There’s something rather magical about a Christmas market, especially when you realise you can support gorgeous local and sustainable indie designer-makers AND do all your Christmas shopping in one place.
Read on for our favourite festive and winter markets coming up in Brighton and beyond (some of our faves haven’t announced details of their markets yet, so we’ll be updating this list regularly). Please note, these are in date order, not in order of how much we love them!
Brighton
NOVEMBER
Made Brighton Design and Craft Fair
Step right this way to see the best makers in the country at this super-sparkly Christmas market. Run by Tutton & Young, who are also behind shop-gallery-workshop Atelier Beside The Sea (we’d highly recommend their classes by the way), you can expect an exciting array of top artists and designers at Made Brighton, selling an enormous variety of high-quality products you’ll want to buy, from jewellery and knitwear to ceramics and textiles. We’ll take them all.
Thursday 28th November – Sunday 1st December; 10.30am – 5pm (Thursday 6 – 8.30pm); from £8.60
Brighton Dome Corn Exchange, Church Street, Brighton, BN1 1UE
madebrighton.co.uk
DECEMBER
Paper Daisy Christmas Makers’ Fair
Paper Daisy always put on a good fair and, for their Christmas editions, they’ve specially selected Sussex-based makers, designers and indie businesses to provide a good range of options for all ages and budgets. Local sellers will be showcasing a variety of unique gifts, including prints, sculptures, jewellery, ceramics, and more, with each market hosting different sellers. You’ll find festive food and drink at each venue, plus wreath-making workshops and live performances putting the extra festive in the fair.
Sunday 1st December; 11am – 4.30pm; free
Saltdean Lido, Saltdean Park Road, Saltdean, Brighton, BN2 8SP
Saturday 7th December; 10am – 3.30pm; free
The Shoreham Centre, 2 Pond Road, Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 5WU
Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th December; 10.30am – 4.30pm; free
Wagner Hall, 2 Regency Road, Brighton BN1 2RU
paperdaisyevents.co.uk
Sussex Emmaus Christmas fair
Emmaus, the charity working to end homelessness, is holding its Christmas fair on Saturday 7th. They say you can expect plenty of unique gift ideas, locally grown Christmas trees, festive food and drink and home-baked goods, a tombola (yay!), while resident DJ Simon will be spinning the Christmassy tunes. They’re also holding a wreath-making workshop (tickets for that here).
Saturday 7th December; 10am – 4pm; free
Drove Road, Portslade, Brighton, BN41 2PA
emmausbrighton.co.uk
Beau-Events Craft Fairs
Artisan craft fair regular Beau-Events is well-known (and loved) for its central location and a brilliantly eclectic mix of local indie makers. Think everything from knitted accessories to quirky jewellery, unusual eye masks and vibrant pottery, all with a festive twist. You’ll find over 50 artists and makers at each event, plus mulled wine and cakes.
Saturday 7th December; 11am – 5pm; free
The Unitarian Church, New Road, Brighton BN1 1UF
Saturday 14th December; 11am – 4pm; free
Jubilee Square; Brighton, BN1
beau-events.com
Brighton Etsy Christmas market and New England House Christmas fair
This is always one of our favourite present stops in the run-up to Christmas, in part due to the buzzing, festive atmosphere (lights, a tree, the whole shebang). Every time we go we discover new and exciting products by local designers and makers (76 of ’em this year) who sell their wares on Etsy. It’s highly curated – only the best unique products (think beautiful prints, cards, lingerie, jewellery, pottery and homewares) make it to the market, so you’re bound to find something a little different that you love. They’ve got a new venue too this year – they’re at the Clarendon Centre, a short walk from Brighton station. It’s over the road from New England House, which is taking part in the artists’ open houses event and has a fabulous festive fair all weekend (Friday – Sunday; 11am – 5pm) featuring over 30 designers and makers (across jewellery, accessories, sculpture and more), so even more indie shopping opportunities!
Saturday 7th December; 11am – 5pm; free
Clarendon Centre, Brighton, BN1 4GQ
brightonetsyteam.wordpress.com
Black Brighton Market Christmas and Kwanzaa market
They’re all on the 7th, it seems! The Black Brighton Market is always well worth a visit. This weekend is its Christmas and Kwanzaa (an African American and pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community and culture) edition and it’s the perfect chance to get on with your gift-giving. Stalls will be selling a wide range of accessories, art prints and originals, candles, haircare and jewellery from black and POC makers, plus you can also try your luck at the raffle and enjoy a range of talented open-mic performers.
Saturday 7th December; midday – 6pm; free, but donations welcome
The Actors, 4 Prince’s Street, Brighton, BN2 1RD
blackbrighton.wordpress.com
Elm Grove Primary School Christmas Fair and Makers Market / The Annunciation Christmas Bazaar
Over in hilly Hanover, Elm Grove Primary School is hosting its annual Christmas shindig with stalls from local makers, games, toys, books, a Santa’s grotto, and a raffle. If you’re looking for good wholesome fun, you’ve got it. Since you’ve made the trek over to the mountainous side, stick around for the Annunciation Church’s Christmas bazaar featuring cards, crafts, toys and food and drink. And then stay for the pubs – and the local street advent calendar. The houses of Albion Hill, Carisbrooke/Ryde and Picton Street will be lighting up their windows on Saturday.
Elm Grove Primary School: Saturday 7th December; 11am – 2pm; £1 voluntary entry
Elm Grove, Brighton, BN2 3ES
Annunciation Church: Saturday 7th December; 10am – 4pm; free
89 Washington Street, BN2 9SR
annunciationbrighton.org.uk
Brighton Open Market festive markets
The Brighton Open Market always puts on a good market and there are three to enjoy before the end of the year, each with a bit of a festive twist. The vegan market (7th December) is where to stock up on vegan goodies of all kinds, from vegan doughnuts to cakes and sauerkraut, plus prints and jewellery, while there’s a festive food and drink market the following week, finishing up with a Christmas makers’ market on the 21st.
