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🎅 Santa, pantos & Christmas events for children in Brighton (2026)

Brighton’s Christmas for children now centres on the new Christmas market in Valley Gardens opposite the Royal Pavilion, open daily from 26 November to 27 December. There is no Royal Pavilion ice rink listed for 2026; the council says a rink returns at the Old Steine in 2027. Indoors, the Theatre Royal’s Christmas Cracker suits 3 to 8 year olds and Brighton Dome shows The Snowman with a live orchestra, including a relaxed matinee. Further out, Drusillas, Borde Hill and the Bluebell Railway’s Santa Specials are the big Santa trips, and Drusillas warns its Santa tickets often sell out.

Christmas events in and around Brighton

  • Santa's Grotto at Dobbies Brighton
    📅 Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec · Booked 10-minute slots; times vary by day (for example weekends 10am to about 5.30pm)
    Santa & Christmas · Woodingdean

    Children walk through a little North Pole village with a wishing well and Penguin Post Office, then spend a few minutes with Santa. Each ticketed child takes home a penguin soft toy.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Santa in the Sky
    📅 Sat 12 Dec – Thu 24 Dec · Flights 11am/12pm (Sat 11.30am/12.30pm); evening story flight 4.30pm; Santa's Breakfast 9am on 12 and 19 Dec
    Santa & Christmas · Seafront

    Santa reads a Christmas story during a 30-minute ride up the tower. Afterwards children visit his grotto for a photo and a gift.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • The Christmas Cracker
    📅 Fri 18 Dec – Tue 22 Dec · Fri 2pm and 3.30pm; Sat and Sun 10am and 11.30am; Mon and Tue 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm
    Shows, theatre & panto · City centre

    A 50-minute show by FranHan Theatre in which children follow the elves around the theatre to Grandpa Elf's Christmas party.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • The Snowman with Live Orchestra
    📅 Sat 19 Dec · 1.30pm and 4.30pm
    Shows, theatre & panto · City centre

    The animated film of The Snowman shown on a big screen while an orchestra plays the score live.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • The Christmas Pier Show
    📅 Sun 20 Dec – Wed 23 Dec
    Shows, theatre & panto · Seafront

    A festive show on the pier with elves, wishes and a visit from Father Christmas.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Aladdin: Brighton's Family Pantomime
    📅 Tue 22 Dec – Wed 30 Dec
    Shows, theatre & panto · Seafront

    A traditional family panto staged in the hotel's events space on the seafront.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking

Know one that’s missing? It takes a minute, and we check each one before it goes on the map. Add an event

Tips from people who’ve been

  • Book Santa early: the best grotto times often sell out by mid-November.
  • Check what’s included: a gift, a photo, a craft or a story, and whether grown-ups pay too.
  • Ask about quiet or relaxed sessions if loud music, crowds or queues are hard for your child.
  • Weekday visits and the first slot of the day are usually calmer than weekends.
  • Pantos often have relaxed and signed performances: look for them when you book.

Warm indoor places near Brighton for a cold day

Within 20 km: Soft play: 4 · Museum & attraction: 24 · Swimming & leisure: 24 · Trampoline & inflatable park: 5 · Cinema: 7

Other places

Christmas with children 2026: Santa, pantos and lights · See everything on the map