IT might still be weeks away but Christmas has officially begun at the Royal Pavilion and Museums.

The Ice Rink officially opens today (Saturday November 7), kicking off a range of other festive goings on across Brighton and Hove.

With the backdrop of the former royal residence, there can't be many better place to take to the ice.

In addition to the 840 square metre rink which has space for 260 skaters per session and a beginners’ area, you'll find a rink-side bar and restaurant offering mouth-watering patisserie, festive toffee apples, drinks and full meals.

Away from the ice, a delightfully nostalgic exploration of Christmas customs and traditions will also be on offer with a tour of Preston Manor.

Visitors to An Edwardian Christmas At Home can look around upstairs and downstairs in the Edwardian manor house and enjoy a glass of sherry and a mince pie served in the Victorian kitchens, dressed for the season.

Elsewhere Father Christmas will return to the Royal Pavilion this year, but he will also be at Preston Manor for the first time.

Here, visitors will be able to meet Father Christmas in the cosy fireside setting of Lady Ellen’s beautiful Drawing Room.

Afterwards they can take a nostalgic trip around Preston Manor and discover how a Victorian family prepared for a magical Christmas.

And the festivities wouldn’t be complete without carol singing, and where better to celebrate than the Royal Pavilion Music Room at the Charity Carol Concert.

Those who attend can sing along with two fantastic choirs and enjoy mulled cider and mince pies during the interval.

There will also be a Christmas tree craft class at Hove Museum where using a variety of methods those who attend can make their own tree to take home with them.

WHAT'S ON

Royal Pavilion Ice Rink

7 November 2015–7 January 2016, Royal Pavilion’s Eastern Lawns

Ice skating tickets cost from £10 for adults (12+) and £7 for children, and one-hour skate times run from 10am to 10.15pm daily. Club Rinkidinks (10am – 11am daily) offers children under 5 the chance to skate free when accompanied by an adult paying full price. There are also season tickets for those who want to learn to skate and concessions for students. Buy tickets from www.ticketmaster.co.uk/royal-pavilion-ice-rink or call 0844 8472352 (for group bookings of ten or more call 0844 8471512).

www.royalpavilionicerink.co.uk

Royal Pavilion Charity Carol Concert

3 Dec 7-9pm (£30, members £20, book in advance [includes mulled cider and mince pies]) Royal Pavilion

Box office: +44 (0)3000 290902

http://brightonmuseums.org.uk/royalpavilion/news-events/whats-on-royal-pavilion/#!charity-carol-concert

An Edwardian Christmas at Home

12 December, 2-3.30pm (£14.50 members £12.50, book in advance) Preston Manor

Box office: +44 (0)3000 290902

http://brightonmuseums.org.uk/prestonmanor/news-events/#!an-edwardian-christmas-at-home

Father Christmas at the Royal Pavilion

12, 13 & 19 December-22 December. 10am-5pm (£9.50 per child, Royal Pavilion admission fees apply, price includes gift, all ages, book in advance)

Box office: +44 (0)3000 290902

http://brightonmuseums.org.uk/royalpavilion/news-events/whats-on-royal-pavilion/#!father-christmas-at-the-royal-pavilion-2

Christmas Tree Craft

19, 21, 22 December 10.30am–12pm & 1.30–3pm 20 December 2.30–4pm (£2 per child, drop-in, 4–12 years) Hove Museum

http://brightonmuseums.org.uk/discover/events/event/christmas-tree-craft/

Father Christmas at Preston Manor

19-23 Dec, 10am-5pm (£8 per child, includes gift, Manor admission fees apply, all ages, book in advance)s

Box office: +44 (0)3000 290902

http://brightonmuseums.org.uk/prestonmanor/news-events/#!father-christmas-at-preston-manor-2

Ticketmaster bookers can enjoy three great offers at the Royal Pavilion & Museums:

• Half price on adult admission to the Royal Pavilion (save £5.75) with up to four accompanying children free

• 10% off retail items, not admission or event tickets, in the Royal Pavilion or Brighton Museum Shop

• 20% off Royal Pavilion & Museums membership (does not include student/young membership)

Offers valid from 7 Nov 2015 to 17 Jan 2016 (except 24-26 Dec). Each offer can only be used once. One voucher per person, not valid with any other offers, concessions or for groups.