Silly season is officially in full swing. The magical time of year when your social feed is filled with endless elaborately decorated trees, bleary Christmas party outtakes and Spotify Wrappeds in the top one percent of Taylor Swift’s listeners. Now, you’ve already skated your socks off in front of a beautiful backdrop, booked your panto tickets and you’ve got the Burning the Clocks parade, the street advent calendar, the pick of the luminous, magical trail walks in your diary, but what else is going on in and around the city this weekend?
Get festive at a Christmas market
It’s the last weekend before Christmas, so there are fewer fairs around, but still enough to get those last-minute gifts in. On Saturday (10am – 5pm), it’s the Christmas makers’ fair at the Open Market (think Swedish goodies, such as gingerbread dough, the best cardamom buns, and more from Fika Bakery; Lisa Holdcroft’s cheeky Brighton prints and stationery; plus textiles, ceramics, quirky jewellery, knitted accessories and more). Saturday (9.30am – 1.30pm) also sees the return of the super-sized Florence Road farmers’ market that’s deliciously festive in the run-up to Christmas. Think excellent local food and drink producers bringing festive goodness like Christmas cruffins, decadent chocolate and moreish truffled Brie (as well as the usual staples). Inside you’ll find Silver Spur makers’ market with eight stalls from an eclectic array of unique sellers across vintage jewellery, artisan soaps, crochet flowers, prints and zines, and more.
Sing Christmas classics at ‘organoke’
Get your windpipes suitably oiled because the inimitable Ida Barr is hosting a karaoke night for the ages. Belt out all the Christmas classics en masse, accompanied by the Brighton Dome Organ and a live band. And for the more musically gifted and centre-stage seeking, there’ll be plenty of chances for you to take to the microphone solo. Expect to hear Slade, The Pogues, East 17 and, um, eclectic renditions of ‘Last Christmas’.
Friday 20th December; 7.30pm; from £15
Brighton Dome, Church Street, BN1 1UE
brightondome.org
Get Christmas tree envy
Some places always do Christmas beautifully and The Grand is one of those places. Their Christmas lights have been on a while now, but if you haven’t been inside, you’re missing out. Their twinkling facade and towering tree are things of beauty and having a few drinks (we rate their festive specials) in the opulent Victoria Lounge-Bar and admiring them gives us all the festive feels. If you’re lucky their pianist might be playing too. This year, you can also write a message on a Christmas tag to someone special or a Christmas wish to be hung on their imposing staircase. Buy a tag at reception – all proceeds go to their chosen local charities.
The Grand Hotel, 97 – 99 Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2FW
grandbrighton.co.uk
Get inspired at a charity Christmas light display
We’ve just about managed to get a tree 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 money 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.
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)
More details here
Do some last-minute Christmas shopping
There’s some inspo over in our gift guide, but if you want to join the hordes of last-minute-ers (we’re right there with them) wandering around town, you’ll be spoilt for choice, but here are a few recs to make your life easier AND help support local. Madame Jennifer are opening their doors on Saturday afternoon (1pm – 4pm) so you can try – and buy – their excellent gins and liqueurs right where they make them, at their Hove distillery. Their gin baubles are sold out, but they’ve got plenty more goodies for sale. And if you’re looking for a one-stop gift shop, head to the Soliflore boutique at 28 Gloucester Road for a beautifully curated – and laid out – range of creative indie fragrance brands, as well as a gorgeous edit of soaps, candles, stationery (the scented pencils!), beanies, and more. Or head to the ever-glorious two-storey Stanley Road Store where you’ll find creative gift inspo from heaps of local indie makers, across jewellery, stationery, prints, ceramics, candles, leather goods, fashion, and much more.
What else?
Coq Block, the new collab between the Block Bar and the Bok Shop, is launching on Friday, with a free margarita with every main course. On Friday evening from 7pm, Tom B is spinning vinyl at the marvellous Voya (food, drinks, vibes, tick tick tick) and there are still some walk-ins available. For some Christmassy whodunnit action, check out Pier Pressure’s Mince Spy escape room-style mystery at Preston Manor (various dates and times; £29); and for pure festive joy, the Royal Pavilion is always worth a visit, not least to spot all the lavishly decorated trees and the cheeky Christmas mice in action. On Friday, there’s also a tinsel-tastic burlesque spectacular courtesy of Cabaret Boheme and a night of rare funk, groove and soul cuts at the brilliant Alphabet, while Saturday sees the second edition of old-school vinyl night Off The Grid, at Brighton’s most Brighton hotel, the Pelirocco (kicking off right after Burning The Clocks, from 9pm – midnight; free). During the day, the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus and the Sussex Symphony Orchestra are performing a Family Christmas Spectacular at All Saint’s Church in Hove (3pm; from £13). Seventies punk-pop group Cult Figures are playing the Hope & Ruin on Saturday, with support from Brighton punk band Fractured (8pm; £11). Sunday sees the second annual Christmas Toads Singles tournament (IYKYK) take place at Hanover’s Dover Castle at 1pm (text 07763701557 to enter). There’s a cash prize… It’s also the Atomic Kirtan Christmas special (7.15pm; pay as you feel) with cacao and some festive tunes thrown in for good measure; Haute Flame’s last candle-making workshop of the year (2pm; £45); a Christmas carol service followed by mulled wine and mince pies at Brighton Unitarian Church (4pm; free); and more carols at Windmill Street in Hanover – it’s their day on the street advent calendar (6pm; free).
Coming up next week…
Um, that’ll be Christmas. Just in case you hadn’t realised. But also… it’s the Chilli Pickle‘s last day at Jubilee Street on Christmas Eve before they move to their new spot on Meeting House Lane in the new year. And it might be time to…
Brave the chill with a cold-water swim
Dig out your Santa hat and dive headfirst into one of the city’s Christmas Day dips. Saltdean Lido (they’ve got all the good stuff this month) will be warming their waters to a balmy 19 degrees for anyone who fancies a more bracing start to Christmas Day. They’ve also got tickets for your poolside cheer squad who can participate from the sidelines with a mulled wine. And for the truly brave, you can join the crowd taking part in the famous Christmas Day Swim at Brighton Beach (at the risk of being preachy, maybe read this first, though; there’s a fine line between bravery and stupidity. Lecture over). Santa-decorated budgie smugglers optional.
Monday 25th December, Saltdean Lido opens 10am – midday and the Brighton Beach swim kicks off at 11am
Saltdean Lido, The Oval Park, Saltdean Park Road, Saltdean, BN2 8SP
saltdeanlido.co.uk
