🎄 Merry Christmas, Brighton & Hove!

As 2025 comes to a close, a huge thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting the Brighton Squawk in its very first year. What started as a small experiment in the summer has quickly turned into something genuinely special, and I can’t wait to build on it in 2026.

This is our final edition of the year before we take a short festive break. With so many days bundled together for the events section, today’s Squawk is a slimmer one due to email size limits, focused on just news and what’s on, before we’re back next year.

Wishing you a brilliant Christmas and a very happy New Year. See you in 2026!

Here's what's squawking this week:

🚌 New bus route backlash & calls for free tickets for Youth
📰 Scaffolding collapse in Hove & the first face-recognition arrest
📆 Full daily events breakdown from today until New Year’s
🎟️ Pantos, comedy, NYE events and the last of live music in 2025

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🚌 New 3X bus route faces backlash from residents

The route and 15-minute frequency of Brighton and Hove’s new 3X bus service have been criticised by residents in parts of Hove, with concerns raised about noise, privacy and limited consultation. Questions were also asked at full council about passenger numbers and whether the route justifies its level of funding. Transport lead Cllr Trevor Muten defended the service, saying it provides fast cross-city journeys, supports school travel and is attracting new passengers, while confirming the route will continue to be monitored.
→ read more on Brighton & Hove News

🚧 ‘Madness’ as scaffolding collapses onto cars in Hove

Scaffolding collapsed onto parked cars in First Avenue, Hove, during heavy rain, damaging several vehicles but injuring no one. Residents described the scene as dramatic and dangerous, with the area cordoned off while emergency services responded. Fire crews confirmed the site was made safe and handed back to contractors later the same afternoon.
→ read more on BBC News

🌫️ Nearly 2,000 back clean air pilot on Lewes Road

A petition calling for a clean air pilot scheme on Lewes Road was presented to Brighton and Hove City Council, highlighting concerns over pollution near schools, nurseries and medical centres. Neurologist Dr Sara Leddy warned of links between air pollution and dementia, urging urgent action. The council acknowledged health risks but stopped short of committing to a pilot scheme, despite calls from Green councillors for further scrutiny.
→ read more on Brighton & Hove News

👁️ First facial recognition arrest made in Brighton

Sussex Police have confirmed the first arrest resulting from live facial recognition technology in Brighton, with a 42-year-old man detained on suspicion of drug supply and organised crime offences. Police said images of people not on watchlists are instantly deleted and deployments are clearly signposted, as scrutiny continues over privacy and proportionality.
→ read more on Brighton & Hove News

🎓 Youth campaigners push for free bus travel for under-19s

More than 2,500 people have backed a petition calling for free bus travel for school and college students in Brighton and Hove. Youth council members told councillors that fares remain a barrier to education and safety, particularly at night. Council leaders said they support the aims but warned funding remains a major challenge amid wider budget pressures.
→ read more on Brighton & Hove News

Also in the news:

🧬 ‘First black Briton’ origins re-examined: New DNA analysis suggests the Roman-era “Beachy Head Lady” likely had local British ancestry, challenging earlier interpretations. → Read more on BBC News

📊 Brighton named a ‘beacon of hope’ for social mobility: A national report praised Brighton for positive economic growth, while warning that opportunity remains uneven across the UK. → Read more on The Argus

🍝 City’s oldest Italian restaurant to close: Casalingo in Preston Street will shut in February after 37 years, with owners Angelo and Geri Martinoli retiring. → Read more on The Argus

🎭 Audiences walk out of Brighton Christmas show: Viewers criticised a Wizard of Oz-themed Christmas production at the Brighton Centre as “awful”, with many leaving early and seeking refunds. → Read more on BBC News

🍺 New gastropub opening in city centre: Black Rock Restaurants is set to open Crazy Goose in January, taking over its former Coal Shed site on Boyce Street. → Read more on Brighton & Hove News

💷 Council needs £25m in savings by 2026: Brighton and Hove City Council is facing a £25m budget gap, driven largely by housing and adult social care costs. → Read more on The Argus

🏛️ Cabinet system row sparks heated debate: A campaigner questioning the legitimacy of the council’s cabinet system was accused of spreading misinformation by council leaders. → Read more on Brighton & Hove News

🏠 Residents warn of maintenance failures at Sylvan Hall: Tenants raised concerns over a lack of routine maintenance, including gutter cleaning, at a full council meeting. → Read more on The Argus

🏡 A Georgian Christmas

A Georgian-style manor built for big festive gatherings, long lunches and escaping relatives when needed. Set behind gates near Hurstpierpoint High Street, it has the elegant Georgian exterior but a luxurious and modern interior, plus South Downs views, a tennis court and a huge kitchen/living space to host Christmas on a truly grand scale.

