Forget soulless shopping centres and the endless trudge around the same old high-street stores. Christmas shopping should be part of the fun of Christmas, and Sussex has some wonderful towns where buying presents is a fabulous festive day out. From the cobbled streets of Rye and the quirky shops of Hastings Old Town to the beautiful boutiques of Petworth and the historic streets of Chichester, we’ve chosen six of our favourite places for Christmas shopping in Sussex.
These aren’t necessarily the biggest shopping destinations, and we’re deliberately leaving Brighton aside because that’s a whole shopping experience in itself. Instead, these are places we know and love, where we’ve spent happy hours exploring independent shops, admiring Christmas displays and hunting down unusual gifts.
So whether you’re looking for something handmade, a vintage treasure, a beautiful book, a special piece of jewellery or simply an excuse for a festive day out, here are six places we’d happily return to this Christmas.
Christmas shopping in Lewes
If you’ve got bookworms, writers or lovers of unusual gifts on your Christmas list, Lewes is a fabulous place to start your shopping. This historic Sussex town is packed with independent shops, antique dealers, galleries and cafés, all set against a backdrop of beautiful old buildings and views towards the South Downs.
For book lovers, Lewes is particularly special. You can practically work your way down the High Street from the 15th Century Bookshop, browsing your way through the likes of Barbican House Bookshop, Bow Windows Bookshop, Boon Books, Waterstones and Bag of Books. From second-hand treasures and antiquarian finds to the latest bestsellers and children’s books, there’s something for every reader. The only disadvantage is that if you’re a book lover, you may just lose yourself in a world of books and never get any Christmas shopping done.
But books are only the beginning. There’s a wonderful Polish pottery shop, the Lewes Flea Market and the Emporium Antiques Centre for vintage finds, collectibles and quirky gifts. And for something handmade, look out for the work of Sussex Guild makers .
Don’t miss the Needlemakers, a fascinating historic building that began life as a Georgian tallow candle factory and later became a wartime surgical needle-making workshop. Today, it houses an eclectic collection of independent shops selling everything from jewellery and leather goods to shoes, cards and gifts.
And part of the pleasure of Christmas shopping in Lewes is simply being there. The High Street is full of character, the views towards the Downs are beautiful, and there are plenty of inviting cafés where you can stop for coffee, lunch or a well-earned break from shopping.
Late-night Christmas shopping
On 3 December 2026, Lewes will be hosting a special late-night shopping evening from 6–8 pm, with its independent shops getting into the festive spirit.
Getting to Lewes
Lewes is surprisingly easy to reach, whether you’re travelling by car or public transport. Just off the A27, it has several town-centre car parks, regular bus services and a railway station with connections to London, Brighton, Eastbourne and other destinations along the Sussex coast. The station is also within walking distance of the High Street, making it perfectly possible to enjoy a day’s Christmas shopping without bringing the car.
Christmas shopping in Petworth
Petworth is one of my absolute favourite places for Christmas shopping in Sussex, for two very good reasons. Firstly, it’s wonderfully compact, so you don’t have to walk miles to find some gorgeous gifts. Secondly, it’s incredibly atmospheric, particularly as dusk falls and the Christmas trees and lights decorating the buildings begin to twinkle. With its cobbled Lombard Street, historic Market Square and beautiful independent shops, it’s hard to imagine anywhere more Christmassy.
In fact, one year I managed to do my entire Christmas shopping list in Petworth in a single afternoon, with enough time left over to pop up to Petworth House!
Petworth is particularly famous for its art galleries and antique shops, making it a fabulous destination for anyone looking for something unusual or collectible. I always love a good rummage around Petworth Antiques Market, where you never quite know what treasures you might uncover. Another favourite is Tallulah Fox on Lombard Street, a gorgeous shop packed with unusual homewares, crockery, candles, kitchen accessories and beautiful gifts. It’s one of those places where you go in looking for a present for someone else and inevitably spot something you’d quite like yourself!
For food lovers, The Hungry Guest is a must, with delicious treats, deli produce and plenty of inspiration for Christmas hampers. Petworth also has an excellent wine shop and independent boutiques including some ladies clothing .
