If you’re after a festive light trail, then you’re spoilt for choice in Sussex with spectacular shows like Glow Wild, the grandaddy of local light extravaganzas, to city newbie The Brighton Lights.
1. The Brighton Lights
The Brighton-based festival is the newest on the light scene and it’s back for its second year even bigger and better. You’ll find magical installations and luminous projections, all created by local artists. They’ve taken great care to make the festival inclusive and accessible for everyone, so this year’s extended trail route through Stanmer’s orchard and the Palm House is suitable for buggies and most all-terrain wheelchairs. The loos are also accessible and there’s a dedicated parents’ and carers’ room, plus quiet sessions on the 12th and 17th December. This isn’t just a trail, either, organisers say there’s even more of a festival atmosphere this year, with live music and entertainment, plus plenty of local food and drink from the likes of Happy Go Souvlaki, 800 Degrees Pizza, The Filled Churros, Dirty Dogs, Bon Vivant Brighton, as well as Stanmer’s One Garden Kitchen, AND a Christmas shop. There’s also an accessible shuttle bus from the University of Sussex Science Park Square car park and Falmer station bus stop to take you to (and from) the event, and Brighton Bike Hub are running a gentle-paced mass ‘bike train’ from the Winter Fayre on York Place to the lights on Saturday 14th at 3.30pm.
Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December and Thursday 12th – Sunday 22nd December; 4pm – 8.15pm; £16 (Children £10); dogs on a lead welcome
One Garden Brighton, Stanmer Park, Brighton, BN1 9SE
thebrightonlights.co.uk
2. Glow Wild
This year marks the 11th year of Glow Wild, the immersive after-dark lantern trail at Wakehurst. One of the originals and still one of the very best, it’s back with another hefty dose of luminous magic for 2024. As well as a brand-new mile-long trail that takes you deep into the heart of the wild botanic gardens, you’ll find 1,000 hand-made lanterns, plus incredible site-specific installations designed by leading international artists. Under the theme of The Enchanting World of Trees, you’re invited to discover intricate woven tree structures, art that takes you inside the tree canopy, an illuminated pathway of leaf chandeliers, a giant flying owl puppet, a fiery hidden dragon, festive displays on the newly renovated Elizabethan mansion building, and, of course, the famous Wakehurst Redwood Christmas tree that’s decked in 1,800 sparkling lights. There’s plenty of festive treats to tuck into, too, from mulled wine and hot chocolate, to marshmallows to toast over roaring fire pits. If you’d rather have a more relaxed evening, there are several quiet sessions, as well as late-night adults-only evenings, and for the perfect festive pre-Christmas treat, they’re even open on Christmas Eve this year.
Select evenings from Thursday 28th November – 1st January 2025; entry slots between 4.15pm and 10pm (last entry at 8.20pm); from £11 (child) and £14 (adult)
Wakehurst Visitor Centre, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, RH17 6TN
kew.org
3. Leonardslee Lights
Leonardslee Gardens is stunning in every season and Leonardslee Lights exploits that natural beauty in the best possible way. The new wintry trail winds through the beautiful woodlands, taking in glowing sound and light sculptures, magical lake reflections, interactive displays and more twinkling tree canopies than you can shake a stick at. This year, they’ve also launched a quiet night with fewer numbers of people for those who find the usual crowds and noise too overwhelming. And if it’s easy for you to get to Horsham, they’re offering a free shuttle bus service between Leonardslee and the station. There’s also festive food and drink, funfair rides and a mini Christmas market.
Friday 22nd November – Monday 30th December; from £10.50 (child) and £17.50 (adult); dogs on short leads welcome
Leonardslee Gardens, Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham, RH13 6PP
leonardsleegardens.co.uk
4. Tulleys Christmas Light Festival
Tulleys are much better known for their frankly terrifying Shocktober event, but in recent years, they’ve done a great job at getting in on every trend, from pumpkins to tulips and, yes, illuminations. In true Tulleys fashion, it’s a meticulously designed immersive experience with 10 attractions, including light trails like The Enchanted Forest, complete with glowing trees and roaming live magical creatures, and candy-inspired wonderland Sweet Street. There are also six festive live shows, a 33-metre big wheel, live music, Christmassy boutiques, festive food and drink, and all the usual photo opps for the ‘Gram.
Thursday 28th November – Monday 23rd December; 4pm – 10pm; from £15.95 (£10.95 for children); dogs on a lead are welcome
Turners Hill Road, Turners Hill, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 4PD (NB it’s not at the main farm site – head there and follow signs to the festival)
christmaslightshow.co.uk
5. Bluebell Railway Steam Lights
There’s something special about a steam train. Decorate it in thousands of colourful sparkling lights, add in some illuminated festive scenes en route and you’ve got yourself something pretty incredible to hop aboard. Yes, Bluebell Railway’s Steam Lights is back for 2024 to take you on a journey through the beautiful Sussex landscape, transforming rain-sodden wintry evenings into magical moments. Book a compartment and add in one of their picnic boxes for a 1.5-hour experience that delights all the senses.
Friday 22nd November – 30th December; from £35
Sheffield Park Station, East Sussex, TN22 3QL
bluebell-railway.com
6. Illuminated Battle Abbey
One for the history buffs, this light trail on the site of the 1066 Battle of Hastings (one of the few dates we remember from history at school) takes you back to that era. Dramatic moments are brought to light, literally, with dazzling displays and installations. There’ll also be festive food and drink, including marshmallow toasting over open fires.
Tuesday 3rd December – Sunday 8th December; various time slots; £12.50 (children £7.50)
High Street, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0AE
english-heritage.org.uk
Photo credits: RBG Wakehurst Picture by Jim Holden (Glow Wild)
