If you are looking for festive Brighton attractions, then we’ve got you covered. Brighton and Hove offers a whole host of amazing activities, which can be fun for the whole family. In this article, we will give you a tour of our top 3 favourite things to do in Brighton this Christmas. Start your festive season off with a bang, with these handpicked suggestions.
1. i360 Brighton Winter Sunset Journeys
Christmas is one of the best times to visit Brighton’s i360. If you are looking for the best things to do in Brighton, your hunt is over. Here at the i360, we have events that are fun for the whole family – including our Santa in the Sky experience. You and your children can experience the joy of meeting Santa inside the Brighton i360 viewing pod, situated 450 feet above the city, this Christmas! Also, new for this year, you can enhance your visit by upgrading to a Flexi ticket or including a delightful festive Cream Tea with your admission – could there be a better start to the festive season?
As well as our Santa experience, you can also opt for our Winter Solstice Sunrise experience. Whether you’re counting down the days to Christmas or ushering in brighter evenings, the Winter Solstice is the perfect celebration that demands a permanent spot in your calendar for some serious fun! Join us for a special sunrise adventure that promises a Midwinter welcome like no other.
Picture this: watching the sun rise from a whopping 138 metres in the sky. Enjoy the spectacle of the sky welcoming the sun as it emerges on this playfully extended 45-minute journey, all while sipping on a hot drink of your choice (personally, we love a festive hot chocolate). Our Winter Solstice Sunrise ride is not just an experience, it’s a sky-high, fun-filled celebration. For the Christmas season this year, we recommend taking part in one of our festive flights if you are looking for things to do in Brighton.
2. The Royal Pavilion Ice Rink
One of our favourite ways to spend a festive evening is to go ice skating at The Royal Pavilion Ice Rink. This seasonal delight opens its gates in early November, inviting visitors to experience the enchantment of gliding across the ice against the stunning backdrop of the exotic Royal Pavilion.
This breathtaking setting not only creates the ideal festive date but it also ensures a truly unforgettable experience for the entire family. If you are looking for things to do in Brighton that blends both the festive spirit with the beauty of one of Brighton’s most iconic landmarks, we highly recommend attending this event. .
So, how do you get involved? The Royal Pavilion is hard to miss and is one of the most eye-catching locations in Brighton. Located right by the sea, you can feel your festive period with many other fun Brighton attractions. You can join in the fun by visiting the Royal Pavilion website and grabbing your tickets. Also, whilst you are there, we would recommend taking a walk along the seaside and visiting the i360! We aren’t far at all from the Royal Pavilion, which means you could have a day full of fun festive activities.
3. Burning Of The Clocks Celebration
Another unmissable event to add to your Brighton Christmas calendar is the Burning the Clocks celebration. This event is not only extremely entertaining, but it is also symbolic and community-driven.
Taking place on the 21st of December, the Burning The Clocks celebration marks the winter solstice and embraces the changing seasons. As you walk down the Brighton high street, you will instantly become involved with this unique celebration, as the sky will be filled with captivating paper lanterns and festive cheer. You can even join in the parade yourself – there are so many ways for you to get involved, including;
- Purchasing your very own lantern kit – these cost around £40 and typically include two lanterns and four wristbands to join the procession.
- Buy a post from Graham Cater – To celebrate 10 years of this artist creating wonderful posters for the Burning the Clocks parade.
- Volunteer at the event – You can even donate your time. As we’ve said above, this event runs on community power. If you have a spare few hours this festive season, you can also support the biggest solstice event in England.
- Buy a Beer – Lume, the beer crafted by Hand Brew Co, can be found at various pubs across the city, including the Hand in Hand in Kemptown. For each pint sold, a donation of 20p is made to support Burning the Clocks.
The procession finishes with a ceremonial bonfire on the beach, where locals and visitors alike come together to witness the flames dance against the night sky. The crackling bonfire signifies a collective farewell to the longest night of the year and a welcoming embrace of the increasing daylight that follows. We feel this is the perfect way to celebrate the festive season – surrounded by Brighton locals, ready for a new year.