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 this year.
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. If you’re looking for a Christmas light trail in Sussex we’ve got you covered.
What’s on in West Sussex this Christmas?
(scroll down for East Sussex)
So this is Christmas Fairy Tale Fair
Sunday 1st December, 10.30 – 3.30
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.
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
Saturday 23rd November, 9am – 5pm
Sunday 24th November 9am – 4pm
Adults £9.50, senior citizens/students £8, under 16s go free with a suggested donation of £2, Members free. (There’s an advance booking discount if you get your tickets before 15th November)
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 24 November 2024 – From £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.
This sells out quickly so early booking is recommended.
>>> Looking for a gift for someone special? Check out our Sussex gift guide for some unique Sussex produced and inspired gifts.
Christmas Wreath Workshop at The Spread Eagle, Midhurst
Thursday 28th November 2024
Wednesday 4th December 2024
Tuesday 10th December 2024
Thursday 12th December 2024
Join a two-hour workshop in the Jacobean with Hattie and Flo florist. There’s morning tea and coffee and homemade biscuits, followed by a two-course lunch with a glass of Sussex Sparkling. Prices from £89 per person (all materials included). Early booking is recommended as spaces are limited.
Shopping at West Dean Gardens
West Dean Christmas Market
Thursday 28th November 4-8pm
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.
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 with late night shopping is Friday 22nd November.
Christmas at Amberley Museum
7-8, 14-15 & 21-22 December 2024
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 and the ornaments and reindeer in the Greenwood Village.
Pre-Booking is required to see Father Christmas.
Bluebell Railway Santa Specials and Steam Lights
Santa Specials | 30 November, 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23 & 24 December
Santas SteamLights | 15-17, 22-24, 28-30 November 1, 4-9, 11-15, 17-23, 28-31 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.
All Santa Specials will start and finish at Sheffield Park in 2024.
Bluebell Railway Santas SteamLights and Bluebell Railway Santa Special
Weald and Downland Christmas Events
Advent – A Christmas Experience & Market
Sat–Sun 23 and 24 November 2024 -10am-4pm 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 £16.50 for adults (over 18s), seniors and concessions £14.50 free children aged 0-4 years, £8.50 5-17 years. Various family tickets are also available. Entry is £1 for Annual Members and tickets much be pre-booked. Tickets include admission to both the Museum and to the Christmas Market. See website for more ticket prices.
Father Christmas at the Kennels, Goodwood
07 & 08 December 2024 10:00 – 16:15 hrs
Bring your children or grandchildren to meet Father Christmas and his elves en-route to the North Pole for a special festive day at The Kennels.
Admission is £25 per child. See Goodwood website for more details.
Arundel at Christmas, Arundel
Throughout December 2024
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).
The opening ceremony is on 1st December at 6pm and coincides, this year, with the Duke of Norfolk receiving the freedom of Arundel.
Other events include
Tarrant Street Market – 02 December 10am – 4.30pm
Late night shopping – 08 December until 8pm with entertainment around the town
Arundel Farmer’s Market – Saturday 16 December with festive entertainment throughout the day
Festive Sunday – more music and entertainment around the town Sunday 17 December
Chichester Christmas Market
10 November 2024 9am – 2pm
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
Chichester Indoor Christmas Market
What’s on in East Sussex this Christmas?
Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, Brighton
26 Oct 2024 – 05 Jan 2025
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.
Ticket prices vary depending on dates and timings 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.
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: Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th November 2024
Where: Great Park Farm, Horns Corner, Catsfield, East Sussex, TN33 9DT
Christmas Makers Market at The Stade, Hastings
As above except for festive drinks and food at the Stade Cafe plus there’s so much to explore in Hastings Old Town too.
When: Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December
Where: Stade Hall, The Stade, Hastings, TN34 4FJ
>>> Read about the Burning of the Clocks, Brighton’s winter solstice festival
Brighton Winter Fayre
Festive fun in Brighton with a twist. The packed programme of entertainment includes workshops for adults and children, a covered food and drink area, ‘Winter Nights’ for the grown-ups and an immersive grotto like no other, created by Artpod.
On Sundays ‘The Venue’ (a beautiful timber framed yurt where the entertainment takes place) turns into a glorious Christmas Maker’s Market filled with local artisan food producers and original crafters selling gifts, decorations and local produce.
When: Every Thursday to Sunday, from Thursday 5th until Sunday 22nd December. *The Christmas market is on Sundays only*
Where: St. Peter’s Church Square, York Place, Brighton, BN1 4GU
Father Christmas and Christmas Market in Battle
Saturday 30 November 2024
At 1:45 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.
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 in his sleigh.
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 events
Battle Late Night Shopping
Late Night Shopping Thursday 05 and Friday 06 December 2024
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
Saturday 30 November 2024
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.
Entry: donations are welcomed on the door. 13:00 -17:00 hrs
Designer and Maker Fair at Charleston near Firle
23–24 November 2024, 10:00 – 16:00 hrs
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
Christmas in Rye
Saturday 23 November 2024 – Festive Late Night Shopping
An evening event with lots of fabulous independent shops open late until 8pm, music performances and festive treats. The perfect opportunity to start getting into the festive spirit and to get your Christmas shopping started.
23 and 24 November 2024 – Rye Creative Centre Christmas Market, Rye 10am -4pm
A winter wonderland of festive delights, from handcrafted arts, crafts and baked goods
Where: Entrance between 7-9 New Road, Rye, East Sussex TN31 7LS
Saturday 07 December 2024 – Christmas in Rye
Santa’s Grotto, market stalls selling handmade gifts and crafts, live entertainment, High Street races, and more. Sample hot food and festive drinks and mulled wine as you listen to the carol singers, brass band and street performers.
Wadhurst Christmas Market and late night shopping
2024 TBA
With over 40 stalls, Wadhurst Christmas Market in the Commemoration Hall 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.
Shops are open late and there’s a brass band.
Suzanne Jones is owner and editor at Hello Sussex which was founded in 2017. When she’s not exploring Sussex or writing about it you’ll most likely find her, camera in hand, enjoying coastal and countryside hikes across the county.
Suzanne is also travel writer and content creator at top travel blog The Travelbunny which she founded in 2011.
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.