Top Christmas Events Brighton
Get into the festive spirit with our round up of all the best Christmas events Brighton has to offer!
Typically a hotspot for the summer months, marauding Londoner's wouldn't miss an opportunity to take to the wintry English coastline for a wintertime respite. The whole town glows a different colour, turning from a summertime sprawl to an idyllic Christmassy retreat.
In the face of winter winds, Brighton turns cosy, warm, and strangely charming, its turn-of-the-century terraces taking on a new face in the cold December light, the Pavilion becoming an icy palace, more Red Square than Istanbul. Buskers brace the cold, and the kids come out to play, with many activities for the little ones to enjoy. Let's get started shall we?
Usually, Burning the Clocks
City Centre 21 Dec 2024 to 21 Dec 2024
Burning the Clocks has been a cherished event unique to Brighton for three decades, that won't go ahead in 2025 due to major funding struggles.
For the past 30 years, every 21st December, Brighton's streets have come alive with a magical procession of beautiful illuminated lanterns.
Nonetheless, we won't be left without, entirely - we're graciously granted a sneak-peek at the 2026 effigy, commissioned under the theme ‘Magicada’, which will be displayed in the city centre on December 21st.
Visit Glow Wild's Illuminated Trail
Wakehurst 27 Nov 2025 to 3 Jan 2026
As night falls this winter, a world of Christmas wonder illuminates at Wakehurst in Hayward's Heath - just 30 minutes from Brighton.
Glow Wild is a light trail that transforms these lush botanical gardens into a sparkling winter wonderland, featuring stunning, one-of-a-kind artworks and installations that will fill you with child-like awe.
Take a Dip on Christmas Day
Brighton Beach 25 Dec 2025 to 25 Dec 2025
Every year at 11am on Christmas day since 1860, Brighton's hardnuts gather for a brief dip, seeing how long they can last in the bitter, briny shallow before their legs turn to stumps of meat and fall off.
Go full Wim Hof and take the plunge this festive season, in this 165 year old tradition that truly encapsulates the fearless Brighton spirit.
Go to the Panto!
DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole 23 Dec 2025 to 30 Dec 2025
Fe-Fi-Fo-FUN! Brighton Family Panto 2025 proudly presents Jack and the Beanstalk.
If there's anything Brighton does best, it's camp - and what's camper than the panto? If family-friendly isn't what you're after, fear not! There's a much raunchier adult-only show that's enough to make your Nan blush this holiday season.
Run the Brighton Santa Dash
Hove Lawns 6 Dec 2025 to 6 Dec 2025
If you've ever wanted to be part of a brigade of Santas sprinting, jogging, wobbling and desperately power-walking 5K along the promenade, the Santa Dash is calling for you.
It's wonderfully wholesome, and all in support of Rockinghorse Children's Charity - so, for once, you can feel smug about getting into the festive spirit.
Get your Christmas Shopping Done!
As a walkable city with an abundance of artisan boutiques, bookstores, vintage outlets, high-street favourites and markets, Christmas shopping in Brighton is a shoppers dream!
With over 500 shops to choose from, it’s hard to know where to go first. So, we’ve done the hard work for you - sorting your shopping list into five easy categories and signposting you to the best places to find your gifts.
Enjoy Brilliant Brighton's Festive Afternoon
City Centre 6 Dec 2025 to 6 Dec 2025
Brilliant Brighton will be furnishing our streets with Christmas cheer on Small Business Saturday - everyone's invited to join the celebrations!
On Saturday 6th December, Brighton's shoppers will be welcomed by Brilliant Brighton's busy elves, handing out festive goodies under their twinkling Christmas lights, to a backdrop of choirs, singers, and even a brass band.
Go Ice Skating at the Royal Pavilion
Royal Pavilion 25 Oct 2025 to 4 Jan 2026
Of course, you can’t have a Brighton Christmas without slipping and sliding about on the ice.
Nope, we don’t mean when it snows on The Lanes and you end up face-first in a freezing puddle - we’re talking outdoor ice skating at the beautifully illuminated Royal Pavilion.
Take in Brilliant Brighton's Christmas Lights
City Centre 14 Nov 2025 to 4 Jan 2026
What's Christmas without the magical, twinkling lights? Each winter, our seaside abode gets a sparkling makeover.
So, if you're eager to get into the festive spirit, grab a hot choccy and take a stroll in North Laine, down Western Road, East Street, Preston Street or through The Lanes, where overhead, you'll find thousands of glimmering lights between mid-November to January.
