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A Magical Christmas at Drusillas

Don't miss a magical visit to Santa's Grotto, cuddle up to our adorable huskies, join in with our singing reindeer trio, a glittering 24-foot Christmas tree and delicious Christmas treats!

23rd Nov - 23rd Dec 2024

Watch little eyes twinkle with wonder as they experience the glistening magic of Christmas at Drusillas! Come and meet Santa snuggled in his cosy cottage, get nose-to-nose with our cuddly huskies, join in with our jolly singing reindeer, stroll through twinkling decorations, and marvel at our spectacular 24ft Christmas tree. You are all invited to soak up the seasonal cheer at Drusillas Park (near Eastbourne and Brighton) from 23rd November to 23rd December 2024.

Santa Experience

(Not included with standard entry tickets)

No Christmas would be complete without a moment with the big man himself... so upgrade your visit to meet ol' Saint Nick who will be nestled in the heart of our cosy Christmas grotto waiting to sprinkle festive magic on your little ones. Our Santa Experience includes a personal one-to-one with Santa, photo opportunity, and a magical Christmas gift!

• Santa Experience tickets are an optional add-on ticket and do not include entry into Drusillas Park .
• Valid Drusillas entry tickets are also required, you cannot enter the Park to meet Santa without these .
• Your entry tickets to the Park are valid from 10am - 5pm so you can enjoy all the festivities, zoo, play areas, and rides either side of meeting Santa.
• Your Santa booking time is not your Park entrance time. Park entrance is from 10am.
• Please read our Santa Visit Information before booking
• Drusillas Annual Members who wish to meet Santa require Santa Experience tickets but do not need to pre-book to enter the Park. 

*SANTA EXPERIENCE BOOKINGS WILL OPEN LATER THIS YEAR

(included with standard entry tickets)

Back by popular demand, visit our Ice Cave to come face-to-face with our beautiful huskies! These majestic dogs will be meeting and greeting visitors in our live events arena on selected dates throughout the holiday; you’d be barking mad to miss it! Meeting our huskies is included in your standard Park Entry Tickets. Dates to meet our huskies TBC.

Giant Christmas Tree

Our spectacular 24 foot giant Christmas Tree will be standing proud in the centre of the Events Arena! Spend a little time under the glistening lights, listen to some Christmas tunes and get into the festive spirit!

Singing Reindeer

Join our jolly singing reindeer trio for a good ol' Christmas sing along in the Events Arena - perfect to get you in the festive spirit!

Festive Photo Opps

Burst out of a giant present, become a jolly snowman, cuddle up to Santa, or ride the reindeer sleigh! Our fabulously festive photo opportunities make capturing those Christmas family memories easy!

Festive Food & Drink

Get into the spirit of Christmas with a seasonal glass of mulled wine, delicious mince pies, seasonal Starbucks, or warm fresh doughnuts with lashings of sweet sauce! All available from The Doughnut Factory, next to the Safari Express railway.  

Stocking Fillers

Why not pop into our shops which are crammed with loads of purrrfect stocking fillers for your little monkeys!

How much do Santa Exerience tickets cost?

Santa Experiencce tickets are £18 per person - this includes a personal one-to-one meeting with the big man himself and a magical Christmas gift. 

Do I need to buy a Park entry ticket alongside my ticket to see Santa?

Yes you do. Entry into the Park is not included in your Santa Experience ticket and you will need to buy separate entry tickets for your admission to Drusillas - you cannot enter to meet Santa without these . Santa Experience tickets must be booked online in advance and you can purchase your entry tickets online at the same time saving 20%! 

Can I buy tickets to visit Santa only and not enter the rest of the Park?

No, we are afraid not. You must pay and enter the Park in order to visit Santa’s Christmas Cottage. To get the most out of Christmas at Drusillas, we recommend making a whole day of it and enjoying all the animals, play areas, rides and topping it off with a festive visit to see Santa.  

I am a Annual Member, do I need to book my Santa Experience tickets?

Yes, members will need to purchase Santa Experience tickets for the day they wish to visit, but entrance to the Park does not need to be pre-booked.

Are there any Santa tickets available on the day?

There may be Santa tickets available at the gate, however we cannot guarantee this and tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis. 

Do adults have to buy tickets to accompany children to visit Santa?

