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Things To Do In Brighton On Christmas Eve 2023

Get ready to immerse yourself in the festive magic of Brighton and Hove this Christmas Eve 2023! With so many events to choose from, we can assure you that Brighton is brimming with things to do this Christmas time to make your festive season not only merry, bright and full of love and family time but exciting and fun too.

Here are some Unforgettable things to do in Brighton on Christmas Eve 2023

Puzzle Treasure HuntExplore Brighton’s landmarks, solve puzzles, and uncover a pub treasure.
Live Music at RockwaterEnjoy live music by Miami High Function from 4 pm to 6 pm.
Skating at Royal Pavilion Ice RinkIce skate or people-watch with a snack and some mulled wine.
Bonkers Musical BingoChristmas-themed drag musical bingo experience.
Bottomless Drag Brunch Festive bottomless drag brunch in Kemptown.
GloballsUV art and a festive dinosaur adventure mini golf.
Night(mare) Before Christmas at RevolutionDance into Christmas Day with 50% off the menu and festive cocktails.
Family-Friendly Things to do on Christmas Eve in Brighton
Santa In The Sky at i360Meet Santa and his elves in the sky with a festive pod journey.
Pinot and Picasso: Child-friendly art classArt session at Pinot and Picasso for artists of all ages.
Nutcracker Christmas Family Trail Nutcracker-themed Christmas trail at Nymans, National Trust.

Whether you are seeking fun-filled family adventures or cosy moments with your nearest and dearest, this list we have compiled offers you an all-encompassing selection of the best activities in Brighton and Hove this year to ensure your Christmas in Brighton is filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable Christmas cheer for everyone.

Brighton Fun Puzzle Treasure Hunt

Photo credits: WeLoveBrighton.com

Embark on a unique outdoor adventure with The Great Game Treasure Hunt Brighton this Christmas Eve! Explore Brighton’s famous landmarks while unravelling bits of its history along the way. Equipped with a treasure map, compass, and clues, you navigate the route, and if successful, uncover the spot marked ‘X’ on your map revealing the ultimate treasure – a fantastic pub!

Brighton Fun Puzzle Treasure Hunt is hailed as one of the best activities and days out in Brighton. It is perfect for team-building exercises, corporate outings or friend groups looking for something unique to do.

You can expect a thrilling day exploring landmarks and secret streets and engaging challenges including puzzles, riddles, codes, and orienteering tasks.

To top it all off, you receive a 20% discount on your food and drink bill at the designated pub with a table reservation ready for you for a seamless experience upon arrival.

When: 24th of December

Where: Bagelman at Brighton Railway Station, Brighton, BN1 3XP

Book tickets here: https://www.designmynight.com/brighton/whats-on/daytime/the-great-game-virus-safe-outdoor-treasure-hunt-brighton

Christmas Eve Live Music at Rockwater in Hove

Photo credits: Miami High Function

Fill your Christmas Eve in Brighton with live music at the Bar & Kitchen at Rockwater in Hove from 4 pm to 6 pm. Jen & Paul, members of the local cover band Miami High Function, will serenade you with a mix of Christmas classics and acoustic hits.

Cosy up by the fire, sip on wine, or indulge in the Winter cocktail menu as you enjoy this free event. While reservations are not needed, securing a table in the Bar and Kitchen for this musical afternoon is possible through their website.

When: 24th of December

Address: Western Esplanade, Hove, BN3 4FA

Wesbite: https://rockwater.uk/hove/whats-on/

Royal Pavilion Ice Rink

Royal Pavilion Ice Rink in Brighton
Photo credits: WeLoveBrighton.com

Although closed on Christmas Day, the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink will be open to the public on Christmas Eve. Embrace the festive spirit as you glide across the beautifully lit main rink or spectate for free from the rink side Bar & Kitchen, open from 9:30 am, offering a delightful array of treats, including the must-try mulled wine.

When: 24th of December

Address: Royal Pavilion, Brighton, BN1 1FN

To book a ticket: https://royalpavilionicerink.co.uk/

Ruffles Does Bonkers Musical Bingo

Photo credits: Bonkers Musical Bingo

Celebrate Christmas Eve with a touch of madness at Bedford Tavern’s “Bonkers Musical Bingo.” Experience the unique fusion of music, bingo, and drag queens on Sunday the 24th of December from 6 pm. Let hosts Adam, Ruffles, guide you through an evening filled with laughter, dance routines, and skittle bombs.

Secure a table for Bingo while enjoying their Sunday Roasts, with vegan and GF options available. It’s the perfect prelude to a festive Christmas celebration.

When: 24th of December

Address: 30 Western St, Hove, Brighton, BN1 2PG

To book a ticket: https://www.theonlyruffles.com/ruffles-does-bonkers-musical-bingo-2023

Bottomless Drag Brunch by Qwerk!y @ Bar Broadway

Experience a brunch unlike any other this Christmas Eve in Brighton with Qwerk!y’s exclusive bottomless drag brunch. Trust us, this is the event you should take your friend group to!

Indulge in a delicious Drag Brunch menu paired with limitless drinks for 1.5 hours. Sounds good, right? Well, that is not all! you will also get to enjoy the dazzling performances by talented drag artists, adding heaps of glamour and excitement to your special brunch affair this Christmas.

Whether you are seeking for a fun day out with friends or an otherwise special celebration, Qwerk!y’s bottomless Drag Brunch should be your go-to choice. Featuring a menu boasting brunch classics and free-flowing drinks, you can enjoy a worry-free experience while enjoying the show and having fun.

