Christmas events in Sussex 2026
This is our full list of Christmas 2026 events across Sussex, from grottos and woodland light trails to markets, steam trains and pantomimes. Every listing links to the organiser's own booking page, and we show the date we last checked the details.
Popular dates, especially weekends and the last few days before Christmas, sell out early. If a particular day matters to you, book as soon as you can.
18 events we have checked
- BookMeet Father ChristmasFamily days out
Christmas at Drusillas
Drusillas Park, Alfriston · 21 November to 23 December 2026
Drusillas adds a festive layer to its family zoo, with Santa in his cottage, a singing reindeer trio and a 24ft Christmas tree. The Santa Experience includes a one-to-one visit, a photo opportunity and a gift.
- Price:
- From £19.50
- Ages:
- Santa tickets are only needed for children meeting Santa. Under 2s with older siblings can go in free without a gift.
- Dates:
- Christmas season 21 November to 23 December 2026. Santa visits weekends only from 21 November to 13 December, then every day from 14 to 23 December.
- BookChristmas lightsHeritage railways
SteamLights on the Bluebell Railway
Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park station, Sheffield Park · 21 November to 30 December 2026
An after-dark steam train ride past bright lineside light displays themed on the four seasons, with a narrated story and music in every carriage. The train makes a short stop at Horsted Keynes before returning to Sheffield Park.
- Price:
- From £35
- Dates:
- 21, 22 and 25 to 29 November; 2 to 6, 8 to 13, 15 to 23 and 27 to 30 December 2026. Evening departures; check times when booking.
- BookMeet Father ChristmasFamily days out
Tulleys Christmas Experience
Tulleys Farm, Near Crawley · 21 November to 24 December 2026
A full Christmas day out on Tulleys Farm, with a tractor sleigh ride to Father Christmas, shows, crafts and a real ice rink. Allow four to five hours to do everything.
- Price:
- Prices are shown at booking. The Santa Experience ticket includes the sleigh ride to Father Christmas and all activities except ice skating, which is extra. A Mother Christmas ticket covers the other activities and a toy workshop gift but not the sleigh ride.
- Ages:
- Children must be with an adult over 18. Babies under 1 are free without a gift; a tiddler ticket adds one.
- Dates:
- 21, 22, 28 and 29 November; 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19 to 24 December 2026. Open 8.45am to 6pm or 8.45am to 4pm depending on the date.
- BookChristmas lightsFamily days out
Glow Wild at Wakehurst
Wakehurst, Ardingly · 26 November to 2 January 2027
Wakehurst's winter light trail winds for just over a mile through the botanic garden after dark, lit by lanterns and large installations. Allow about an hour, and book ahead because every visitor needs a timed ticket.
- Price:
- From £14.50
- Ages:
- All ages; under 18s must be with an adult. Adult evening sessions run on 11, 12, 18 and 19 December.
- Dates:
- 31 evenings: 26 to 29 November; 2 to 6 December; 9 to 24 December; 27 December to 2 January 2027. Entry slots from 4pm, last slot 7.45pm to 8.15pm depending on date (7pm on Christmas Eve).
- BookChristmas lightsFamily days out
Leonardslee Lights
Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, Lower Beeding · 27 November to 30 December 2026
A winter light trail through Leonardslee's Grade I listed woodland gardens, taking 60 to 90 minutes on foot. Afterwards, Leonardslee Village serves mulled wine, doughnuts and local food until 10pm, with fire pits for toasting marshmallows.
- Price:
- From £13.50
- Dates:
- Selected evenings from 27 November to 30 December 2026. Trail start times 4.15pm to 8.15pm. Quiet night on 10 December.
- BookChristmas marketsShopping
West Dean Christmas Market
West Dean Gardens, West Dean, near Chichester · 27 November to 28 November 2026
A makers' market spread through the estate rooms of West Dean House and its front lawn, with art, crafts, food and drink from more than 45 stalls. Carol singing, live music and demonstrations from West Dean tutors add to the atmosphere.
- Price:
- From £12.50
- Dates:
- Friday 27 November, 2pm to 8pm, and Saturday 28 November 2026, 9am to 6pm. Entry by pre-booked time slot.
- BookMeet Father ChristmasHeritage railways
Bluebell Railway Santa Specials
Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park station, Sheffield Park · 28 November to 24 December 2026
A festive steam train ride from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes, where Santa hands every child a collectable toy. Activity packs wait at your seats, and tickets include the Christmas Fair at Horsted Keynes with classic fairground rides.
- Price:
- From £10
- Dates:
- 28 and 29 November; 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19 to 24 December 2026. Departures at 10am, 11.05am, 1pm and 2.05pm.
- Family days out
Snowdogs Discover Sheffield Park and Garden
Sheffield Park and Garden, Sheffield Park, near Uckfield · 28 November to 10 January 2027
Ten hand-painted Snowdog sculptures inspired by The Snowman and The Snowdog are hidden around the winter garden at Sheffield Park. Game stops and activities along the way keep younger children moving between the lakes.
- Price:
- The trail is free; normal garden admission applies (National Trust members free).
- Ages:
- Suitable for all ages.
- Dates:
- Daily from 28 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, except 24 and 25 December. 10am to 4pm, opening at 9am from 19 to 23 December and 26 December to 3 January.
