The festive season is now almost upon us and plenty of towns and cities around Sussex will be switching on their Christmas lights soon.

The illumination of areas with colourful Christmas lights is a nice sight to take in, and there may even be activities taking place around the switch-on itself.

Here are all of the major Christmas lights switch-ons taking place around the county for 2024.

All these events are free to attend, though there may be an additional charge for activities.



Sussex Christmas lights switch-ons for 2024

Brighton Christmas lights switch-on

Brilliant Brighton will be hosting a festive afternoon on Saturday, November 16 which will see the Christmas lights switched on in North Laine and The Lanes.

The afternoon will last from 2pm to 6pm and choirs will pop up while festive helpers visit businesses and hand out goodies.

The event will also see the return of the window dressing competition, which has seen hundreds of votes cast by the public for their favourite festive windows.

People who vote for their favourite display could win a £75 Brighton gift card to spend locally.

Eastbourne Christmas lights switch-on for 2024

Eastbourne's Christmas lights will be switched on at 6pm in Terminus Road on Saturday, November 30.

Leading up to that, there will be a Christmas Market for attendees to enjoy, as well as live music, entertainment and children's rides.

East Grinstead Christmas lights switch-on for 2024

East Grinstead's Christmas lights will be switched on by Mayor Steve Ody at 5pm on Saturday, November 23.

This will occur around the High Street and London Road area which will be closed to traffic between 3pm and 8pm on the day.

Chichester Christmas lights switch-on for 2024

Chichester's city centre will have plenty of festive activity on Saturday, November 23 with there being a pop-up food market in East Street, as well as live music and entertainment.

Later in the day the cast of Chichester Festival Theatre’s Cinderella will lead the countdown to the Christmas Lights Switch On at 5pm outside The Council House in North Street.

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Burgess Hill Christmas lights switch-on for 2024

Burgess Hill Town Council will be hosting the annual "It's Christmas!" event on Saturday, November 23.

Taking place at Church Walk between 11am and 5pm, the event will include performances from local schools and Clumsy the beloved children’s entertainer.

Volunteers from Burgess Hill Bonfire Society will assist with the Christmas lights switch-on at 5pm.

Haywards Heath Christmas lights switch-on for 2024

Haywards Heath's Christmas Festival will be taking place on Saturday, November 23 between 1pm and 4.30pm.

It will feature a packed programme of entertainment on the stage with local choirs and dance performances.

Elsewhere, there will be funfair rides, festive stalls, festive strolling characters and more.

The Christmas lights will be switched on towards the end of the event around South Road.


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Seaford Christmas lights switch-on for 2024

Seaford Town Council will be organising its Christmas lights switch-on for this year, which will take place on Saturday, November 30.

A children's lantern parade will be leaving from Mercread Road at 5.15pm to arrive at Broad Street for the switch-on at 5.30pm.

Seaford's Mayor and Santa will be switching on the lights as part of the ceremony.