Burning the Clocks in Brighton just celebrated 30 years! And if you’ve never experienced this very Sussex winter solstice event, then add it to your list of must dos for December! It is organised by Same Sky and the intent behind the event is to celebrate the winter solstice and provide an antidote to the excesses of Christmas.
A Sussex winter solstice like no other
In 2023, 2,300 Brighton and Hove residents made a sea of lanterns and took part in a procession with some 28,000 people lining the streets. In amongst the lanterns, there were also an incredible number of drumming bands, dancers, puppets, and street performers, creating a unique winter carnival buzz.
Starting at New Road, the crowd started to swell from 5.30 pm as lantern after lantern filled the streets and the hum of music and drums slowly started to fill the air. By the time they were off, it wasn’t even standing room only and wave after wave of lanterns of all descriptions rippled along to the heady beat of music from around the world.
The procession winds its way through the streets of Brighton until it arrives at the seafront by the zip wire. There, dancers swirl in the darkness and winter’s wind and a giant clock ticks away on the beach. Then gradually, thousands of lanterns are lined up along the railings before an explosion of mighty fireworks illuminate the sky. Most years, there is also a giant bonfire to ceremoniously burn the lanterns but in 2023, the winds were too strong.
The whole event is supported by and supports community groups like the Sikhs of Sussex, Tarner Community Project, Manor Road Gym in East Brighton, Unified Rhythm, Rap ‘n’ Rhyme, Ledward Centre, Afrori, BARCO and Humm
Onlookers watching the parade are encouraged to contribute funds into donation buckets and card readers along the route to help fund the event. There is also a crowdfunder campaign.
Same Sky
Community-led arts organisation Same Sky are the producers of Burning the Clocks, the Brighton Festival Children’s Parade and many other events in Brighton and Hove. Same Sky was set up in 1987 and creates imaginative events and workshops to strengthen communities, inspire individuals and brighten people’s lives.
Their work engages directly with the community to produce a wide range of events, combining the visual and performing arts. They act as a resource for schools and other community groups supplying information and specialist advice and a programme of master-classes, training courses and residencies. They have a proven track record in producing site-specific events and installations, permanent and temporary public art.
As an event, it’s got a fantastic atmosphere as the streets of Brighton are filled with solstice good cheer and a party feel at the turning of the tide of darkness.
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