But one of my absolute highlights is The Maker’s Barn, just outside Petworth on the road towards Horsham. Set in a beautiful old barn, it showcases the work of more than 40 local makers and craftspeople. We visited last Christmas, when the barn was beautifully decorated with festive lights, and it was utterly charming. It’s a brilliant place to find handmade, individual gifts while supporting local artisans.
And there’s plenty to justify making a day of it. Once you’ve finished shopping, head up to Petworth House and Park to admire the Christmas decorations, explore the house or take a walk through the magnificent parkland and look out for the deer.
Petworth Christmas shopping events 2026
Petworth really comes into its own at Christmas, and its various annual Christmas events create wonderful excuses to visit.
- 28–29 November: Christmas Makers Market, with artisan gifts, jewellery, textiles, homewares and art.
- 28 November and 19 December: Christmas Lates at Petworth House, with the house open until 6.30 pm, festive illuminations and a choir performing at 5.30 pm.
- Petworth Christmas Cracker, 5 December, 11 am–7.30 pm: More than 70 stalls selling gifts, crafts, decorations, food and drink will fill the historic streets, with live entertainment throughout the day and the Christmas tree lights switched on in Market Square at 6 pm. A lovely opportunity to enjoy Petworth after dark, when the town is at its most atmospheric.
Getting to Petworth
Petworth doesn’t have a railway station, but it is accessible by bus and sits at the junction of the A272 and A283. There is parking close to the town centre, and once you’ve arrived, most of the shops are within a short walk of one another. The Maker’s Barn is a separate stop best reached by car.
Christmas shopping in Hastings
I can’t get enough of Hastings Old Town, which you may have guessed from the front cover of our latest magazine! It’s quirky, atmospheric and packed with independent shops, unusual boutiques and unexpected treasures. And if you’re looking for Christmas presents that are a little bit different, particularly if you’re shopping on a budget, this is a fabulous place to start.
For me, half the pleasure is simply wandering. Start along George Street, with its colourful bunting strung overhead, before making your way up the High Street, dipping into side streets and popping into shops that often seem to have cavernous interiors filled with all manner of fascinating things.
There are some absolute gems. I love Made in Hastings, with its locally made gifts, and Butler’s Emporium, a wonderfully atmospheric shop packed with beautiful and unusual things. Then there’s AG Hendy & Co, surely one of the quirkiest shops in Sussex, with its extraordinary collection of traditional hardware and homewares. It’s the sort of place where you never quite know what you’ll find.
For bookworms, don’t miss Hare & Hawthorn Books, while Tadhg Mae Projects is devoted to the curious, esoteric and unconventional. There are also vintage shops, second-hand treasures, antiques and bric-a-brac galore, making Hastings Old Town a particularly good destination for anyone hunting down unusual gifts without spending a fortune. And if chocolate is on your Christmas shopping list, look out for Rye Chocolate.
One of my favourite little traditions when visiting Hastings is looking out for the window displays at Funnell & Perring solicitors. They always seem to have something wonderfully imaginative going on, and I genuinely look forward to seeing what they’ve come up with next!
And there’s plenty more to enjoy once you’ve finished shopping. Stop for a meal at Webbe’s, take a wander past the famous black fishing net huts or simply spend some time on the seafront enjoying the fresh sea air. If you’ve still got energy, you can even continue along the coast to St Leonards-on-Sea for more independent shopping and a good seaside walk.
Christmas events in Hastings 2026
There seem to be all sorts of things going on this Christmas in Hastings which are reason enough to head that way for a bit of shopping.
- 20 November to 19 December: Christmas Village at The Stade, with festive market stalls, food and drink, Santa’s grotto, seasonal workshops and entertainment.
- 28 November and 12 December, 11 am–4 pm: Hastings Makers Market held at The Yard on Waterworks Road, with around 50 independent stalls and open studios showcasing local artists, makers, vintage finds, ceramics, handmade gifts and more.
- 3 December, from 5.30 pm: Hastings Old Town late-night shopping.
