Experience the best of the holidays in Chichester with our comprehensive holiday guide. For those born and raised in Chichester and those just arrived, our guide is your holiday handbook.
Popular events during this festive season include Tilgate Park's Magical Christmas, where visitors can wander through enchanting light displays and festive decorations. Additionally, Leonardslee Gardens Illuminated showcases stunning gardens adorned with twinkling lights, offering a serene and magical atmosphere. And the Hey Christmas Tree at Chichester Festival Theatre is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring delightful performances that capture the essence of the holiday spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Chichester
- Tilgate Park's Magical Christmas (Crawley)
- Leonardslee Gardens Illuminated (Lower Beeding)
- Magical Ice Rink at Tilgate Park (Crawley)
- Brunch with Santa at Tilgate Park (Crawley)
- Christmas Lights Switch On in Chichester
- Christmas Market at Tilgate Park (Crawley)
- Hey Christmas Tree at Chichester Festival Theatre
- Christmas Market at Chichester Cathedral
- Christmas Trail at Haywards Heath (Haywards Heath)
- Midhurst Christmas Events (Midhurst)
See these and even more events listed below!
Chichester Holiday Light Displays
Leonardslee Gardens Illuminated
What to Expect:
Interactive light and sound trail through historic gardens.
Description:
Walk through the beautifully landscaped Grade I listed gardens of Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens as they come alive with spellbinding illuminations, projections, and interactive installations. The trail features a spectacular winter display of light, sound, and colour, with a variety of seasonal food and drink options available before and after the trail. Enjoy the thrill of funfair rides and browse the Christmas Market for festive treats.
Where: Lower Beeding | More Info: Leonardslee Gardens Illuminated
Christmas Lights Switch On in Chichester
What to Expect:
Grand countdown to illuminate Chichester's lights with live music and a Light Parade.
Description:
Join Chichester for a spectacular Christmas Lights Switch On event, featuring a Light Parade along North Street, live music by the Chichester City Band and Chichester Singers, and the blessing of the Christmas tree by Reverend Canon Simon Holland. Local heroes will lead the grand countdown to illuminate the town's lights.
Where: Chichester | More Info: Christmas Lights Switch On in Chichester
Christmas Trail at Haywards Heath
What to Expect:
Award-winning lantern trail with exclusive installations and an enchanting Christmas Eve date.
Description:
Explore Wakehurst's woodland trail illuminated by over a thousand handcrafted lanterns and light installations, featuring iconic Christmas tree, giant flying owl, and fiery hidden dragon. Enjoy delicious street food, artisan marshmallows, and Christmas shopping at the Gift Shop and Plant Centre.
Where: Haywards Heath | More Info: Christmas Trail at Haywards Heath
Chichester Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Market at Tilgate Park
What to Expect:
Christmas market with Santa's Grotto and local crafts.
Description:
Tilgate Park's Christmas Market offers a variety of seasonal goods, local crafts, and delicious food in a beautifully decorated setting. The event features Santa's Grotto, an elves' workshop, and a Christmas market with table top sales and wooden winter huts selling gifts and treats.
Where: Crawley | More Info: Christmas Market at Tilgate Park
Festive Fun at Weald & Downland Living Museum
What to Expect:
Traditional Christmas celebration with local artisans and activities.
Description:
Immerse yourself in a traditional Christmas celebration at Weald & Downland Living Museum, featuring 100 stallholders showcasing local arts, crafts, and foods. Enjoy music, hands-on demonstrations, make-and-take activities for children and families, and meet Father Christmas. Explore historic houses and follow the Knucker the Dragon Christmas trail.
Where: Singleton | More Info: Festive Fun at Weald & Downland Living Museum
Midhurst Christmas Events
What to Expect:
Celebratory event with artisan gifts and late-night shopping.
Description:
Midhurst Christmas Street Party is an annual event that brings together local residents and visitors to celebrate the festive season. The event features great places to eat, shop, and admire the amazing Christmas window displays created by local businesses.
Where: Midhurst | More Info: Midhurst Christmas Events
Christmas Market at Chichester Cathedral
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local craftsmanship and cathedral ambiance.
Description:
Chichester Cathedral hosts a Christmas Market featuring handmade gifts, original art pieces, and seasonal items, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.
Where: Chichester | More Info: Christmas Market at Chichester Cathedral
Chichester Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Hey Christmas Tree at Chichester Festival Theatre
What to Expect:
Heart-warming tale of friendship and homecoming.
