Exhibition
Winter Artists Open Houses
More than 50 houses across Brighton and Hove are throwing open their doors to help with finding unique Christmas gifts crafted on the coast. Usually this winter artists open houses festival is more of an arts and crafts event, with woodwork, metalwork, blown glass, textiles and ceramics on offer for sale alongside prints and paintings.
Across Brighton and Hove, weekends November 30-December 15, free, aoh.org.uk
Pantomime
Jack and the Beanstalk
As well as donning the villain’s costume as Fleshcreep, John Partridge is making his directorial debut with Horsham’s annual panto – transporting its audience into a world of giants, fairies, magic beans and high-flying adventure.
The Capitol, Horsham, November 30-January 5, various times, from £20, thecapitolhorsham.com
Christmas
Tree Dressing
The final event of the open-air museum’s year is an ancient custom celebrating the life-giving properties of trees. Visitors can bring homemade lanterns to join a procession around the site, finishing with singing and dancing at the ancient aspen trees which are then decorated with the various lights.
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, near Chicester, Sunday, December 1, 10am-4.30pm, from £15.50, £7.50 children, wealddown.co.uk
Classical
Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra
Ace percussionist Evelyn Glennie is the special guest for this programme, which culminates in Rimsky-Korsakov's version of the 1,001 Arabian Nights: Scheherazade. Dame Evelyn will perform one of her signature pieces James MacMillan’s Veni, Veni, Emmanuel, which she premiered at the Proms 20 years ago.
Brighton Dome Concert Hall, Sunday, December 1, 2.45pm, from £13, brightondome.org
Music
Idles
Punk is not dead – and it doesn’t even smell funny judging by the fact this Bristol band is playing Brighton’s biggest concert space to promote its fifth album Tangk. Expect some coruscating lyrics expounding both on the state of the nation and love, combined with an energetic performance.
Brighton Centre, Sunday, December 1, doors 6.30pm, see website for tickets, brightoncentre.co.uk
Musical
Now That’s What I Call A Musical
Marking the 40th anniversary of the much-loved pop compilations, this new British musical, directed and choreographed by Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood, follows two old friends facing a school reunion. The cast includes EastEnder and Goodness Gracious Me star Nina Wadia in her first musical, West End star Melissa Jacques and former Stock Aitken and Waterman favourite Sonia as herself.
Theatre Royal Brighton, December 2-7, 7.30pm, 2.30pm matinees Thurs and Sat, from £15, atgtickets.com/brighton
Music
Christmas Concerts
A true Chichester Christmas tradition, as The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood joins forces with the Chichester Cathedral Choir to herald the season with carols and festive melodies.
Chichester Festival Theatre, December 3-7, 7.30pm, 2.30pm matinee Sat, from £10, cft.org.uk
Talk
Michael Attenborough
University of Sussex alum and son of one-time chancellor Lord Richard, Michael Attenborough will be talking about his own experiences at the Young Vic, Almeida, Royal Shakespeare Company and RADA, with the university’s vice chancellor Sasha Roseneil.
Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, Brighton, Wednesday, December 4, 1.30pm, free, attenboroughcentre.com
Theatre
1927’s Please Right Back
With this year’s Christmas residency, theatre company 1927 explores the difficulties children go through when a parent leaves the family unit, while at the same time celebrating how the imagination, story-telling and make believe can help overcome hardship.
The Old Market, Hove, December 6-19, 7.30pm Tues to Sat, 2.30pm Sat/Sun and Thurs, from £15.50, theoldmarket.com
Music
The Unthanks in Winter
Led by Tyneside sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank, the band is exploring the coldest season with their new double album, combining traditional folk wassails with more modern treatments touching on Tom Waits, the Beach Boys and Vincent Gauraldi, and even a self-penned tribute to the NHS.
Also at Worthing Assembly Hall, Saturday, December 7.
White Rock Theatre, Hastings, Friday, December 6, 7.30pm, £38.40, whiterocktheatre.org.uk
Pantomime
Beauty and the Beast
Callum Donnelly joins forces with dame Kevin Gauntlett for this fairy tale of comedy, music beautiful costumes, magic and mayhem.
