Unveiling the Magic! The Higher Bevendean Advent Window Trail

For the fifth year in a row, the Higher Bevendean Advent Window Trail will be illuminating the neighbourhood, and bringing warmth and wonder throughout the countdown to Christmas.

Established during the pandemic in 2020, the Advent Window Trail came about when Higher Bevendean resident Zoe Donegan saw the need for something special and positive for people to do.

“Something to give people a focus when the usual Christmas traditions went out the window, and something to look forward to that you could do from your own home” Zoe told us. “I wanted to get people together for a purpose”

Zoe told East Brighton Trust how the trail’s evolved over the last few years to bring the community together even more, with some residents leaving, new households joining, some of the resident artists being housebound, and students joining in.

Every household has a different day to decorate their window from December 1st up to 24th (and now most days have doubled up, reflecting the popularity of the trail).

From October, Zoe’s busy flyering the houses, coordinating everyone’s window dates, distributing information packs, and working with brilliant local artist Morgana Lefay who creates the map and the artwork every year.

Sunday 1st December will see the big launch of The Higher Bevendean Advent Window Trail at The Bevy, with hot chocolate and mince pies, and at 7pm, Paralympic Table Tennis champion Will Bayley will be switching on the lights of the first window of the trail.

Zoe’s also organised a festive Christmas Eve walk, starting at St Andrews Church at 5:30pm, for anyone who wants to join, and visit every advent window.