what to do this weekend: 6th – 9th december

If you haven’t got your Christmas tree up already, then this is the weekend to do it, surely? And if you’re more “it’s been December for six days, OF COURSE it’s up” and your house already resembles a grotto then just have a look at our weekend guide for ideas on how to get the best out of the city…

weekend-guide
Late night shopathon

Ok, so we’ve already given you the heads up on some of the best festive shopping happening this weekend (and beyond), as well as how to buy gifts for refugees, but there’s even more! Kemp Town will also be bringing you maximum festive gift-seeking opportunities tonight (Thursday) with shops open in the village on St Georges Road until 8.00pm. The Vintage Workshop will be kicking things off into the festive season with a little bit of a tipple and a lot of mince pies and late-night shopping. It’s the perfect addition to your North Laine late-night shopping trip if you’re in town already.

Get high (Featured image)
If you fancy getting high (nooo, not like that) this weekend, then Yoga in the Sky has got your name on it. Start your weekend off with an early morning flight and flex on board the BAi360 with yoga experts My Escape and Nine Lives Yoga. Leave any pre-festive-related stress at ground level and jump into an uplifting mix of yoga and pilates in the pod that reaches 450 feet above the sea, looking out across the South Downs and calming Sussex coastline. After the hour-long class, you’re invited to join the group at West Beach Bar & Kitchen for a breakfast buffet (an additional £9.50), which includes mini granola pots, natural yoghurt, fresh fruit platters (and mini croissants…), juice and super smoothies.
GET TICKETS
Saturday 8th December, 8.30am arrival for 9.00am start; £29 + £9.50 for breakfast
BAi360, Lower Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2LN

weekend-guide

BOTI’s gone balmy
No, really, we have. And so could you if you get yourself a ticket to the Botanical Balms workshop at YouJuice on Saturday. It’s the perfect early Christmas present to yourself and you’ll even get to take home your own handmade balm at the end of it. Merry Christmas to you! (Or your nearest and dearest if you’re feeling generous). You’ll start with a base balm that can be transformed into whatever kind of balmy goodness you fancy, from a beauty or massage balm to a lip or cleansing one. You’ll learn a fair bit about essential oils, too, as you make your own personal blend! The balms are made using beeswax, but the good news is they can offer a vegan alternative if needed, just give them the heads up. They’re offering two tickets for £80, too, which include refreshments to see you through the session, so you’ll save a tenner to treat yourself to something nice post-workshop. Bonus.
Saturday 8th December, 10.00am – 12.30pm; £45 pp or two for £80
YouJuice Health Food Cafe, 96 North Road, Brighton BN1 1YE
Book your ticket

weekend-guide
Uke better believe it’s Christmas 
Or at least it will be when you walk into The George Payne in Hove on Sunday evening, as they’re hosting the Jumping Flea Ukulele Collective for a festive special! It’s free and perfect for all the family. Their set list promises both festive classics and other fun singalong opportunities, with dancing actively encouraged. If you’re a fan of a Sunday singalong, then make sure you grab a song sheet and get stuck in. Their roasts are pretty darn good, too, so we’d recommend booking a table!
Saturday 8th December, 6.30pm – 8.30pm; free
The George Payne, 18 Payne Avenue, Hove, BN3 5HB

weekend-guideTake your tastebuds on a trip to Porto
Ten Green bottles are cracking open the port this Sunday for another popular tasting event. Sommelier Simon will be doing what he does best – tasting and talking his way through some of the best ports on their list. From white to aged tawny, port lovers everywhere will want to get involved. They’ll also be tasting some still wines from the same Douro region, so you’ll get plenty of booze for your buck at just £25 a ticket. We sampled a lot of this on a visit to Portugal in the summer and can confirm Douro wines are delicious. And the good news is if you like what you try, there’s a discount on the day for any bottles you want to take home, so it’s the perfect time to stock up for the festive season.
Sunday 9th December, 4.00pm; £25
Ten Green Bottles, 9 Jubilee Street, Brighton BN1 1GE
Get your ticket

Photo credit: Sarah Alice (Yoga)