The popular Sussex Gin & Fizz Festival returns to Lewes for the second time this year as part of the Christmas late night shopping event on Thursday 6 December.

The festival, organised by Lewes District Council, presents Winter at the Castle, a free event at Lewes Castle from 5pm to 9pm, where there will be the chance to taste and buy sparkling wines, gins and gifts produced locally in Sussex.

Inside a heated marquee on the Gun Green, visitors will be able to meet and buy direct from award winning Sussex vineyards including Breaky Bottom, Ridgeview, Carr Taylor and Charles Palmer plus Divergent Drinks’ special prosecco; and gin producers Tom Cat, Chilgrove Spirits, Slake, Generation Distillers and Madame Jennifer plus locally made and Fierce Botanic tonic.

If you feel peckish, there will be warming Middle Eastern foods from Kabak, Miall’s home made Boozy Sorbets and Hannah’s Van serving hot chocolate, fresh coffee and scrummy cakes.

Local skifflebilly band Bad, Bad Whiskey will be playing a couple of sets during the evening and you can print your own woodcut Christmas cards, buy bespoke woodcut prints, take part in a wintery art installation, book an English wine tour and buy vouchers for seasonal blooms.

Car parking is free from 5pm in the town’s car parks and at County Hall, the High Street will be closed to traffic, and instead there is a range of activities up and down the town including rides on a horse and carriage. There is free entry to Lewes Castle Museum with festive activities, a family trail through the galleries and gifts on sale inside. Just in time for late night shopping, Lewes District Council is producing a free pocket-sized listing of Independent Shops in Lewes, which will be launched and distributed on the evening. The listings guide includes a town centre map with just under 100 independent shops, plus independent cafes and galleries plotted on it. It will also be available from Lewes, Seaford, and Eastbourne Tourist Information Centres as well as other information points across the district from early December.

Councillor Tony Nicholson, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Customers and Partners, said: “Our Sussex Gin & Fizz Winter event will really get Christmas off to a sparkling start. Our first two Gin & Fizz Summer festivals have been hugely popular and we are delighted to welcome visitors and residents to enjoy for free it at a different time of year. Not forgetting our free pocket-sized guide to independent shops, this is a must for anyone wanting inspiration for gifts and other Christmas shopping items.”

For further information visit www.sussexginandfizzfestival.com