No, we don't charge for adults accompanying their children to meet Santa. Santa tickets only need to be purchased for children wanting to visit Santa and receive a gift. Accompanying adults will only need to buy entry tickets to the Park. Under 2s accompanying older siblings who do not require a gift are welcome into Santa's Cottage free of charge. If you would like your under 2 to receive a gift, or if they are the only child in your party, you will need to purchase a Santa Experience ticket for them.

What else goes on at Drusillas for Christmas?

Alongside a visit to Santa, you can meet our cuddly huskies in the Ice Cave, see our giant magical Christmas Tree in the center of the Events Arena, sing along with our singing reindeer trio, buy some delicious festive treats, and also get a spot of Christmas shopping done - our shops have a range of perfect kids stocking fillers!

When is Christmas at Drusillas?

Our Santa Experience opens on Saturday 25th November and runs on various dates through until 23rd December. This event often sells out, so book early to avoid disappointment. 

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Father Christmas Grotto: Pier Pressure Brighton

Marlena Jagoda

Updated: December 1, 2023

This December, Father Christmas is returning to Brighton Museum and Art Gallery after many years absent. Visiting Father Christmas is a classic family tradition but the Christmas Grotto which Pier Pressure are bringing to Brighton Museum and Art Gallery is a world away from the tacky Grottos in shopping centres we all remember from our childhoods. 

Not only do they hire the most experienced and jolly Father Christmases, the Grotto itself is finished to an outstanding level so looks truly magical for little ones and in pictures to create those cherished memories for the adults too.

The helpful Christmas elves have been trained by a professional photographer to take lovely photos which can be turned into keepsakes which make ideal Christmas presents for parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, etc. 

Visitors can book a time slot so there is none of that tedious queuing we all remember from meeting Father Christmas as children.  There is also a fabulous waiting area full of fun things and cool photo opportunities.  Refreshments are available to buy including tea, coffee, hot chocolate , mulled wine, sweets and baked goods.

Enter the Grotto through the historic Royal Pavilion Gardens and have a magical Christmas experience for the whole family.  Little ones get to talk to Father Christmas and receive an age-appropriate gift from him and adults get to take wonderful photos they can share with the whole family. 

Book a time slot online for up to four children at a time and add extra accompanying adults if desired.  Special packages are available and these include a hot drink, sweet treat and/or a personalised gift created using a photo taken by the elves. 

Book your time slot here:  https://maximcloud.co.uk/brightonhovemuseums/tickets/#tickets

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Santa Clause is coming to Brighton and Hove!

Residents of Brighton and Hove are now able to purchase tickets to this year’s Santa Express on Volk’s Electric Railway. This special Christmas service will begin its journey on Saturday 1st December taking families on a magical voyage along Brighton Seafront to visit Santa’s Grotto.

The railway’s new Visitor’s Centre will be transformed into Santa’s workshop where families can visit Father Christmas in the lead up to his big night. Every child will receive a present, snack and craft activity, with adult tickets comprising of making a card, an edible treat, ride the train and get a special retro present from Santa!

A spokesperson from Volk’s Railway spoke to Brighton Journal about the Christmas journey: “The round trip takes you along Brighton’s seafront, past out Heritage Sheds and back again. Visitors are welcome to break their journey at Black Rock to visit the Marina and return on a later train.”

Volk’s Electric Railway is hosting the Christmas journey for the second year running after the successes of 2017. This event is a chance for children to ride on the oldest working electric railway in the UK. Santa Express is also available for use on school days for teachers and pupils for groups between 20 and 60 at a discounted price.

Councillor Alan Robins, Lead Member for Tourism and Culture, said: “Christmas is a hectic time of year and this is designed to be fun and relaxing for adults and children. Last year the combination of riding on the Volk’s railway, a craft workshop and meeting Santa was a great success so this year we have expanded the sessions.”

The dates for this year’s Santa’s Express are December 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 19th, 20th, 22nd & 23rd. For more information on journey times and tickets, please visit the Volk’s Railway website .

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The magical Sussex experience that brings Father Christmas right to your door

Make this festive season unforgettable for the little ones

• 14:07, 26 SEP 2020

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Give the children the chance to meet Father Christmas without having to leave their house as a new experience is coming to Sussex this year.

At first you'll get a warm festive welcome from one of Santa's little helpers which will give the child a gift after they get to see Father Christmas.

Each child will get a 15-20 minute private visit from Santa for them to tell him their Christmas lists and get the chance to ask whether they're on the naughty or nice list, as after all he does see everything.

The experience will will be touring between November 29 and December 24 through Crowborough, Ticehurst, Wadhurst, Battle, Hastings , and Rye along with various places in Kent .

