11 things to do in Sussex this Christmas

Burning The Clocks, New Road, Brighton, Friday, December 21

 

We couldn’t do a list of Christmas activities without mentioning Burning The Clocks.

One of the most well-known and loved parts of the festive calendar in Brighton, the parade is free to watch as it kicks off from New Road.

The lanterns are carried through North Street, Ship Street, East Street, on to the seafront and along to Madeira Drive for the finale.

There will then be a fantastic fire show on the beach, complete with music and pyrotechnics.

Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, Brighton, open until Sunday, January 13

 

If you fancy taking to the ice this winter then there can be few more scenic places to do so than at the Royal Pavilion.

Set in the grounds of one of the most historic buildings in Brighton, the rink draws thousands every year.

You can book sessions on the ice each hour and enjoy everything the sport has to offer.

If, like me, your balance isn’t the best and you would prefer to have a sit down with a snack and a hot drink then there is a tent next to the ice where you can put your feet up and enjoy the scenery.

It also means you can keep warm in this bitterly cold weather.

But if you’re after a unique Christmas skating experience then look no further.

Tickets can be booked online at https://royalpavilionicerink.co.uk.

Prices start at £9.50 for juniors and £14 for ages 12 and over.

Glow Wild, winter lantern festival, Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, today and tomorrow, November 2 to December 2, December 6 to 9, December 13 to 16

Glow Wild Wakehurst 011217

Bonfire night may have been and gone but Glow Wild gives you another unique chance to light up the night sky this winter.

Wrap up warm and enjoy the experience of seeing hundreds of bright, glowing lanterns being released into the air.

Pick up a lantern and enjoy walking through the grounds before releasing it to the elements.

Most of the lanterns in question have been made by local schoolchildren and volunteers.

A night at Glow Wild will get you in the festive spirit and the cold weather will have you yearning for a hot chocolate and roaring open fire.

Under fours go free, with prices starting from £8 for children and £14 for adults.

North Laine late night shopping, Brighton, Thursday, December 6 until 9pm

 

Christmas in Brighton is the perfect time for a bit of shopping.

If you haven’t got your festive gifts together yet then this is the time to do so.

More than 100 shops in quirky North Laine will be open later than normal – until 9pm.

There will be plenty of added bonuses on offer throughout the evening.

There are a host of other stores in Brighton where you can get all your Christmas gifts but there is something pecial about the North Laine shopping night.

Bluebell Railway Santa Specials, Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Rail Station, Sheffield Green, Uckfield, December 1 and 2, 8 and 9, 15 and 16, 22 to 24

 

The Bluebell Railway is a staple of the Sussex countryside and has long been a favourite place to visit for families.

The special Santa trips the railway runs annually are always well received – they give youngsters the chance to take a trip across Sussex with jolly old St Nick himself.

Children will all receive a gift and chocolate from Santa.

When you reach Horsted Keynes Station there will be a number of Victorian style fairground attractions, a Christmas pantry, Santa’s grotto and a chance to meet the elves in their house too.

Tickets are £17 for children and £25 for adults.

Santa Dash, 10.30am, Hove Lawns opposite Adelaide Crescent near the Peace Statue, Saturday, December 8

 

If you fancy warming up in the cold winter weather and giving money to a good cause in the process then check out the Santa Dash on Hove Lawns.

Dress up with hundreds of others in your best festive get-up and run across the seafront, braving the December winds.

Runners are all encouraged to raise at least £20 with all the money raised going to local charity Rockinghorse.

It costs £17.50 to enter and the run is 2.5km along the seafront.

Glyndebourne Christmas Concert, Lewes, Saturday, December 8, to Sunday, December 9

The three new Steinway and Sons grand pianos at Glyndebourne. Picture by Sam Stephenson.

Glyndebourne’s first Christmas concert takes place next month.

The Glyndebourne Christmas Concert will feature musical highlights from operas including The Magic Flute, Nabucco and The Pirates Of Penzance, as well as plenty of festive favourites.

The Glyndebourne Chorus will take centre stage, showcasing their skills in everything from thrilling, large-scale opera choruses to intimate, unaccompanied carols.

Tickets range from £10 to £57

Santa’s Grotto, various locations across Sussex, now until Monday, December 24

 

Not just locally, but across the country, Santa’s grotto is a part of winter that is synonymous with Christmas.

Santa takes his grotto, with his elves in keen tow, to numerous parts of Sussex every year, spreading festive cheer and lighting up children’s faces.

It is an experience every youngster should have at least once, and they are unlikely to complain - especially when they get a free toy out of it.

The Argus have listed some of the best grottos to visit this winter, and you can find all of them on our website.

However, if you don’t find what you are looking for be sure to use the trusty internet to find the closest grotto to your door.

Christmas is a busy time of the year for Santa, and he can’t be anywhere for too long what with so many presents to make.

So you best make sure you take the chance while you can to see Santa up close and personal.

Drusillas Park Winter Wonderland, Alfriston, now until Sunday, December 23

Sloth at Drusillas Park

That sloth on the left has the right idea, doesn’t he?

Unfortunately we humans were not born with the suitable hibernation instincts and have to spend the winter months shivering and wrapping up in many layers of clothing.

But as you’re wrapped up why not head to Drusillas Park and take in some winter wildlife.

As well as seeing all of the adorable animals you can take your children to see Santa in his grotto.

You will also get to experience the park’s fantastic Christmas lights, the ideal reason to visit in the late afternoon.

But the highlight has to be the husky cave, where you can come face to face with real husky, one of the fluffiest breeds of dog, well suited to chilly weather.

Artists Open House, various locations across Brighton, today and tomorrow, December 1 and 2 and December 8 and 9

 

Although we’ve already covered shopping, the Christmas Artists Open Houses are another great place to pick up a special gift for a family member or friend.

While the main festival is held in the summer, this festive incarnation of the Artists Open Houses create a special atmosphere, where you can chat to artists and makers in their homes and studios, while also looking for gifts.

If you like a winter walk then you can also look up the winter trail which will give you the most direct route to all the houses on show.

Find the routes online and make sure you take at least one weekend to venture across the city and see the wonders that the Artists Open Houses have to offer.

Find more information online at https://aoh.org.uk/

Tulleys Christmas, Tulleys Farm, Crawley, tody to Monday, December 24

 

On the left you will see Tyger Drew-Honey, of Outnumbered fame, falling on the ice at Tulleys Farm.

Tyger clearly wasn’t careful enough but if you prove wiser then an incredible time awaits you at Tulleys Christmas.

Better known for its spectacular Halloween festivities, Tulleys also knows how to get right into the Christmas spirit as well.

Like the Royal Pavilion, Tulleys Farm has an ice rink that will help you warm up in the cold December weather.

Youngsters can enjoy a bunch of fairground favourites, visit Santa in one of his many grottos across the county, or even take part in some festive gingerbread decorating.

You can also accompany Santa on a post round or enjoy storytime with St Nick if you so choose.

Find out more at https://www.tulleyschristmas.co.uk