We may not have a Christmas market in Brighton this year but I went out in the city centre determined to see how much festive fun you could have.

And the result was that I had the most Christmassy day with Santa in the Sky at the i360 and ice skating at the Royal Pavilion.

After picking up our tree at lunchtime we headed over to the i360 to get the view of Brighton and Hove that Santa will get on Christmas Eve.

And the big man himself joined us for the ride. The I360 is all decked out for the festive period for its Santa in the Sky flights.

The Argus: Santa in the Sky

Santa and his elves welcome you on board and the Christmas spirit rises as you do. All the children queued up and were soon enjoying a chat with him and telling him about their Christmas list. I’m pretty sure they were all on his good list and not the naughty list, all leaving him with a present and a smile on all their faces.

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Frosty Brighton looked great from up on high as we tried to spot any Christmas decorations and lights, before heading down.

It was a great way to split up any Christmas shopping and keep the youngsters happy.

The timing meant we could get some shopping in at Churchill Square and the North Laine before we took on another festive favourite.

The Argus: The ever-popular Brighton Pavilion ice-rink opened this week, for the tenth year in succession and this year, the rink is entirely wind and solar-powered. The attraction will be open to the public until January 19th. N.B. THIS IS A PHOTOMERGE OF

I love ice skating and sometimes head up to Guildford to use their rink. As people skate so regularly there you see some with the skills of figure skaters. Some literally are practising that too. Without being rude, Brighton’s festive rink is a little different, more fun. I’m no Christopher Dean but I was getting round while staying up on my feet at least. I loved the way the newbies were giving it their best shot. No matter how many times some went down it was still great fun.

It is such an amazing setting next to the Royal Pavilion, with all the lights , and the refreshments at the rink.

I think you get just about the right amount of time too. An ice rink beats a Christmas market every time, and when you add in Santa in the Sky it is a great way to hit the city centre for shopping and bucket loads of fun.

For prices visit www.brightoni360.co.uk/whats-on/ - see the santa in the sky section. It’s on until Christmas eve at the time slots of 12.30pm, 1.30pm ad 2.30pm, with bookings in advance via the website.

For prices and to visit the ice rink go to royalpavilionicerink.co.uk/