There is no escaping the fact that the next stop is Christmas! From now on in, Sussex starts to get festive, and as the nights get darker and the weather gets colder, it’s time to enjoy twinkling lights, time with family and friends and a little Christmas cheer. With this in mind, here’s our list of some of the best Sussex Christmas experiences, which we’ll be adding to over the course of the next few weeks. From East Sussex to West, there is something for everyone here:
Christmas Supper Club – Tasting menu at Knepp Estate
A seven-course tasting menu inspired by the wild, biodynamic and regenerative bounty of Sussex, held in the beautiful grounds of the Knepp Estate near Horsham in the Cow Barn and promising lots of seasonal flavours. Your host is Positively Delicious, founded by professional chef, passionate gardener and hedgerow forager Jacqueline Wise. It’s on the 9th of December and to find out more or to book visit: Positively Delicious
Wine, Dine and Jazz
At the stunningly evocative Charles Palmer Vineyard near Winchelsea, this event combines English wine, vineyard dining, live jazz and Christmas! The jazz is provided by local duo Richard Eldridge and Rebekah Gilbert and the event (on the 19th of November, and the 17th and 18th of December) includes a two-course menu, wine pairings and sparkling wine on arrival.
Organised by Vine + Country Wine Tours, they are also hosting a series of English vineyard Christmas parties. These include a welcome drink, private tasting with the winemaker and a two-course lunch with wine pairings. And if you’re worried about the driving, they also offer a pick-up and drop-off service from Hastings, Bexhill, Rye, Battle, Heathfield/Hailsham. You can find more details or book here: https://www.vineandcountrytours.co.uk/
Award-winning Mediaeval Baebes’ Folklore Christmas
Weaving their storytelling magic and exalting the true spirit of Christmas with hauntingly joyous music, the Mediaeval Baebes will be performing at St Mary’s Church in Horsham on the 20th of December as part of their MydWynter Tour. Evoking thoughts of the winter festival and its pre-Christian origins, the Mediaeval Baebes will be performing Christmas carol classics, traditional folksongs and showcasing arrangements from their new MydWynter Album. Accompanied by a dazzling array of exotic and period instruments, this unique take on early music, traditional culture and the magic of folklore brings a unique opportunity to be uplifted and enchanted in the stunning and graceful medieval church. Tickets are now available from www.mediaevalbaebes.com
Christmas wreath-making workshop & festive cream tea with Prosecco
Escape the yuletide mayhem, relax and get creative at The Artisan Bakehouse, Ashurst, West Sussex. Local florist, Sam Green from The Crazy Daisy Company will be back at The Bakehouse offering her fabulous wreath-making sessions. The wreath-making finishes with a Festive Cream Tea (a choice of apple & cinnamon, cranberry or plain scones with homemade jam & clotted cream) with a glass of Prosecco/sparkling elderflower/tea & coffee. The Artisan Bakehouse also offer “special Saturday Brunch events to create a larger Luxury Wreath”. A great start to the festive season making your own wreath and enjoying scrumptious food and festive cheer in an idyllic country setting! Full details and dates can be found here: https://theartisanbakehouse.com/collections/events
Winter Solstice
To herald the change of seasons, The Wellderness are hosting a unique Winter Solstice celebration. On the 21st of December, at Furzefield Campsite in Angmering, there will be two ceremonies to mark the sun’s rebirth. Led by Alex Childs and Mel Maelo, there will be a family event in the early evening, followed later by an adult-only celebration. Gather around Grandfather Fire, and welcome Mother Earth, Father Sun and Grandmother Moon to the occasion. This swift ritual to mark the start of the longest night will be followed by a Poi Passion fire show before we send the young ones home at 6 pm. For more information or to book visit: Wellderness Eventbrite
Glo Wild
An enchanting winter lantern trail, at Wakehurst, Ardingly, West Sussex. This year, Wakehurst celebrates the incredible colour spectrum of the natural world with 11 bespoke installations and over 1,000 paper lanterns handmade by local volunteers. Enjoy mulled wine or hot chocolate with a mince pie on arrival and toast a delicious marshmallow over crackling fire pits next to the UK’s tallest living Christmas tree to round off your festive experience. Early booking is essential. https://www.kew.org/wakehurst/whats-on/glow-wild-2022
Carols by candlelight in a 13th century chapel
Mark the start of the festive season with a glorious “Carols by Candlelight” performance in 13th century chapel at Bailiffscourt, Climping, West Sussex. The acoustics of this beautiful building, filled with candles and sparkle, bring a whole new dimension to the talent and beautiful voices of The Agnes Collective who have sung in some of Britain’s top venues including the Royal Albert Hall, The Royal Opera House and Glyndebourne. Create your own family festive tradition and choose from three performance dates in December to get in the mood for Christmas with a fine festive lunch, indulgent afternoon tea, or make an evening of it with a delicious dinner. You can book here: Carols by Candlelight
Leonardslee Illuminated 2022
Walk through the beautiful grounds of Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens at night with magical illuminations, projections, music and theatrical performances. The trail takes 60 to 90 minutes and is a sound and light extravaganza. There is also a funfair and Christmas Market. This event is from the 24th to the 27th of November, the 30th of November, the 1st to the 4th of December and the 7th to the 21st of December. For more information or to book visit: https://leonardsleeilluminated.co.uk/
Ice skating at the Royal Pavilions
Open now until the 8th of January, ice skating in front of the Royal Pavilion in Brighton is always evocative, as well as being lots of fun! You can book here: https://royalpavilionicerink.co.uk/
Christmas up the i360
Take to the skies this Christmas at the i360 in Brighton. They’ve got all sorts of things going on including a chance to meet Santa, a Winter Solstice sunrise experience and a Christmas meal and party! You can check out what’s on and book here: https://www.brightoni360.co.uk/
A National Trust Christmas
We are blessed in Sussex with a number of different National Trust properties and lots of these put on fabulous Sussex Christmas experiences. Ones to look out for include Uppark, Petworth, Nymans, Standen, Sheffield Park, Bateman’s, Bodiam Castle or Lamb House.
Lewes Big Band – Christmas is Here Again
Join the Lewes Big Band as they present a joyful and family-friendly evening of some of the best Big Band Christmas Classics and fully immerse yourself in the festive spirit. Pieces will include White Christmas, All I want for Christmas is You and O Holy Night! It’s being held at the Con Club Lewes, on Thursday the 22ndof December 2022, at 7 pm (doors open at 6.30 pm), £8-£12. Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lewes-music-group/t-ojeaavo
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