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🐦 Festive Fairs, Truffles and Tunes

🐦 Festive Fairs, Truffles and Tunes

Packed with festive shopping, indie makers, improv nights and big weekend shows

Ben Watkins
November 21, 2025

Happy Friday Brighton!

It’s starting to get properly festive (and cold!) with winter markets popping up across the city, plus great picks for food lovers, families and anyone getting ahead on the dreaded late-Christmas rush. The weekend also brings big-name gigs like Gary Numan, cosy community fairs and a fresh batch of comedy, theatre and family fun to dip into.

Here’s what’s squawking this week:

🛍 Makers fairs and festive markets across Brighton, Hove and Lewes
🍄 A truffle-filled day out at Plumpton Racecourse
😂 A lively mix of comedy, improv and fringe theatre
💽 A Hove record shop with a new hi-fi basement and dedicated listening room

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21/11/25-23/11/25
Events marked with a * are sponsored

⛄️ Grand Winter Makers Fair at The British Engineerium

⏰ Sat-Sun, 10.30am-4.30pm
📍 The British Engineerium, Hove

A huge curated makers fair bringing together over 140 independent artisans inside a stunning Victorian landmark. A perfect weekend wander for discovering original art, gifts and beautifully crafted pieces.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🧵 Designer and Maker Fair

⏰ Sat-Sun
📍 Charleston, Lewes

A thoughtfully curated winter market featuring sustainable textiles, ceramics, homewares and gifts from over 30 local designers. A laid back festive shopping weekend set within Charleston’s creative surroundings.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🍄 The Great British Truffle Festival

⏰ Sat, 10am-7pm
📍 Plumpton Racecourse

A one-of-a-kind celebration of Britain’s truffle scene with tastings, chef demos, talks and truffle hound competitions. Ideal for food lovers, dog fans and anyone curious about this deliciously earthy world.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🧶 Christmas & Craft Fair

⏰ Sat, 10.30am-2pm
📍 Stanford Avenue Methodist Church

A cosy community craft fair packed with handmade gifts, festive decorations and local creations. Expect relaxed browsing, friendly stalls and plenty of Christmas cheer.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🛍 BOM: Christmas Food & Drink Market

⏰ Sat, 10.30am-5pm
📍 Brighton Open Market

A bustling festive market with local food producers, makers and over 80 stalls of seasonal treats and gifts. A great spot for Christmas shopping and supporting Brighton independents.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

😂 The Comedy Experiment

⏰ Sat, 4pm-6.30pm
📍 Caroline of Brunswick

A lively Saturday afternoon comedy show featuring surprise TV comedians and a relaxed pay-what-you-feel setup. A brilliant pick if you want laughs before the evening crowds arrive.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🍦 Sundae Club

⏰ Sun, 12.30pm
📍 Komedia

A fun-filled afternoon for kids aged 2 to 8 with theatre, crafts, live music and of course, ice cream sundaes. A joyful family pick that mixes creativity, play and relaxed weekend vibes.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

🎁 Christmas Art & Gift Market

⏰ Sat, 11am-5pm
📍 St George’s Church, Kemptown

A charming festive market showcasing art, prints, cards and handmade gifts from local artists and makers. A warm, community-focused event perfect for picking up thoughtful presents.

🎟️ Tickets & More Info

*This is a sponsored section

💽 Capsule Records

Capsule Records opened in Hove in 2023, and with their laid-back cafe/record shop atmosphere, it quickly became the area’s preferred music destination for music buffs and casual listeners alike. Much more than your regular record shop, it’s a space centred around the discovery of new music with QR codes on every album so you can listen and learn more about the artist, all with their friendly and knowledgeable team on hand.

This Saturday, the team is unveiling their newly renovated basement, expanding their dedication to audio. The new area spotlights high-fidelity equipment, thanks to a partnership between Capsule and Henley Audio, featuring Pro-Ject turntables and a dedicated listening room equipped with a best-in-class system from Sussex-based Audio Note. It’s a space designed for music lovers to try out an array of different turntables and speaker combinations before deciding what to buy.

From tomorrow, the new floor will be open to visitors to experience the listening room while enjoying coffee or alcoholic drinks, all while discussing music with the enthusiastic staff. Capsule Records reinforces its role at the heart of Hove’s music scene by offering high-quality sound, hands-on guidance, and a space that welcomes both beginners and seasoned collectors alike.

📍 37 Western Road, Hove
⏰ Open Tuesday - Sunday (times vary)
🔗 More Info & Online Store
📷 Follow on Instagram

🌊 Sea Lanes

If you’re looking for a festive plan with ocean views and proper Sussex-by-the-Sea vibes, then Sea Lanes is your definitive pick. Their shoreline home is already the place for (now very chilly, but refreshing) sunrise swims, strong coffee, and cold beers, but this winter, they are adding a sprinkle of festivity to the seafront.

Food-wise, you can start the day with FIKA’s legendary brunch and breakfast plates, or go for something smaller with the classic pastries and coffee, perfect after an icy swim. By noon and into the evening, Wood X Coal takes over with flame-grilled dishes, smoky winter flavours, and hearty BBQ plates built for sharing. Add a pint or cocktail from Bison Beer next door, find a seat overlooking the water, and you’re sorted.

Spend laid-back weekends at Sea Lanes with indulgent brunches, flavour-packed feasts, and drinks from Bison Beer, all enjoyed with unbeatable seafront vibes in Brighton. Between relaxing sauna sessions at the Luna Hut and the free Winter Swim Challenge 2025, there’s plenty to eat, unwind, and explore by the sea.

📍 300 Madeira Drive, BN2
🍽️ 7 Days a week, 7am-8pm
🔗 More Info, Menus & Bookings

21/11/25-23/11/25
Events marked with a * are sponsored

General Events

🍷 Butler’s Christmas Wine Festival
Fri, 6pm-7.30pm @ St Mary’s Church, Kemp Town
A festive wine tasting evening hosted by Butler’s Wine Cellar. More Info

🎭 Second Chance Fringe! Provocateur by Letitia Delish
Fri, 7pm @ The Lantern Theatre
A bold, acclaimed Fringe show exploring identity, power and performance returns for a second run. More Info

🎵 Tune-Yards (Support: LuxJury)
Fri, 8pm @ Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts
Experimental duo Tune-Yards return with new music plus support from indie-pop trio LuxJury. More Info

😂 Komedia Comedy Club
Fri, 8pm @ Komedia
Komedia’s flagship triple-headliner night featuring top circuit comics and an MC. More Info

🧵 Designer and Maker Fair
Sat-Sun @ Charleston, Lewes
A winter fair with sustainable textiles, ceramics, homewares and gifts from 30+ local makers. More Info

🎶 The Spirit of Acid Jazz Rewind Event
Sat, 4.30pm-10.30pm @ Waterbear Venue
An all day vinyl party celebrating the Acid Jazz era with funk, soul and hip hop. More Info

💃 Disco Inferno-Keeps On Burnin'
Sat, 7.30pm @ Saltdean Lido
A retro disco night with classic 70s and 80s anthems at the restored art deco Lido. More Info

🍸 Sip, Sculpt & Socialise
Sat, 2.30pm-4.30pm @ Revolution Brighton
A creative pottery session with cocktails, clay and weekend vibes. More Info

🎭 Romiet (Second Chance Fringe)
Sat, 7pm @ The Lantern Theatre
A playful reimagining of Romeo and Juliet meeting again years later, now with a drag twist. More Info

👻 The Woman in Black
Sat, 2.30pm & 7.30pm @ Theatre Royal Brighton
The legendary stage thriller returns with its chilling storytelling and atmospheric staging. More Info

🎭 rapid unscheduled disassembly
Sun, 4.30pm-5.30pm @ The Actors
A poetic new play exploring motherhood, memory and keeping life together while falling apart. More Info

😂 The Noise Next Door: Furnace
Sun, 7pm-9pm @ Ironworks Studios
A high energy night of improv, special guests and chaos with the UK’s hottest improv troupe. More Info

Family Events

📚 Short Stories Tall Tales: Mouse and Sam’s Winter Holiday
Friday, 11.30am and 1.30pm @ Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham-by-Sea
Interactive storytelling for babies and toddlers with live performance and sensory play. More Info

🍦 Sundae Club
Sunday, 12.30pm @ Komedia
A three hour mix of theatre, crafts and live music for kids aged 2 to 8, plus sundaes and snacks. More Info

📚 Short Stories Tall Tales (Extra Saturday Session)
Saturday, 1.30pm-2.15pm @ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Another chance to enjoy Hannah Summers' engaging interactive storytelling. More Info

🎨 Skip's Family Workshop - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Saturday, 10.30am @ Theatre Royal Brighton
A themed creative workshop for families inspired by the magical Roald Dahl classic. More Info

🧠 Quest for the Coolest Animal In The World (5-11yrs)
Saturday, 2pm-3pm @ Secret Comedy Club
A science comedy adventure exploring the coolest animals with comedian Robyn Perkins. More Info

🦾 Run, Robot, Run!
Saturday, 12pm-5pm @ Mid Street Lab
A fun futurist family exhibition with animation, digital art and robotics. More Info

🎅 Festive Santa’s Grotto 2025
Sunday, 1.30pm-4.10pm @ Dobbies Brighton
A magical North Pole adventure ending in a meet with Santa and a special gift. More Info

🎄 Breakfast with the Naughty Elves
Sunday, 9am-11am @ The Ivy in the Lanes
A festive breakfast with Santa’s cheekiest elves, crafts, mischief and family gifts. More Info

Live Music