The Best Christmas Events In Sussex In 2023
That magical time of year is just around the corner and to helo you get into the festive spirit, there are lots of Christmas events in Sussex this year.
There are Christmas markets. There are places to see Father Christmas. There are glittering Christmas light trails and more.
If you are in Sussex during the festive season and looking for things to do at Christmas in Sussex, you won’t be disappointed.
I’m always looking for Christmas events near me so that we can try something new each year! We hope that you’ll get some inspiration from our research.
Looking for general inspiration? Take a look at our guide to Christmassy things to do with kids.
So – what’s going on at Christmas in Sussex this year?
**Not all of the Christmas events in Sussex 2023 dates have been released yet so keep checking back for updates. This post contains affiliate links. If you book something using one, we may earn a small commission but at no extra cost to you**
If you happen to be heading into London this Christmas – here are some of the best Christmas shows this year.
- The Snowman – an absolute must-see when in London at Christmas with kids.
- Elf – The Musical.
- Potted Panto – 7 classic pantos in 70 minutes.
- Jack and the Beanstalk – classic pantomime at the London Palladium.
See also our guide to things to do with kids in London at Christmas.
These are the Christmas events in Sussex happening in 2023
Santa’s Grottos in Sussex
Looking for places to see Father Christmas in Sussex? The great news is that there are lots of Santa’s Grottos and places to see Father Christmas. It’s one of the most festive things to do in Sussex with kids.
Before that….if you’re going to be away on holiday over the festive season, you might be looking for a Santa’s Grotto further afield. We have a great post on 100+ Places to See Santa in the UK.
But here’s where to see Santa in Sussex this Christmas:
Drusillas Park
Meet Santa in his grotto, cuddle the huskies in an ice cave and wonder at the giant Christmas tree. Santa tickets need to be booked separately to day entry tickets.
Address: Drusillas Zoo Park Ltd. Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26 5QS.
Dates: Weekends from 19th November to 4th December and then daily from 10th to 23rd December 2022.
Tickets: £17.50 per child (in addition to the normal park entry price).
Bluebell Railway
Address: Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Station, East Sussex, TN22 3QL.
Dates: Select dates from 26th November to 24th December 2022.
Tickets: Table for 4 – from £130 up to 1st class compartment for 6 from £200.00.
If you love the idea of seeing Santa on a train but can’t get tickets for this, see if there are other Santa trains near you.
FYI – the closest Polar Express train rides to Sussex are Spa Valley Railway in Kent and Cholsey and Wallingford Railway in Oxfordshire.
Kent and East Sussex Railway
Address: Kent and East Sussex Railway, Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 6HE.
Dates: Select dates from 3rd to 24th December 2022.
Tickets: From £85.00. See website for more details on pricing.
See also things to do in Kent this Christmas if you are closer to Kent.
Brighton Christmas Festival
Address: Paradox Place, 94 Gloucester Rd, Brighton, BN1 4AP.
Dates: 25th November to 24th December 2022.
Tickets: £12.50 per child. Adults – free.
Cowdray
Address: Cowdray Estate, Cowdray Park, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 0AQ.
Dates: 1st to 24th December 2022.
Tickets: Adult – £7.50, Child – £15.00.
Fishers Farm Park
Address: Fishers Farm Park, Newpound Lane, Wisborough Green, West Sussex, RH14 0EG.
Dates: Select dates from 26th November to 24th December 2022.
Tickets: Adult – from £22.00, Child (2 – 15) – from £30.00. Under 2 (with present) – from £15.00.
Tulleys
Address: Tulleys, Turners Hill, Crawley, RH10 4PD.
Dates: Select dates from 26th November to 24th December 2022.
Tickets: Adult – from £24.95, Child (1 – 13) – from £49.95. Under 1 – from £12.95.
FYI – this is also one of the best places to pick pumpkins near London if you are looking for Halloween days out.
Borde Hill Garden
Borde Hill Garden Santa’s Grotto
Address: Borde Hill Garden, Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1XP.
Dates: 26th to 27th November 2022 from 9.30 to 3.30.
Tickets: £12.00 admits one child and one adult to the grotto.
Tates of Sussex Garden Centres
South Downs Nurseries Santa’s Grotto – tickets £8.00 per child and £3.00 per accompanying adult. Select dates from 26th November to 24th December 2022.
Santa’s Enchanted Forest at Old Barn Garden Centre – tickets £8.00 per child. Select dates from 26th November to 24th December 2022.
Santa’s Workshop at Paraside Park – from £17.99 per child (includes park entry). Select dates from 26th November to 24th December 2022.
Christmas at National Trust in Sussex
The National Trust has some lovely properties which will be beautifully decorated this Christmas season.
You can find out more about the Christmase events in West Sussex here and the Christmas events in East Sussex here.
Christmas lights in Sussex
There are a couple of exciting Christmas light trails in Essex this year. You can also wander around some of the towns and villages in Essex and check out their light displays. If you happen to be heading into London, here is where you can find the Christmas light displays in London.
We love a Christmas light trail. There are loads happening all over the country (see more Christmas light trails here).
If you are thinking of heading further afield, we can highly recommend the Blenheim Palace Christmas lights.
Glow Wild
Address: Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex, RH17 6TN.
Dates: 24th November to 1st January 2023.
Tickets: Adult – from £17.00. Child – from £11.00. Under 4 – FREE.
