Christmas in Brighton 2026: what's on
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Burning the Clocks, The Snowman at the Dome, winter makers' fairs and light trails: Christmas 2026 events in and around Brighton and Hove, with dates.
Here are the Christmas 2026 events we’ve found in and around Brighton and Hove so far, with dates where the organisers have published them. Listings are from VisitBrighton unless marked otherwise. We’ll add more as they are announced, so check each organiser’s website before you go.
November
The Christmas Orchestra, Saturday 21 November, All Saints Church, The Drive, Hove BN3 3QE. The touring orchestra returns for 2026.
Grand Winter Makers Fair, 21 and 22 November, British Engineerium, Hove. See the markets section below.
Artist Open Houses Winter, three weekends from Saturday 28 November. Artists and makers in Brighton and Hove, Lewes, Ditchling and beyond open their homes and studios, which makes it a good place for handmade presents.
Santa’s Breakfast at Dobbies, 28 and 29 November, and 5 and 6 December (VisitBrighton).
December
The Snowman, Saturday 19 December, Brighton Dome, Church Street BN1 1UE. A screening of the film with the soundtrack played live. VisitBrighton lists performances at 1.30pm and 4.30pm.
Burning the Clocks, Monday 21 December, Madeira Drive BN2 1PS. Brighton’s winter solstice parade started in 1993 as an alternative to commercial Christmas. Thousands of people make paper lanterns, carry them through the city and burn them on the beach to mark the end of the year and greet the lengthening days.
The Big Christmas Singalong, Brighton Dome. The annual singalong is run by the Choir with No Name, a choir for people affected by homelessness. The 2026 date hasn’t been published yet.
Makers’ fairs and markets
Grand Winter Makers Fair, The British Engineerium, The Droveway, Hove BN3 7QA. The organiser, Paper Daisy Events, says more than 120 small creative businesses will take part. It runs on 21 and 22 November, 10.30am–5pm.
Festive Makers Fair at Wagner Hall, Regency Road, Brighton BN1 2RT. Over 80 exhibitors across one weekend. The date hasn’t been published yet.
In recent years Brighton has also had a small Christmas market in Jubilee Square, and One Garden at Stanmer Park has held its own (Send Me A Christmas Tree). We’ll add 2026 dates once they’re confirmed.
Light trails nearby
Glow Wild, 26 November 2026 to 2 January 2027, at Wakehurst, Selsfield Road, Ardingly, RH17 6TN. See the event listing for booking details.
Leonardslee Lights, from 27 November, Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, Lower Beeding, near Horsham RH13 6PP.
A Brighton Christmas tradition
People search for a “Brighton Christmas tree festival” and a “Christmas tree lighting” in Brighton every year. VisitBrighton’s 2026 Christmas listings don’t include either yet. If you know of one, email hello@brightonxmastrees.co.uk and we’ll add it.