Christmas Markets in Sussex 2026
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 Sussex Christmas Markets where the mulled wine flows and the aroma of roasting chestnuts fill the air, are sure to get you into the festive mood.
Sussex has a fabulous range of Christmas markets and fairs where you can stock up on locally made gifts and produce from local artisans and makers. Here’s our selection for 2026.
Some dates are still to be confirmed so do check the event before you travel, especially if the weather is looking dubious.
If you’re looking for a Christmas light trail in Sussex we’ve also got you covered.
Christmas Markets in West Sussex 2026
(scroll down for East Sussex)
So this is Christmas Craft Fair, Worthing
This festive craft and design fair features over 65 high quality craft and design stalls, plus cafe/ bar and special guests including The Sussex Ghostbusters.
The fair is in aid of St Barnabas Hospice which is a local independent charitable hospice located in Worthing, Sussex.
Sunday 06 December 2026, 10.30 – 15.30 hrs
Website: So this is Christmas craft fair
Where: The Charmandean Centre, Forest Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN14 9HS
Winter Fair at South of England Showground Ardingly
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.
When: Saturday 21 November, 9am – 5pm and Sunday 22 November 9am – 4pm
Price: Adults £9.45, senior citizens/students £8.10, ages 0-15 go free with a suggested donation of £2, Members free. (There’s an advance 10% booking discount if you get your tickets before midnight on 13th November)
Christmas Makers Market at Petworth House
Battery House Studio at Petworth House is the venue for Petworth Pop Up: Makers Market. You’ll find a range of beautiful handmade products including jewellery, homewares, textiles and art. Petworth House will be opening on Saturday 28 November so you can see the house decorated for Christmas.
Entry to the market is free but you’ll need to pay admission for entry to the House (free for National Trust members) and it’s definitely worth seeing it decorated for Christmas.
When: Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November 2026
Grittenham Barn Christmas Market, near Petworth
If you’re going to Petworth then Grittenham Barn is nearby with their Christmas market taking place in their beautiful barn and rustic outbuildings. Lots of stalls will be selling gifts, crafts and Christmas goodies.
2026 Dates TBC
>>> Looking for a gift for someone special? Check out our Sussex gift guide for some unique Sussex produced and inspired gifts.
West Dean Christmas Market
A collection of hand-picked stallholders will be showcasing the best in arts, crafts and food with an array of festive delights. The market will take place in the college offering a unique shopping experience set within its grand state rooms.
You’ll find many unique gifts, not available on the high street, as well as beautiful festive decorations and cards. Or give an experience and buy a voucher for a Gardens visit with afternoon tea.
Take advantage of the house opening and book your free event tickets now to avoid disappointment.
Saturday 27th November 2026 2pm-8pm and Sunday 28th November 9-6pm
Entry Fee: 12.50
Website: West Dean Gardens
Horsham Christmas Market
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 launch and lights switch on with late night shopping is 20 November 2026.
Christmas market days: Sundays 06, 13, 18 and 20-24th December.
Website: Horsham Christmas Market.
East Grinstead Christmas Market
Market stalls selling Christmas gifts, food and entertainment at East Court, East Grinstead.
6th December 2026, 11:00 to 15:00 hours
Weald and Downland Christmas Market and Advent
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 £20 for adults (18+), children aged 0-4 years free, children aged 5-17 years £10. Various family tickets are also available. Annual Members get 10% off. All tickets much be pre-booked. Tickets include admission to both the Museum and to the Christmas Market.
A Park and Ride will be operating from Goodwood Racecourse for this event, there will be no parking available on site with exception of Blue Badge holders.
Sat–Sun 21 and 22 November 2026 -10am-4pm Pre booking essential
Website: Advent – A Christmas Experience & Market
Arundel at Christmas, Arundel *Dates for 2026 TBC*
Arundel at Christmas is a series of smaller events being held throughout December.
Arundel’s Victorian Christmas – Friday 04 December, 4-7pm
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).
This year there’s a lantern procession and the usual tree lighting and carols and Father Christmas’ grotto.
Other events throughout December 2026 include:
Arundel Museum’s Christmas Fair
Saturday, 21 November 2026, 10:00 – 15:00 hrs. Free entry
Late night shopping – 08 December until 8pm with entertainment around the town
Arundel’s Christmas Market
Town Square. Saturday, 5 December 2026, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Arundel Farmer’s Market – Saturday 19 December with festive entertainment throughout the day
Website: Arundel at Christmas
Chichester Christmas Market
With a wide range of local traders and makers offering unique Christmas gift ideas, the market takes Westgate Leisure Centre, Via Ravenna, Chichester PO19 1RJ
Dates to be announced early November
Tottington Manor Hotel
Tottington Manor Hotel, set in the beautiful South Downs, hosts this free Christmas market with around 20 stalls featuring a range of gifts from local businesses. The event also includes a Christmas lights switch-on.
When: 4-8pm, 27 November 2026
Shoreham Christmas Market, The Shoreham Centre
The perfect festive Christmas shopping experience to support, meet & discover many local artists, makers & small batch producers featuring over 50 of the very best makers, artists, creatives and small local independent businesses from across Sussex.
With live music, face painting and childrens’ craft area.
