It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

It’s the most wonderful (and expensive!) time of the year, so here’s our round-up of some of the best community-led, free, and more affordable Christmas events to get you into the Christmas spirit, and to ‘Brighton’ up the festive season! 

Why not head to The Crew Club‘s Christmas Market on Sunday 1st December? Highlights include locally-made gifts, the chance to win great raffle prizes, free mince pies, tea, and coffee. There’s even a fortune teller. It’s on from 11am until 3pm.  

On the same day, there’s also the Christmas Market at The Bevy from 4pm, selling everything from cards to clothing. 

Sunday 1st December also marks the start of the Higher Bevendean Advent Trail at The Bevy where Paralympian Will Bayley will be switching on the lights for the first advent window of the trail at 7pm, after the Christmas Market.  

If you’re feeling creative, there’s a Star Lantern workshop at BELTA on both Friday 29th November, and Friday 6th December with free refreshments from 3:30pm – 5pm. 

On Sunday 15th December, Laz in the Park Cafe in Saunders Park has collaborated with Brighton Electric and Waves of Brighton for a community-led event with free children’s entertainment and music.  

Back to The Crew Club, the Over 60s Christmas Tea with live entertainment is on Saturday 21st December from 2pm-4pm. All over 60s are welcome and there’s no need to book, you can just turn up. 

Started in 1993, the annual Burning of the Clocks is a unique and free community event held on Saturday 21st December. This magical event brings the whole city together to mark the shortest day of the year, with a lantern parade that leads to a bonfire on the beach.