Plan your holiday adventure in Eastbourne with our detailed guide. Whether Eastbourne is your lifelong home or your holiday escape, this guide maximizes your seasonal joy.
This season, experience the enchantment of the Eastbourne Christmas Lights and Giant Interactive LED Tree Switch On, a festive spectacle that transforms the town into a winter wonderland. Plus, enjoy the vibrant sounds and rhythms at the Rhythm of the Dance Christmas Special, where traditional Irish music meets contemporary dance. And the That’ll Be The Day’s Christmas Show is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a delightful mix of classic hits and festive entertainment. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Eastbourne
- Eastbourne Christmas Lights and Giant Interactive LED Tree Switch On
- Rhythm of the Dance Christmas Special
- That’ll Be The Day’s Christmas Show
- The Snowman with Live Orchestra
- Little Chelsea Street Party and Christmas Market
- Glow Marwell (Colden Common, Winchester)
- Bedgebury Christmas Lights (Tunbridge Wells)
- Bewl Water Christmas Event (Tunbridge Wells)
- Chiddingstone Castle Afternoon Tea with Father Christmas (Chiddingstone)
- Priory Farm Father Christmas Experience (Nutfield)
See these and even more events listed below!
Eastbourne Holiday Light Displays
Eastbourne Christmas Lights and Giant Interactive LED Tree Switch On
What to Expect:
Interactive LED tree with moving light displays.
Description:
Eastbourne's Christmas lights and giant interactive LED tree come alive with late-night shopping, entertainment, and a bustling market. The event features a Live Music Stage, street food including Hog Roast and Mulled Wine, and a vibrant Christmas market.
Where: Eastbourne | More Info: Eastbourne Christmas Lights and Giant Interactive LED Tree Switch On
Bedgebury Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Illuminated trail with award-winning light displays and festive sounds.
Description:
Bedgebury Christmas Lights feature over a million twinkling lights and seasonal sounds, creating a festive atmosphere with iconic conifers, sparkling tunnels, and a glimpse of Father Christmas.
Where: Tunbridge Wells | More Info: Bedgebury Christmas Lights
Leonardslee Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light and sound installations in a scenic garden setting.
Description:
Explore the beautifully lit woodland gardens at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, featuring a new winter trail with impressive installations and seasonal food and drink options.
Where: Lower Beeding, Horsham | More Info: Leonardslee Lights
Windsor Great Park Illuminated
What to Expect:
Dazzling light trail with new installations and reimagined projections.
Description:
Windsor Great Park Illuminated features a dazzling light trail with new installations and reimagined projections, set amidst the woodland and water of Windsor Great Park. The event includes a forest trail filled with music and light, where woodland creatures come to life, and offers cozy rest stops with delicious food, mulled wine, and hot chocolate.
Where: Englefield Green | More Info: Windsor Great Park Illuminated
Hever Castle Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas Trail with beloved characters.
Description:
Hever Castle Christmas offers a seasonal experience celebrating 10 years of festive joy. Enjoy reimagined classic tales on the Christmas Trail, meet beloved characters, and explore beautifully decorated rooms. The grounds are transformed with festive lights, and you can enjoy shopping, dining, and fairground rides.
Where: Edenbridge | More Info: Hever Castle Christmas
Marlow Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular Christmas lights display with stilt walkers and festive entertainment.
Description:
Marlow's Christmas Lights Switch On features a spectacular display of lights, stilt walkers, and festive entertainment along Marlow High Street.
Where: Marlow | More Info: Marlow Christmas Lights
Eastbourne Holiday Markets and Shopping
Little Chelsea Street Party and Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local vendors and festive decorations.
Description:
Little Chelsea Street Party and Christmas Market is a vibrant celebration featuring local vendors, festive decorations, and holiday shopping opportunities.
Where: Eastbourne | More Info: Little Chelsea Street Party and Christmas Market
Waddesdon Christmas
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with Sleeping Beauty-inspired decorations and light projections.
Description:
Waddesdon Manor transforms into a captivating holiday destination with beautifully decorated interiors, new light projections on the Manor façade, and a glittering light trail in the gardens. The event features a Christmas Fair with hand-selected artisan stalls and a Food Village offering takeaway food and drink. Inspired by the tale of Sleeping Beauty, the house and grounds are filled with immersive displays and installations.
Where: Aylesbury | More Info: Waddesdon Christmas
Eastbourne Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Rhythm of the Dance Christmas Special
What to Expect:
Irish-themed dance performance with world-class musicians.
Description:
Rhythm of the Dance Christmas Special features world-class musicians, star vocalists, and world champion dancers performing all your favorite festive songs in an Irish-inspired celebration.