Chequer Mead Theatre, East Grinstead, December 7-January 4, various times, £23, £21.50 concessions, chequermead.co.uk
Music
Paul Heaton
The founder of chart-topping bands The Housemartins and The Beautiful South - and it would appear one of the most generous people in pop having put cash behind the bar at 60 UK pubs in 2022 to mark his 60th birthday - heads out on his own, performing a selection from his extensive back catalogue and from his new solo album The Mighty Several. Support from The Zutons.
Brighton Centre, Tuesday, December 3, doors 6.30pm, £35, brightoncentre.co.uk
Pantomime
Robin Hood: The Pantomime
CBeebies star Nigel Clarke plays the title role in this year’s Worthing panto, which also sees the return of town favourite Katie Pritchard as the music-loving Alana, Janine Pardo as Maid Marian, Paul Giddings as Dame Delia and Darren Clewlow-Smith as the dastardly Sherrif of Nottingham.
Pavilion Theatre, Worthing, December 5-January 5, various times, from £10, wtm.uk
Pantomime
Snow White
The 23rd panto from the Devonshire Park Theatre team features regulars Martyn Knight as Dame Dolly (in his 19th appearance), Tucker as Herbie the Huntsman in his 11th Eastbourne panto and EastEnder Carli Norris as the Wicked Queen. They are joined by Mayfield’s Georgie Hales in the title role and West End performer Ben Tyler as Prince Simon in the story of a magic mirror, a beautiful girl and seven vertically challenged miners.
Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne, December 6-January 12, various times, from £13, eastbournetheatres.co.uk
Theatre
You Aren’t Doing it Wrong (if No One Knows What You Are Doing)
Actor Rachel Blackman explores perfectionism, imposter syndrome and the non-award-winning moments in our lives in this interactive solo show, as seen on this year’s Brighton Fringe.
Brighton Dome Studio Theatre, December 6-7, 7.30pm, £16, £12.50 concessions, brightondome.org
Christmas
Hey! Christmas Tree
Based around a festive story created exclusively for Chichester Festival Theatre by Michael Morpurgo, this show is aimed at three to seven-year-olds. Tree has been rescued from the forest by motorbiking park ranger Mavis on Christmas Eve. He’s unsure about all the decorations he has to wear, but enjoys meeting Father Christmas, the Snow Woman, cheeky cat Winston and nine-year Yulia who doesn’t want to talk and is a long way from home.
Minerva Theatre, Chichester, December 7-29, various times, from £10, cft.org.uk
Classical
Christmas with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Brighton Festival Chorus, Brighton Festival Youth Choir and the city’s own mezzo-soprano Juliette Pochin and conductor James Morgan perform an afternoon of carols, Yuletide songs and terrible Christmas jokes.
Brighton Dome Concert Hall, Sunday, December 8, 4pm, from £15, brightondome.org
Family
Leonardslee Lights
The woodland gardens are awash with light, sound and colour throughout December. The route itself takes between an hour and 90 minutes to complete, with a funfair and Christmas market at the end.
Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, until December 30, various dates and times, from £17.50, under-twos free, leonardsleegardens.co.uk/lights
Music
The Go! Team
It’s now two decades since Brighton-based Ian Parton launched what had originally been a bedroom project into the wider world with The Go! Team’s sample-heavy debut album Thunder Lightning Strike. Now they’re returning to that original album to play it in full – with MC Ninja leading proceedings.
Brighton Dome Corn Exchange, Monday, December 9, doors 7.30pm, from £27.50, brightondome.org
Live soundtrack
The Holiday in Concert
Watch the modern holiday classic starring Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, Jude Law and Sussex’s own Kate Winslet with a live rendition of Hans Zimmer’s original score by a live orchestra. Live soundtrack fans should look out for another seasonal classic at the Brighton Centre, The Muppet Christmas Carol, on Thursday, December 12. And the London Concert Orchestra plays the music of Hans Zimmer and John Williams on Saturday, December 21.
