‘Tis the week before Christmas, when all through Brighton, people are squeezing in some last-minute gift shopping and festive special eating (more of that later). Somehow, Christmas is mere days away now, so we’ve got one final weekend guide before the big day and we’re making the most of it while we can. We’ve already told you about Brighton’s very own immersive light festival The Brighton Lights (and artisan market), which kicks off on Friday, plus it’s the last weekend of the sustainable pop-up at Gallery 40. Read on for more!
Check out some more Xmas markets
Haven’t quite had your fill of festive fairs just yet? Good, because there’s a few more to check out this weekend. Silver Spur Makers’ Market is holding its last fair of the season at Shelter Hall this Sunday (11am – 3pm; free; Kings Road Arches). As ever, you can expect a great selection of handmade gifts (jewellery, prints small-batch soaps, and more), and loads of tasty food and drink options to fuel your shopping. Florence Road Market has its extra-large Christmas makers’ market curated by artist Joanna Myles and Sussex Contemporary on Saturday with food and gifts galore (9.30am – 1.30pm; free; Florence Road). Arts charity Onca is holding a Winter Arts Fair on Saturday (midday – 5pm; £2.50, includes raffle entry; 14 Saint George’s Place) at its intimate gallery, showcasing the work of local artists and makers (we’ve got our eye on Quirky Crow Crafts’ Christmas tree earrings). Brighton Open Market has a Christmas Food and Drink Market this Saturday (10am – 5pm; free; Marshalls Row) with all the treats you need for your festive celebrations, from doughnuts and honey cake to sauerkraut and charcuterie. Not to mention a mighty fine-looking double pistachio panettone that has our name on it. Brighton Marina is having a bit of a Christmas shindig on Saturday and Sunday (10am – 6pm; Village Square) with stalls, an ice-rink and a band and The Annunciation Ballroom in Hanover (Saturday and Sunday; 11am – 4pm; free; 88C Coleman Street) is holding its last markets this weekend. You can expect local traders selling crafts, preserves, jewellery and knitwear, plus mulled wine and hot chocolate, a lucky dip and old-school games. Finally, the Ruby Pub and Hotel in Coldean has a craft fair and market on Saturday in support of Heads On, a local mental health charity (11am – 3pm; Coldean Lane). Expect a variety of stalls, plus festive food and music and a visit from the big man himself at the family-friendly event.
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th December; various times, locations and prices
Go and see the professor
Local steampunk/chap-hop artist Professor Elemental is back with a Christmassy gig in the UK’s first steampunk bar, the Yellow Book, on Friday. Expect musical comedy, impro and a lot of fun at this intimate gig. The professor will see you now.
Friday 15th December; from 7pm; £10.15
3a York Place, Brighton, BN1 4GU
yellowbookbrighton.com
Have a mulled margarita-fuelled dance
Already drunk enough mulled wine and cider to sink a sleigh? Switch it up with a night of mulled margaritas and music hosted by BOTI faves Mama’s Cocktail Bar. Tuck into their menu of Christmas and classic cocktails and then dance till the early hours to Brighton-based DJs Love is the Message. If cheap cocktails are on your Christmas list (and why wouldn’t they be?), make sure to get there early to take advantage of the happy hour from 6pm – 7pm.
Friday 15th December; 6pm; free
T @ Hove, 52 Lansdowne Place, Hove, BN3 1FG
T @ Coffee
Take in a Dickensian classic
Foreseeing a trip to watch A Christmas Carol in your (ghost of) Christmas future? The Crown’s Pip Torrens is narrating the Christmassy tale accompanied by a sparkling arrangement from the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra’s brass ensemble. Bask in the beautiful surroundings of St George’s Church in Kemptown as the classic tale of redemption and Yuletide ghouls is brought to life.
Friday 15th December; 6pm and 8pm; from £19
St George’s Church, St George’s Road, Kemptown, BN2 1ED
brightonphil.org.uk
Have a beach hut stroll
This Saturday some of the brightly coloured beach huts that line Hove’s shoreline will be throwing open their little doors as part of their winter open day. It’s the perfect opportunity to combine a bracing beach stroll with a sneak peek inside the different huts, several of which offer drinks and nibbles in exchange for a charity donation. Starting from Hove Lawns to the end of Hove Lagoon, the following huts will be open (as of Friday 15th): 11, 19A, 33, 38, 41, 54, 73, 75, 76, 79A, 82, 85, 100, 112, 113, 122, 139, 164, 165, 168, 175, 211, 222C, 276, 301, 356, 357, 360, 363, 414, 426, 450.
Saturday 16th December; 4pm – 6pm; free
From Hove Lawns to the end of Hove Lagoon
Get inspired at these Christmas light displays
We’ve just about managed to get a tree (and a very festive gingerbread rat) and reckon we’re doing pretty well, so we are always in awe of the people who really go to town with their Christmas decorations. Thornbush Crescent in Portslade have done it again with their lights to support the Purple People Kitchen food bank – the cul-de-sac is home to 20 beautifully decorated houses. Donate if you can or you can also leave donations (tinned/dried goods, long-life milk, juice and squash, toiletries/personal hygiene items, etc) in the boxes outside number 37. And if you need some more Christmas light action in your life (and why wouldn’t you), there’s a brilliantly decorated house on School Rise, off Whitehawk Road, and another on Chorley Avenue in Saltdean – both collect for charity, too.
Every day until Monday 2nd January 2024; 5pm – 8pm; free, but please donate if you can to Purple People Kitchen (sort: 30-98-74, Account: 51916968
Thornbush Crescent, Portslade, BN41 2GW (park on Bush Farm Drive and walk up)
Flex your vocal chords at an indie choral concert
Another carol concert, but this time with a tarty, indie twist. Think Joy Division not ‘Joy to the World’ and Goldfrapp instead of ‘Greensleeves’ and you get the picture. Indie choral collective Jam Tarts are hosting a Christmas party extravaganza where they’ll belt out some Christmas classics, followed by an indie disco and an opportunity for everyone to join in with a mass Christmas song sing-along.
Saturday 16th December; 7.30pm; £17.25
Concorde 2, 286A Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1EN
concorde2.co.uk
Get merry at a hun-filled cabaret evening
If you like your Christmas cheer served with a side of camp joy, we can definitely recommend FemFest’s FemFestive cabaret night. The night’s eclectic roster of acts includes one of our favourites, musical comedian and burlesque performer Selena Mersey, as well as bellydancer Lucy Andrina, musical comedy star Cornelius C*unty Weather the Third and Brighton’s Got Talent finalist Gaylien De Mars (with more acts still to be announced). The evening will be hosted by drag king Dad, who’ll be dishing out mince pies, raffle prizes and leading the line-up of fabulous performances.
Sunday 17th December; 7pm – 9pm; from £5
The Actors, 4 Prince’s Street, Kemptown, BN2 1RD
femfestbrighton.co.uk
Rock out with some Brighton punk legends
If this all looks a bit too much like undiluted festiveness, then offset the cheese with a slice of punk. East Street Tap are holding a Bleak Mid-Winter Bash on Sunday featuring Brighton punk fusion band The Glitter Bombs as headliners, with support from grunge-pop act The Hiddn, ska-punk three-piece Poorly Trained Radicals, and solo punk artist McMurphy.
Sunday 17th December; from 7pm; from £4.40
74 East Street, Brighton; BN1 1HQ
eaststreettap.pub
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