Where: Eastbourne | More Info: Rhythm of the Dance Christmas Special
That’ll Be The Day’s Christmas Show
What to Expect:
Hilarious comedy sketches and heartwarming renditions of Christmas songs.
Description:
That’ll Be The Day’s Christmas Show features hilarious comedy sketches and heartwarming renditions of all your favorite Christmas songs, blending well-known festive classics with modern hits in a delightful musical journey.
Where: Eastbourne | More Info: That’ll Be The Day’s Christmas Show
The Snowman with Live Orchestra
What to Expect:
Live orchestral performance of a beloved animated classic.
Description:
The Snowman with Live Orchestra is a heartwarming adaptation of Raymond Briggs' classic tale, featuring Howard Blake's iconic score performed by Orpheus Sinfonia. The event includes a BAFTA-winning animated film and a brand-new work, Fred and Fantastic Tub-Tub, narrated by Zeb Soanes.
Where: Eastbourne | More Info: The Snowman with Live Orchestra
Priory Farm Father Christmas Experience
What to Expect:
Immersive theatrical experience with a musical journey.
Description:
At Priory Farm, embark on a theatrical journey to meet Father Christmas. Through storytelling and song, you'll help save Christmas by making the stars shine bright again. The experience includes a musical adventure with new Christmas friends and a special gift from Father Christmas.
Where: Nutfield | More Info: Priory Farm Father Christmas Experience
Eastbourne Other Holiday Activities
Glow Marwell
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Glow Marwell is an immersive event featuring synchronized light and sound displays across the zoo, creating a unique and captivating atmosphere.
Where: Colden Common, Winchester | More Info: Glow Marwell
Bewl Water Christmas Event
What to Expect:
Immersive Christmas activities with interactive workshops and character meet-and-greets.
Description:
At Bewl Water, families embark on an immersive Christmas journey through enchanted woodlands and mystical wonderlands, featuring activities like the Elf Hunt, UV Elf Portal, and visits to Santa's Post Office and Mrs. Claus' Bakery.
Where: Tunbridge Wells | More Info: Bewl Water Christmas Event
Chiddingstone Castle Afternoon Tea with Father Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling and festive trail with Father Christmas.
Description:
Join Father Christmas for a special storytime in the White Rose Room, followed by a delightful afternoon tea in the Great Hall. Enjoy a delightful meal while Father Christmas greets each table individually, handing out goody bags to the children. After dining, embark on a festive trail to help complete Denys's Christmas list and get creative in the Christmas craft marquee.
Where: Chiddingstone | More Info: Chiddingstone Castle Afternoon Tea with Father Christmas
Tulleys Christmas Experience
What to Expect:
Interactive festive activities with Santa and ice skating.
Description:
Tulleys Christmas Experience is a family-friendly event set within the beautiful woodland grounds of Tulleys Farm. It features a Santa Experience, ice skating, gingerbread decorating, and various festive activities.
Where: Crawley | More Info: Tulleys Christmas Experience
Borde Hill Santa Grotto Experience
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas story trail and Santa's grotto with festive crafts.
Description:
At Borde Hill, children can explore the Garden on a Christmas story trail and visit Santa in his grotto, where each child receives a Christmas gift. The event includes festive crafts in Santa's Workshop and an enchanting winter walk with stunning views.
Where: Haywards Heath | More Info: Borde Hill Santa Grotto Experience
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Seaford (8 miles)
- Bexhill-on-Sea (10 miles)
- Hastings (14 miles)
- Rottingdean (15 miles)
- Brighton (19 miles)
- Hove (20 miles)
- Crowborough (21 miles)
- Burgess Hill (22 miles)
- Haywards Heath (23 miles)
- Royal Tunbridge Wells (25 miles)
- East Grinstead (28 miles)
- Worthing (29 miles)
- Tonbridge (29 miles)
- Crawley (31 miles)
- Horsham (34 miles)
- Horley (34 miles)
- Sevenoaks (35 miles)
- Maidstone (36 miles)
- Littlehampton (36 miles)
- Redhill (38 miles)
- Reigate (39 miles)
- Caterham (39 miles)
- Bognor Regis (42 miles)
- Coulsdon (42 miles)
- Purley (43 miles)
- Chatham (43 miles)
- Swanley (44 miles)
- Banstead (44 miles)
- Rochester (44 miles)
- Strood (44 miles)
- Sittingbourne (44 miles)
- Folkestone (44 miles)
- South Croydon (44 miles)
- Gillingham (44 miles)