There’s nothing quite like sparkling Christmas lights to brighten the dark December nights over the festive period. There’s still time to catch the dazzling displays and local Christmas lights in Brighton and beyond, with some running to the end of the month or into early January.
Why not treat the whole family to a magical experience during the Christmas break and make special memories to treasure? Some free events include Burning of The Clocks on December 21 and the Brighton Winter Fayre has free entry.
Best Christmas Light Displays 2024
The Brighton Lights
Until Sunday, December 22 (4 pm to 8 pm)
The Brighton Lights have returned to One Garden Brighton at Stanmer Park, promising an even bigger and brighter display for its second year running. The magical wheelchair-friendly light trial has a different route than last year, with more installations and a greater festival atmosphere.
Alongside the light trial, designed with families in mind but suitable for friends and couples, “Brighton’s most magical winter experience” also offers live stage performances, a room for parents and street food for sale. This year there is a free accessible shuttle bus service from car park 1 to the event, with a stop at Falmer station.
Organisers suggest the event can take up to one hour and 30 minutes to enjoy and remind attendees to wrap up warm.
Cost:
- Adults: £18 + booking fee
- Child aged two to 16: £12 + booking fee
Website: https://thebrightonlights.co.uk/
Address: One Garden Brighton, Stanmer Park, BN1 9SE
Glow Wild
Selected dates until Wednesday, January 1, 2025 – 4.15 pm to 10 pm (closing times vary)
The winter trees of Wakehurst Gardens have once again been transformed to create a woodland trail of lights and lanterns. The light trial, which also has a new route this year, is more than a mile long and handcrafted by artists. This year, attendees can enjoy the iconic Christmas tree, a giant owl and a hidden dragon, surrounded by a thousand lanterns.
The experience also has street food, marshmallows on a real fire and Christmas shopping, and is open on Christmas Eve. See the website for quiet, SEN and adult-only sessions.
Cost:
- Prices from £13 to £25
- Under 4s and essential companions visit free
- Discounts available for families, groups and members
Buy tickets: https://glowwild.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options
Address: Wakehurst, Haywards Heath, RH17 6TN
Leonardslee Lights
Until Monday, December 30
This fun winter experience at the beautiful Leonardslee Gardens promises to be bigger, better and even more magical than before. The winter trail includes a new route and installations inspired by the gardens.
The trail winds through the grounds and promises moments of wonder and surprise at every turn, including a constellation of stars, the fountain scape, planet Earth and Leonardslee moon, the sea of lights and more. Look out for woodland fairies.
Organisers suggest the trail takes an hour to an hour and a half. Also on offer, you’ll find seasonal food and drink, funfair rides and a Christmas market. A free shuttle bus from Horsham Station that you can select when buying your ticket is also available.
Cost:
- Adult tickets from £19.50 / free for Leonardslee Members
- Children over two: from £11.50
Website: https://www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk/lights
Address: Leonardslee Gardens, Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham, RH13 6PP
Tulleys Christmas Light Festival
Until Monday, December 23 (4 pm to 10 pm)
This immersive attraction has 10 light shows and promises to fill your heart with festive joy. The experience includes a live music stage, ski lodge bar, alpine village and street food and drinks. There are also live roaming characters, Christmas boutiques, more than 20 photo opportunities and a 33-metre observation wheel.
There are four light trials; Sweet Street is a festive candy cane-lined street, Love Lane features hanging lanterns, the Enchanted Forest offers glowing trees, mythical creatures, and magic and leads to The Lake of Wishes, while Merry Magic has dancing Christmas trees.
It’s worth noting the experience is not at the main farm site. Dogs on a lead are also welcome.
Cost:
- Adult tickets from £15.95 (£10.95 for children).
Website: christmaslightshow.co.uk
Address: Turners Hill Road, Turners Hill, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 4PD
Santa’s SteamLights
Until Monday, December 30 (4.30 pm and 7.30 pm)
This unique festive experience includes a ride on a shimmering steam train covered by thousands of coloured lights. Santa greets all children on arrival with a photo opportunity. Attendees then board the train and are seated in their own compartment with all members of their party.
The steam train journeys to Horsted Keynes Station with festive-themed scenes among the trees and clearings to enjoy along the way. There is also a colourful light show orchestrated in time with music. There will be half an hour at Horsted Keynes to take photos with the light-adorned train and festive decorations before the journey back to Sheffield Park.
Cost:
- Tickets from £35
Website: https://www.bluebell-railway.com/special/santas-steamlights/
Address: Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park, Uckfield, TN22 3QL
Brilliant Brighton Christmas lights and window displays
Central Brighton’s streets have been lit up again this year, thanks to Brilliant Brighton – a group of more than 500 businesses within the city centre. You’ll find sparkling Christmas lights along roads including Western Road and North Street by well-known street artists, in Preston Street and The Lanes and North Laine.
Also, 26 businesses across The Lanes and North Laine are taking part in a window dressing competition, with public voting open until January 5. Find out more by scanning QR codes on display in participating shop windows or by visiting the Brilliant Brighton website.
Website: https://brilliantbrighton.com/
Where: Brighton city centre
Royal Pavilion
The Royal Pavilion in Brighton is looking very festive as the ice rink has returned until Sunday, January 8. Pop down to see the Pavilion lit up for the Christmas period.
Website: https://royalpavilionicerink.co.uk/
Address: 4/5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1EE, United Kingdom
Other local Christmas lights to enjoy Near Brighton
There are other Christmas lights on display in town centres across Sussex. Visit Terminus Road in Eastbourne, the High Street and London Road area in East Grinstead, East Street and surrounding areas in Chichester, Church Walk in Burgess Hill and South Road in Haywards Heath, to make the most of the festivities.
We also love cycling around the residential areas to see houses lit up with lights. What joy!
If you visit any of these experiences or spot some dazzling Christmas lights, be sure to let us know what you think. Do tag us on socials @welovebrighton and we hope you have a fabulous Christmas and New Year.