Don’t hesitate for a moment more, and secure your table now for a brunch that will most certainly become the talk of your festive season! Best of all, these Drag Brunches are recurring events!

When: 24th of December

Where: 10 Steine Street, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1TE

Book tickets here: https://www.designmynight.com/brighton/bars/kemp-town/bar-broadway/bottomless-drag-brunch-by-qwerky

Dinosaurs Do Christmas @ Globalls

Are you tired of Christmas carols and mulled wine? Are your kids asking for something fun and entertaining? Maybe you’re an adult with childlike wonder and Christmas spirit!

All the same, Globalls’ ‘Dinosaurs Do Christmas’ is definitely a unique experience to incorporate into your Christmas to-do list, and one your loved ones would not expect either.

Triceratops is in charge of Santa’s sleigh, and you could be a part of that crazy adventure! This is an excellent ho-ho-ho variation of the Globalls experience with UV Gingerbread people, Snowman, Reindeer, Nutcracker and other wonderful models and artwork you don’t want to miss out on.

When: 24th of December

Where: 1-5 The Village, The Waterfront, Brighton Marina, BN2 5WA

Book tickets here: https://www.globalls.co.uk/dinosaurs-do-christmas-at-globalls

Night(mare) Before Christmas – SinSundays @ Revolution

Photo credits: Revolution

Are you a night owl who loves to dance? Maybe you need that fun night out with your friends before tackling Christmas Day with the family?

Night(mare) Before Christmas at Revolution Brighton offers you an alternative way to spend Christmas Eve, up and dancing until the early hours of Christmas Day.

With bottle service available for purchase for those who want to get a little fancy, a. incredible 50% off their whole menu, surprise freebies and some delicious Christmas cocktails perfect for a festive outing, the night is totally set for you and your group.

Early bird tickets are available to book ahead of time now. Get ready for a night of total fun! Just remember to make it to the Christmas Day family lunch…

When: 24th of December

Where: 77 West Street, Brighton, BN1 2RA

Book tickets here: https://fixr.co/event/nightmare-before-christmas-sinsundays-tickets-297103936

Family-Friendly Things to do on Christmas eve in brighton

Santa in the Sky @ Brighton i360

Photo credits: Brighton i360

Impress your kids and family by taking them above the city this Christmas Eve! This truly magical experience will let you meet Santa and his elves in the sky at Brighton i360. Your standard ticket will include a 25-minute festive pod journey, a meet and greet with Santa and his elves as well as a gift for each child.

This is a wonderful last-minute Christmas surprise for the whole family. Kids can tell their wishes to Santa and his elves, while the parents get to enjoy the incredible views 531 ft up in the sky. Santa in the Sky is the perfect magical outing, only possible with the Brighton i360 this festive season.

When: 24th December

Where: Brighton i360, Lower Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2LN

Book tickets here (support WeLoveBrighton.com): https://www.getyourguide.com/brighton-l440/santa-flights-onboard-british-airways-i360

Crush @ Pinot and Picasso

Photo credits: Pinot and Picasso

Step into a vibrant and inclusive art session this Christmas Eve, designed for artists of all ages! Delve into a colourful experience where energetic youngsters and seasoned elders alike can explore their creativity.

Led by skilled artists, participants will receive individual guidance from the Pinot and Picasso team, transforming a blank canvas into a masterpiece worthy of admiration, even by the standards of the Louvre! Each participant, regardless of age, requires a ticket, granting access to all necessary art materials to craft your unique creation.

When: 24th of December

Where: 127 Gloucester Road, Brighton, BN1 4AF

Book tickets here: https://www.pinotandpicasso.uk/brighton/session/family-friendly-crush-3/

A Nutcracker Christmas Family Trail @ Nymans (National Trust)

Photo credits: National Trust

For you nature, heritage and story lovers, National Trust is there for you this Christmas Eve with A Nutcracker Christmas Family Trail.

At Nymans, immerse yourself in a mesmerising Christmas adventure adorned with sparkling trees, vivid decorations, and scenes reminiscent of the classic Christmas tale. Admire the towering Nutcracker soldiers that bring this enchanting setting to life.

Step into the Gallery to witness the display of costumes from Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! In the house, encounter ‘The Land of Sweets’ decorated with a lavish banquet of sweet treats.

Follow a garden trail leading families through this fantastical world, hopping on an exciting journey that begins on a magical Christmas Eve night, setting the stage for a timeless tale.

When: 24th of December

Where: Handcross near Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6EB

Book tickets here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/nymans/events/fcb4ec70-7ced-4932-8b4a-ccacd4ff0260

From the laughter-filled games to the heartwarming moments with Santa, and the indulgent delights of bottomless brunches, these experiences on Christmas Eve are just a glimpse of the enchantment Brighton has to offer this time of year.

The above list aims to cater to all; whether you are a fan of clubbing, classic Christmas tunes or glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs, at We Love Brighton we believe you will find the event for you somewhere on there.

May your 2023 Christmas in Brighton and Hove be fabulous and merry. Let’s all soak up the festive season by taking part in what our city has to offer!

Roosa Herranen

From the moment she arrived in Brighton, Roosa knew this was the place to be. Her love of arts and culture, seaside living and inclusivity meant the city felt like home. When she’s not walking around town and admiring the sights, and the waves and the quirky little shops, she’s writing and creating. Originally being from Finland, there are things about Brighton & Hove that still surprise her - in the best possible way of course! After nine years in England and five of those in Brighton, she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else than here.