Giving the public a rare glimpse into some of the most interesting homes in Brighton, the Christmas Artists Open Houses festival provides plenty of opportunities to pick up gifts and original artwork...

Artists all over the city will be opening their homes and studios over three weekends in the run-up to Christmas, giving members of the public the chance to browse and buy directly from the artists themselves.

The Christmas Artists Open Houses festival will take place across Brighton and Hove, and beyond, starting today, November 29.

Among those taking part are Zara Wood, aka Woody, the artist and illustrator whose Star Gaze collection for Topshop became their most successful artist range.

She has exhibited at venues including the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Somerset House, and has been previously based in London and Melbourne, while her products are stocked in gallery and museum shops in the UK and abroad.

Her studio is at the newly refurbished Brighton Open Market, in Marshalls Row, which is one of the key venues taking part in the festival (open 10am to 5pm), with many studios open including Sew Fabulous (textiles) and Shaboutique (up-cycled homeware).

Jewellery designer Vivienne Ridley has gathered together various artists and craftspeople at Forty Two, 42 Hampstead Road, open from 11am to 5pm.

Here there will be clothing by Modern Love (created by illustrator Sarah Arnett and fashion director Kim Hunt), interior accessories by One Must Dash, Jewellery by Alexa de Castilho, and by Use and Take Care, among others.

There is even a gift-wrapping service.

Exhibiting artists at Bluebell Would (45 Westbourne Gardens, Hove, 11am to 5pm) include Bluebell Roebuck (photography, jewellery, clothing, hand knits and other textile craft), Del Thorpe (illustration), Vicky Scott (prints), and Ruth Mullan (stained glass).

Textile designer Nigel Gray will be opening his home for the first time this year (75 Bannings Vale, Saltdean, 11am to 6pm). Art and crafts on offer include fused glass by Pauline Findlay, mosaics by Handmadebyhippo, and fairtrade recycled glass by Noahs Ark.

As well as established and professional artists and makers, the festival will include work by young and emerging artists from the University of Brighton, 58-67 Grand Parade, from 11am to 4pm.

Discover a selection of fascinating, unique and intricate crafts designed and made by students from the University of Brighton’s College of Arts and Humanities. Also on show will be work from Fashion and Textiles MDes students.

Contemporary fine art photographer André Lichtenberg will be taking over Studio 106 (106 Coleridge Street, Hove) with an exhibition of large-scale conceptual cityscapes from New York, London and Paris. The project, which also includes a short film, has been developed over the last two years with support from Arts Council England (open November 29/30, December 6/7 only, 11am to 5pm).

Beyond the bounds of Brighton, The Handmade House (Beards Place Farm, 98 Lewes Road, Ditchling) once again welcomes visitors with mince pies and mulled wine between 11am and 6pm.

Alongside Ralph Levy’s furniture, ceramics and garden furniture are a selection of local artists including Gary Goodman (paintings and ceramics), Lucy Ogden (cards and prints), and Guy Holder.

• The Christmas Artists Open Houses festival runs weekends between November 29 and December 14. Full listings can be found at aoh.org.uk.