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Brighton Christmas Ideas in 2024

Unwrap the Magic: Brighton Christmas Ideas 2024

Get ready for an unforgettable festive season with Brighton Christmas Ideas 2024! 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!

RECOMMENDED:
Brighton Christmas Party Menus
Special Offers
Christmas Gift Vouchers

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. 
 
Find out who is serving a Christmas Lunch Brighton.
Hove Place Pub and Gardens offers a selection of festive Christmas dishes, including turkey with all the trimmings, seasonal vegetables, and festive napkins. Whether you're looking for a Christmas lunch, dinner, or hosting a Christmas party, Hove Place provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere in Brighton and Hove. Featured in the Restaurants Brighton Guide, it’s a top choice for celebrating the festive season with great food and good company.
Meet Father Christmas at The Royal Pavilion in Brighton. Santas Grotto experience, Christmas with the kids. Pictured a child holding a baubel in Santas Grotto

Meet Father Christmas

Meet Father Christmas in his magical grotto at the Adelaide Room in the Royal Pavilion! Enjoy a festive puzzle trail around the Pavilion before your visit to the Grotto. On arrival, there will be games, photo opportunities, and festive snacks and drinks for the whole family. Children will be thrilled to meet Father Christmas, share their Christmas wishes, and receive a special gift. Tickets are limited and sell out quickly. 

The Brighton Lights at One Garden

Experience a magical Brighton Winter Wonderland right on your doorstep in Stanmer Park! Designed with families in mind, the Brighton Christmas event offers a buggy-friendly route perfect for little legs and is wheelchair accessible, ensuring everyone can join in the fun. Hosted at One Garden, visitors can enjoy a stunning light trail through Stanmer’s famous orchard and the illuminated Palm House for the first time ever. While soaking in the festive atmosphere, warm up with mulled wine, hot chocolate, and delicious street food from local vendors. 

Brighton Winter Fayre Logo which looks like a snowflake with the backdrop of the dark blue sky. Similar to the Brighton Christmas market

Brighton Winter Fayre

The Brighton Winter Fayre is a festive celebration of magic and merriment, taking place over three weekends in December. Visitors can enjoy creative workshops, live performances, music nights, cabaret, and children’s activities, alongside a bustling makers market. The main Square hosts free entertainment, with Winter Nights offering live shows, music, and DJs. Local street food vendors serve up delicious savoury and sweet treats, complemented by a café and licensed bar. 

The Christmas Drone Light Show

Watch as Charles Dickens’ timeless Christmas classic comes to life in a stunning drone light show at The 1st Central County Ground. With the voice of Matt Lucas, this captivating spectacle brings festive magic to the night sky. Experience a creative celebration of Christmas as iconic characters from the story are brought to life in towering drone formations. Journey through the transformative tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, his ghostly visitors, and his profound change on Christmas Eve. A heart-warming, immersive experience you won’t want to miss! 
A Christmas Drone Light Show at the Sussex Cricket Ground
Christmas events in Sussex. Glow Wild at Wakehurst.

Glow Wild at Wakehurst

Glow Wild 2024 at Wakehurst is a dazzling woodland trail of lights and lantern installations, transforming the garden into an illuminated wonderland. Inspired by the hidden world of trees, the trail spans over a mile of stunning light displays, featuring a giant Christmas tree, flying owl, and a fiery hidden dragon. Enjoy delicious street food, toast artisan marshmallows, and shop in the Gift Shop and Plant Centre. With exclusive installations and a special Christmas Eve date, Glow Wild is a must-see festive experience. Visit between 28th November 2024 and 1st January 2025.

Christmas at the AMEX Stadium

If you’re looking for something unique to do this Christmas, why not enjoy the festive hospitality at the American Express Stadium? Treat yourself to a delightful festive brunch or Sunday lunch with friends and family. Prices £25 for adults and £12.50 for children. 
 
Christmas brunch dates include; Saturday 7, Sunday 8, Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 December. Christmas Sunday lunch dates include Sunday 8 December and Sunday 22 December.
 
Pictured, the Brighton and Hove Football Stadium. a wide angle view which shows the stadium from inside. a beautiful lush green football pitch. the blue and white colours of the BHAFC or The Seagulls flag. Against the backdrop of a blue sky.
The Royal Pavilion lit up with hues of pink and purple against the night sky with ice skaters in the foreground. Ice skating at the Royal Pavilion. Part of our Things to do in Brighton guide and a key part of Brighton's events calendar

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.. The Royal Pavilion Ice Rink

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 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.
The Bluebell railway, Santa Specials, things to do for Christmas in Sussex
Christmas box at Cin Cin. A foodie christmas gift wrapped in a brown box with ribbon.

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 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. 
 

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. 

Discover Brighton Igloos

Inside an igloo pod, a round wooden table with dark gold coloured tea light holders, chairs and a comfy cushioned bench surround the table and are draped with blankets. In the top of the igloo hands a display of dried flowers, grasses and lights. This picture represents the start of the Brighton igloo guide and it is popular in many Brighton restaurants. New Year's eve Brighton guide
A group of 6 ladies enjoying karaoke at Lucky voice Brighton. A karaoke screen in the background. One of Brighton's favourite karaoke bars. Karaoke Brighton. New Years Eve Brighton

New Year’s Eve 2024 – Where to go?

As the year approaches its conclusion, it’s time to plan your New Year’s Eve celebration in Brighton and welcome 2025 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. 

Gifts for foodie friends and family

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.

Uncover Christmas gift ideas

Christmas gift ideas. Pictured, Terre A Terre gift box, which is wooden. Inside a selection of vegetarian foods.
Flour Pot Christmas. https://restaurantsbrighton.co.uk/christmas-lunch-brighton/

Brighton Party Menus

Get planning your Christmas parties for its festive season and those crackers aren’t going to pull themselves!

Our Christmas menus page will guide you through who’s serving what this season.

View the Brighton Christmas party menus.

Brighton Christmas picture. Two ladies overlooking the festive afternoon tea in the Metropole hotel. Pictured, snowmen. mince pies and scones with cream.

TREAT SOMEONE, TREAT YOURSELF

Buying a voucher for their favourite venue is a fantastic way to treat someone ahead of time. There are so many incredible venues to choose from, so we’ve put this list of our pick from around restaurants in Brighton, Hove and Sussex. And who knows, they may choose to thank you by asking you to be their dinner guest!

Buy restaurant Christmas gift vouchers for your favourite venues. 

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.
 
Things to do in Brighton. Pictured the Brighton Christmas clocktower which consists of sparkly lights connected to a tall clock tower.
CHRISTMAS IN BRIGHTON 2018 COPYRIGHT Nick Harvey www.restaurantsbrighton.co.uk_9169

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.
 

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.

pubs with fires, Winter fire at Sussex pub
Outside country pub The Sportsman on a frosty Winter's day. Sussex pub walks are available here.

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 Brighton. Image courtesy of Visit England

Burning of The Clocks 2024 

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.

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Hove Place Pub and Gardens offers a selection of festive Christmas dishes, including turkey with all the trimmings, seasonal vegetables, and festive napkins. Whether you're looking for a Christmas lunch, dinner, or hosting a Christmas party, Hove Place provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere in Brighton and Hove. Featured in the Restaurants Brighton Guide, it’s a top choice for celebrating the festive season with great food and good company.
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