Shop Local This Christmas

Across Sussex, towns and communities have come together to make Christmas a special and magical time for all the family – with Christmas Light Up Events, Festive Markets and Santa Specials. Show your support by shopping for your Christmas goodies at events in your town and with local traders, makers and producers...

BATTLE

Christmas Lights Switch-On

Saturday 28 November

Christmas Parade starts the event, heading down the High Street at 1.50pm with Santa's sleigh, elves, reindeer and friends. There will be Christmas carol singing, traditional fairground rides, and Santa's Grotto will be in the Battle Memorial Hall. Santa will turn on the lights at 5pm.

BURGESS HILL

Christmas Festival

Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 November

Christmas Lights Switch-On kicks off the festival on Thursday 26 November at 5pm. The Christmas chalets are open each day from 11am, with musical entertainment, performances, and walk about acts on Church Walk. Throughout each day there are numerous different activities including kids craft sessions, theatre performances, free teacup ride, Santa’s Grotto, and much more!

CROWBOROUGH

Christmas Cracker & Lights Switch-On

Friday 27 November, 4pm-6.30pm

The Christmas lights switch-on is at 6pm. Festive stalls plus food and drink vendors will line the High Street. Street performers will entertain and there will be live music at the Piazza. The land train will be transporting children and their families to visit Santa in his Grotto at the Social Club on Croft Road.

EASTBOURNE

Christmas Lights Switch-On & Market

Saturday 28 November

Eastbourne's Christmas lights switch-on with live music, children's activities and a Christmas market from 9am, featuring fantastic stalls selling festive food, handmade items and Christmas gifts. An afternoon of festive fun and the big switch on of the town’s Christmas lights at 6pm.

EAST GRINSTEAD

Christmas Lights Switch-On and The Big Reveal

Saturday 21 November

Join the festive atmosphere and kick-start Christmas with the 'Big Reveal', shopping and music with Christmas lights and Rotary tree of lights switch-on at 5pm.

FOREST ROW

Christmas Market

Saturday 5 December

A wonderful mix of stalls from local crafters, food producers and drinks suppliers at the Community Centre from 10am-3pm.

HAILSHAM

Christmas Light Switch-On & Market

Friday 27 November

Hailsham High Street lights switch-on will be at 6pm. There will be a variety of market stalls selling festive food and Christmas gifts, with special appearance by Santa and his sleigh, as well as live music, seasonal entertainment and carol singing in Vicarage Field from 1pm-7pm.

HAYWARDS HEATH

Haywards Heath Christmas Festival

Saturday 28 November from 1pm-4:30pm

A whole day of fun with Christmas trail for families and market with local craft stalls and seasonal gifts. Live entertainment and festive performances throughout the day and the Christmas light switch-on at 5pm.

HEATHFIELD

Christmas Lighting Up

Friday 20 November from 3.45pm-6.30pm

There will be late night shopping in the High Street and the light switch-on. Plus, a pop-up Christmas market in State Hall featuring 25 local artisans exhibiting, Santa arriving in his sleigh and performances by local primary schools.

HENFIELD

Artisan Christmas Market

Sunday 13 December, 10am-2pm

This is the Christmas market with up to 50 stalls in Coopers Way car park. Featuring an array of delicious temptations from local food producers, wine and beer makers. There is also a lovely selection of craft makers and seasonal gifts.

HORSHAM

Christmas Launch Party & Lights Switch-On

Friday 20 November, 4pm-8pm

Features festive entertainment, free face painting, live music, a silent disco, decorated stalls, and late-night shopping with Christmas lights switch-on time to be confirmed.

HURSTPIERPOINT

Santa Saturday

Saturday 28 November, 2pm-6pm

The High Street shops will be opening their doors alongside local artisan crafters and producers so you can get a head start on your Christmas shopping with gift ideas galore. Live music and festive fayre up the High Street plus there will be kid's entertainment and the big man himself – Father Christmas.

LEWES

Lewes Christmas Market

Thursday 3 December, 5pm-9pm

Lewes Town Hall hosts a late-night shopping market – a wonderful evening of festive shopping with a community spirit. Ideal for visitors looking for unique gifts, seasonal treats and locally made products.

PETWORTH

Petworth Christmas Cracker

Saturday 5 December

An exciting day with over 70 market stalls including pottery, crafts, clothing and Christmas decorations, plus hot dogs, burgers, mulled wine and fine English sparkling wine. The highlight is the Christmas tree lights switch-on at 6pm when Market Square will be buzzing with festive cheer! The main stage in Market Square will feature acts throughout the day.

RYE

Christmas Festival

Saturday 7 November to Friday 25 December

The perfect opportunity to get into the festive spirit and start your Christmas shopping and celebrations – with many festive markets, music performances and festive treats in the run up to Christmas. Full details online.

SEAFORD

Christmas Magic

Saturday 12 December

Christmas magic is a fun-filled day featuring live entertainment, bustling market stalls, a Father Christmas Grotto, and the signature Lantern Parade.

SHOREHAM

Light Up Shoreham Christmas Market

Saturday 5 December, 3.30pm-8.30pm

A magical festival evening of shopping, live entertainment, light installations, fairground rides, crafts, carol singing and delicious food and drink.

STEYNING

Steyning Arts Christmas Fair

Sunday 3rd December

Held at The Steyning Centre, this lively and well-attended event offers the opportunity for the local community to purchase individual handmade items and original artworks for gifts.

UCKFIELD

Late Night Shopping

Friday 4 December, 5pm-9pm

Extended opening hours for local shops, street food and drink vendors, and live local musical performances including schools on-stage, walk through nativity, visit Santa, and much more.

WADHURST

Christmas Farmers & Crafters Market

Saturday 5 & 19 December, 4-8pm

The monthly market transforms into a festive celebration with over 30 stalls offering artisan foods, fresh bread, cheese, and handcrafted local gifts.

WORTHING

So This Is Christmas Craft Fair

Sunday 6 December, 10:30am-3:30pm

This Christmas event at The Charmandean Centre, BN14 9HS is hosted by The Fairy Tale Fair in aid of St Barnabas House, featuring 65+ craft and design stalls, a cafe/bar, face painting, and a raffle.

Christmas Tip: Event dates and arrangements can change, so check with the organisers before travelling.