As the days grow shorter and our thoughts turn to the festive season, the historic towns and villages of Sussex look dazzling decked in fairy lights. Visits to Christmas Markets in Sussex, where the mulled wine flows and the chestnuts roast, are sure to get you into the festive mood.
Sussex has a fabulous range of Christmas markets and festive events to enjoy. Here’s our selection for 2023.
This post is constantly being updated with more Sussex Christmas Markets for 2023. Keep checking back for updates.
You may also like to check out our Sussex Gift Guide. Our guide is packed with local arts, crafts, food, wine, experiences and Sussex inspired gifts from Sussex people and businesses.
What’s on in West Sussex this Christmas
(scroll down for East Sussex)
Winter Fair at South of England Showground Ardingly
Saturday 18th November, 9am – 5pm
Sunday 19th November 9am – 4pm
Adults £7.88, senior citizens/students £6.53, under 16s go free with a suggested donation of £1, Members free.
A fabulous Christmas market is held annually in the South of England Showground. A giant snow globe, chocolate workshop and vintage carousel transform the South of England Showground into a winter wonderland. Santa will be holding court in his magical grotto and there’ll be clothing, accessories, gifts and greetings pavilions. More than 60 food stalls will tempt your tastebuds.
Stir-up Sunday, The Spread Eagle, Midhurst
Sunday 26 November 2023 – £75 per person
Join Historic Hotel’s Executive Chef Martin Hadden on the last Sunday before advent in stirring the Christmas pudding, whilst making a wish, as he shares the secrets about how to make the perfect Christmas pud in this festive and fun workshop.
This is followed by either a delicious two-course roast lunch or a festive afternoon tea, while The Spread Eagles elves will carefully wrap and dress the puddings so that they are ready to be taken home to be cooked on Christmas Day.
Christmas Wreath Workshop at The Spread Eagle, Midhurst
Tuesday 28th November 2023 – limited availability
Tuesday 5th December 2023 – limited availability
Monday 11th December 2023 – limited availability
Thursday 14th December 2023
Join a two-hour workshop with local florist Kate Smith with morning tea and coffee and homemade biscuits, followed by a two-course lunch with a glass of wine. Price £87.50 per person (all materials included).
Shopping at West Dean Gardens
The gardens and gift shop are open at West Dean during December 2023
You’ll find many unique gifts, not available on the high streets, as well as beautiful festive decorations and cards. Or give an experience and buy a voucher for a Gardens visit with afternoon tea.
Horsham Christmas Market
Awaiting details for 2023
Discover festive goodies and delicious Sussex street food from local suppliers and traders while listening to the music played from the bandstand at Horsham Christmas Market at the Carfax.
Christmas at Amberley Museum
2-3, 9-10 & 16-17 December 2023
Father Christmas is visiting Amberley Museum on selected weekends in December when the museum will be open from 10am to 4pm. Explore the 36-acre site and festive activities with market stalls, children’s crafts and a family Christmas trail.
Browse the Christmas Craft Market in Humphrey’s Barn.
Pre-Booking is required to see Father Christmas.
Bluebell Railway Santa Specials and Steam Lights
Santa Specials | 25 & 26 November, 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24 December
SteamLights | 17 November – 30 December – book early
Bluebell Railway in Uckfield will light up the winter nights with thousands of colourful lights orchestrated to music and with festive scenes along the way amongst the trees and clearings.
You can even add a hamper to your journey for a small extra fee
Bluebell Railway SteamLights and Bluebell Railway Santa Special
Weald and Downland Christmas Events
Advent – A Christmas Experience & Market
Sat–Sun 25–26 November 2023 – Pre booking essential
Find that perfect gift and enjoy a great day out at this bustling Christmas Market with over 150 stands selling arts, crafts, food, unusual gifts and much more. As well as craft and trade stands, there will be festive music and tasty seasonal treats to sample and buy. You’ll also get to see where ‘The Repair Shop’ is filmed.
Prices: From £15.50 for adults (over 18s), free children aged 0-5 years, £7.50 5-17 years. Various family tickets are also available. Entry is free for Annual Members. Tickets include admission to both the Museum and to the Christmas Market. See website above for more ticket prices.
Visit Green Father Christmas
Dates for 2023 TBA
Weald and Downland GREEN FATHER CHRISTMAS
The Kennels’ Christmas Market, Goodwood
02 & 03 December 2023 10:00 – 16:00 hrs
A fabulous collection of hand-picked stalls selling with local produce, festive gifts and artisan food and drink. It’s also a rare chance to buy produce from the Goodwood Estate not normally available to the public. This is a relatively small market but the stalls are excellent.
Admission is free – see Kennel’s Christmas Market website for more details.
Arundel at Christmas, Arundel
Throughout December 2023
This Arundel by Candlelight has become Arundel at Christmas with a series of smaller event being held throughout December.
As always Christmas trees light-up the shops, restaurants and pubs, creating a beautiful festive scene, while in the town square stands a traditional tall Christmas tree (donated by the Duke of Norfolk’s estate).
Highlights include the Christmas Farmer’s Market, Festive Sundays with roaming street entertainment, seasonal menus at our restaurants and cafes, Christmas performances by local choirs, festive swims at Arundel Lido, and, of course, the opportunity to visit Santa’s grotto.
Vintage and Very Nice Christmas Market, Chichester
12 & 13 December 2021
With a wide range of local traders and makers offering unique Christmas gift ideas, the market takes place in the Assembly Room, the Council House, North Street Chichester.
Vintage and Very Nice Christmas Market
What’s on in East Sussex this Christmas?