Saturday 7th, 14th and 21st December; 10am – 5pm; free
Marshalls Row, Brighton, BN1 4JU
brightonopenmarket.co.uk
Florence Road festive market with Silver Spur makers’ market
This regular Saturday farmers’ market has gone super-sized (four times bigger than usual) and deliciously festive in the run-up to Christmas. Think excellent local food and drink producers bringing festive goodness like themed macarons, decadent chocolate and moreish truffled Brie (as well as the usual staples). Inside you’ll find the makers’ market with eight stalls from an eclectic array of unique sellers across jewellery, antiques, home decor and more, a vintage stall and three pre-loved clothing tables, one of which will be (wo)manned by yours truly. They’re also bringing music, fun festive vibes and some adorable donkeys (from around midday – depending on cooperation levels, obvs)
Saturday 14th and Saturday 21st December; 9.30am – 1.30pm; free; dogs on a lead allowed
The One Church, corner of Florence Road and Southdown Avenue, Brighton, BN1 6DL
florenceroadmarket.com
Brighton Winter Fayre makers’ market
The new Christmas fair to land on St Peter’s Square celebrates all that is great and eclectic about Brighton and one of those things is a festive makers’ market. You’ll find loads of cool gifts and goodies from local creatives, from jewellery to festive treats.
Sunday 15th and Sunday 22nd December; 10am – 4pm; free
York Place, Brighton, BN1 4GU
brightonwinter.org
Brighton Toy and Model Museum festive fair
Putting the fun (and games) into fair, you couldn’t find more delightfully nostalgic surroundings – think vintage toys, puppets, model planes and trains, a mini Brighton Pavilion – for a Christmas fair. They’ve got another great line-up this year, featuring loads of local artisans, bringing everything you need to get your one-of-a-kind gift on, from Brighton-inspired decoupage dishes and Sussex-inspired whimsical ceramics to metal sculptures and gilded glass signs and decorations.
Sunday 15th December; 11am – 4pm; free
52 – 55 Trafalgar Street, Brighton, BN1 4EB
brightontoymuseum.co.uk
Further afield
NOVEMBER
Artelium Wine Christmas makers’ market
Artelium Wine are back in the barn for their annual Christmas market, bringing together a host of excellent makers, producers and artisans for a festive feast of local craft and produce. You’ll find everything from hand-carved wooden vases and sculptural jewellery to small-batch chocolate, plus plenty of food and drink (wine!) to keep you going, as well as free tastings throughout the day.
Saturday 30th November; 10am – 4pm; free (but you need to book)
artelium.com
DECEMBER
Middle Yard Christmas market
The Titch Hill vineyard gang are back with another edition of their local farmers’-style market – this time with a festive spin. Think local makers, Christmassy food and drink offerings, and all the festive vibes. The last market served up a smorgasbord of goodies, with charcuterie from Beal’s Farm, chocolate magic from Chocolatician (who has her workshop there), oysters from Riddle & Finns, coffee from Bolt Espresso, baked goods from Flint Owl Bakery, hot stuff from Sussex Chilli Farm, and more. You’ll find a bar stocked with Titch Hill’s (excellent) natural wines and other local drinks, plus a selection of tasty wood-fired dishes to enjoy over live music in the barn or on the long tables set up in the undercroft. They’re also holding a couple of mini tours and tastings (£12) – we’d recommend!
Saturday 7th December; 11am – 7pm; free
Lambleys Lane, Worthing, BN14 9JX
titchhill.com
Cider Tap Christmas Market
Head over to the Cider Tap – a taproom on a juicy cider farm – in Bolney for more festive fun this weekend (Saturday and Sunday). As well as their tasty beer and cider (plus mulled goodness), there’ll be local gins, and plenty of other local artisans selling everything from baubles and wreaths to ceramics, chocolate and macarons. It’s also the perfect opportunity to check out their new extended space!
Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December; 11am – 5pm; free
The Cider Tap, Old Mill Farm, Cowfold Road, Bolney, RH17 5SE
Wobblegate.co.uk
Seven Sisters Country Park Christmas Market
Fancy a little trip out of Brighton? Seven Sisters Country Park is a stunning location for a brisk walk and, this year, they’re back with another edition of their popular Christmas market. Held in the historic pump barn, there will be plenty of Sussex-produced goods, such as beer, honey and arts and crafts; and all the mulled wine, hot chocolate and festive treats you can manage.
Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December; 10am – 4pm; free
Pump Barn, Seven Sisters Country Park, East Dean Road, Seaford, BN25 4AD
sevensisters.org.uk
Gun Brewery Christmas market
Head over to this Sussex brewery’s taproom for festive food and drink fun and the opportunity to browse the wares of over 20 local makers, artists and local food producers. As well as the brewery’s huge range of beers to try, you’ll find mulled cider and food from the Curry Squad. Book a table if you want a guaranteed spot to rest your bum – and your bags.
Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th December; midday – 5pm; free
Gun Brewery, Hawthbush Farm, Gun Hill, East Sussex, TN21 0JX
gunbrewery.co.uk
Hastings Makers’ Market
Fancy a trip further down the coast? Then check out this makers’ market in nearby (ish, in a car) Hastings. The town’s getting a well-deserved reputation for fantastic indie creators, so this is the perfect time to go and check them out.
Saturday 14th December; 11am – 4pm; free
The Yard, Waterworks Road, Hastings, TN34 1RT
theyardhastings.co.uk