Getting to Hastings Old Town
Hastings has a railway station with connections to London and other Sussex towns, and it’s an easy walk from the station into the Old Town. By car, Hastings is reached via the A21 and A259, with parking available along the seafront and in town car parks. Once you’re there, the Old Town is best explored on foot.
Christmas shopping in Steyning
I visited Steyning recently as part of our Town of the Month series, and I was genuinely amazed by just how many wonderful independent shops this pretty little market town has. It’s another of those places where you could quite easily tick off most of your Christmas shopping list in a single afternoon, without having to walk miles.
The historic High Street is full of character, with beautiful old buildings, independent boutiques, antique shops, homewares, gifts and plenty of places to stop for coffee.
One of my absolute favourite places to browse is Cobblestone Walk. Step through the entrance from the High Street and you’ll find a delightful little shopping courtyard, complete with a café and a collection of tiny shops and huts where independent traders, artists and makers sell everything from crafts and candles to jewellery and unusual gifts. It’s a wonderful place for a rummage, and exactly the sort of place where you might find something you didn’t even know you were looking for!
There are plenty of other gems too. Slipped Discs is a brilliant little shop selling new and second-hand vinyl records, while Sakala is a treasure trove of Indian fabrics and colourful, unusual gifts. If vintage finds and mod fashion are your thing, don’t miss Awen, and for beautiful homewares and quirky presents, have a browse around Vintage & Home.
Book lovers should make time for the much-loved Steyning Bookshop, while the traditional sweet shop, with its jars and jars of sweets, is perfect for stocking fillers. Add in independent clothing boutiques, antique dealers and a wine merchant, and there’s plenty to keep you busy. And Steyning is particularly lovely at Christmas, when the town really embraces the festive spirit.
Christmas events in Steyning 2026
- 2 December, 4–8 pm: Steyning Christmas Shopping Evening. Enjoy late-night shopping along the High Street and at Cobblestone Walk, with festive stalls, carol singers, Father Christmas, a Christmas tractor convoy and a traditional steam organ adding to the atmosphere.
- 5 December, 10 am–4 pm: Steyning Arts Christmas Fair. Held at the Steyning Centre, this is another opportunity to browse handmade gifts and support local artists and craftspeople.
Getting to Steyning
Steyning is just off the A283, with easy access from the A24 and the Sussex coast. There isn’t a railway station, but the town is served by buses and has parking in and around the centre. Once you’ve arrived, the shops are conveniently close together, making it an easy place to explore on foot.
Christmas shopping in Chichester
One of the things I particularly love about Christmas shopping in this beautiful cathedral city is that you get the best of both worlds: some big-name shops for those Christmas essentials, alongside some wonderful independent boutiques, vintage stores and quirky little shopping arcades.
It’s also an incredibly atmospheric place to shop. At the heart of the city is the magnificent Market Cross, from which North, South, East and West Streets radiate, with the cathedral rising above the rooftops and the old city walls adding to the sense of history. As dusk falls and the Christmas lights come on, it really does feel like stepping back in time.
If you’ve got a long Christmas list, you’ll find plenty of familiar names, including Marks & Spencer, Oliver Bonas, H&M, The White Company, Seasalt and TK Maxx. There’s also John Lewis, The Range and other larger retailers just outside the city centre.
But don’t overlook the independents. One of my personal favourites is Winter’s Moon, a gorgeous shop full of colourful homewares, gifts and beautiful things. For vintage fashion, head to Cherry Vintage, while Timothy Roe Fine Jewellery is worth a visit if you’re looking for something particularly special.
I also love exploring The Hornet, where you’ll find two of Chichester‘s quirkiest shopping destinations. The Hornet’s Arms House Arcade is a treasure trove of vintage finds, antiques, collectables and unusual gifts, while nearby Draper’s Yard brings together an ever-changing collection of independent makers and small businesses. Part of the fun is that you’re never quite sure what you’ll find from one visit to the next.
And when you need a break from shopping, there’s plenty more to enjoy. Pop into Chichester Cathedral, explore the historic streets, art galleries and museum, or stop for coffee or lunch in one of the city’s many cafés and restaurants. Heads up, the Pallant House coffee shop do the best Millionaire’s Shortbread that I have had all year (and I’ve had a lot).