This section is yet to be updated for 2023
Sussex Christmas Market, Brighton
27 November 2022 – 14:30 – 19:30 hrs
This huge Christmas market is held at the AMEX Stadium and with over 100 stalls you’ll find unique and interesting gifts. More information can be found on their Facebook page.
Wadhurst Christmas Market and Craft Fair
Saturday 19 November, 03 and 17 December 2022 – 09:00 – 12:30 hrs
With over 40 stalls, Wadhurst Christmas Market includes all the special Christmas staples such as festive food and drink, beautiful handcrafted artisan gifts, ceramics, art, sculpture, carved and polished wooden tableware and decorations.
Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, Brighton
29 Oct 2022 – 08 Jan 2022
With the Royal Pavilion as a backdrop, this has to be one of the most beautiful ice rinks in England. The ice is powered entirely by green energy. There’s also a rink side bar and restaurant serving warming snacks, a selection of drinks, mulled wine and hot chocolate with marshmallows.
Tickets are £16 for adults (12 and over), £11 for under 12s with discounts for group bookings and lower prices for off peak. Check the website for more details and to book your tickets at the Royal Pavilion Ice RInk website.
Hastings Pop-up Emporium
- Sat 19 & Sun 20 November 2022 – 11 am – 4 pm – The Stade Hall, Hastings Seafront, Hastings Old Town
- Sat 03 & 04 December 2022 – 11 am – 4 pm – The Stade Hall, Hastings Seafront, Hastings Old Town
This Christmas Pop Up hosts a wonderful selection of talented local makers, creatives and small businesses from Hastings and the surrounding areas. Entry is free.
Brighton Christmas Festival and Market
18 November – 23 December 2022
The main festival and Christmas Market take place in the Old Steine and new Valley Gardens that run from The Royal Pavilion to St Peter’s Church. However, the event is city-wide event with many popular attractions and venues joining in.
With over 150 festive stalls, the festival includes two purpose-built entertainment venues, live shows, fairground and the chance to visit Santa’s Workshop.
There will be an Après Ski zone for adults with mulled wine and all the Alpine feels. Brighton Christmas Festival and Market will be a sparkling winter attraction in Sussex this winter.
Brighton Christmas Festival is FREE to enter for you to wander around, browse the Christmas Markets and soak up the festive atmosphere. Ticketed attractions including Santa’s Workshop will be on sale soon. Advance booking is recommended for these.
Brighton Christmas Festival and Market
The festival includes two purpose-built entertainment venues, live shows, and an opportunity to visit Santa’s Workshop.
Father Christmas and Christmas Market in Battle
Saturday 26 November 2022
At 1:50 Father Christmas’s sleigh is escorted with a musical parade down the High Street to his Grotto at Memorial Hall. Father Christmas sees children in his Grotto from 2:15 till 4:45. There are refreshments, entertainment and Christmas market in the hall. Children’s rides take place on the Abbey Green and at 5pm the lights are switched on by Father Christmas.
There’s free parking all day in the town’s Rother District Council car parks and the Battle Abbey car park.
Learn more about Battle Christmas Market here
Battle Gala Night and Late Night Shopping
Late Night Shopping Thursday 08 December 2022
With traders in fancy dress, choirs and bands all around town, games, competitions and more, you’re guaranteed a magical time at Battle’s popular annual gala night and late night shopping!
Festivities start at 1.50pm with Santa’s High Street Parade, all are welcome. Visit the Battle Museum in the Almonry and sample what the unique, independent shops and cafes have to offer.
Shops will stay open until 8pm on Thursdays in the run up to Christmas. There are a range of unusual and independent shops in Battle High Street and lots of new openings recently so do visit if you haven’t dropped by Battle recently.
Many shops also provide online shopping and on Thursdays and Saturdays throughout December there is free car parking in the town in the Rother and Abbey car parks.
Designer and Maker Fair at Charleston near Firle
26/27 November 2022 – 10:00 – 17:00 hrs
Charleston Farmhouse near Alfriston in East Sussex opens its newly restored eighteenth century barns for their Designer and Maker Fair. Discover some of the South’s finest designers and creators selling beautifully crafted gifts.
Step into the Threshing Barn for winter lunches, hot chocolate and mince pies. A selection of natural wreaths, garlands and Christmas trees are for sale in the Barnyard and for the creative, there are craft activities in the Outer Studio. The Snow Queen will be welcoming visitors in her enchanted Christmas grotto.
Check the Charleston website for ticket availability and details. Booking required.
Christmas in Rye
Saturday 03 December
Rye Christmas Festival starts in the morning with Santa arriving by boat at Strand Quay. Visit festive stalls, Father Christmas in his grotto and see the reindeer. Eat food from street vendors as you’re entertained by street performers. Enjoy carols, pantomime and the colourful procession as it wends its way through Rye’s ancient streets.
Festive late night shopping is on Friday 02 December 2022
Eastbourne Christmas Market
Saturday 15-18 December 2022
This popular four-day Christmas Market in the main predestrian precinct runs from 09:00 – 18:00 hrs Thurs – Saturday and 09:00 – 16:00 hrs on the Sunday. There’ll be market stalls selling handmade gifts and crafts, live entertainment and fairground rides as well as hot food and festive drinks including mulled wine. Listen to the carol singers, brass bands and street performers to start getting all the festive feels.
Mary
Tuesday 3rd of November 2020
Looks lovely
Christine mansoor
Monday 18th of November 2019
A great website thank you so much. Lots of places to go that I wouldn't have known about . Merry Christmas
Kathryn Burrington
Monday 18th of November 2019
Our pleasure! And thank you, you too.