Looking for a festive light fix? Sussex is absolutely drowning in them. From enchanted forests and glowing gardens to illuminated steam trains and drones drawing giant animals in the sky, this year’s Christmas light trails are going big. Here are six of the best in Brighton and beyond – from the cosy to the full-on spectacular.
1. Glow Wild
Celebrating its 13th year, Glow Wild at Wakehurst is still the king of Sussex light trails – the original and, in our opinion, still the most magical. Expect thousands of hand-crafted lanterns, towering glowing sculptures, a wander through the gardens after dark and installations that change every year. For 2025, think a towering multi-tentacled luminous plant creature, under-the-waves moments, and rivers of twinkling lights set against the moon. There’s wild storytelling, fire pits for marshmallow-toasting, grown-up late nights, quiet sessions, and that enormous Redwood Christmas tree dripping in 1,800 lights. Even the mansion’s façade gets in on the action.
Select evenings from Thursday 27th November – Saturday 3rd January 2026; from £13.50
Wakehurst Visitor Centre, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, RH17 6TN
kew.org
2. Leonardslee Lights
Leonardslee is already gorgeous in daylight, but give it a winter night, a few thousand LEDs and a soundtrack, and it turns properly magical. The trail winds through the woods with glowing sculptures, shimmering lakes and enough lit-up tree canopies to make your phone battery weep. There’s a quieter session for anyone who hates crowds, plus a free shuttle from Horsham station (big win). Add in festive food, soundscapes, performers and a mini Christmas village and you’ve got a strong contender for Sussex’s most romantic stroll.
Friday 28th November – Tuesday 30th December; from £12.50; dogs on short leads welcome
Leonardslee Gardens, Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham, RH13 6PP
leonardsleegardens.co.uk
3. Tulleys Christmas Light Festival
Tulleys may be famous for scaring the living daylights out of everyone in October, but come winter they pivot to full festive immersion – and they’re annoyingly good at it. Expect a wildly detailed light trail, glowing creatures roaming the woods, live shows, a massive big wheel and enough sparkly photo moments to keep Instagram humming till New Year. It’s big, busy and very Tulleys – go ready to be entertained.
Friday 28th November – Saturday 3rd January; from £22.95; dogs on a lead 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
4. Bluebell Railway Steam Lights
If you want something with maximum charm and minimal chaos, hop aboard the Bluebell Steam Lights. It’s a 1.5-hour glow ride through the Sussex countryside with the train itself wrapped in technicolour lights, illuminated scenes along the route and plenty of cosy nostalgia. Everything looks better from a window seat on a steaming old engine – especially in December.
Until 28th December; from £35; service dogs only
Sheffield Park Station, East Sussex, TN22 3QL
bluebell-railway.com
5. Wild: A Drone Light Show
Forget fairy lights – this is Christmas in the sky. A Drone Light Show returns to Hove with 600 drones painting giant animals above the Sussex County Cricket Ground. Last year they gave us A Christmas Carol in drone light form; this year it’s a full-on animal kingdom soaring, prowling and splashing across the night. It’s 40 minutes of big cinematic spectacle and genuinely impressive tech wizardry.
Saturday 14th December; 5.30pm and 8.15pm; from £7; service dogs only
Book tickets
6. Burning The Clocks effigy reveal
The beloved winter solstice parade is taking a quick nap this year before its grand return in 2026 – but we’re still getting a treat. On the shortest day, the new lantern effigy (theme: Magicada – symbolic rest, noisy awakening) will be unveiled outside St Peter’s. Think of it as a little spark of Burning the Clocks spirit to tide us over until the big procession comes back.
Sunday 21st December; 4pm – 8pm; free
St Peter’s Church, York Place, Brighton, BN1 4GU
Photo credits: RBG Wakehurst Picture by Jim Holden (Glow Wild), Kaleido Shoots (Burning The Clocks)
