Top 10 Christmas activities in Brighton

Brighton’s not shy about doing things differently and Christmas is no exception. From fire-lit parades to panto chaos and immersive cocktail capers, the city dials up the weird, the wonderful, and the properly festive once December hits. So what’s the city got in store for 2025?

If you’re here for the mulled wine, the lights, the drama, and a night behind bars, you won’t be disappointed. Here are ten Christmassy things to do in Brighton that are well worth pulling your winter boots on for.

1. Be naughty at Alcotraz

Alcotraz Brighton is what you get when you mix a quirky Brighton cocktail bar with immersive theatre and give it a festive twist. You and your crew smuggle in your own liquor, pull on prison jumpsuits, and get locked into the most notorious speakeasy on the South Coast. The guards are in on it, the Warden’s watching, and the cocktails are crafted to your taste (including if you’re not a fan of alcohol). It’s Christmas, but criminal!

2. Keep it nice at Brighton Christmas Fayre

There’s festive food, handmade gifts, warm drinks, and everything is mulled somehow – Brighton Christmas Market brings the best of the season to Jubilee Square. Stalls serve everything from bratwurst to vegan bakes, with lights overhead and live music to match. It’s walkable, atmospheric, and great for grazing your way through a date night or getting your gift list ticked off early. Also great for the kids!

3. Watch the Burning the Clocks lantern parade

Burning the Clocks isn’t running in 2025, but when it returns in 2026, it’ll be one of the season’s standout events. There’s a city-wide procession of lanterns and costumes lit from within, all built from willow and tissue paper, parading through Brighton with local bands and fireworks to close. The theme shifts each year, but clockfaces always feature, symbolising the passage of time. 

4. Take in a Candlelight Concert

Brighton’s Candlelight Concert series brings classic and modern music to stunning spaces lit entirely by (no prizes for guessing!) candles. You can expect string quartets, all the best Christmas tunes, and well-loved favourites like Queen like you’ve never heard before. The atmosphere is intimate and cinematic, more dressed-up date night than comfy night in. Whether you’re going for Mariah or Mozart, the setting transforms even the cheesiest carol into something seriously atmospheric.

5. Tick off the last few presents at Brighton Makers Market

This year, Brighton’s Makers Market returns across the weekend of 13th-14th December, and it’s by far the best spot for picking up unique and handmade gifts. From ceramics to jewellery, candles to prints, it’s all local, it’s all original, and it’s a welcome break from panic-scrolling the big online shops. Great for a mooch, even better if you like to shop with a mulled cider in hand and a tote full of good finds.

6. Take a stroll on Palace Pier

Sure, it’s cold. But that’s part of the charm. Brighton Palace Pier in winter is all twinkling lights, arcade machines, and the crunch of frost underfoot. Grab hot doughnuts, dodge the seagulls, and lean into the retro seaside vibe with just the right amount of seasonal chill. If your ideal Christmas includes candyfloss and the sound of slot machines, this one’s for you.

7. Be in the crowd at the Christmas lights switch on

Every year, Brighton flicks the switch on its city centre Christmas lights and it’s a classic slice of festive fun every time. The guest of honour hasn’t been announced yet, but expect someone loud, local, or unexpected. Stay for ten minutes or the whole evening – it’s worth swinging by to soak up the buzz and maybe pretend to hate the crowd while secretly loving it.

8. Take a quiet moment at SEA LIFE Brighton

Believe it or not, SEA LIFE Brighton has been running since 1872, which makes it the oldest continually operating aquarium in the world. Not the UK – the world! Christmas is a weirdly magical time to visit, with it being a little less busy and maybe a little more eerie. The Victorian architecture alone is worth the ticket, but add glowing jellyfish and maybe a festive penguin or two, and it becomes a properly different kind of Christmas activity.

9. Naughty & Nice Christmas Party at Haus of Cabaret

Forget carols and beige, beige buffets. Haus of Cabaret’s Naughty & Nice party is where Brighton’s wild festive side really comes out. Hosted by the legendary Dolly Rocket, the night mixes burlesque, circus acts, and cabaret chaos into one glitter-soaked spectacle. It’s cheeky, glamorous, unapologetically over the top, and completely Brighton. 

10. Classic panto with Jack and the Beanstalk at the DoubleTree

No Christmas in the UK is complete without at least one panto, and this year it’s Jack and the Beanstalk at the DoubleTree. Expect groan-worthy jokes, camp costumes, and a villain you’ll love to boo. It’s chaotic, kid-friendly, and just the right amount of ridiculous. Whether you’re bringing the family or going full nostalgia with friends, it’s a good excuse to shout “He’s behind you!” without judgement.

Why pick Alcotraz for Christmas in Brighton UK?

Want something a bit beyond normal Christmas drinks? Alcotraz Brighton is where Christmas goes off-script. Smuggle in your spirits, suit up, and let the guards handle the cocktails while you get locked in for a night of immersive chaos. It’s theatrical, it’s hilarious, and no one’s stuck next to Steve from Accounts making small talk about the buffet. Book it. Bring booze. Break out. Enjoy!