Leonardslee Illuminated
Address: Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 6PP.
Dates: Select dates from 24th November to 21st December 2022.
Tickets: Adult – £18.00, Child (2 – 16) – £10.00. Under 2 – FREE.
Cowdray
Address: Cowdray Estate, Cowdray Park, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 0AQ.
Dates: 1st to 31st December 2022.
Tickets: Adult – from £20.00, Child (2 -15) – £12.50. Under 2 – FREE.
Bluebell Railway
Address: Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Station, East Sussex, TN22 3QL.
Dates: 24th November to 1st January 2023.
Tickets: Adult – £16.00, Child (4-15) – £12.00. Under 3 – FREE.
Christmas markets in Sussex
We love a Christmas market. We usually try to go to one of the European Christmas markets each year but there are also some fantastic Christmas markets in the UK.
They are a great place to pick up some handmade Christmas gifts. We usually grab a hot chocolate or mulled wine, select a decoration for the Christmas tree and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Here are some of the best Sussex Christmas markets.
Brighton Christmas Market
Address: St Peter’s Plaza, Brighton.
Dates: 18th November to 24th December 2022.
Tickets: FREE.
Borde Hill Garden
Borde Hill Garden Christmas Market
Address: Borde Hill Garden, Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1XP.
Dates: 26th to 27th November 2022 from 10 am to 3 pm.
Tickets: Adult – £5.00. Children under 16 – free.
Eastbourne Christmas Market
Address: Terminus Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3NF.
Dates: 15th to 18th December 2022.
Tickets: Free.
Seaford Christmas Magic
Address: TBC.
Dates: 3rd December 2022. See their Facebook page for updates.
Tickets: Free.
Chichester Christmas Market
Address: East Street and North Street in Chichester City Centre.
Dates: 3rd to 23rd December 2022.
Tickets: Free.
The Big Purple Christmas Extravaganza
The Big Purple Christmas Extravaganza
Address: South of England Event Centre, Selsfield Road, Haywards Heath, RH17 6TL.
Dates: 22nd to 23rd October 2022.
Tickets: FREE.
If you like Christmas markets, you might like to read about the best Christmas markets in London or the best Christmas markets in the UK or even the best Christmas markets in Europe!
Pantomimes in Sussex
One of our favourite things to do at Christmas in London with kids is to visit one of the big Christmas Pantomimes and we’ve also visited a fair few local pantomimes too. Here are the Pantomimes to look out for in Sussex this Christmas.
Theatre Royal
Address: Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road, Brighton, BN1 1SD.
Dates: 3rd to 11th December 2022.
Tickets: From £13.00.
Pavilion Theatre
Address: Worthing Pavilion Theatre, Marine Parade, Worthing, BN11 3PX.
Dates: 1st December to 2nd January 2023.
Tickets: From £10.00.
Royal Hippodrome Theatre
Address: Royal Hippodrome Theatre, 108-112 Seaside Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3PT.
Dates: 15th December to 2nd January 2024.
Tickets: From £9.50.
White Rock Theatre
Address: White Rock Theatre, White Rock, Hastings, Hastings, TN34 1JX
Dates: 15th December to 31st December 2022.
Tickets: From £25.00 per person.
The Brighton Centre
Address: The Brighton Centre, Kings Rd, Brighton, BN1 2GR.
Dates: 22nd to 27th December 2022.
Tickets: From £15.00.
Hawth Theatre
Address: Hawth Theatre, Hawth Avenue, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 6YZ.
Dates: 9th December 2022 to 2nd January 2023.
Tickets: £26.00.
Alexandra Theatre
Address: Alexandra Theatre, Belmont Street, Bognor Regis, PO21 1BL.
Dates: 7th December 2022 to 1st January 2023.
Tickets: From £16.75.
Christmas Afternoon Tea in Sussex
Having afternoon tea is such a British thing to do – but have you tried a festive afternoon tea? It’s one of the best Christmassy things to do in Sussex after a day of Christmas shopping at the Christmas markets.
The Grand Hotel (Eastbourne) – available 1st to 22nd December. From £32.00 per adult / £17.50 per child.
Wingrove House (Alfriston) – 1st to 31st December 2022. £22.00 per person.
The Grand Hotel (Brighton) – through December 2022. From £35.00 per person.
You might also like to check out our posts on the best places to have afternoon tea in London and the best afternoon tea in London for kids.
Christmas at hotels in Sussex
If you feel like getting away for Christmas and having everything taken care of for you, these are the best hotels to spend Christmas at in Sussex.
Cowdray House
Here is their festive brochure for 2022.
The Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel in Brighton – see details here or book your stay here.
The Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne – see details here or book your stay here.
Wingrove House
Wingrove House in Alfriston – see details here or book your stay here.
For more inspiration on where to stay this Christmas, check out our UK Christmas breaks post.
Other things to do in Sussex at Christmas
Had your fill of Christmas events in Sussex? How about trying out some of these alternative things to do at Christmas in Sussex?
How about some ice skating at Tulleys?
Go and pick out your own Christmas tree at Furze Firs PYO Christmas Tree in Horsham or Sussex Christmas Trees in Lindfield and Five Ashes.
See here for more general ideas for things to do at Christmas. And once you’re done with all of the Christmas days out in Sussex and ready to settle down at home, take a look at these Christmas movies for kids.
We haven’t listed all of the things to do in Sussex in December so if there’s something you’d like to add, please let us know.
