Christmas in Brighton and Hove looks a little different this year. There's a new Christmas market in the city centre, the Royal Pavilion ice rink is taking a year off, and Burning the Clocks is back for the shortest day. This guide brings together the festive dates we could confirm on organiser and official pages, from late November to the winter solstice. For other things to do this month, see our guide to things to do in Brighton & Hove in November 2026.
We checked every date, time and venue below on 8 November 2026. Plans can change, so treat every listing as check before you go.
Brighton Christmas Market 2026 at Valley Gardens
Brighton & Hove City Council announced on 4 November that a "small traditional Christmas market" is coming to Valley Gardens, the new public space in front of the Royal Pavilion.
- Dates: Thursday 26 November to Sunday 27 December 2026
- Opening times: 12 noon to 9pm, every day
- Where: Valley Gardens, opposite the Royal Pavilion (VisitBrighton gives the address as Old Steine, BN1 1EN)
The council says there will be Christmas craft stalls, live music on selected dates, and food including a Bavarian grill and cheese and dessert cabins. VisitBrighton lists entry as free. The council hasn't yet said which dates have live music, and its announcement doesn't mention Christmas Day directly, so check before you go over the holiday itself. You can read the details in the council's announcement.
Is there an ice rink in Brighton this Christmas?
No. The council confirmed on 15 October 2026 that the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink won't run this winter. The operator, Laine Ltd, said it couldn't find a venue with enough mains electrical capacity for 2026. The council says the Old Steine is the preferred location for the rink's return from 2027. See the council's ice rink update for the full statement.
Artists Open Houses Winter festival
The Artists Open Houses winter festival runs over three weekends:
- Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November
- Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December
- Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December
The organisers list 70 venues, including artists' homes, studios and workshops, across the city, along the coast and out into the countryside. They say the winter festival centres on Christmas, with handmade cards, baubles, artworks, crafts and other gifts.
Most venues open at weekends from 11am to 5pm, but times vary from house to house, and some also open on weekdays. Check each listing on the Artists Open Houses website before you set off.
Christmas makers' fairs on Saturday 5 December
Two makers' fairs fall on the same Saturday, one in central Brighton and one in Hove.
Brighton Etsy Christmas Fair
The Brighton Etsy Team holds its 11th annual Christmas market at Brighton Dome (Concert Hall Foyer, Church Street, BN1 1UE) on Saturday 5 December, 10am to 4pm. The organisers say it's free to come along and browse, with local designers, artists and makers selling homewares, jewellery, skincare, art and more. Brighton Dome says the venue has disabled access and facilities for wheelchair users. Details are on Brighton Dome's event page.
The Hove Christmas Fair
The Maker's Fair holds its Hove Christmas Fair at All Saints Church, The Drive, Hove, BN3 3QE, on Saturday 5 December, 11am to 5pm. The organisers say 65 independent makers will be there, with craft, art, ceramics, jewellery, textiles, homewares and prints. See The Maker's Fair event page for the list of makers.
Burning the Clocks: Monday 21 December
Burning the Clocks returns this year after a pause in 2025. The council's list of 2026 outdoor events has it on Monday 21 December, describing it as "a winter solstice parade with paper lanterns at Madeira Drive".
It's created by Same Sky. The event listing describes a city-centre procession of handmade paper lanterns that ends on the seafront at Madeira Drive, where the lanterns are burned on the beach as a token for the end of the year.
As of 8 November, the start time and route hadn't been published. Check the Same Sky website nearer the date.
21 December is also the shortest day of the year. If you're planning an evening out, our post on the clocks going back has a table of approximate sunset times in Brighton.
Getting around
If you're coming into the city centre by bus, it's worth checking Brighton & Hove Buses service updates before you travel, as diversions are posted there.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Brighton Christmas market in 2026?
The council says the Christmas market at Valley Gardens runs from Thursday 26 November to Sunday 27 December 2026, from 12 noon to 9pm every day.
Is the Royal Pavilion ice rink open in 2026?
No. The council and the operator say the rink won't run in 2026. The Old Steine is the preferred location for its return from 2027.
When is Burning the Clocks 2026?
Monday 21 December 2026, at Madeira Drive, according to the council's 2026 outdoor events list. Times and the route hadn't been announced when we checked on 8 November.
When are the Artists Open Houses at Christmas?
The winter festival weekends are 28–29 November, 5–6 December and 12–13 December 2026.
Questions?
Legally Green is a small independent business in Brighton and Hove. If you have a question about this guide, get in touch or email legallygreenuk@gmail.com.