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🐦 Crafts, Fayres & Christmas Cheer

🐦 Crafts, Fayres & Christmas Cheer

From handmade gifts to side-splitting comedy, and gingerbread baking to Michelin dining.

Ben Watkins
December 05, 2025

Happy Friday, Brighton!

It’s another big winter weekend as Kemptown Village Market is back alongside even more festive markets and fayres. Plus, we’ve got a workshop for every mood and every age: get crafting with wreath making, build a gingerbread house, or master a shadow lantern. And fancy a gourmet winter meal? We’ve got the perfect spot, a well-deserved spotlight on The Flint House, one of the city’s most loved Michelin-listed restaurants.

Here’s what’s squawking this week:

🧵 Festive markets, fayres, grottos, and a magical concert
🎨 8 Christmas crafts, baking and creative workshops
🌟 One of the best-rated restaurants in the city
🎭 A bumper pack of comedy, theatre, live music and family events

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5/12/25 - 7/12/25
Sponsred by Flowkey

🧵 Etsy Christmas Fair

⏰ Sat, 10am-4pm
📍 Brighton Dome

A huge curated Christmas market showcasing over 90 local makers, artists and indie brands. Expect stylish gifts, handmade treasures and a buzzing festive atmosphere.
🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎤 Dara O’Briain: Re:Creation

⏰ Sat, 8pm
📍 Brighton Dome

One of Britain's sharpest comedians returns with a fast-paced evening of storytelling and quick-fire wit. A guaranteed big-ticket night out at the Dome.
🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎄 Christmas Tree Festival & Christmas Fayre

⏰ Sat & Sun, 10am-4pm
📍 Church of the Good Shepherd

Wander through over 20 decorated Christmas trees created by local groups and charities. From noon, browse the adjoining festive fayre with stalls, crafts, games and hot food.
🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎻 The Music of Harry Potter

⏰ Sat, 7:30pm
📍 St George’s Church, Brighton

A magical concert featuring iconic music from the Harry Potter films performed by the Mystery Ensemble. A cinematic, atmospheric evening for fantasy and film fans.
🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎄 PLATF9RM Christmas Market

⏰ Sat, 11am-5pm
📍 PLATF9RM, Hove

A festive pop-up market showcasing unique handmade gifts and locally crafted treasures. A great spot for last-minute Christmas shopping with community spirit.
🎟️ More Info

🛍️ Kemptown Village Food & Maker’s Market

⏰ Sat, 10am-3pm
📍 Brighton College

A lively monthly market filled with bakers, food producers, crafters and local makers. A perfect Saturday stop-in for festive treats and artisan finds.
🎟️ More Info

🎭 Franky

⏰ Sun, 11am
📍 Komedia

A joyful family theatre show following Prof Frankenstein and her lightning-born creation, Franky. A heartwarming story about belonging, friendship and winning over the neighbours.
🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎨 Brighton Toy Museum Festive Fayre

⏰ Sun, 11am-4pm
📍 Brighton Toy & Model Museum

A magical festive showcase of local makers, handmade gifts and seasonal delights inside one of Brighton’s most enchanting spaces. Meet Father Christmas and explore stalls throughout the museum.
🎟️ More Info

🎭 Like Minded Friends (Tom Allen & Suzi Ruffell)

⏰ Sun, 7:30pm
📍 Brighton Dome

The hit podcast comes to the stage for a festive evening of comedy, culture chat and queer-flavoured chaos. Expect sharp banter, big laughs and plenty of personality.
🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎅 Santa’s Grotto

⏰ Sun, 12pm-6pm
📍 Shelter Hall

Meet Santa and his elves in a cosy seaside grotto with gifts for children and festive photo moments. A lovely family-friendly stop for Sunday Christmas magic.
🎟️ More Info

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🧵 Tis’ The Season for Arts, Crafts & Baking

Brighton is bursting with crafty, cosy and creative workshops this weekend, from snowy winter boxes for little ones to festive cocktails, gingerbread houses and handmade wreaths. Whether you want something family-friendly, foodie or just something soothing and seasonal, there’s a class for every mood:

🎨 Crafty Christmas: Wonderful Winter in a Box
Saturday, 11am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm @ Brighton Dome
Create a snowy winter scene together using natural materials, surprises and lots of imagination. Designed for children 3+ with their grown ups.
More Info

🍸 Festive Cocktail Workshop with Mixologist Chris
Saturday, 6pm to 7.30pm @ Fabrica, Duke Street
A 90 minute festive cocktail class where you’ll mix, shake and sip two seasonal drinks guided by an expert mixologist.
More Info

🧸 Ted Camp: Adopt a Teddy
Saturday, 10am to 6pm @ Puzzle Bored, 27 New Road
Meet over 100 soft toys, adopt your favourite, make a label and take home your new friend complete with an adoption certificate.
More Info

🌙 Crafty Christmas: Fabulous Festive Shadow Lanterns
Sunday, 11am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm @ Brighton Dome
Make a magical silhouette lantern to brighten winter evenings. Family friendly and suitable for children 3+ with adults.
More Info

🍞 Amazing Artisan Homemade Bread Class
Saturday, 12pm to 5.30pm @ Open Bakery
A hands on bakery masterclass where you’ll learn to make focaccia, brioche buns, farmhouse loaves and more. Lunch included.
More Info

🌿 Christmas Wreath Making at The Chimney House
Saturday, 11am to 1pm @ The Chimney House, 28 Upper Hamilton Road
Create a beautiful fresh wreath with expert guidance, lush foliage, ribbons and festive adornments inside The Snug.
More Info

🎄 Merry and Bright Bauble Making
Saturday, 1pm to 3pm @ Yellow Book Bar
Bauble decorating, pom pom charms and festive craft fun in a warm creative setting with friendly facilitators.
More Info

🏠 Gingerbread House Workshop with Jürgen Krauss
Sunday, 1pm to 5.30pm @ Open Bakery, 63 Saint George's Road
Build and decorate your own gingerbread house alongside Great British Bake Off favourite Jürgen Krauss, complete with patisserie break.
More Info

🌟 The Flint House

Right in the middle of the Lanes sits The Flint House, the stylish Bib Gourmand spot from Ben and Pamela McKellar of the Gingerman group (Ginger Fox & Ginger Pig). It is a sleek mix of counter dining, small plates, and a first-floor cocktail bar, all tucked inside a beautifully restored red brick and flint building. Michelin calls it a place where “colourful small plates burst with freshness and flavour,” with their award signifying ‘good quality, good value cooking’.

