2021 Christmas Events and Markets in West Sussex
To get you into the festive spirit in the run up to Christmas 2021, we’ve compiled a list of some great events, activities and markets available in West Sussex, to make this Christmas a special one for families and all ages.
Advent: A Christmas Experience & Market at Weald & Downland Living Museum
A brand new event for 2021. Visit the Museum over the 3 & 4 December to delve into the past and learn how our ancestors prepared for Christmas through the ages. Immerse yourself in all things festive, with live demonstrations and activities for all to enjoy. From music in the tin tabernacle, food demonstrations in the Tudor kitchen and inspiring calligraphy and card making in the Medieval house from Street, to roasted chestnuts and freshly baked spiced biscuits from the Victorian bakehouse!
To get you into the festive spirit, not only will you be able to explore the Weald & Downland Museum’s collection of historic buildings and artefacts, there will also be a boutique Christmas market around the Museum’s mill pond and market square, where you will find 50 hand-selected stall holders, selling quality products from around the local region.
When? 3-4th December 2021, 10.30am-6pm
Where? Weald & Downland Living Museum, Town Ln, Chichester PO18 0EU
Entry: Click for tickets
Christmas Market at Long Furlong Barn
Visit Long Furlong Barn’s beautiful rustic barns for the ultimate festive event and Christmas Market!
*** NOTE: Unfortunately all of the Meet Father Christmas tickets are sold out, but there’s still plenty to see and do ***
Festive Craft Fayre:
Shop for Christmas goodies and stocking fillers and support Worthing’s independent retailers.
Character visits by One Stop Party Shop:
Who will be helping Father Christmas make sure every child is on the nice list?
Yummy festive food and drink by Circa Events:
Enjoy stunning Food and Drink in Long Furlong Barn’s beautiful Grade II listed Granary, or from one of the food offerings in the courtyard.
Whatever you decide, the spirit of Christmas will well and truly be at Long Furlong Barn this December!
When? 11-12th December 2021, 11am-4pm
Where? Long Furlong Barn, Worthing BN13 3XN
Entry: Free entry, no ticket required
So this is Christmas Craft Fair at The Charmandean Centre
Brought to you by The Fairy Tale Fair and the Northbrook Friends of St Barnabas fundraising group ‘So This is Christmas’ is a festive craft and design fair.
It will feature 50+ high quality craft and design stalls, plus cafe/ bar and special guests, including The Sussex Ghostbusters. The fair is in aid of St Barnabas Hospice which is a local independent charitable hospice, located in Worthing, Sussex.
The fair is a real community event, welcoming families and all ages to come along and enjoy the crafty creations and treats! The majority of stall holders are local makers and the hope is that you can come along to support and meet them and their wonderful creations. It is also a unique chance to purchase handmade, one-off gifts, that you certainly won’t find on the high street!
The venue is fully wheelchair and buggy accessible. There are toilets within the venue. The venue is fully undercover. There is a car park that holds 70 cars, or surrounding on-street parking that’s free.
When? 5th December 2021, 10.30am-3.30pm
Where? The Charmandean Centre, Forest Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN14 9HS
Entry: There is a suggested entry donation of 50p to St Barnabas House.
Petworth Christmas Event 2021
After a successful event in 2019 and a COVID break in 2020, Petworth Town Council and Discover Petworth are pleased to announce that the Petworth Christmas Event is back on Saturday 4th December.
They will have a full day of events starting from 11am, with stalls around town, live entertainment, beautiful window displays, Live Windows later in the day, and plenty of activities in Leconfield Hall.
Petworth’s shops will also be decorated with the theme of Peace, Hope & Joy, delivering a wonderful community and family orientated event for all!
When? 4th December 2021, 11am onwards
Where? The Old Bakery, Petworth GU28 0AP
Entry: Free
Christmas Afternoon Tea at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens
Enjoy a day of festive cheer whilst learning to craft your own seasonal wreath Enjoy Seasonal Favourites with Christmas Afternoon Tea at Leonardslee House
As we countdown the days towards Christmas, escape from the cold and wrap yourself in the warmth of Leonardslee House with a festive classic or savoury afternoon tea treat.
Delight in seasonal cheer from 2 – 24 December, brought to you by Michelin star chef, Jean Delport and his team from Restaurant Interlude.