Brighton Centre, Tuesday, December 10, 7.30pm, see website for prices, brightoncentre.co.uk
Family
Slava’s Snowshow
Having spent the past 30 years entrancing audiences, Slava’s Snowshow is back in the UK for the first time in seven years. Described as a cavalcade of chaos and charm, set in a surreal dream world, it is the creation of Russian clown Slava Polunin and has won more than 20 international theatre awards, including an Olivier and a Drama Desk Award.
Theatre Royal Brighton, December 11-15, Wed-Sat 7pm, 2.30pm matinee Thurs and Sat, Sun 2pm and 6pm, from £15, atgtickets.com/brighton
Music
Rick Wakeman
The former Yes keyboard player, pianist on David Bowie’s Life on Mars and official Grumpy Old Man returns to the stage in the company of his son Adam Wakeman and vocalist Mollie Marriott. He will delve into his back catalogue and express a certain amount of gentle ‘unwokeness’ tempered by Wakeman Jnr.
Also at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill, on Saturday, December 14.
Assembly Hall, Worthing, Wednesday, December 11, 7.30pm, from £36.50, wtm.uk
Musical
Only Fools and Horses the Musical
Paul Whitehouse dons Grandad’s crumbled hat in this musical stage revival of John Sullivan’s much-loved sitcom, which he has co-written with the creator’s son Jim. As the yuppie invasion of Peckham continues, loveable rogue Del Boy is in search for his soul mate, while dipstick brother Rodney prepares to say ‘I do’ to Cassandra.
Brighton Dome Concert Hall, December 11-14, 2.30pm (not Fri) and 7.30pm, from £15, brightondome.org
Pantomime
Jack and the Beanstalk
EastEnders legend Steve McFadden, who has played Phil Mitchell in the long-running soap for 34 years, returns to Crawley to play the villain Fleshcreep in this tale of bloodthirsty giants, magic beans and young men who don’t know the true monetary value of a cow. Starring alongside him is Hawth panto favourite Michael J Batchelor as the Dame, plus Joey Wilby, Erin Armstrong, Joe Gash and Annell Odartey.
The Hawth, Crawley, December 13-January 5, various dates and times, from £24, parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/the-hawth
Pantomime
The Magical Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan
Having taken over the White Rock in February, The Guildhall Trust is teaming up with Polka Dot Pantomimes for its first Christmas extravaganza. Taking the lead roles will be Coronation Street’s Alexandra Mardell as Tinkerbell and Dynamite from Gladiators as presumably an ass-kicking Wendy, while Hastings panto favourites Tim McArthur and Ben Watson are back as baddies Hook and Smee, trying to foil the plans of the boy who never grew up.
White Rock Theatre, Hastings, December 13-New Year’s Eve, various dates and times, from £26, whiterocktheatre.org.uk
Music
The Mediaeval Baebes
Well-known Christmas carols and traditional seasonal folk songs are all on the bill for the Mediaeval Baebes’ return to Sussex. Their touring show The Ceremony begins with a torchlit procession through the venue – and expect to hear some of the stories behind the beautiful songs they are singing too.
St Mary’s Church, Horsham, Saturday, December 14, 7.30pm, £28.50, £13 children, mediaevalbaebes.com
Music
The Skids and Spear of Destiny
A pair of post-punk legends are touring together marking the 45th anniversary of The Skids’ second album Days in Europa, while Brighton’s own Kirk Brandon will be looking back at his band’s late-1980s albums Outland and The Price You Pay.
Chalk, Brighton, Saturday, December 14, doors 6pm, £27.50, chalkvenue.com
Music
The Damned
The band behind the UK’s first punk single New Rose has reunited its 1980s line-up, with mainstays Captain Sensible and vocalist David Vanian joined by bassist Paul Gray and original drummer Rat Scabies, who last played with the band in the 1990s. They are promising deep dives into the classic LPs The Black Album, Strawberries and the brilliant Machine Gun Etiquette alongside the hits.
