Eastbourne rings in the season with Christmas events

Eastbourne promises holiday cheer and festive fun this year with a programme of events and activities for the whole family.

There will be Christmas markets, fireworks and a real ice rink.

The Christmas magic kicks off on Friday with the return of Meads Magic when Meads will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland from 2.30pm to 7.30pm.

The road will be closed to allow a Christmas parade to march down and there will also be a festive market, craft fair and Santa’s Grotto.

At 6pm on Saturday, November 25, the Christmas lights will be switched on in Terminus Road, including the return of the popular giant interactive LED Christmas tree, with festivities during the day from 10am including a market, street food, mulled wine and live music from midday.

Little Chelsea’s shopping centre brings back its annual festive celebration from 4pm on Friday, December 1.

There will be stalls along the independent shopping streets of Grove Road and South Street, with children’s rides, street performers, Santa’s Grotto, live music and a firework finale.

From December 2 to 3, Sussex Craft and Design Fair returns to the Enterprise Shopping Centre in Station Parade.

There will be handmade stocking fillers, ceramics, textiles, pottery, glasswork, jewellery, artworks and home interiors on sale.

A Christmas market will take place from Thursday, December 7, until Sunday, December 10, with a market of around 30 stalls selling the local produce and handcrafted gifts.

On Sunday, December 10, shoppers and visitors are encouraged to come dressed as an angel in a world record attempt for the most people dressed as angels in one place, at 2pm in The Beacon.

For Panto fans, Beauty and the Beast takes to the Devonshire Park Theatre stage from December 8 to January 14 in costumes with colourful sets from the acclaimed Eastbourne theatres team.

There will be a light display at the Sovereign Harbour from December 8 to 9, with lights adorned across many of the yachts and restaurants around The Waterfront with festive onshore entertainment including choirs, children’s rides, face painting and a market.

The Eastbourne’s Lightning Fibre Ice Rink opens its doors between Saturday, December 9 to Sunday, December 10 from 10am – 10pm by the Enterprise Centre. 

The real ice rink is accompanied by a Christmas village including the Tipsy Toadstool Bar, German bratwurst, loaded donuts and more, with stalls, late night DJ sessions and seating area all under a heated marquee next to the rink.

There will also be an Angel Trail on display in shop windows across the town centre along with a Best Dressed Window competition – children can win a prize every time they find five angels.