Description:
A heart-warming story about a tree rescued by a park ranger and a young girl, exploring the importance of friendship and home. The show features music and lyrics by Eamonn ODwyer, inspired by Michael Morpurgo's book "My Heart Was a Tree."
Where: Chichester | More Info: Hey Christmas Tree at Chichester Festival Theatre
Petworth Festival Literary Week
What to Expect:
Celebrating literature with top authors in a charming medieval town.
Description:
The Petworth Festival Literary Week is a premier literary event featuring a diverse lineup of renowned authors, including Joseph Coelho, William Boyd, and Anthony Horowitz. The festival offers a range of discussions, debates, and talks in various venues around Petworth, showcasing the town's rich cultural heritage.
Where: Petworth | More Info: Petworth Festival Literary Week
Magical Ice Rink at Tilgate Park
What to Expect:
Ice skating in a festive garden setting.
Description:
Ice skating at Tilgate Park offers a fun and active way to enjoy the festive season with family and friends. The rink is set amidst the beautifully decorated Walled Garden, providing a picturesque backdrop for your skating experience.
Where: Crawley | More Info: Magical Ice Rink at Tilgate Park
Chichester Other Holiday Activities
Tilgate Park's Magical Christmas
What to Expect:
Santa's Grotto and festive activities in a beautifully decorated garden.
Description:
Tilgate Park's Magical Christmas transforms the Walled Garden into a vibrant winter setting with Santa, festive food, and bookable experiences.
Where: Crawley | More Info: Tilgate Park's Magical Christmas
Green Father Christmas at Weald & Downland Living Museum
What to Expect:
Traditional Christmas celebration with historical settings and activities.
Description:
At the Weald & Downland Living Museum, immerse yourself in a traditional Christmas celebration with the Advent Christmas event and Tree Dressing day. Explore historic buildings and gardens, and engage with traditional trades and crafts.
Where: Singleton | More Info: Green Father Christmas at Weald & Downland Living Museum
Brunch with Santa at Tilgate Park
What to Expect:
Interactive breakfast experience with Father Christmas.
Description:
Brunch with Santa at Tilgate Park offers children a story with Father Christmas, a gift of their choice, and a cooked breakfast in a festive setting.
Where: Crawley | More Info: Brunch with Santa at Tilgate Park
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Bognor Regis (6 miles)
- Havant (9 miles)
- Littlehampton (11 miles)
- Waterlooville (11 miles)
- Portsmouth (14 miles)
- Gosport (16 miles)
- Fareham (17 miles)
- Worthing (18 miles)
- Ryde (18 miles)
- Bordon (19 miles)
- Sandown (21 miles)
- Cowes (23 miles)
- Newport (24 miles)
- Horsham (25 miles)
- Godalming (25 miles)
- Farnham (26 miles)
- Eastleigh (26 miles)
- Hove (27 miles)
- Hythe (27 miles)
- Southampton (28 miles)
- Brighton (28 miles)
- Winchester (28 miles)
- Aldershot (28 miles)
- Guildford (29 miles)
- Burgess Hill (29 miles)
- Fleet (31 miles)
- Totton (31 miles)
- Rottingdean (32 miles)
- Haywards Heath (32 miles)
- Farnborough (32 miles)
- Crawley (32 miles)
- Basingstoke (32 miles)
- Camberley (35 miles)
- Woking (35 miles)
- Yateley (35 miles)
- Sandhurst (35 miles)
- Horley (36 miles)
- Crowthorne (37 miles)
- Leatherhead (37 miles)
- Reigate (37 miles)
- Redhill (38 miles)
- Seaford (39 miles)
- East Grinstead (39 miles)
- New Milton (39 miles)
- Wokingham (40 miles)
- Bracknell (40 miles)
- Andover (40 miles)
- Epsom (41 miles)
- Esher (41 miles)
- Walton-on-Thames (41 miles)
- Lower Earley (41 miles)
- Banstead (42 miles)
- Sunbury-on-Thames (42 miles)
- Ewell (42 miles)
- Egham (42 miles)
- Staines (43 miles)
- Caterham (43 miles)
- Coulsdon (43 miles)
- Ashford (43 miles)
- Sutton (43 miles)
- Reading (44 miles)
- Surbiton (44 miles)
- Crowborough (44 miles)
- Christchurch (44 miles)
- Thatcham (44 miles)
- Hanworth (45 miles)
- New Malden (45 miles)