A spokesman for Father Christmas in Kent said: "There are only around 10 visits per day being offered to Kentish famiies so make sure you don’t miss out.

"Please write in advance any letters for Father Christmas via the digital forms e-mailed.

"Each booking is allocated a 45 minute window to conduct the Home Visit allowing for any traffic complications on route or adverse weather conditions on the day.

"We strongly advise booking in advance to avoid any disappointment as tickets are extremely limited due to the areas covered, the number of requests already in and Covid-19/Government restrictions for 2020."

If you don't fancy a visit directly then he is also offering private zoom calls in his cosy log cabin from the North Pole.

From 30 November to December 23 families can chat over zoom at selected dates and times to Father Christmas for up to 10 minutes per session.

He will know the child(s) name before the chat along with other information.

Press here to find out more information and to book a visit from the one and only Father Christmas.

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Christmassy things to do with kids in Brighton

Although COVID restrictions still threaten to rear their ugly head at every turn, there’s a still lot of Winter fun to be had in Brighton and beyond to get you in the festive mood. Just make sure you’re ready for the cold – and that the little ones in your life know what they’re in for.

Burning the Clocks is back! A lovely event to get you feeling festive, watch a lantern parade with samba band and more, then retreat to a pub to get warmed up after. If you are going with small kids, remember it will be cold, noisy and crowded and everyone will be hungry/thirsty/need the toilet. Wrap up warm and have a back-up plan! 21st December

Glow Wild is a magical lantern trail near Haywards Heath, with immersive soundscapes and amazing projections. It’s another outdoor event, so be prepared for the cold (and potentially wet) weather. It’s a bit of a walk – a normal walk for adults, but for kids it may induce whiny complaints. So take a buggy or trolley if you can, or be prepared to cut the trail a little short if, well, the kids legs are a little short. The good news is, the trail ends with kiosks selling mulled wine, hot chocolate, and marshmallows for toasting on the firepit, so that should be motivation to get the little ones around! 25th Nov 2021 – 2nd Jan 2022

The Royal Pavilion Ice Rink says of its facilities: “picture dancing on a stunning ice rink in front of a beautifully lit palace, looking like something off the front of a Christmas card…” Indeed. Also picture a lot of falling over. Ice skating is a must-do for some families at this festive time or a must-avoid for those of us with no skating skills or grace on the ice. Thankfully there’s a bar and cafe, so if (as with many family excursions), everyone gets a big “hangry”, you’ve got somewhere warm with food to fall back to. 30th Oct 2021 – 9th Jan 2022

The Santa Dash is on! A true seafront delight: people of all kinds dress up like Father Christmas (as they raise much-needed funds for the Rockinghorse appeal) and race along the promenade. Definitely something everyone will enjoy (a bit easier on the eye than the naked bike ride, perhaps?), just prepare yourself for the kids’ questions about who the real Santa is. 11th December at 10.30am

Fancy meeting Santa at the i360 ? Escape to 450ft above Brighton, meet some cheeky elves and have that all-important chat with the big guy before receiving a Christmas gift… A fab venue for a Father Christmas encounter, it’s sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike, but we feel it’s worth noting a family of four will cost around £90, but it does include a hot breakfast. Various ‘flights’ between 4th – 24th December, booking essential

Looking do to some Christmas shopping and hoping to support local? You couldn’t get much more local than the Artists Open Houses at Christmas . Meet the creator in their studio or home and buy their art directly. You’re bound to find some hidden gems, but this might be one to discover without smaller children in tow if you have any concerns about broken pottery etc. Weekends: 27th & 28th Nov, 4th & 5th Dec, 11th & 12th Dec

Another magical lantern trail option is Leonardslee Illuminated which has the added bonus of a more theatrical affair and funfair rides. Advice about dressing for the weather and whining about walking still stands, but the fairground will definitely take the edge off. 25th-28th Nov, 2nd-5th Dec, 9th-12th Dec, 15th-22nd Dec

Finally, there’s another chance for local Christmas shopping, combining food and drink and other festivities at Brighton Christmas Festival which is on Valley Gardens down by the Old Steine. They’ve got choirs, stalls, a Santa’s Grotto and a fairground… if only they had a lantern trail and a gang of Santas running around they’d cover all of the above! From now until Christmas

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You are here: Events > Father Christmas

Father Christmas

Brighton and Hove

Type: Childrens Events

Tel: 030 0029 0900

Come and meet jolly Father Christmas in his magical grotto as he returns to the Royal Pavilion Estate. Little ones can tell Father Christmas what they’re most looking forward to this Christmas and receive a present. Forget the queues and long waits, this year you can book a private time slot and enjoy an exclusive experience. We’ve even got winter wonderland activities for kids to keep everyone happy before or after meeting the man himself.