Expect a menu built around simple, seasonal cooking with global nudges, poured over from the open kitchen that runs the length of the main room. Lunchtime turns into an easy glide of plates and wines by the glass, and evenings often drift upstairs to the bar or the rooftop terrace for cocktails with a view. Current menu highlights include Chicken Schnitzel with Sticky Cranberries, Almonds, and Rocket and for vegetarians, their Honey Roast Squash, Whipped Feta, Spiced Pumpkin Seeds and Micro Rocket.

The Flint House has earned accolades from top food critics over recent years for good reason, delivering thoughtful cooking, top-tier service, and a quietly glamorous space that works for long lunches, date nights, or celebratory evenings without the usual high prices of other Michelin-listed spots in the city.

📍 13 Hanningtons Lane, The Lanes
🍽️ Open daily from 12pm to 10pm
🔗 Book a Table & View Menus

5/12/25 - 7/12/25

General Events

🍝 Create Your Own Winter Pasta Supper Club
Fri, 6pm @ Open Bakery
Make a winter pasta feast together and enjoy it over wine. More Info

🎭 Filthy Fridays Christmas Special
Fri, 8pm @ Nautilus Lounge
A festive comedy night topped by headliner Mark Silcox. Tickets

🎷 Jazz at St Andrew’s: Simon Savage
Fri, 5:30pm @ St Andrew’s Church
A bebop concert featuring original works by Roy Hilton. More Info

🎨 Take The Streets
Fri, 7pm @ Helm Gallery
DJs, tattooing and cocktails in a weekly celebration of art and community. More Info

🎭 Here & Now - The Steps Musical
Fri, 7:30pm @ Theatre Royal
A feel-good musical packed with Steps hits. More Info

🎨 Shoreham Christmas Makers Fair
Sat, 10am-3:30pm @ The Shoreham Centre
A curated fair with 50 makers, workshops and festive activities. More Info

🎨 Puffin House Christmas Arts & Crafts Open House
Sat, 10:30am-4:30pm @ 187 Brighton Rd
Browse local art, gifts and handmade items while supporting Autism Awareness. More Info

🎭 Baubles, Boas & Bells (Burlesque)
Sat, 7:30pm @ Wagner Hall
A glamorous festive burlesque night with drag host Davina Sparkle. More Info

🎨 Haus of Lucy Festive Pop-Up
Sat, various times @ Gallery40
A quirky festive gift shop and art exhibition with affordable gifts.

🎨 Brighton Art Space - Open Studio Weekend
Sat, 11am-6pm @ Brighton Art Space
Creative studios open their doors with art, prints, textiles and more. More Info

🎄 Fabrica Festive Weekender
Sat, 1pm-11pm @ Fabrica
A cosy festive bar with crafts, music and seasonal drinks. More Info

🎼 University of Sussex Symphony Orchestra: Winter Concert 2025
Sat 6 Dec, 7:30pm @ ACCA, University of Sussex
A powerful winter programme featuring Vaughan Williams, Grainger, Bloch and Sibelius. More Info

🕯️ Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi
Sat, 9pm @ Royal Pavilion
A candlelit tribute to Studio Ghibli music by string quartet. More Info

🎵 Richard Durrant: Songs of the Solstice
Sun, 2:30pm-4:30pm @ Ropetackle Arts Centre
A warm seasonal concert with musicians Daisy and Django Durrant. More Info

💽 First Press Record Fair
Sun, 12pm-4pm @ The Prince Albert
Vinyl sellers and DJs broadcasting live from Slack City Radio. More Info

🤣 Lorraine Bowen: Christmas Crackers
Sun, 2:30pm @ Ironworks Studios
A colourful, musical, comedic festive show from the Crumble Lady. More Info

😂 Mike Rice: Cruel Little Man
Sun, 8pm-10pm @ The Forge Comedy Club
A sharp, storytelling-driven stand-up hour from Mike Rice. More Info

🎤 Clare Summerskill Presents: Why God Created Lesbians!
Sun, 8pm @ Komedia
A witty, insightful one-woman show exploring queer identity through songs, stand-up and storytelling. More Info

🎧 In Support Of The Island - Fundraiser
Sun, 4pm-12am @ The Volks
A Drum & Bass fundraiser supporting relief efforts in Jamaica. Tickets

Family Events

🎅 Santa And The Pirates
Fri, 4pm and Sat 10am @ Ropetackle Arts Centre
A fun festive adventure with pirates and snow. More Info

🎄 Carols in the Park
Fri, 6pm @ Queen’s Park
A community evening with band, choir, mulled wine and mince pies. More Info

🤣 Comedy Club 4 Kids
Sat, 1pm @ Komedia
Family-friendly comedy with the best stand-ups performing clean sets. More Info

🎁 Santa’s Grotto
Sun, 12pm-6pm @ Shelter Hall
Meet Santa and receive a special festive gift. More Info

Live Music