Brighton Christmas Ideas in 2025

Unwrap the Magic: Brighton Christmas Ideas 2025

Get ready for an unforgettable festive season with Brighton Christmas Ideas 2025! From dazzling light trails and magical grottoes to exciting holiday markets and unique events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Discover the charm of Brighton’s Christmas spirit as you explore festive displays, sip mulled wine, indulge in delicious street food, and create lasting memories with family and friends. Whether you’re seeking a winter wonderland experience or looking for the perfect gift, Brighton has everything to make your Christmas extraordinary. Don’t miss out on the magic this year!

Breakfast with Santa

Saltdean Lido’s Ballroom hosts a magical festive morning on 20 December 2025, from 9am to 12pm. Children can enjoy a tasty Christmas breakfast before meeting Santa Claus himself. Little ones will have the chance to share their Christmas wishes, take photos, and head home with a small treat from the North Pole. It’s a warm, joyful event for children of all ages — just bring your camera, your Christmas spirit and enjoy the festive fun. Picture copywright: Saltdean Lido.

Who’s serving on Christmas Day?

What would Christmas be without peeling a few dozen potatoes and crossing serval hundred sprouts? A breeze! Eating out on Christmas day means you can sit back and let the restaurant do the hard work while you indulge in some family time. options this year include The Saltdean Lido, Malmaison, Hotel Du Vin, Hove Place and more.

Christmas Gift Ideas from your local independents

Struggling for gift ideas for foodie friends and family this festive season? We have put together our picks of favourite Brighton Christmas venues who have thoughtfully put Christmas gifts together for you and your loved ones.

Christmas gift vouchers

Give the gift of great food this Christmas with a Restaurants Brighton Gift Voucher — the perfect present for anyone who loves dining out. Recipients can choose from a wide range of Brighton and Sussex restaurants, from cosy neighbourhood favourites to special-occasion destinations.

It’s a brilliant way to discover somewhere new, support local venues, and enjoy a meal exactly how and when they want. A flexible, thoughtful gift that is valid for the year ahead.

The Royal Pavilion Ice Rink

Embrace the festive spirit in Brighton this Christmas with a visit to the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink. The enchanting atmosphere, suitable for romantic outings or family-friendly fun, offers a unique experience. Glide across the ice, surrounded by twinkling lights, all powered by sustainable and green energy, making it a delightful and eco-friendly way to celebrate the season..

Where’s Open on Boxing Day?

Discover which Brighton restaurants, bars and pubs are open on Boxing Day in Brighton, Hove and Sussex with our continually updated round-up. From leisurely lunches to relaxed drinks, you’ll find a growing list of venues welcoming guests on 26 December, complete with opening times and key details. Whether you’re meeting friends, treating the family, or enjoying a post-Christmas breather, there are plenty of brilliant places to unwind and indulge. Check back often as we keep adding new Christmassy options throughout the festive season.

FROM SUSSEX WITH LOVE

Buying from Sussex suppliers supports many of the local industries that supply to our favourite Brighton restaurants, it also means you can lay on a Christmas spread that is comparable to something you’d find at your favourite restaurant. So, if you’re hosting a party, deciding on festive Christmas drinks this season and want to impress your guests or simply want to gift something deliciously local to someone, then shop from Sussex with love and taste the best bits of the season at home.

Christmas at the AMEX Stadium

Sunday 7th December, 2-5pm

Enjoy a festive afternoon tea at the Amex this December, served in the stunning new Fanzone. Tuck into seasonal treats, festive bakes and savoury favourites, all in a bright, welcoming space perfect for families and fans alike. You can also book a Festive Club Tour to make the most of your visit and enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the stadium. Explore the full programme of 2025 Fanzone events on their website.

New Year’s Eve 2025 – Where to go?

As the year approaches its conclusion, it’s time to plan your New Year’s Eve celebration in Brighton and welcome 2026 in style. Whether you prefer a night of revelry at a trendy restaurant in Brighton or soaking in the lively atmosphere at one of the Brighton’s best cocktail bars, there are various options to bid farewell to 2024 and embrace the Brighton new year. here are all the New Year’s Eve Menus for this year.

Santa Specials at The Bluebell Railway

The Santa Special event at the Bluebell Railway in Sussex offers a magical Christmas experience for families. Running from 29th-30th November and throughout December, visitors can enjoy a festive train ride through the beautiful Sussex countryside. Children will meet Santa Claus onboard, receive a special gift, and enjoy holiday-themed entertainment. The train is beautifully decorated, creating a festive atmosphere for all ages. This charming event is a perfect way to celebrate the season with loved ones on a traditional steam railway.

GET LOST IN THE LANES

Like the North Laine, The Lanes in the south of the city are a twisting and cobbled maze. Made sparkly and magical with wonderful festive street lights specially for the festive period. Here you’ll find antique shops, boutiques and jewellery shops, and several of the city’s prized Brighton restaurants, pubs and bars in Brighton.

To discover where you can eat and drink in The Lanes, head here

THE NORTH POLE (LAINE)

The iconic North Laine is decked out in the winter with super street lights to bring a little twinkle into the gloom. They’re abundant with bohemian boutiques, jewellery shops and trendy vintage clothing stores. We can pretty much guarantee that you’ll find some wonderful gifts for a distinctly Brighton Christmas. Brighton pubs and cafes will also be embracing the Christmas cheer with hot boozy beverages as well as festive treats that’ll warm your cockles while you finish your Christmas shopping.

Discover North Laine venues

Winter igloos | Brighton Festive Ideas

Nothing say’s Brighton Christmas like dining in a festive igloo or an alfresco pod. When the season brings in the winter chill then get cosy and dine in style in these decked out beauties.

They’re hot property so it’s best to book to ensure you and you Christmas clan get to experience the ultimate in igloo dining this season.

WARM-UP IN PUBS WITH FIRES

Tackling the Brighton Christmas streets can be demanding, cute and diverse as they are, they’re not a shopping centre with climate control. So, when the wind is blowing and the snow (or most likely rain) is falling, keep this list of Brighton and Hove pubs with real fires handy. You’ll need to find somewhere warm and cosy to dry off. Or do all your shopping online from in front of the pub fire – most of them have wifi.

Discover which Brighton and Hove pubs with fires.

EXPLORE Sussex Pubs

A clear, bright and cold day presents the perfect opportunity for stretching one’s legs with a walk around the Sussex countryside. There are numerous good Sussex pub walks, many of which feature trips through chocolate box villages and idyllic country pubs. Pop into one of these charming establishments to warm up with real ale, hearty grub, open fires and evergreen decked beams. Guaranteed to kindle the Christmas spirit in the Grinchiest of hearts.

Explore our pubs in Sussex

Burning of The Clocks 2025

Burning the Clocks is a unique community celebration held on December 21st, created by Same Sky to mark the shortest day of the year. Locals craft paper and willow lanterns using kits, and after parading through the city, they cast them into a blazing bonfire on Brighton beach, symbolising the year’s end. The event brings the city together with a different theme each year, offering an alternative to the excesses of Christmas. Burning the Clocks is a free, unticketed public event that unites the community in a magical, symbolic way. Discover more. Image courtesy of Visit England.