When? 2nd-24th December 2021
Where? Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 6PP
Entry: From £45 per adult and £23 per child (Includes admission to Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens). Members receive a 10% discount.
Jeremy’s Christmas Market at Borde Hill
This December, escape the rush of the high street and indulge in a spot of festive shopping at Jeremy’s Christmas Market at Borde Hill.
The hand-selected stalls will showcase local products, from delicious food and drink to tempt your taste buds, to unique crafts and gifts for all the family.
Foodies can explore food and drink stalls and street food traders at Jeremy’s, before popping along to the Borde Hill Garden Gift Shop and Marquee and Green Tree Gallery, to browse for beautiful gifts for loved ones or a personal treat.
There will also be a pop-up stall offering luxury hot chocolate to keep the chill at bay. The Garden will be open for winter walks, depending on the weather.
When? 11-12th December, 10am-5pm
Where? Borde Hill Garden, Borde Hill Lane, RH16 1XP Haywards Heath
Entry: Free
That’ll Be The Day Christmas Show
That’ll Be The Day’s Rock & Roll Christmas show has been running for over thirty years and has grown into the most popular touring production in the U.K.
Refreshed every year, the show combines the best pop Christmas classics and traditional Christmas songs with hilarious comedy routines. For many, the That’ll Be The Day Christmas Special is the essential start to their festive season.
The audience is taken on a rollercoaster sleigh ride through the ‘golden’ age of Rock & Roll and Pop and is guaranteed to leave with that ‘feel good’ factor. The super talented cast ensure a high quality variety show which, to date, has delighted over a million customers.
When? 16th December 2021
Where? Assembly Hall, Stoke Abbott Rd, Worthing BN11 1HQ
Entry: Click for tickets (from £28)
Christmas at Amberley Museum
12 Days of Christmas Trail, Festive Activities and more! Join the team at Amberley Museum each weekend leading up to the big day as they celebrate the festive season with a selection of Christmas family activities, a 12 Days of Christmas Trail and more!
*** NOTE: Unfortunately all Father Christmas Visits have now sold out. You can still book general admission to come along to the other ‘Christmas at Amberley’ activities below ***
What can visitors see and do at this event?
- Explore the 12 Days of Christmas family trail
- Send Father Christmas a telegram in the Connected Earth building
- Pick up a yuletide message from the Print Shop
- Find handmade wooden ornaments and reindeer down in the Greenwood Village
- Browse the Christmas Craft Market in Humphrey’s Barn
- Enjoy Christmas lunches and festive refreshments in the Limeburners’ Café
When? 4th-5th, 11th-12th, 18th-19th December 2021
Where? Amberley Museum, New Barn Rd, Amberley, Arundel BN18 9LT
Entry: Children under 5 go free. Click for tickets
Christmas Makers Fair at The Shoreham Centre
The annual Christmas Makers Fair that coincides with Small Business Saturday in Shoreham.
With over 45 stalls to choose from, there really will be something for everyone. Expect a huge selection of products from art, illustration, ceramics, jewellery, gemstones, candles, homeware, plants , Christmas wreaths, baby accessories and lots more!
This is much more than your usual ‘fair’, as they welcome visitors a chance to get creative with a range of workshops from pom-pom making, to a Christmas Wreath Workshop (this will need to be pre booked here).
The Christmas Makers Fair has supported Chestnut Tree House (CTH) for five years, and this year is no exception. CTH will be hosting a charity raffle/tombola where you can win some exclusive prizes, including items generously given to us from our traders, as well as local businesses.
It doesn’t stop there… expect a special guest appearance from your favourite snowman and little ones can even write a letter to Santa!
The cafe will be open for you to relax with a hot drink and enjoy light refreshments in between all the festivities.
There’ll even be a live performance from a local choir group!
When? 4th December, 10 – 3.30pm
Where? The Shoreham Centre, 2 Pond Road, BN43 5WU
Entry: Free entry (donations to Chestnut Tree House welcome)
Christmas Trailer – Lights & Music, route through Findon Valley
The Friends of Vale School will be spreading festive cheer and goodwill to the community of Findon Valley – route to be published soon.
You might even catch a glimpse of the man in red himself!
When? 6th December 2021
Where? Findon Valley, exact route TBC
Entry: Donations in support of Vale School