Christmas shopping can be a pain with heaving shopping centres, long queues and parking charges leaving festive spirits severely depleted.
There is an alternative however; attend a Christmas market and you’ll not only be able to pick up unique, locally-made gifts – you’re also likely to get a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie into the bargain.
Here is our pick of seasonal fairs you can find across Sussex this Christmas season.
Wednesday and Thursday, November 14 and 15, 9am – 3pm
Rare Brand Christmas Market, Goodwood Racecourse
As well as a selection of more than 40 “rare brands”, this market offers a gift-wrapping service and workshops to make your own Christmas presents.
Held at the Goodwood Racecourse, it has two spacious levels and fabulous views of the South Downs and the coast and promises all your Christmas shopping beneath the same roof.
Saturday and Sunday, November 10 and 11, 10.30am – 4pm
Michelham Priory Christmas Fair, Upper Dicker, Hailsham
Christmas stalls, a Santa’s grotto, decorations and Christmas music in a stunning historical setting.
Call 01383 844224 or visit www.sussexpast.co.uk.
Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13
Weald And Downland Museum Christmas Market, near Chichester
Make the most of reduced price entry to this excellent museum of reconstructed historical homes while picking up some seasonal gifts.
Stalls set in and around the period buildings will be packed full of arts, crafts, food and unusual gifts. The museum shop will also be open, with a range of local crafts, decorations and books. Avoid parking charges in town and soak up some culture.
Visit www.wealddown.co.uk.
Friday, November 23, 5-7.30pm
Tree Lighting Party, Wilderness Wood, Hadlow Down
Stock up on Christmas gifts, cards and decorations after taking beautiful homemade paper lanterns into the wood to adorn a be-jewelled holly tree.
Then enjoy mulled wine and mince pies, homemade burgers and local sausages around a bonfire.
For details, call 01925 830509, email enquiries@wildernesswood.co.uk or visit www.wildernesswood.co.uk.
Saturday, November 24, 11am-4pm
Christmas Open Day, Brighton Dome, Church Street, Brighton
Christmas entertainment in the cafe-bar with free seasonal activities for children plus live entertainment, and a pose-your-own Christmas card opportunity.
For more details, call 01273 709709 or visit www.brightondome.org.
Saturday and Sunday, November 24 and 25
Christmas Fayre, Forest Garden Shovelstrode, Shovelstrode Lane, Ashurst Wood
Have a glass of mulled wine and enjoy a stroll round the woods to watch live demonstrations. There will be stalls, food, unusual gifts and “Buy A Course For Christmas”.
Call 07956 815458/07957 621672, email info@forestgarden.info or visit www.forestgarden.info.
Saturday and Sunday, November 24 and 25, 10.30am-3.30pm
Petworth House Christmas Fair, Petworth House, Petworth
There’s a range of exclusive gifts in the festive and tranquil setting of the magnificent country house. £5 entry.
For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth.
Sunday, November 25 10am – 4.30pm
Arundel Fair Trade And Ethical Christmas Fair, Arundel Castle
Beautiful Arundel Castle plays host to more than 50 stalls selling everything Fair Trade. Choose from birdhouses, organic soaps, bedspreads, jewellery, skincare products, Christmas decorations and vintage beads, all sourced from different countries.
Local craftspeople are also represented with stalls dedicated to Sussex trugs, wicker baskets and cushions made from local sheep’s wool.
For details, call 07761 564154.
Saturday and Sunday, December 1 and 2, 9am-4pm
Festive Food & Drink Fayre, The South Of England Centre, Ardingly
Packed with scrumptious treats, including hand-made chocolates and sweets, seasonal healthy treats, local products including fish, meats, cheeses, fruit juices, preserves and pickles, and cakes and breads. There is also fine British wines and liqueurs.
For details, call 01444 892700 or visit www.seas.org.uk.
Sunday, December 2, 10.30am-4pm
Sussex Family Christmas Fair, Charmandean Centre, Forest Road, Worthing
Sussex Mums have organised this extravaganza showcasing Christmas gifts, contemporary crafts, products for babies and children, demonstrations, festive workshops and Santa Grotto.
For more information, visit www.sussexfamilychristmasfair.co.uk.
Saturdays and Sundays, December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16.
Brighton And Hove Artists Open House Christmas Festival
The Artists’ Open Houses Christmas Festival marks the start of the Christmas season, offering an array of work from contemporary and original local artists and makers.
Follow the Open Houses Christmas Trail to discover unique and unusual Christmas gifts for friends and family and choose from a host of beautiful handcrafted objects: jewellery, furniture, ceramics, textiles and clothing to suit every taste and budget.
There is also an opportunity to chat to artists in their own homes and browse the work whilst sampling homemade mince pies.
Various Brighton venues. Opening times vary. Visit www.aoh.org.uk.
Friday, December 7, 5pm – 9pm
Seaford Farmers’ Christmas Market
Seaford Farmers’ Market will hold an indoor Christmas Market at the Clinton Centre, Seaford, featuring stalls run by a number of local producers and craftspeople. The Seaford Farmers’ Market Café will be open from 5pm to 9pm for food and refreshment.
Call 07984 021442 for details.
Saturday-Wednesday, December 8-12, and Thursday-Sunday, December 13-16, 9am-5.30pm
Chichester Christmas Craft Market, East Street and North Street, Chichester
This popular market has been extended to nine days this year with more than 50 festival stalls setting up in the pedestrianized areas of North Street and East Street.
There will be a variety of unique crafts and gifts direct from the makers, designers and distributors at this Woodland Crafts event.
The Chichester Christmas Craft Market is held in association with the City Centre Partnership and Chichester District Council.
Visit www.ukcraftfairs.com for more information.
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