It’s the final week of seasonal market and shopping goodness as we head into the final rundown to the Big Day. Some are boozy, some are crafty, but they’re all absolutely free to enter (leaving you more money to spend inside, hurrah). Here’s where you can get your festive on:
Wednesday – Sunday
Fancy leaving Brighton, but not going too far? Rottingdean village is a great bet with its quirky high street and Christmas Fair at the Grange gallery and museum. They’ve got a 17-stall-strong spread of local makers across jewellery, ceramics, glass, cards and artsy bits you won’t find on the high street, plus plenty of books for kids and local history fans. It’s the unfrazzled way to get some last-minute shopping in. If it’s not blowing a gale, take a leisurely stroll there via the Undercliff Walk and warm up with a drink at The White Horses hotel overlooking the beach.
Wed – Sat, 10am – 4pm and Sun, 1pm – 4pm
Friday and Saturday
Winter Solstice at One Garden Brighton
Over at One Garden at Stanmer Park, you’ll find lanterns, late-night market shopping and live music under the winter sky. Expect mulled wine, hot chocolate, mince pies, street food, a lantern parade and a very wholesome hit of community spirit.
Fri 12th & 19th & Sat 13th & 20th Dec; 4pm – 8pm; free but ticket required to guarantee entry – SOLD OUT, but worth keeping an eye out for returns
Saturday
Florence Road Market Christmas Fair
The weekly Florence Road market has gone big this year and this Saturday sees its last super-sized Christmas fair of the year. It’s packed with live music and some of the best local food producers in town. You’ll also find another edition of Silver Spur’s makers’ market full of Brighton’s quirkiest creatives: ceramics, printmakers, petal people, and all the independent oddities you didn’t know you needed. It’s the kind of neighbourhood festive energy that makes us want to move to Fiveways.
20th Dec; 9.30am – 1.30pm (makers’ market from 9am – 2pm)
Haus of Palette Sip ’n’ Shop in Hove
This new Hove interiors shop had its first chic after-hours shopathon last Thursday and it was such as success, they’re doing a daytime version this Saturday. As well as plenty of last-minute gifting buys, illustrator Danielle Brooks will be on hand to personalise goodies like baubles, cards and gift tags. And yes, there will still be Prosecco. It’s a civilised way to get your gift on minus the panic.
Sat 20th Dec; 2pm – 5pm
Rainbow Craft Events at Brighton Friends Meeting House
Rainbow Craft’s last colour-drenched takeover of the year is happening at the Friends Meeting House with a fresh line-up of makers from candles and jewellery to indie books, cosy vibes, and a playlist you can bop around the stalls to. Think handmade gifts with actual heart and zero Amazon energy.
Sat 20th Dec; 10am – 4.30pm
Beau-Events Art + Makers Market at Jubilee Square
Over 50 artists and makers are taking over Jubilee Square for a giant, joyously creative Christmas fair – mulled wine, carol singers and heaps of goodies.
Sat 20th Dec; 11am – 5pm
The Big Gay Market at Dalton’s
The Big Gay Market is back on Saturday, serving Brighton’s favourite mix of queer makers, cute crafts and gloriously extra vibes – all raising funds for Transanta. Expect art, books, gifts and plenty of rainbow-fuelled joy at Dalton’s on the beach.
Sat 20th Dec; 10am – 4pm
Open Market Christmas Market
Brighton Open Market is back again this Saturday, rolling out over 80 stalls of makers, foodies, vintage sellers and colourful characters. (Fika By The Sea’s excellent Swedish buns are always on our must-snag list.) Excellent for covering everyone you forgot on your list – and snagging snacks for yourself while you’re at it.
Sat 20th Dec; from 10am
Trenchmore Farm Winter Market
There’s time for one last hurrah over at Trenchmore Farm, a 30-minute drive from Brighton. Their final market is stacking up nicely, with cider on tap, and a cracking line-up of food and drink producers, including Spirit of the Downs, Curing Rebels, Goldstone Rum and 3Bros burgers. Fancy some big flavours with a side of countryside? This is the one for you. And if you need perking up post-Christmas, their last cider, produce and burger day of the year is on Saturday 27th (11am – 4pm).
Sat 20th Dec; 11am – 4pm
Saturday, Monday and Tuesday
Sinna’s Grotto at Gallery Lock In
Local street artist Sinna One is cracking open his grotto (Sinna’s, not Santa’s) on Little Western Street for a full festive studio clearout. He’ll be selling bold, trippy originals, prints, cards and other arty bits you won’t see again once they’re gone. Pop in for proper bargains, last-minute gifts and a nosey around the grotto. Fancy learning how to spray yourself? Book yourself onto a workshop, there are still a few spots left.
Sat 20th, Mon 22nd and Tues 23rd Dec; midday – 6pm
Sunday
Sinna’s Art Market at Artista Cafe
Sinna One is back again on Sunday with more arty stuff at a different location. He’s bringing an art market to Artista Cafe on Brighton Square with a stack-load of last-minute giftable goodness – prints, cards, clothes, jewellery, badges, workshop vouchers, and more – from him and three other indie makers. Perfect for stocking fillers that don’t feel like an afterthought, plus a good excuse for a coffee while you browse.
Sun 21st Dec; midday – 6pm
BrightStyle Market at Pink Moon
Fashion lovers, this one’s got your name on it. Not officially a Christmas market, but who doesn’t need some to new-to-you bits for the festive frolics? Alongside a tightly curated mix of thrifted and vintage pieces, various sellers, including local jewellers, the legends at Bitter Women Brewery, artists and knit designers, will be selling their wares. Get ready to rummage.
Sun 21st Dec; 11am – 5pm
Preston Park Food Market
It’s not a festive market per se, but the weekly market at Preston Park is always a great opportunity to stock up on foodie treats. And this weekend is no exception, not least because several of the traders have got some festive specials on board. And if you like to scoff while you shop, there’s plenty of street food to get your chops around, from Mexican from Saltio and Italian goodies from Boella.
Sun 21st Dec; 10am – 3pm