Winter Gardens, Eastbourne, Saturday, December 14, doors 7pm, £48.50, eastbournetheatres.co.uk
Family
The Snowman
A staple of the Christmas TV schedules since it was first broadcast in 1982, it doesn’t get more Christmassy than The Snowman. And the story has strong Sussex origins, having been penned by the late Raymond Briggs, who lived near Ditchling, and soundtracked by Brighton’s Howard Blake. That original score is being performed live by an orchestra for both these screenings.
Brighton Dome Concert Hall, Sunday, December 15, 2pm and 5pm, from £14, £12.50 under-16s, brightondome.org
Music
Candlelit Carols
An afternoon of carols and seasonal classics, all performed by candlelight by the Mozart Festival Orchestra, conducted by Steven Devine, with guest soprano Harriet Eyley.
De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill, Sunday, December 15, doors 2pm, from £27.50, dlwp.com
Music
Travis
Back on the road for the first time since 2022, Glasgow’s multiple BRIT and Ivor Novello award-winners Travis are promoting their 10th studio album LA Times. Get down early to check out the chamber-pop of support Hamish Hawk.
Winter Garden, Eastbourne, Tuesday, December 17, doors 7pm, £42.50, eastbournetheatres.co.uk
Family
Elf The Musical
The movie starring Will Ferrell is a modern Christmas classic, telling the story of a child raised as a North Pole elf trying to find his real father on the streets of New York, and spreading happiness as he goes. This stage production features new songs and stars Jordan Conway in the floppy shoes.
Brighton Centre, December 17-18, doors 5.30pm, see website for ticket prices, brightoncentre.co.uk
Theatre
Cinderella
The annual Christmas production by Chichester Festival Youth Theatre takes on one of the most-loved fairy stories of them all, as Cinders dreams of meeting her Prince Charming at the ball. This new version has been penned by Philip Wilson with original live music by Jason Carr.
Chichester Festival Theatre, December 17-New Year’s Eve, various dates and times, from £10, cft.org.uk
Theatre
101 Dalmatians
It’s almost two decades since Theatre Royal Brighton eschewed the traditional panto in favour of a family-friendly Christmas show, and this year’s production looks to be another classic. The new version of Dodie Smith’s novel stars West End star Kerry Ellis as fashionista Cruella de Vil, who has eyes on Pongo and Perdita’s huge litter of puppies.
Theatre Royal Brighton, December 17-January 5, various dates and times, from £15, atgtickets.com/brighton
Family
Dear Santa – Live on Stage
The eternal search for the perfect present is at the heart of Rod Campbell’s Christmas story – a development from his toddler favourite Dear Zoo. Santa is trying to get Sarah a fantastic gift for Christmas, but there always seems to be something wrong with what he comes up with...
Connaught Theatre, Worthing, December 18-19, 3.45pm Wed, 10.30am and 1.30pm Thurs, from £16, wtm.uk
Pantomime
Sleeping Beauty
Filling Brighton’s panto-shaped hole once more is this production by E3 Events, starring producer David Hill as Dame Nurse Nelly, BBC Radio favourite Allison Ferns as Caribosse and Ellie Earl as the titular dozy beauty. Look out for the adults-only version of the tale at 8pm on December 29 and 29, raising cash for Sussex Beacon.
Brighton Hilton Metropole, December 19-30, various dates and times, from £14.25, brightonfamilypanto.com
Comedy
Organoke
The inimitable hip-op host Ida Barr is enlisting the help of Brighton Dome’s organ for a Christmas karaoke session, offering both mass singalongs and solo audience spots in the second half.
Brighton Dome Concert Hall, Friday, December 20, 7.30pm, £20, £15 concessions, brightondome.org
Circus
Afrique en Cirque
Brighton Dome’s annual Twixmas treat is a journey through Guinea courtesy of Yamoussa Bangoura’s Kalabanté Productions, combining Afrojazz and traditional West African instruments with feats of acrobatic daring.
Brighton Dome Concert Hall, December 28-New Year’s Eve, 2pm and 7.30pm (not NYE), from £10, brightondome.org