📍 Albert Silsby Place, Hurstpierpoint
💰 £3,500,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

🎉 Komedia Comedy Club New Year’s Eve Special

📅 Weds 31 Dec, 7pm (doors 6pm)
📍 Komedia Brighton

See in the New Year in style at Komedia, in the heart of Brighton’s North Laine.

Enjoy top comedy from MC Robyn Perkins, Aideen McQueen, Muhsin Yesilada and Dana Alexander, with a glass of bubbly and some delicious food.

Book a joint ticket with Boogie Wonderland NYE 70s Disco and save up to £16! *

🎄 Multi-day & Ongoing Events (Dec 23-31)

🎭 Dick Whittington - Shoreham Panto
Various dates until NYE @ Ropetackle Centre, Shoreham
A joyful, original professional pantomime packed with laughs, adventure and family fun. More Info

🎪 FLIP Fabrique: Blizzard
Sat 27-Wed 31 Dec, various times @ Brighton Dome
A visually stunning circus and acrobatics show exploring winter, wonder and renewal. More Info

🎄 A Town Called Christmas
Until Tue 31 Dec, various times @ Brighton Dome
A magical festive theatre adventure for ages 3+ full of music, imagination and mayhem. More Info

🎶 Musicals Mayhem
Until Wed 24 Dec, various times @ Brighton Dome
Le Gateau Chocolat delivers a festive jukebox of musical theatre favourites. More Info

🎭 Sunny Afternoon
Until Sat 3 Jan @ Theatre Royal Brighton
The Olivier Award-winning musical telling the story of The Kinks and the sound of the 60s. More Info

🌲 Once Upon a Whispering Wood
Until Sat 3 Jan @ Theatre Royal Brighton
A heartwarming festive theatre show for younger audiences and families. More Info

🖼️ Play Back Forward Exhibition
Until Fri 20 Feb 2026 @ Hove Museum of Creativity
Exploring Brighton & Hove’s early film pioneers through archive and contemporary work. More Info

🎄 Hove Christmas Trail
Until Wed 31 Dec, daytime
A festive family trail encouraging shopping local with prizes to win. More Info

🕵️ Mince Spy Mystery
Selected dates until Wed 31 Dec @ Preston Manor
A festive whodunnit with escape-room style puzzles and mischievous elves. More Info

🎭 Jack and the Beanstalk: Brighton’s Giant Family Panto
Tue 23-Tue 30 Dec, 7pm @ DoubleTree Hilton Brighton Metropole
A classic festive family panto packed with laughs, magic beans and Fe-Fi-Fo-FUN. More Info

Tue 23/12

🎭 Long Nose Puppets: Flyaway Katie
11am & 2pm @ Komedia
A colourful, imaginative puppet show for ages 2-7 with a Meet the Puppets session. More Info

🎨 Wild Things: Carolyn Bew & Alison Coaten
All day @ Kellie Miller Arts
End-of-year exhibition celebrating imaginative characters and creatures. More Info

Wed 24/12

🎭 Long Nose Puppets: Flyaway Katie
11am & 2pm @ Komedia
A magical, music-filled puppet adventure bursting with colour and imagination. More Info

🕯️ Crib Service for Children
6pm-7.15pm @ Church of the Good Shepherd
A family-friendly Christmas story with dressing up, songs and hot chocolate. More Info

🪩 SeshMas Eve with Nicky Blackmarket
11pm-5am @ The Volks
Drum & bass legend Nicky Blackmarket headlines this Christmas Eve rave. More Info

🎉 Xmas Eve Party
8pm-2am @ Black Lion
Festive dancefloor bangers and Christmas Eve chaos. More Info

Fri 26/12

🎷 Chris Coull’s Boxing Day Jazz with Alan Barnes
11am @ Ropetackle Centre, Shoreham
A special Boxing Day jazz concert featuring world-renowned saxophonist Alan Barnes. More Info

Sat 27/12

🎤 Rhiannon - The Fleetwood Mac Show
7.30pm @ Komedia
A sell-out returning live show celebrating Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hits. More Info

🎭 Fawlty Towers Revisited
From 2pm @ Holiday Inn Brighton Seafront
A comedy dining experience with Basil, Sybil and Manuel at their chaotic best. More Info

🎶 Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
7pm @ Royal Pavilion
Fleetwood Mac classics performed by string quartet in a candlelit setting. More Info

🎶 Candlelight: Coldplay & Ed Sheeran
9pm @ Royal Pavilion
A romantic candlelit concert reimagining modern pop favourites. More Info

