Christmas Events and Markets in East Sussex for 2021
We’ve gathered together a host of great options to celebrate the lead up to Christmas 2021. Take your pick from our list of Christmas events and activities in East Sussex and make this festive season one to remember!
Little Gate Farm’s Christmas Fair
Enjoy some Christmas shopping with an amazing array of stallholders, selling handmade gifts, treats, beauty, art, books, cards and so much more.
Treat yourself to mulled wine or hot chocolate and enjoy some tasty Christmas food to stay warm while shopping.
At 4pm, there’ll be some fabulous Christmas Carols by candlelight in the barn area for you to join in with and get into the festive spirit.
This is a free to attend event, but you must book your free ticket via the ticket link.
A Christmas event not to be missed, but don’t forget to wear your wellies and wrap up warm!
When? 4th December 2021, 11am-3pm
Where? Little Gate Farm, Horseshoe Lane, Beckley, East Sussex, TN31 6RZ
Entry: Click for tickets
Langney Community Centre’s Christmas Fair
Join the gang at Langney Community Centre for a wonderful Christmas Fair.
There will be stalls full of gifts and ideas to help you along with your Christmas shopping.
Other great reasons to attend include:
- Games and activities for the children
- Christmas tree decorating,
- Gingerbread decorating
- Santa making an appearance in the grotto
- Refreshments ready and waiting for you including the odd mince pie or two
When? 11th December 2021, 10am-3pm
Where? Langney Community Centre, Etchingham Road, Eastbourne, BN23 7DX
Entry: Free
Meet Santa at the Kent & East Sussex Railway
Kent and East Sussex Railway has been welcoming families to meet Santa on their trains for 46 years! There’s nothing quite like the pleasure of a steam train ride knowing your child will meet Santa and receive a gift, all from the comfort of your allocated seats. Sit back, relax and enjoy the journey!
The experience for 2021 includes:
- Steam Train Ride for 70 minute return journey
- A complimentary refreshment pack for each family to enjoy during the journey
- Age-appropriate presents for all children 11 and under
- Children aged 12-15 will receive chocolates from Santa
- Babes under 18 months of age are free of charge and receive a gift
- Magician providing on-board entertainment
- Free rides on the vintage gallopers on-site at Tenterden
- Free photograph of your family group
- Visit to the station’s Christmas model village
- The main attraction, Santa himself, will be travelling on the train giving presents to your children – have your camera ready to capture that all-important moment!
Availability
Trains are formed of open-plan style carriages with tables or exclusive private compartments. For up to date availability and ticket prices, click the link below
When? 4-5th, 11-12th, 18-19th, 21-24th December 2021
Where? Kent & East Sussex Railway Company, Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 6HE
Entry: From £100 for 4 people, up to £225 for 8 people. Click for tickets & availability
Arthur Christmas Movie Showing at The Barn Theatre
For everyone who has wondered how Santa manages to deliver all those presents in one night, here’s the answer. However, the high-tech operation at the North Pole depends on the comically dysfunctional Christmas family, and Arthur has to make sure that it will be mission accomplished on Christmas morning. Sheer animated Christmas magic.
This showing of the Arthur Christmas is for one night only, on 4th December 2021, so get in quick before tickets sell out.
When? 4th December 2021, 7.30pm
Where? Barn Theatre, Car Park, 1QL, Saxon Ln, Seaford
Entry: Click for tickets (£3.50 for 18s and under, £5 for members over 18, £6 for non-members
Christmas Carols By Candlelight at Manor Barn Bexhill
Listen to or join in with some festive Christmas Carols at the gorgeous Manor Barn, with the choir from St Peter’s Church, Old Town, Bexhill.
The evening starts at 4pm, giving you plenty of time to get a hot drink or some food, with the first set of carols starting at 4.30pm for approximately 30-40 minutes. A short interval will then take place for you to refresh your mulled wine glass, or hot chocolate and get some food to keep you warm before the second set, starting at around 5.30pm. The evening will finish at 6.30pm.
This is a ticketed outdoor event so wrap up warm and bring your own chairs so you can get comfy.
When? 11th December 2021, 4-6.30pm
Where? Manor Barn, 4 De La Warr Road, Bexhill, TN40 2JA
Entry: £8.68 per person. Click for tickets & availability
Eastbourne Christmas Market
Stop off at the Eastbourne Christmas Market after shopping in the city for a chance to feel very Christmassy. The market is fun for the whole family with lots of market stalls, live entertainment and fairground rides to enjoy.
The high street will be packed full of market stalls selling the best food and drink products, handmade gifts and unique crafts. Whether you need to find something for a loved one or just picking up some stocking fillers, there will be plenty of choice at the Eastbourne Christmas Market. There will also be stalls selling delicious hot food and festive drinks including mulled wine. Enjoy a well-earned glass after all the Christmas shopping you’ve done and sit back and soak up the festive atmosphere.
The Christmas market will also have live music from carol singers and brass bands, providing the perfect Christmas soundtrack to your evening. Street performers and entertainment will provide lots of memorable fun for everyone. And the little ones can have fun on the carousel and Ferris wheel.
When? 17-20th December 2021
Where? Terminus Rd, Eastbourne, BN21
Entry: Free
Christmas at Drusillas Park
Watch little eyes twinkle with wonder as they experience the glistening magic of Drusillas Christmas! Come and meet Santa among the shimmering lights, get nose-to-nose with cuddly huskies in the Ice Cave, stroll through the twinkling Tunnel of Lights, and marvel at the spectacular 24ft Christmas tree.
What’s on offer for Christmas at Drusillas?
Santa’s Grotto 2021
No Christmas day out would be complete without a moment with the big man himself… so ol’ Saint Nick will be nestled in the heart of his cosy Christmas grotto waiting to sprinkle some festive magic on your little ones. Each visit includes a personal one-to-one with Santa, photo opportunity and a magical Christmas gift!
**Tickets to be meet Santa must be booked online and you can do so here**
Husky Cave
Back by popular demand, visit Drusillas’ Ice Cave to come face-to-face with beautiful huskies! These majestic dogs will be meeting and greeting visitors in the live events arena; you’d be barking mad to miss it!
Festive Face Painting
Pop into Hello Kitty’s Parlour for seasonal tattoos and the opportunity to have your face painted as a reindeer, fairy or even a Christmas pud!
Giant Christmas Tree
A spectacular 24 foot giant Christmas Tree will be standing proud in the centre of the Events Arena. Soak up the festive atmosphere, jingle to some Christmas music, sip mulled wine and tuck into a marvelous mince pie, while you watch the giant tree lights dance, filling you with Christmas cheer!
Festive Food
Get into the spirit of Christmas with a seasonal glass of mulled wine, delicious mince pies or warm fresh doughnuts with lashings of sweet sauce! All available from the Doughnut Factory, next to the Safari Express railway.
Stocking Fillers
Why not pop into Drusillas’ shops, crammed with loads of perfect stocking fillers for your little monkeys!
When? 20th November – 23rd December 2021
Where? Drusillas Park Alfriston Road, BN26 5QS Alfriston
Entry: You need to buy entry to the Park itself and for Santa (separately) in advance. Click for more info on tickets.