Things to do in West Sussex at Christmas
Things to do in West Sussex at Christmas
Christmas is just around the corner and it’s the perfect time of year to spend quality time with family and loved ones.
We’ve created a list of our top picks for family friendly activities over the festive period that are perfect for young and old alike. So without further ado, let’s get Christmas Crackering…
Green Father Christmas at Weald & Downland Living Museum
Dates: Thursday 20th December
Times: 10.30am – 4.00pm
Address: Weald & Downland Museum, Singleton, Chichester, PO18 0EU
Why it’s worth checking out:
Seated in his chamber, traditionally decorated with seasonal greenery, Green Father Christmas will be selecting presents from a large wooden chest to give to each child that he meets. Every child can spend time with Green Father Christmas before receiving a traditional toy wrapped in brown paper and string.
There are lots of opportunities to take photos, and each guest can enjoy a hot drink and mince pie whilst waiting to see Green Father Christmas.
Prices:
£10 per child, £5 for an accompanying adult (up to 2).
Entry is free for accompanying adults who are annual members of the Weald & Downland Museum.
Tickets must be booked in advance
Ticket link: https://wealddownland.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/8226?catID=7407&
Tilgate Park’s Magical Christmas
Dates: Fri 29 Nov – Sun 1 Dec, Fri 6 Dec – Sun 8 Dec, Fri 13 Dec – Sun 15 Dec, Fri 20 Dec – Mon 23 Dec
Times: Market open 10am – 6.30pm on all days listed above.
Address: Tilgate Park, Tilgate Dr, Crawley RH10 5PQ
Why it’s worth checking out:
Visit Santa’s Grotto or Mrs Claus’s Bakery, followed by an elves’ workshop experience. If that wasn’t enough there’s plenty more on offer. Check out the magical ice rink and try your hand (or feet) at reconstructing Torvill & Dean’s Gold Medal winning, Barnum routine. New this year, Tilgate Park also introduces ‘Brunch with Santa’, where children enjoy a story with Father Christmas, get a gift of their choice and a cooked breakfast.
There’s also a Christmas market that consists of table top sales as well as quaint wooden winter huts selling a variety of food, gifts and even real Christmas trees!
Tilgate Park’s formal gardens will be transformed into a fairytale-themed experience by This Is My Theatre, a Sussex-based theatre production company.
There’s also a choice of food and drink options and live entertainment by a variety of local artists.
Prices and more info:
Santa’s Grotto & Mrs Claus’ Bakery
Once Upon A Time Theatrical Experience
A Christmas Carol – Told by storyteller, Jason Buck
Date: Wednesday 4 December 2019
Time: 7.30pm – 10:00pm
Place: The Talbot, High Street, Cuckfield, RH17 5JX
Why it’s worth checking out:
What could be more Christmassy than the classic story of Christmas ghosts and a miser’s redemption, presented in the way it was originally intended – spoken live to an audience. Award-winning storyteller, Jason Buck Storyteller, brings this favourite to life, with humour and chills for young and old this winter season.
Age recommendation: Adult and children (9+)
Prices and tickets:
Prices range from £7.50-£15.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-christmas-carol-west-sussex-tickets-81435581015
Leonardslee Illuminated
Dates: Thursday 12th – Sunday 22nd December 2019
Time: Mixed entry times available from 4.30pm to 7.30pm
Place: Leonardslee Gardens, Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham, RH13 6PP
Why it’s worth checking out:
A spectacular Christmas Trail through the beautiful woods and lakes at Leonardslee Gardens. Featuring spellbinding illuminations, music and theatrical performance and large scale projections onto Leonardslee House.
Prices and tickets:
Prices range from £7.50-£15.