In partnership with Pier Pressure

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Guide prices, tripadvisor, map & directions.

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Santa Experiences at BA i360

November 06th, 2020 | 3 minutes

Looking for a little magic this Christmas? Then join us at British Airways i360 for some family fun and escape to the skies this December when we reopen!  

We are thrilled to announce that Santa is coming back to BA i360 and will be joining us on selected Santa Flights flights throughout December! Plus, you can now enjoy the full BA i360 Fly with Santa Experience with our brand new for 2020,  Breakfast + Fly with Santa tickets.   Enjoy a hot breakfast served by our cheeky elves in our sea view restaurant before taking your flight with Santa to 450ft above the City of Brighton.  This is the must-do Santa experience this December in Brighton, with limited availability.

But, Christmas isn’t just for kids! This is a time for sharing experiences and enjoying the company of friends and loved ones. So, celebrate the festive season with us at BA i360 this December by booking one of our many experiences.  Find out more here.

FLY WITH SANTA

Does Father Christmas know which chimney is yours? Point out your rooftop to the man himself on board our beautifully decorated viewing pod.

As you glide slowly up to 450ft, search for Rudolph and his reindeer friends flying past, before capturing the magic and posing for a photo with Father Christmas seated in his giant armchair, with the backdrop of Brighton and the coastline below.

If you’re good, Santa’s Elf Experience Hosts will give you an early Christmas present from Santa before you leave.

After your flight why not take a seat in our beachside restaurant or café bar for a hot chocolate or tuck into a freshly prepared and locally sourced dish from our kid’s pick & mix menu?

Santa is back on the BA i360 pod from Friday 5th December – Thursday 24th December.

Prices start from £5.50 for Under 4’s and £10.50 for a Child (aged 4 – 15).

BREAKFAST + FLY WITH SANTA

New for 2020, take a seat at our spacious beachside restaurant to enjoy a hot breakfast served by our Elf Experience Hosts. As you take in the sweeping seaside views, the kids can get crafty making a special gift.

Once tummies are full, it’s time to Fly with Santa!  Santa will collect you from our beachfront restaurant, West Beach Bar and Kitchen, and take you on a flight 450ft above the City of Brighton in our beautifully decorated glass viewing pod.

Whilst up at 450ft, capture the magic and pose for a photo with Santa seated in his giant armchair, with the backdrop of Brighton and the coastline below.

Enjoy our Breakfast + Fly with Santa Experience from Saturday 12th December – Thursday 24th December.

Prices start from £5.50 for Under 4’s and £18.50 for a Child (aged 4 – 15).

• Explore our museums

Home / Discovery / History & Stories / Behind the Scenes with Father Christmas at Preston Manor

Behind the Scenes with Father Christmas at Preston Manor

This is a legacy story from an earlier version of our website. It may contain some formatting issues and broken links.

When you get to springtime and the Christmas tree and baubles are long packed away and your only thoughts are for the summer ahead, set a moment aside to think of the Father Christmas event organiser.

In late April I am to be found poring over grotto gift catalogues ordering Christmassy gifts for the 200 children per day that visit Father Christmas at Preston Manor over six days in December. Placing an early May order is essential for the arrival of over a thousand ready-wrapped gifts in mid-November.

I’ve been running a Father Christmas event for Royal Pavilion & Museums every year since 2008. The event started at the Royal Pavilion that year transferring to Preston Manor from 2014. Making Christmas in a historic house a magical experience is a varied, complex and demanding job. I quite literally dream about Christmas throughout the whole year. It goes without saying the event wouldn’t happen without the unseen heroes working front-of-house or back-office dealing with bookings and enquiries.

What are the essentials of a perfect event? You need a fabulous Father Christmas and Elf combo (tick) you need an enchanting room to act as a grotto (we’ve got those!) and you want some simple yet engaging seasonal activities for small children, so a themed trail or dressing-up goes down well. Add a fabulous museum to the mix and you have yourself a winner.