Christmas markets and festive events
Chichester has a particularly impressive programme of Christmas markets in 2026, making it a brilliant destination for festive shopping.
- 15 November: An indoor Christmas shopping event at Westgate Leisure Centre Christmas Market.
- 28–29 November: Vintage & Very Nice Market at the Council House, with vintage finds and unusual gifts.
- 4–6 and 11–13 December: Chichester Festive Market. Expect Christmas stalls along North Street and East Street, with gifts, crafts, festive food and drink.
- 13 December: The Novium Museum Christmas Market. An indoor market offering another opportunity to shop for festive gifts.
And just outside the city, the Weald & Downland Living Museum hosts its own popular Christmas market in November, making it another lovely addition to a festive day out.
Getting to Chichester
Chichester is easy to reach by train, with the railway station just a short walk from the main shopping streets. By car, it’s on the A27, with connections to the A286 and A29, and there are plenty of car parks in and around the city centre. Once you’ve arrived, the main shopping area is fairly compact and largely pedestrian-friendly.
Christmas shopping in Rye
Honestly, why wouldn’t you want to go Christmas shopping in Rye? With its cobbled streets, beautiful old buildings, independent shops and gorgeous Christmas displays, it’s one of the most atmospheric places in Sussex to get into the festive spirit. I’ve visited several times in the run-up to Christmas, and it never disappoints.
My favourite way to explore is to arrive early, park on the outskirts of town and walk up through the historic Landgate, along East Cliff and onto the High Street. From there, you can browse your way through the town before heading down The Mint towards The Strand, where you’ll find another wonderful collection of independent shops.
Rye is particularly good for beautiful homewares, unusual gifts, art and antiques. There are some seriously upmarket galleries and interiors shops selling everything from original artwork to luxurious furniture, but don’t be put off if you’re shopping on a more modest budget. There are plenty of lovely independent boutiques and gift shops where you can find something special without spending a fortune.
Among my absolute favourites are Ethel Loves Me, a fabulous little shop full of quirky gifts and creative finds; Simply Rye, which always seems to have beautiful Christmas window displays.
Don’t miss Rye Pottery, where you can pick up distinctive handmade ceramics, including the traditional Sussex pigs. They’re a wonderful gift with a real connection to the county. For food lovers, Rye Deli is a must, packed with delicious treats and inspiration for Christmas hampers, while Rye Cookshop is perfect for anyone who loves cooking or entertaining.
But Christmas shopping in Rye is about much more than the shops. You really do need to make a day of it. Climb the tower at St Mary’s Church for wonderful views over the town, wander down Mermaid Street, admire Ypres Tower and perhaps stop for lunch at the historic Mermaid Inn or afternoon tea at Fletchers House.
And do look out for the Christmas decorations. I remember seeing some particularly spectacular displays around the Buttermarket, and the shop windows are often beautifully dressed for the season. Lamb House, the National Trust property associated with Henry James, is another lovely place to visit when it’s open for its seasonal celebrations.
Christmas events in Rye 2026
- 21–22 November: Festive Makers Market, Rye Harbour. An opportunity to browse handmade gifts and support local makers.
- 27 November: Christmas Tree Festival, St Mary’s Church. I visited this last year and it was wonderful, with the church filled with beautifully decorated Christmas trees. The community really pulls out all the stops.
- 28–29 November: Rye Creative Centre Christmas Market. Another opportunity to shop for original artwork, crafts and gifts from independent makers.
Getting to Rye
Rye has a centrally located railway station, with services along the Sussex and Kent coast and connections towards London. By car, there are several car parks around the edges of the historic town, and I’d recommend arriving early, particularly on busy December weekends. The town is best explored on foot, although some of the cobbled streets are steep. If you’ve still got time and energy after shopping, head out to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve for a bracing winter walk.
All dates and details were correct at time of writing but please check before travel as things do change and can be weather dependent.
For more details of Christmas markets in Sussex visit:
Happy Shopping
