Never mind the 12 days of Christmas. Welcome to the Sussex Advent Calendar and our 24 days of Sussex Christmas 2026 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 lots of places that offer this experience 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. Ride on 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. 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.
4 December
Head to Nyman’s for their Christmas experience. In the garden, a Christmas family adventure trail awaits while the house draws you into a magical wonderland.
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. Details of different runs tbc.
6 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.
7 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 last’s year’s production of Robin Hood at Horsham!
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
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.
11 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.
12 December
Head to Chichester Cathedral for their Christmas at the Movies by candlelight with the London Concertante.
13 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…
14 December
15 December
Celebrate Christmas in regal splendour at the Royal Pavilion. and enjoy a Regency cream tea in the King William IV bedroom with staff dressed in elegant Regency attire accompanied by a short reading from one of Jane Austen’s beloved novels. Then explore the winter exhibition
16 December
Enjoy some fresh air madness with ice skating. In Sussex, there are ice rinks in Worthing, Brighton and Ardingly.
17 December
What about Festive Sax & Social at Tottington Manor: A laid-back Christmas party night for teams, friends and families who want atmosphere without a rigid dinner-and-disco formula. Arrive to mulled wine, share festive bowl food and let a live roving saxophonist bring the party to the room.
18 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.
19 December
Head to Standen House where Christmas trees and decorations fill the house. 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
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.
21 December
Head to Brighton with 30,000 others for the incredible parade and procession of lanterns as part of the Burning the Clocks.
22 December
Do that last minute shopping! Head to Brighton, Chichester, Eastbourne, Lewes or Horsham for those all important gifts.
23 December
Step back in time at Lamb House in and immerse yourself in E.F. Benson’s beloved Mapp & Lucia novels. Lamb House will be transformed into ‘Mallards’, the festive fictional home of Miss Mapp and later Lucia. Expect a warm ‘Tilling’ welcome, and bid farewell with a jolly “au reservoir”.
23 December
Do that last minute shopping. Head to Horsham, Chichester, Lewes, Rye, Battle or any of our wonderful Sussex towns for those all important gifts or Christmas nibbles.
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!