- Family days outMusic
Arundel's Victorian Christmas
Arundel town centre, Arundel · 4 December 2026
Arundel's festive evening brings Victorian performers, live music and street entertainment to the historic town. A lantern procession leads to the Christmas lights switch-on, followed by carols around the tree.
- Price:
- No ticket details are published; it is a town-wide street event.
- Dates:
- Friday 4 December 2026, 4pm to 7pm. Lantern procession at 5.30pm, then the Christmas lights switch on at about 6pm.
- Christmas marketsShopping
Chichester Festive Market
Chichester city centre, Chichester · 4 December to 13 December 2026
Chichester District Council's festive market fills the city centre over two December weekends, with gifts from local makers and producers. Pair it with Chichester Cathedral, a short walk away.
- Price:
- Open-air street market run by the council; no ticket details published.
- Dates:
- Two weekends: 4 to 6 and 11 to 13 December 2026, as announced by Chichester District Council in October 2026. Opening times not yet published.
- BookMeet Father ChristmasFamily days out
A Family Christmas at Borde Hill
Borde Hill Garden, Haywards Heath · 5 December to 3 January 2027
Borde Hill's garden turns festive for December, with a Christmas story trail and letters to Santa for children. Booked grotto sessions start with Elf Training Camp before a visit to Santa in the decorated Garden Marquee.
- Price:
- From £19
- Ages:
- Christmas trail for ages 3 to 8.
- Dates:
- Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, 10am to 3.30pm; closed 24 to 28 December. Santa's Grotto on 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19 to 23 December.
- BookPantomime and theatreFamily days out
Aladdin at The Hawth
The Hawth, Crawley · 5 December to 31 December 2026
The Hawth's 2026 family pantomime is Aladdin, with the magic lamp, the flying carpet and plenty of audience shouting. It runs through December with a relaxed and a signed performance.
- Price:
- See the box office for seat prices.
- Dates:
- Saturday 5 to Thursday 31 December 2026. Relaxed performance Saturday 12 December at 10.30am; BSL-interpreted performance Saturday 19 December at 2.30pm.
- Family days out
Christmas at Lamb House
Lamb House (National Trust), Rye · 5 December to 3 January 2027
Lamb House in Rye becomes 'Mallards', the festive home of Miss Mapp and later Lucia from E.F. Benson's novels. Expect a warm Tilling welcome, a decorated Oak Parlour and a reading nook tied to Henry James's family.
- Price:
- From £5
- Dates:
- 5 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, 11am to 4pm (last entry 3.30pm). Closed 9, 10, 16, 17 and 24 to 26 December.
- BookPantomime and theatreFamily days out
Hey! Christmas Tree
Minerva Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester · 5 December to 27 December 2026
A gentle, funny festive story created by Michael Morpurgo, made as a first Christmas theatre trip for 3 to 7 year olds. It lasts about an hour in the intimate Minerva Theatre.
- Price:
- From £10
- Ages:
- For children aged 3 to 7.
- Dates:
- 5, 6, 8 to 13, 15 to 17, 19 to 24, 26 and 27 December 2026. Relaxed performance 9 December at 10.30am.
- BookPantomime and theatreFamily days out
Cinderella at Devonshire Park Theatre
Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne · 11 December to 17 January 2027
Eastbourne's pantomime for 2026 is Cinderella, with the town's celebrated dame Martyn Knight and Morgan Phillips as Buttons. Expect live music, big costumes and special effects from the team behind last year's Peter Pan.
- Price:
- From £17.50
- Dates:
- Friday 11 December 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027. Audio described 19 December 2.30pm and 14 January 2pm; BSL 15 December 2pm and 13 January 7pm; relaxed 6 January 5pm.
- BookFamily days out
A Regal Visit to Anne of Cleves House
Anne of Cleves House, Lewes · 19 December to 20 December 2026
For one weekend the medieval house is dressed with holly, ivy and candlelight for a Yuletide celebration. Servants prepare a feast in the kitchen while the noble household celebrates upstairs, showing how Christmas differed between rich and poor.
- Price:
- From £4.50
- Ages:
- All ages.
- Dates:
- Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December 2026, 10am to 4pm; drop in any time, last admission 3.30pm.
- DetailsChristmas lightsFireworks and bonfires
Burning the Clocks
Central Brighton and the beach, Brighton · 21 December 2026
Burning the Clocks is Brighton's winter solstice celebration, created by the arts charity Same Sky in 1994. A parade of around 2,000 people carrying handmade paper and willow lanterns winds through the city to the beach, where the lanterns are passed into a bonfire before a fire show and fireworks. It draws more than 30,000 spectators and returns in full for 2026.
- Price:
- Check the Same Sky website for details.
- Dates:
- Monday 21 December 2026, the winter solstice. Same Sky confirms the event returns in full in 2026; route and timings are published nearer the date.
Questions people ask
When do Christmas events in Sussex start?
Most open between mid November and the start of December, and run until Christmas Eve. Some markets and light trails open in early to mid November. Check each listing for its exact dates.
Do I need to book in advance?
For Santa experiences, light trails and pantomimes, almost always yes. Markets and town events are usually free to walk into. Each listing says whether booking is needed where the organiser publishes it.