10 things to do in Brighton this Christmas

Your ultimate festive guide to celebrating the holiday season by the sea! From magical ice skating to the iconic Burning the Clocks festival🏮

Brighton might be famous for its sunny summer beach days, but the city takes on a completely different, magical energy once winter arrives. With the crisp sea breeze and twinkling lights strung across historic streets, taking a trip to this south coast gem during the festive season is an absolute joy. Whether you’re shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts, feasting on incredible food or soaking up some world-class entertainment, Brighton delivers a wonderfully quirky and cosy Christmas experience.

Putting together your festive itinerary? Look no further! Grab a warm coat and a hot chocolate and let’s explore 10 amazing things to do in Brighton this Christmas!

• Copy link

1. Experience a splendid Candlelight Concert

• 
  4th December 2026 – 20th December 2026

For an elegant evening out, a Candlelight concert in Brighton is a must this festive season. Hosted in the stunning Royal Pavilion and bathed in the gentle glow of thousands of LED candles, these live music events offer a peaceful, mesmerising escape from the holiday rush.

This December, you can choose between brilliant themed performances like ‘Candlelight: Christmas Movie Soundtracks’ or ‘Candlelight: Christmas Classics.’ Listen to a talented string quartet play your favourite Christmas tunes in a stunning, intimately lit setting. It’s the perfect, heartwarming night out that will leave you feeling incredibly festive.

2. Enjoy Christmas lights and shopping in The Lanes

No trip to Brighton is complete without getting wonderfully lost in The Lanes. And during Christmas, this historic maze looks like something out of a Dickens novel. The charming cobbled streets will be strung with beautiful, glowing lights that cast a warm, festive glow over the independent boutiques, antique jewellers and cosy cafés.

And the Lanes are the ultimate destination for ticking off your Christmas shopping list. Instead of the usual high-street chains, you can browse for bespoke gifts, vintage treasures and quirky local art. Ducking in and out of these unique shops while soaking up the bustling, cheerful atmosphere is one of the best ways to spend a winter afternoon in the city.

3. Witness the Burning of the Clocks

• 
  21st December 2026

Brighton is famous for doing things a little differently, and the Burning of the Clocks festival is the perfect example of the city’s creative spirit. Held annually on the winter solstice, this incredible community event brings Brighton together to celebrate the shortest day of the year spectacularly.

The parade weaves through the city centre, carrying a beautiful, handcrafted display of paper and willow lanterns, marching to the beat of live samba bands. The procession ends on the beach, where the lanterns are passed into a massive bonfire, followed by a stunning fireworks display over the sea. It is a wildly joyful, fiercely local tradition that you cannot miss.

4. Celebrate with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Brighton Dome

For a touch of sheer musical grandeur, secure your tickets to see the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the spectacular Brighton Dome. The Dome is one of the premier arts venues on the south coast, and its soaring acoustics make it the perfect setting to experience the power of a world-class symphony orchestra.

Their festive concerts are always a highlight of the season, packed with soaring renditions of beloved Christmas carols, classical winter masterpieces and joyful sing-alongs. Getting dressed up and spending an evening immersed in such incredible live music is a fantastic way to celebrate the season.

5. Indulge in festive eating across Brighton

Brighton’s food scene is legendary, and the festive menus across the city’s best restaurants are nothing short of spectacular. If you are looking for a show-stopping meal, The Coal Shed Brighton offers incredible fire-cooked meats and festive roasts. You’ll also find sister restaurant, The Salt Room, serving up sensational seasonal seafood with stunning views of the wintry seafront.

For something wonderfully different, the Dishoom Permit Room brings rich, warming, Bombay-inspired comfort food that is perfect for a chilly winter night. Alternatively, if you want a classic, cosy pub atmosphere with a roaring fire and a hearty festive menu, head over to The Park View for a brilliantly relaxed and indulgent holiday meal.

6. Browse the Brighton Etsy Christmas Market

• 
  5th December 2026

If you love supporting local artists and finding truly one-of-a-kind presents, the Brighton Etsy Christmas Market is an absolute dream. Bringing the famous online marketplace into the real world, this brilliant pop-up event gathers the very best independent makers, crafters and designers from across Sussex under one roof.

You can spend hours wandering the stalls, picking up everything from handmade ceramics and bespoke jewellery to quirky prints and organic skincare. The atmosphere is always buzzing and friendly, and knowing that every purchase directly supports a local creative makes the Christmas shopping experience feel incredibly rewarding.

7. Dance the night away at Step Into Christmas

If you are looking for a high-energy, feel-good night out with friends or colleagues, the ‘Step Into Christmas’ party nights are precisely what you need. Often hosted at major venues around the city, these events are dedicated to unadulterated festive fun, packed with great music and a brilliant party atmosphere.

Expect live bands and DJs spinning the biggest Christmas floor-fillers, from Mariah Carey to The Pogues, guaranteeing that everyone will be on their feet dancing. With festive drinks, great food and plenty of sparkling decorations, it is the ultimate way to let your hair down and celebrate the season in style.

8. Groove at the 80s HiFi – Christmas Special

For a holiday night out packed with serious retro nostalgia, grab your tickets for the 80s HiFi – Christmas Special! Brighton loves a good throwback party, and this fantastic live music event is the perfect excuse to dust off your neon leg warmers and tease up your hair for an evening of pure, unadulterated fun.

A brilliant live band will take you on a journey through the greatest hits of the 1980s, expertly mixed with all the legendary Christmas anthems of the decade. It is a wildly fun, high-energy gig that will have you singing and dancing all night long, making it a fantastic alternative to the standard formal Christmas parties.

9. Discover treasures at the Brighton Festive Makers Fair

Brighton is a hub of creativity, and the Brighton Festive Makers Fair is another fantastic opportunity to celebrate the city’s thriving artistic community. Held in charming venues around the city in the lead-up to the big day, this fair focuses heavily on high-quality, artisanal crafts and bespoke holiday goods.

It is a much more relaxed, intimate shopping experience compared to the busy high street. You can chat directly with the makers about their craft, sample delicious artisan food and drink, and pick up beautifully crafted gifts that you simply won’t find anywhere else.

10. Watch Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at Brighton Theatre

• 
  17th December 2026

To truly capture the traditional spirit of the season, round off your festive itinerary by seeing Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at St George’s Church. The timeless story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s redemption is a Christmas staple, and seeing it performed live brings a wonderful sense of nostalgia.

With brilliant stage design, Victorian costumes and deeply moving performances, the show perfectly balances the spooky ghost story elements with profound festive joy. It is a heartwarming and cosy theatrical experience that will leave you feeling completely immersed in the magic of Christmas.