Tickets: https://leonardsleeilluminated.co.uk/tickets/
Mannings Heath Winter Wonderland
Dates: Friday 13th December 2019
Time: 5.00pm – 9.00pm
Place: Mannings Heath Golf & Wine Estate, Hammerpond Rd, RH13 6PG
Why it’s worth checking out:
Escape to an enchanted world hidden in the South Downs of West Sussex at Mannings Heath’s annual Winter Wonderland event. Explore the boutique shopping market for unique Christmas gifts, experience fairground rides, live music, fireworks displays and a special appearance from Santa!
Prices and tickets:
£8 per adult, £2 per child
Tickets: https://www.manningsheath.com/new-events/winter-wonderland-event
Arundel By Candlelight
Dates: Saturday 7th December 2019
Time: 12.00pm – 7.00pm
Place: High Street, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9AB United Kingdom
Why it’s worth checking out:
With its quintessentially fairy-tale castle overlooking a wealth of chocolate-box cottages and a dazzling array of independent shops, it is no surprise that Arundel by Candlelight is one of the most popular events in the annual calendar. Representing the true spirit of Christmas, it showcases the best in community activity and shopping, bringing everyone together for a true family affair.
Prices and tickets:
Free
For more information, email: info@arundelbycandlelight.co.uk or visit: https://www.arundelbycandlelight.co.uk/
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust ‘Sail to Santa’
Dates: Saturday 7th & 14th December & Sunday 8th & 15th December 2019
Time: 10.30am (Saturday), 3.30pm (Sunday)
Place: WWT Arundel, Mill Road, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9PB
Why it’s worth checking out:
At WWT Arundel Wetland Centre families can board an elf-powered boat for a gentle ride through the reedbeds to visit Father Christmas. Each child and a guardian will travel over the water in quiet electric boats to experience the magic of a festive visit with Father Christmas inside his ‘frosty’ grotto and receive a WWT goody bag.
Prices and tickets:
£6 per child, £2 per adult, PLUS regular centre admission price, which is FREE for WWT members.
Tickets: https://wwt.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/18265?catID=5235
Chichester Cathedral Friends Christmas Fayre
Dates: Saturday 7th December
Time: 10.00am – 12 noon
Place: The Vicars Hall, Chichester Cathedral, The Royal Chantry, Cathedral Cloisters, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1PX
Why it’s worth checking out:
Get in the Christmas spirit and come and join us at the 2019 Friends Christmas Fayre. Buy just the right gift for someone and enjoy chatting with friends over a cup of coffee, whilst browsing the stalls.
All your favourite stalls will be there – plants and wreaths, cakes, raffle, tombola, jams, honey, Christmas Cake Auction – and this year there will be a new “Time for Tea” stall.
In the Vicars Hall at the Cathedral, 10am till noon, the entrance fee is £2 per person, which includes a cup of coffee. No need to book: just come along and pay at the door (cash only please).
Prices and tickets:
£2 per person (includes complimentary cup of coffee)
Tickets: No need to book, cash only on the door
The Lancing Village Christmas Market
Dates: Saturday 21st December
Time: 9.00am – 2.00pm
Place: North Street, Lancing
Why it’s worth checking out:
Right on the doorstep of our offices at Time Out Fostering, this is Adur Markets’ last Lancing Village Market of 2019. Come and enjoy the festive season on Saturday 21st Dec for all of your Christmas shopping, with the market focusing on local Sussex produce in particular, it’s a great way to support the local community.
Prices and tickets:
Just turn up and explore the Christmas Market to your heart’s content
Chichester City Band Annual Christmas Concert
Dates: Saturday 7th December
Time: 7.30pm – 10.00pm
Place: St Paul’s Church, Churchside, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6FT
Why it’s worth checking out:
Music for everyone to enjoy with the London & Southern Counties Section 3 Champion Band. Festive favourites, audience carols, raffle and more
Prices and tickets:
£9 per person including free admission of one child (under 14) and seasonal interval refreshments
Tickets: Available from band members at the door, or online at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/annual-christmas-concert-2019-with-chichester-city-band-tickets-77859189933