Never mind the 12 days of Christmas. Welcome to the Sussex Advent Calendar and our 24 days of Sussex Christmas 2025 to take you from 1 December right up to Christmas Eve, ensuring you squeeze every last drop out of the festive season. ** As always, check availability and booking requirements well in advance.
1 December
Christmas Wreath-making workshop. There are still a few places left, if you want to make your own wreath. Surely the perfect way to start the season.
2 December
Head to Bodiam Castle for their festive gift hunt. Spot the dragon in the turret and Santa’s sleigh. Write those letters to Father Christmas and explore the towers.
3 December
The Wakehurst Christmas lights transform the wild botanic landscape into a dazzling winter wonderland, featuring stunning, never-before-seen artwork and installations that create an all-new magical light trail. Glow Wild 2025 invites you to walk on the wild side. Encounter fantastical animals, walk among giants, and uncover the hidden secrets of the Wakehurst natural world. Be wowed by the giant mythical sea creature, join reimagined woodland wildlife and enjoy a festive feast inside the classically dressed Christmas mansion.
Book tickets: Wakehurst Glow Wild
4 December
Head to Nyman’s for their Christmas experience. This year’s theme is a Fairytale Christmas inspired by the magic of much-loved stories. In the garden, a Christmas family adventure trail awaits, leading you through classic fairytales. Find Aladdin’s cave of treasures, play a game with Red Riding Hood’s basket of treats and take a seat in Cinderella’s carriage. Created by Tin Shed Scenery, the makers of last year’s magical Narnia-inspired garden trail.
5 December
Find and follow a festive Tractor Run. Lots of areas now have these charity-focused events where the farmers dress their tractors in coloured lights and parade through lanes and villages. Waiting for them to arrive can be a lot of fun – although always check the weather and route first.
6 December
Grab yourself some tickets to your local pantomime! There are lots of different Sussex pantomimes to choose from, and it’s guaranteed to be a side-splitting, rip-roaring affair with lots of colour, humour and fun. Check out our review of this year’s production of Robin Hood at Horsham!
7 December
Launch Christmas at the Weald and Downland Museum and their Annual Tree Dressing celebration. Tree Dressing is a magical occasion for all the family, celebrating the importance of trees. Based on an ancient custom that celebrates the life-giving properties of trees, Tree Dressing has its origins in the Green Man legends and other ancient customs.
8 December
Catch the Santa Special – a steam train experience run by Kent & East Sussex Railway. Book soon.
9 December
Before it all goes crazy, treat yourself to a festive afternoon tea – Ashdown Forest Park Hotel does an absolute cracker! Of course, other afternoon teas are available and you could head to the Metropole in Brighton, The Grand in Eastbourne or Millstream Hotel in Bosham. There is nothing like afternoon tea to take the edge of the Christmas shopping.
10 December
Head to Chichester Cathedral’s historic Bell Tower which is going to be transformed into a glowing canvas of creativity with Let It Glow: Chichester’s Magical Winter Illumination. This free immersive light and sound experience will turn the historic Cathedral Green into a dazzling celebration of art, technology and community. Under a weatherproof marquee on the Cathedral Green, visitors of all ages can use iPads to play with light and colour, watching their creations come to life on the ancient walls in front of them.
11 December
Thinking about making Christmas more sustainable? Well, if you like to have a real Christmas tree, make sure you buy a sustainable one – Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm, The Sussex Country Gardener at Marks Cross or Coastal Christmas Trees in Worthing. Consider shopping at pre-loved stores and take broken Christmas items to your local repair café rather than replacing by buying new.
12 December
The Mediaeval Baebes will be performing at St Mary’s Church in Horsham with a candlelit procession through the town and an evocative selection of their unique folk songs.
13 December
Celebrate Christmas in regal splendour at the Royal Pavilion. Enjoy drinks and a canapé reception in the palace’s historic Great Kitchen, followed by a musical interlude in the spectacular Music Room, before taking seats for a three-course dinner with wine in the magnificent setting of the Banqueting Room.
14 December
Head to Bewl Water and explore, play and wander as you unravel Santa’s Quest, where over 3 hours of interactive, immersive and theatrical magic await…
15 December
16 December
Head to Bakkus in Lancing for a Christmas Wine Glass Sip & Paint at 6:30pm.
During this cosy holiday workshop, you’ll be guided step-by-step to paint your own festive designs on a wine glass, perfect for decorating your home or gifting to someone special this Christmas.
17 December
Enjoy some fresh air madness with ice skating. In Sussex, there are ice rinks in Worthing, Brighton and Ardingly.
18 December
Sparkle, glow and shimmer on a magical steam train covered by thousands of colourful lights at the Bluebell Railway. Journey through the Sussex countryside under cover of darkness, bringing shimmering light and colour as you go. Along the way, enjoy new festive-themed scenes among the trees and clearings and a colourful light show orchestrated in time with music.
19 December
Head to Standen House where Christmas trees and decorations fill the house and ‘The Jolly Holly Christmas Trail’, a trail for families, can be enjoyed by all. For an atmospheric experience visit for one of the evening openings with carols around the Christmas tree, which has been decorated by local schools and Standen’s volunteers and staff.
20 December
Celebrate the forthcoming Winter Solstice at Buster Farm. We know it’s just over the border in Hampshire, but as part of their “Midwinter’s Magical Quest”, you’ll meet captivating characters from history and folklore— the Roman god of feasting, Saturn, the majestic Holly King, and the brave Deer Queen. Take part in creating special festive crafts and gather around the fire in a cosy roundhouse!
21 December
It gets a little crazy from here on in, so today’s Christmas treat is to go for a lovely long walk on the South Downs. Go at nightfall for views of all the sparkling Sussex lights.
22 December
Step back in time at Lamb House in and immerse yourself in New England traditions, inspired by the Christmas celebrations American author and former Lamb House resident Henry James and his family would have thrown. Soak in the greenery, beautifully hand-crafted decorations, and an art installation by the Oaks Specialist College.
23 December
Head to Tottington Manor for a stunning production of A Christmas Carol followed by Christmas carols at the foot of the South Downs as part of the Tottington Manor Candlelit Carols with a professional choir, classic carols and festive favourites.
24 December
Brace yourself! On the last day of our Sussex Advent Calendar, how about a Christmas sauna on Worthing Beach with Fire_Salt_ Sea or a quick swim at Sea Lanes outdoor pool in Brighton?
We hope you have enjoyed our 24 days of a Sussex Christmas and our Sussex Advent Calendar
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
