Christmas Light Trails in Sussex this year

It’s that time of year when the nights draw in and after-dark adventures light up the winter evenings. I love nothing more than getting bundled up in my warmest clothes and heading out to one of Sussex’s Christmas light events for 2026. It’s a wonderful way to light up the long winter evenings.

Christmas light trails and winter illuminations in Sussex 2026

In Sussex we know how to glow with spectacular illuminations, lantern festivals and winter light shows paired with hot chocolate, magical woodland settings and starry nights.

When I was looking for Christmas light trails near me I found quite a few to choose from in both East and West Sussex. Here’s our pick of the best Christmas light trails in Sussex…

Glow Wild at Wakehurst, Haywards Heath

Stroll through Wakehurst’s magical mile-long Woodland Trail, aglow with lanterns and enchanting light displays, one of my favourite festive light trails.

Discover iconic installations like the sparkling Christmas tree, giant soaring owl, and fire-breathing dragon, all inspired by the hidden world of trees in this illuminated wonderland.

Sussex’s award-winning light trail also features festive street food, a cozy fire pit for marshmallow toasting, and shopping at the gift shop.

When: Selected evenings 26th November 2026 – 02 January 2027. 4pm – 10pm

Where: Glow Wild at Wakehurst Selsfield Rd, Haywards Heath RH17 6TN

Cost:  From £13, under 4s go free. Booking essential

Leonardslee Lights, Horsham

Sussex favourite, Leonardslee Lights, returns this year with the new ‘A Midwinter Light’s Dream – A Garden Awakening’.

The winter sound, light and colour experience is guaranteed to light up a dark evening. Wander through gleaming light tunnels, light projections and glowing woodlands.

The whole family will love wandering through the enchanting new route where light combines with nature and features stunning installations, and lake reflections. After you’ve soaked up the glowing illuminations there’s seasonal food and hot drinks to get you in the festive spirit.

The route takes around 60-90 minutes and there’s a quiet session, for those that need it, bookable for one night only on Thursday 10th of December.

When: Selected evenings between 27th November – 30th December 2026. Trail start times from 16:15 – 20:15

Where: Leonardslee Lights Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham, RH13 6PP. A shuttle bus to and from Horsham station is available.

Cost: Age 17+ from £18.50, Ages 2-16 £13.50, under 2’s go free but there’s a £1.25 booking fee per ticket. Family tickets and shuttle bus tickets (from Horsham) also available.

Tulleys Christmas Lights Festival

Tulleys Farm really know how to put on a seasonal display; think spring tulips, summer sunflower fields and Halloween shockers. Once the spooks and pumkins have been shipped out the dazzling illuminated shows move in.

Discover 10 immersive light installations, a Ski Lodge Bar with live music, a massive observation wheel and wandering festive characters. In fact, there’s a whole magical world of festive fun and enchantment. New for 2026 is the Alpine Valley.

When: Various dates between 27th November and 30th December 2026.

Where: Tulleys Farm Tulleys Christmas Nights Festival Turners Hill Road, Turners Hill, Crawley, West Sussex, (closest postcode for Sat Nav RH10 4PD) Free Parking

Cost: Age 14+ from from £22.95 to £33.95 and age 2-13 years from £17.95 to £28.95. Under 2s go free. There are also various VIP tickets at an extra charge.

Steamlights at Bluebell Railway

Looking for something different to the usual Christmas light trails? A journey on the Bluebell Railway offers a wonderful winter train ride through the enchanting Sussex countryside. It’s one of the best Sussex light trails in Sussex and offers something a bit different from traditional offerings.

The theme for 2026 is ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’. Your journey starts at Sheffield Park Station where Malinda, the good witch, arrives to greet the children before they board the train which is covered in thousands of colourful lights. The dazzling light display is accompanied by festive music.

Once everyone is onboard, the train steams off into the Sussex countryside passing magical illuminated scenes in woodland clearings. There’s a stop at charming Horsted Keynes Station for photos before the brightly lit train returns to Sheffield Park station. The experience lasts around an hour and a half.

When: Various dates between 21 November – 30 December 2026

Where: Santa’s Steamlights Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Station, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3QL

Cost: £35 from adults and children

Read more about Sheffield Park Gardens.

The Dragon Drone Light Show, Hove

Discover a fantasy world above as you xperience a brand-new breathtaking drone light show spectacle where hundreds of illuminated drones transform Brighton’s night sky into a magical kingdom of dragons, music and light.

Enjoy the wonderful festive atmosphere and treat yourself at the food village within the stadium.

When: Friday 11th – Saturday 12 December 2026

Where:  Dragon Drone Light Show: The 1st Central County Ground, Brighton & Hove, BN3 3AN – Parking is free

Cost: There’s a huge range of pricing options so check the website for more information and to pre-book.

Burning of the Clocks, Brighton

The Burning of the Clocks festival, held every year on 21st December in Brighton, celebrates the Winter Solstice by bringing light to the year’s darkest day.

This unique event with lantern festival and bonfire brings the community together to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the new one ahead. Taking place on the winter solstice, the shortest day, it’s a powerful festival of unity, community and renewal.

Read our Burning of the Clocks post with full information about the event including timings and procession route. If you’re looking for more things to see and do in Brighton this post of the Top 22 Attractions in Brighton has you covered.

When: December 21st each year – it falls on a Monday in 2026

Where: Brighton town centre and seafront

Cost: Free unticketed event

Light Trails nearby but just beyond Sussex

Glow RHS Wisley

This winter, see RHS Wisley’s iconic sights in a new light at RHS Glow, the garden’s illuminated winter trail. It brings seven new installations and two new light shows, adding colour and festive atmosphere.

Visitors will find a striking “field of fire” leading to giant illuminated crocuses, and a specially curated “enchanted garden” inside the Glasshouse. The Rock Garden becomes a magical fairy village, and a further installation, inspired by networks of mycelium and plant roots, offers a glimpse of the world beneath the soil. Two light and sound shows, one with fountains and one with fire, add theatrical effects.

Along the route, chalets sell hot drinks and treats, and you can toast marshmallows over fire pits. Winter warmers, hot food and festive bakes are also available at the Wisley Café, Glasshouse Kitchen or the bookable Terrace Restaurant.

When: 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.

SEN nights: Thursday 26 November and Tuesday 1 December 4pm – 8.30pm, last entry 7.30pm

Where: wisley@rhs.org.uk Wisley Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB

Pricing: There are various pricing options which vary from off-peak to peak. Please check the website for more information.

Sussex Light Trail Roundup 2026

So, that’s a round up of the 2026 festive and Christmas light trails in Sussex this winter. With some starting in early November and continuing right through until January, you should find plenty of opportunities to brighten up the winter nights and get your festive glow on.

Have fun as you wander through a magical display of winter light trails and festive illuminations. If you’re looking for more festive fun check out our directory of the best Christmas markets in Sussex.

Sussex Light Trails not taking place in 2026

Just so you know…