s Electric Railway; Preston Manor; Stanmer House; Drusillas and Brighton Marina!

Christmas Shows

The celebrations carry on into the night with the Theatre Royal Brighton bringing the ultimate party to the city – The Rocky Horror Show – so don your fishnets and get ready to do the time-warp again! Head to the seafront to drink, dine and dance in a Brighton Beach Box and Igloo alternatively Pull a Cracker with Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus at Brighton Dome. There’s music and comedy at Komedia courtesy of Tina C and Suspiciously Elvis or the classic tale of Peter Pan at The Attenborough Centre.

Christmas Party Packages

The festive season is the ideal time to get together for a group celebration whether that’s with friends, family or workmates. Brighton hotels, restaurants, pubs and attractions offer a wide variety of party packages and group rates. Visit our Christmas Party Packages page for details.  

For more Christmas in Brighton events and New Year's Eve parties in Brighton browse the listings below and go to our accommodation section to book a Christmas break in Brighton.