When: Saturday 5th December 2026, 10:00 to 15:30 hrs. Free entry
Where: The Shoreham Centre, Pond Road, Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 5WU
Christmas Markets in East Sussex 2026
Seven Sisters Christmas Market
Over 40 local artist and maker stalls will be across the Exceat site, offering the perfect opportunity to buy unique, seasonal gifts for friends and family, whilst enjoying a mulled wine and mince pie.
Where: Seven Sisters Visitor Centre and Saltmarsh Farmhouse
When: Saturday 05 and Sunday 06 December, 10:00 – 16:00 hrs
Entry: is free but car parking charges apply
Christmas Makers Market at Great Park Farm, Catsfield
The Pop Up Emporium is back at Great Park Farm, Catsfield for Festive Makers Markets, with over 20 stalls each day and over 30+ makers.
This Christmas market hosts a selection of talented makers and creative small businesses from the South East bringing everything from jewellery to clothing, candles to artwork, delicious food to skincare and everything in between.
Plus Great Park Farms Cafe, Farm Shop and Plant Nursery will all be open too with festive treats, beautiful plants and more.
When: 28th and 29th November 2026, 10:00 – 16:00 hrs
Where: Great Park Farm, Horns Corner, Catsfield, East Sussex, TN33 9DT
The Stade Christmas Village, Hastings
Features market stalls, festive food and drink, mulled wine, Santa’s Grotto, craft workshops, and live acoustic music/choirs plus there’s more to explore in Hastings Old Town too.
When: 20 November – 19 December 2026
Where: Stade Hall, The Stade, Hastings, TN34 3FJ
The Yard Christmas Markers Market, Hastings
Features over 50 independent stallholders, open studios, crafts, art, and fresh food.
Where: The Yard, Waterworks Road, Hastings
When: Friday, 4 December 2026 (12:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Additional Makers’ Markets are also scheduled at The Yard on 28 November and 12 December.
>>> Read about the Burning of the Clocks, Brighton’s winter solstice festival held on 21st December annually.
Mountfield Winery Christmas Fair
A selection of stalls in the Tasting Room. Charity donation on the door.
Where: Mountfield Court, Mountfield, East Sussex
When: Thursday 26th November 2026
Christmas Market in Battle – *2026 dates TBC*
The Christmas market is held in St Mary’s Church this year from 12:00 – 17:00 hrs.
At 13:45 hrs 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. Tickets on the door only.
Children’s rides take place on the Abbey Green and at 5pm the lights are switched on by Father Christmas in his sleigh.
When: Saturday November 2026
There’s free parking all day in the town’s Rother District Council car parks on the following dates:
- Sat 29 Nov – 8am–7pm
- Thurs 4 Dec – 4–7pm
- Fri 12 Dec – 4–7pm
- Sat 20 Dec – 8am–7pm
Battle Late Night Shopping
Late Night Shopping Thursday ?? and Friday ?? December 2026
With traders in fancy dress, choirs and bands all around town and Santa’s grotto in the Almonry, you’re guaranteed a magical time at Battle’s popular annual gala night and late night shopping!
Sample what the unique, independent shops and cafes have to offer. The 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 which are worth check out.
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.
A Taste of Sussex at Battle Abbey School
Shop from a wide range of food and drink, hand-crafted gifts and wares from local artisans, makers and producers.
There’s mulled wine and hot chocolate, a tombola, raffle and other festive treats.
When: Saturday 28 November 2026. 14:00 -17:00 hrs
Where: Abbot’s Hall Dining Room, Battle Abbey, Battle
Entry: Adults £5, Children £2 (price TBC)
Designer and Maker Fair at Charleston near Firle
Charleston Farmhouse near Alfriston in East Sussex opens its Hay Barn for their Designer and Makers Fair. Discover some of the South’s finest designers and creators with over 30 stalls selling beautifully crafted gifts.
A selection of natural wreaths, garlands and Christmas trees are for sale. There are various outdoor stalls and activities so dress warmly.
Tickets £5 in advance or £6 on the door. Check the Charleston website
21–22 November 2026, 10:00 – 16:00 hrs
Winchelsea Christmas Fayre
Winchelsea Christmas Fair will have a Grand Raffle, Tombola and Refreshments with stalls from local artisans displaying many goods and crafts including artworks, ceramics, sculpture, prints, chocolate, food, drink cards and jewellery.
Where: New Hall, Rectory Lane, TN36 4AA.
When: Saturday 21st November 2026, between 10.30 – 15:00 hrs
Entry: £1 but Free to under 16’s
Christmas in Rye
The Rye Christmas Festival programme has not yet been announced.
Festive Makers Market at Rye Harbour
Get into the festive spirit at the annual Christmas makers market while supporting Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Showcasing over 20 talented artists and makers from Sussex and Kent, offering beautiful gifts with a focus on nature and the environment.
The café will serve tasty festive fare, mince pies and warming spiced drink and the shop offers a superb range of carefully-sourced, quirky and ethical nature-inspired gifts and Christmas decorations.
Where: Rye Harbour Discovery Centre. Parking a 10-minute walk away at the car park in Harbour Road, Rye Harbour, Rye TN31 7TT
When: Saturday 21 and 22 November 2026 between 10:00 – 16:00 hrs each day.
Entry: free
Drop me a line if I’ve missed any Christmas markets in Sussex this year and I’ll add them to this post.