🎭 The Comedy Experiment
4pm-6.30pm @ Caroline of Brunswick
Free afternoon comedy with a surprise TV comic and pay-what-you-feel laughs. More Info

🕺 Let’s Kill Disco: Decades of Dance Party Anthems
11pm @ CHALK
Brighton’s biggest throwback party spinning 80s, 90s and 00s anthems. More Info

Sun 28/12

🎶 Candlelight: Christmas Movie Soundtracks
7pm & 9pm @ Royal Pavilion
Iconic festive film scores performed live by string ensemble. More Info

Mon 29/12

🎨 FREE Mindful Drawing Portrait Class
7pm-9pm @ North Laine Brewhouse
A relaxed, beginner-friendly portrait drawing session with Emily from Let Go Studios. More Info

🎤 Manic Mugday - Comedy Competition
8pm-10.30pm @ The Secret Comedy Club
Up to 15 comedians battle it out to win the coveted mug. More Info

Tue 30/12

🎤 Comic Boom Comedy Club
7.30pm @ Komedia
A fast-paced comedy night spotlighting rising stars and a headline act. More Info

🎆 New Year’s Eve

👨‍👩‍👧 K.W.A: Kidz With Attitude - NYE Special
1.30pm-4pm @ Komedia
A daytime hip-hop, funk and soul party for kids and guardians with a family countdown. More Info

🪩 NYE Family Daytime Disco
2pm-4pm @ The Brunswick
A family-friendly afternoon disco with games, prizes and party tunes. More Info

🎤 Komedia Comedy Club - NYE Special
7pm @ Komedia
A New Year’s Eve comedy showcase with top circuit comedians. More Info

🎶 Our Roots: Opulence
10pm @ Brighton Dome
A high-energy NYE club night celebrating pop, dance and queer bangers. More Info

🪩 NYE with Fleur Shore, L.P. Rhythm & Jansons
9pm-7am @ Quarters
An all-night house session led by one of the scene’s sharpest selectors. More Info

🎧 Volks NYE - 12 Hour Rave
10pm-10am @ The Volks
A full-throttle overnight rave stretching into New Year’s Day. More Info

🎭 James Bond New Year’s Eve Party
9pm @ Bohemia
A 007-themed NYE party with Prosecco, cocktails and cinematic flair. More Info

🎧 Silent Disco NYE
9.30pm @ Shelter Hall
Three DJs, three channels and a headphone-fuelled countdown to midnight. More Info

🍾 New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner
Evening @ DoubleTree Hilton Brighton Metropole
A black-tie NYE celebration with champagne and a three-course dinner. More Info

🥂 New Year’s Eve at Saltdean Lido 
8pm-12.30am @ Saltdean Lido 
Welcome 2026 at the iconic Lido with live music from Maida Vale, DJ Nick on the decks and a complimentary glass of fizz at midnight. More Info

Live Music

The Marley Experience | Concorde 2 | Tue 23/12 | Tickets
Jazz Jam | The Brunswick | Tue 23/12 | Tickets

Release The Bats (Free) | Caroline of Brunswick | Fri 26/12 | Tickets
Rhiannon: The Fleetwood Mac Show | Komedia | Fri 26/12 | Tickets
Special Kinda Madness | Concorde 2 | Fri 26/12 | Tickets
Indie Rock Night | Dust | Fri 26/12 | Tickets
Easy Skankin’s End of Year Reggae Party | Fortune of War | Fri 26/12 | Tickets

Sunset Sounds (Free) | Caroline of Brunswick | Sat 27/12 | Tickets
The Shot Show: Christmas Special | The Brunswick | Sat 27/12 | Tickets

Open Mic Night | The Brunswick | Sun 28/12 | Tickets
Peter and the Test Tube Babies + The Appalled | Prince Albert | Sun 28/12 | Tickets

Jazz Jam | The Brunswick | Mon 29/12 | Tickets
Too Many Crooks + Support | Prince Albert | Mon 29/12 | Tickets

Our Roots: Opulence | Brighton Dome Corn Exchange | Wed 31/12 | Tickets
Romare (DJ) | Patterns | Wed 31/12 | Tickets
The Sound and the Fury – NYE 25 | Alphabet | Wed 31/12 | Tickets

Last week we asked how many ghosts visit Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. Most guessed three, but the correct answer was four (43% got it right!), with the first being his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, wearing chains, to warn Scrooge of his impending doom and announce the coming of the three Christmas spirits (past, present and yet to come).

And with Christmas just 2 days away, we’re asking our last trivia question of the year: