There are loads of festive things you can do in the run-up to Christmas, from skating in front of the Pavilion to checking out Xmas markets, festivals and drinking epic hot chocolate. Not enough? Here are some of our other favourite Christmassy events, guaranteed to give you all the festive feels.
Streets ahead
Hanover is well-known for its community spirit (and breath-sapping hills), but also for its street advent calendar. Street by street, participating houses decorate and light up their windows each evening, creating a living calendar that culminates in a massive display on 24th December when all the houses are illuminated. With lots of artists living in the area, you can always be sure of some pretty special displays, like this brilliantly topical window. It’s also a great opportunity to get stuck into some Christmas and community spirit and explore the neighbourhood (and its many pubs), especially as many of the streets hold friendly get-togethers and sing carols on their days. And, best of all, it’s completely free.
Every day until Sunday 25th December; houses usually lit up from dusk; free Streets around Hanover, Brighton BN2
He’s behind you
It’s panto season (oh yes, it is) and this week Xmas favourite Aladdin, starring Anita Dobson as baddie Abanazar, hits the stage at the Brighton Centre complete with dazzling special effects and costumes. The show may centre on the love story between Aladdin and Princess Jasmine, but Aladdin’s brother Wishee Washee and much-loved mum Widow Twankey are there to supply the laughs, in true panto tradition. Start practising your ‘boos’ now.
Thursday 22nd to Tuesday 27th December (excluding 25th); various times; from £15
brightoncentre.co.uk
Meet the Snowman in the sky
No, not a euphemism for popping your clogs, but rather an exciting opportunity to meet Raymond Briggs’ much-loved character as you’re ‘walking in the air’ at 450 feet in the rebranded Brighton i360 pod with views out to the Downs. It’s a collaboration with local children’s hospice Chestnut Tree House who will be collecting donations on the day.
Tuesday 20th December; meet the snowman at 11am, midday and 1pm; from £8.95
brightoni360.co.uk
Short but oh-so-sweet
After a two-year hiatus, Burning The Clocks is back. Local charity and paper lantern supremos Same Sky created the unique community event which takes place on 21st December each year, bringing the whole city together to mark the shortest day (finally!) and to celebrate and reflect on the past year. Kicking off with a lantern parade and culminating in a big effigy burning and fireworks on the beach, it’s a proper Brighton festive experience.
Wednesday 21st December; meet near the Pavilion at around 6.30pm; fireworks from 7.30pm on Kemptown Beach; free
Take the magic with you
After some more family-friendly fun? Time-travelling magicians Morgan & West are landing in Hove with their unique fun-filled brand of science (they’ve got science degrees), magic and silliness, all wrapped up in a giant festive bow, just for Christmas. Partial to puns and a spot of alliteration, the bearded duo guarantee a hefty dose of Christmas magic right here.
Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st December; 2pm; from £12
theoldmarket.com
Light up your life
Immersive light trails equal festive feels in our book and we’re particularly fond of Glow Wild at Wakehurst. Back for the ninth year with a hefty dose of luminous magic and a brand-new trail that takes you deeper into the heart of the gardens, it’s just what we need to brighten up these dark and dreary nights and get us in the holiday mood. They’ve also got the UK’s tallest living Christmas tree, which comes in at a whopping xx ft, and they’ve added adults-only sessions for this year, too.
Select evenings until Sunday 1st January 2023; entry slots between 4.30pm and 8pm; from £11
kew.org
What the Dickens
What happens when Dickens’ A Christmas Carol meets an escape room and an immersive theatre experience? Well, you’ll have to do Pier Pressure’s 60-minute family-friendly (suitable for children over eight) festive experience at Preston Manor to find out. Essentially, though, you’ll take on a role from the classic novel and meet the famous ghosts of Christmas past, present and future as they guide you around Preston Manor House (said to be incredibly haunted) to complete challenges and puzzles recreating the story to discover the true meaning of Christmas.
Every day until Saturday 31st December except Christmas Day and Boxing Day; 10am to 7pm; £29pp for 4-5 people in a team, £26pp for 6+
pier pressure.co.uk
Recent Comments