Children do not visit Father Christmas individually. If they did we’d be here until Easter so great is the demand. The event works as ‘An Audience with Father Christmas’ with groups of up to twelve families entering the grotto aka Lady Ellen’s gracious Drawing Room decorated for the season. Children sit on a cosy carpet at the great man’s feet and are spoken to individually in turn when presented with their gift. Honed over the years this system works well especially for the shyer child for whom the experience can be overwhelming.

Christmas is a stressful time for adults, so our job at Preston Manor is to provide escapist peace and harmony. My vision for Preston Manor is ‘step into that nostalgic glittery Christmas-card picture you have in your head but never quite find in the real world’.

At Preston Manor you really can leave the 21 st century behind and wallow unashamedly in the glorious yuletide fantasy Mr Charles Dickens created.

Many children come to the event with a letter for Father Christmas and these make wonderful reading, and each year I archive a selection; if Preston Manor exists in 100 years’ time these lists of toys of the moment will read as quaint relics of a past-age.

“I have been good this year” is a recurrent statement, as is “I have brushed my teeth”. This line occurs so many times I wonder if Father Christmas spends the rest of his year working in dentistry.

Paula Wrightson , Venue Officer, Preston Manor

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Visit Santa’s Grotto At Tulleys Christmas Santa Experience

Bring your family to enjoy a magical and unique Christmas Santa Experience for all ages!

Created by the same award winning team that bring you the Tulleys Halloween Festivals and Escape Rooms. The Christmas Santa Experience is set within the beautiful woodland grounds of Tulleys Farm.

Plan Your Visit

Frequently Asked Questions

What time can i arrive.

You are welcome to arrive on site as early as 8:45am when we open to start taking part in the activities.

The time slot you have booked refers to your sleigh ride time. Please arrive at the sleigh ride station 15 minutes prior to your departure. Due to the nature of this activity, we have to work to a very tight schedule, because of this we are unfortunately unable to delay the sleigh ride. If you arrive late we may be able to reschedule your slot subject to availability.

We recommend 4-5 hours to complete the full experience.

How long does each activity take?

Activity Timings: 

• Sleigh ride, storytelling, photos and Build a bear/ Toy shop: 55 Minutes 
• Gingerbread decorating: 30 minutes
• Reindeer food making: 15 minutes
• Reindeer talks: 10 minutes
• Elves forest: 5 minutes
• Post house: 10 minutes
• Cinderelfa: 25 minutes 
• Circus: 25 minutes, 
• 3D cinema: 15 mins 
• Elf hunt: 45 minutes (this can be done throughout the day) 

*Please note this may change on peak days 

Can the Sleigh Ride tickets be used at any time of the day?

Unfortunately not. When you book online you select a time and date for which to book tickets. The time you book is in relation to your sleigh ride which has to be booked so that we are able to manage the capacity of each sleigh.

Alternatively, when you buy your tickets at the kiosk in person, you will be booking for the next available time slot during that day.

Please arrive at the farm at least 30 minutes before your sleigh ride time and at the sleigh ride station at least 15 minutes before your allotted departure time. If you miss your booked time slot, you will be asked to wait for the next ride on which there are spaces free.  On very busy days, there may not be any further spaces available, meaning that you could end up not taking the ride at all. Please do make sure you arrive for your booked slot.

You are welcome to arrive earlier than 30 minutes before your sleigh ride time. The park opens at 8.45am.

Ingredients for gingerbread activities

GINGERBREAD MEN

INGREDIENTS:

Wheat Flour (with added calcium, iron, niacin(B3) and thiamin (B1)),Sugar, Golden Syrup, Vegetable Oils (Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Sunflower Oil), Ground Ginger, Raising Agent: Sodium Bicarbonate

Also, may contain egg, milk, nuts, peanuts and soya.

____________________________________________

WHITE / PINK MARSHMALLOWS

Glucose-fructose syrup, sugar, water, pork gelatine, maize starch, dextrose, natural vanilla flavour, colour: E162.

NOT suitable for vegetarians.

Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Water, Rapeseed Oil, Palm Oil, Colours (Carmine, Paprika Extract), Rice Starch, Maltodextrin, Emulsifiers (Polyglycerol Esters of Fatty Acids, Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Flavouring, Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid), Stabiliser (Pectin)

Suitable for (but not certified): Kosher and Halal.

