The festive season is finally upon us, with everyone beginning to enjoy the festivities.

Here are some of the big events happening in Brighton and Hove you won’t want to miss this Christmas.


Food and Drink Market, Brighton Open Market - Saturday, December 16

The Argus: Local and independent traders will offer a range of festive treatsLocal and independent traders will offer a range of festive treats (Image: Brighton Open Market)

Experience the first Christmas food and drink market at Brighton Open Market.

Alongside fabulous permanent traders, you’ll discover a delightful range of Christmassy goodness from local and independent suppliers.

It is the perfect opportunity to stock up on tasty Christmas treats and find that special something for your holiday celebrations.


Martlets Christmas concert, All Saints Church, Hove - Tuesday, December 12, 7.30pm

The Argus: Martlets will be celebrating the festive season with an evening of music and memoriesMartlets will be celebrating the festive season with an evening of music and memories (Image: Alan Barnes Photography)

As hospice charity Martlets prepares to return its staff and patients to its redeveloped hospice site in Wayfield Avenue in Hove, it is celebrating the theme of homecoming with a special evening of music and memories.

Local choirs Brighton Gay Men’s Choirs, Brighton and Hove Operatic Society Musical Theatre Choir and the Theatre Workshop will join Martlets’ own Good Vibrations Choir to perform everything from pop hits to traditional carols. The evening will be compered by BBC Radio Sussex’s Allison Ferns.

Tickets cost £10 for adults and £8 for under-16s and over-65s and can be booked through the Martlets website.


The Big Christmas Singalong from the Choir with No Name, Brighton Dome - Tuesday, December 19, 7.30pm

The Argus: The Choir with No Name will be performing at the Brighton DomeThe Choir with No Name will be performing at the Brighton Dome (Image: Choir with No Name)

The Choir with No Name, a choir involving people impacted by homelessness, return for a night of feel-good, festive singalongs for the whole family.

Expect Christmas classics, plus guest appearances from soul sensation Alice Russell.

Tickets cost £15 or £8 for concessions and are available from the Brighton Dome website.


Festive fun at Brighton and Hove Museums - until January 2

The Argus: Christmas decorations have been put up across the Royal Pavilion for the festive seasonChristmas decorations have been put up across the Royal Pavilion for the festive season (Image: The Argus/Andrew Garnder)

Step into a world of festive wonder with a host of family fun activities and Christmas cheer across Brighton and Hove Museums.

For the first time in many years, Father Christmas will be in his magical grotto as he returns to the Royal Pavilion Estate.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the splendour of lavishly decorated trees and delve into the rich history of Royal Christmases past at the Royal Pavillion.

Keep an eye out for the mischievous Royal Pavilion Mice, who are ready to spread festive cheer.


Royal Pavilion Ice Rink - until January 7

The Argus: The rink is powered exclusively by green power - the only one of its kind in the UKThe rink is powered exclusively by green power - the only one of its kind in the UK (Image: Andrew Hasson)

Stunning, twinkly and romantic, no Christmas would be complete without a skate on Brighton’s ice rink, which boasts great views of the colourfully-lit Royal Pavilion.

Tickets are available for £18 at royalpavilionicerink.co.uk.


The Brighton Lights, One Garden, Stanmer Park - December 15-23

The Argus: Tickets are selling fast for Brighton's first winter light experienceTickets are selling fast for Brighton's first winter light experience (Image: The Brighton Lights)

Step into a world of enchantment and wonder as you embark on an experience through The Brighton Lights, a new captivating winter light show.

Immerse yourself in a mesmerising display of festive lights, carefully curated by local artists and brought to life by the creative spirit of Brighton.

Tickets are available for £16 from The Brighton Lights's website.


Horrible Christmas, Theatre Royal Brighton - December 16

The Argus: Horrible Christmas will take to the stage in Brighton on December 16Horrible Christmas will take to the stage in Brighton on December 16 (Image: Ian Tilton)

Horrible Histories proudly presents the terrific tale of Christmas. When Christmas comes under threat from a jolly man dressed in red, it's up to one young boy to save the day - but can he save Christmas?

Tickets are available from £26.75 from the Theatre Royal's website.


Santa in the Sky, Brighton i360 - until December 24

The Argus: Santa will be meeting children on board the Brighton i360Santa will be meeting children on board the Brighton i360 (Image: Brighton i360)

For an extra special Brighton Christmas for kids of all ages, join Santa and his elves 450ft above the city. There’s no Rudolph needed for this flight - just book the experience and go up, up and away.

Tickets are available from £14.25 via the Brighton i360 website.


Christmas Carol Escape Room, Pier Pressure, Brighton - December 15-31

Experience the magical classic, A Christmas Carol, in a new way when this escape room and immersive theatre experience comes back to Preston Manor this Christmas.

Tickets are available via Pier Pressure’s website.


Burning the Clocks, Brighton - December 21

The Argus: Burning the Clocks first began in 1993 to provide an uplifting antidote to the excesses of a commercial Christmas seasonBurning the Clocks first began in 1993 to provide an uplifting antidote to the excesses of a commercial Christmas season (Image: Simon Dack)

The dark grip of long wintry nights is broken by a flicker of light on the winter solstice.

Started in 1993, Burning the Clocks represents an alternative to the commercial Christmas.

Thousands of people are expected to gather to make paper lanterns to carry through the city, with many more set to line the streets of Brighton to watch the festivities.