Free From Gingerbread, Icing, Choc buttons & Marshmallows *(limited availability)*

Free From Gingerbread Snowman

Our ingredients:  Brown Rice Flour, Brown Sugar, Invert Sugar Syrup, Gluten Free  Oat  Flour, Rapeseed Oil, Tapioca Starch, Palm Oil,  Egg , Water, Yellow Pea Flour, Ginger Powder, Raising Agent: Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate; Thickener: Xanthan Gum; Flavourings, Emulsifier: Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids.

Freedom Mallows Mini Pink & White Vanilla Marshmallows

Full ingredients

Glucose, Fructose Syrup, Sugar, Water, Dextrose, Gelling Agent; Carrageenan, Maize Starch, Hydrolized Rice Protein, Flavour (Natural Vanilla Flavour and other Natural Flavours), Stablizier; Polyphosphate, Colours: Calcium Carbonate, Red Beetroot.

Doisy & Dam D&Ds Vegan Dark Chocolate Drops

Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Tapioca Starch, Emulsifier ( soya  Lecithin), Plant and Vegetable Extracts (Beetroot, Spirulina, Safflower), Colours (Curcumin, Carotenes), Glazing Agent (Carnauba Wax). For allergens, see ingredients in  bold.

Is there parking available at the park?

We have plenty of parking available at the park. If you have a blue badge, please show this to the parking attendants and they will direct you where to park. Parking is also free for the duration of your visit.

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Father Christmas - Preston Manor & Gardens

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Visited earlier today with my niece’s hen group 😊 Oh what fun, really tested our logic brain... read more

This is a hidden gem, a perfectly preserved period piece showing life upstairs and downstairs in a... read more

Father Christmas

What can I say?... This splendid house was decorated beautifully and tastefully in a Victorian style, the friendly staff all around the Stanfords home were making sure we had a very memorable visit! Plenty of activities for us all to do as we waited like dressing up in costumes down in the servants hall , informative tours of the upper floor ,fun stories about Christmas in a quiet area with ample seating and a magical rug ride to get us all hyped before an happy Elf led us through on tip toe to a sleepy Mr Christmas! My children were in awe... if your thinking of booking up for next year you won't be disappointed! We found it so much nicer than the tacky ones dotted around town. Plus you can park and there was a nearby deli which served delicious lunches etc I would like to thank all the staff and volunteers that went the extra mile to make sure we had a fantastic start to Christmas xx we will be back

I visited this location to catch the last day of the Doreen Valiente Exhibition. it was good, and the house was awesome too. The speakers with examples of people who actually lived in the house were interesting.

Well worth a visit to this stately home. not only is it full of history and the standard antiques you find in stately homes but it is also reportedly haunted. I think Most Haunted actually filmed a show here and had an experience with the ghost of a maid who's body was found on the property. You can also do ghost tours around the Manor which are quite fun and interesting!

The staff at Preston Manor are outstanding; full of information, helpful and friendly. The lovely thing about this attraction is that you can wander round by yourself, in your own time and nothing is out of bounds or roped off, they have simply placed pine cones on anything you mustn't sit on! The kitchens downstairs are of particular interest and the gardens are beautiful.

As locals we drive past everyday and this time we decided we must go in. It's beautiful inside, lots of history about the area, the staff are fantastic with excellent knowledge. It's your Brighton Downton Abbey! We learnt a lot and recommend it to everyone. Shame it's not open all year, a good place to go in the winter! Even the toilets have history.

I've been taken by a native English friend of mine and I enjoyed every second of the visit. The house is very interesting inside and it has a lovely park outside, where you can sit on a bench and watche the marvellous landscape. Absolutely worthwhile.

The Best Christmas Events In Sussex In 2024

That magical time of year is just around the corner and to help 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 2024 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 2024

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

Christmas 2022

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

Santa Specials

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

Santa’s Grotto

Address : Paradox Place, 94 Gloucester Rd, Brighton, BN1 4AP. Dates : 25th November to 24th December 2022. Tickets : £12.50 per child. Adults – free.

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

Christmas at Fishers

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 Christmas Experience

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 at Wakehurst

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.

Light Up Trails

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.

Steamlights

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 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

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.

If you are visiting London this Christmas, these are the big Christmas shows this year.

London Christmas shows

• The Nutcracker
• Christmas Actually
• Peter Pan Goes Wrong

And here are the Pantomimes to look out for in Sussex this Christmas.

Theatre Royal

Mother Goose

Address : Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road, Brighton, BN1 1SD. Dates : 3rd to 11th December 2022. Tickets : From £13.00.

Pavilion Theatre

Jack and the Beanstalk

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

Beauty and the Beast

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 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.

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