From Legally Blonde at Theatre Royal Brighton and Circa’s spectacular reimagining of Swan Lake at Brighton Dome to indulgent afternoon tea at The Grand, seafood at The Velvet Crab and cocktails before the curtain rises, discover the best of Brighton’s festive season.
Brighton knows how to celebrate the festive season, and this winter the city is offering an enticing combination of theatre, live music, comedy, Christmas entertainment and memorable dining experiences. Whether you’re planning a festive night out, a family theatre trip, a leisurely afternoon tea overlooking the sea or a celebratory dinner with friends, Brighton has plenty to tempt you between November and January.
On stage, Theatre Royal Brighton welcomes the supernatural thrills of Paranormal Activity before the arrival of the feel-good musical sensation Legally Blonde, starring Amber Davies. Meanwhile, Brighton Dome’s packed Christmas programme brings together circus, music, comedy, drag, family entertainment and seasonal singalongs, including Circa’s spectacular Duck Pond, a playful reimagining of Swan Lake and The Ugly Duckling.
Away from the theatre, Brighton’s restaurants and bars provide the perfect setting for festive feasting. From The Ivy’s traditional Sunday roast and The Velvet Crab’s Louisiana-inspired seafood to Michelin-starred chef Rafael Cagali’s seasonal cooking at Maré in Hove and the elegant afternoon tea at The Grand Brighton, there are plenty of ways to make an occasion of a winter visit to the city.
Theatre Royal Brighton: From Paranormal Activity to Legally Blonde
Theatre Royal Brighton’s winter programme offers two very different theatrical experiences, from edge-of-your-seat supernatural suspense to an exuberant musical comedy.
Arriving on 24 November, Paranormal Activity comes to Brighton following a sold-out West End run. Directed by Felix Barrett, founder and artistic director of Punchdrunk, and starring James Bye, Hannah Sinclair Robinson, Caroline Faber and Etheline Cotgrave, the production brings the psychological horror of the internationally recognised film franchise to the stage.
Written by Levi Holloway and based on an original story by Barrett, the play follows newlyweds James and Lou, who move from the United States to London in search of a fresh start. But their new home soon becomes the setting for increasingly disturbing events. He is a sceptic, she is a believer, and the couple find themselves confronting an unseen presence that threatens their relationship and their sense of reality.
Using a found-footage-inspired approach to storytelling, Paranormal Activity promises an unsettling theatrical experience that plays with the boundaries between the seen and unseen. For audiences looking for something a little darker this festive season, it offers an atmospheric alternative to traditional Christmas entertainment.
For a complete change of mood, Legally Blonde the Musical makes its Brighton premiere from 15 December 2026 to 2 January 2027, with Amber Davies starring as the irrepressible Elle Woods in a brand-new Made at Curve production.
Based on Amanda Brown’s novel and the much-loved 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Coolidge, the multi-award-winning musical follows Elle Woods as she challenges expectations, discovers her own potential and takes on Harvard Law School.
With a book by Heather Hach and music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, the production combines infectious musical numbers, comedy and an uplifting story about ambition, friendship and self-belief.
Directed by Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Leah Hill, this production promises an entertaining festive treat for musical theatre fans.
Paranormal Activity: Theatre Royal Brighton, 24–28 November 2026.
Legally Blonde the Musical: Theatre Royal Brighton, 15 December 2026–2 January 2027.
Tickets: ATG Tickets – Theatre Royal Brighton.
Brighton Dome: Swan Lake, Christmas Classics and Festive Concerts
Brighton Dome’s Christmas programme is a celebration of the city’s diverse creative spirit, bringing together contemporary performance, family entertainment, comedy, music and festive traditions. From spectacular circus and immersive theatre to classical concerts and alternative Christmas cabaret, there is something for every generation.
One of the highlights is Duck Pond, a spectacular production by acclaimed Australian circus company Circa. Reimagining the classic stories of Swan Lake and The Ugly Duckling, the show combines breathtaking aerial performance, jaw-dropping acrobatics, contemporary humour and visual extravagance.
Featuring a flipper-wearing duck army and a burlesque black swan, Duck Pond explores identity, transformation and the search for belonging through Circa’s distinctive physical theatre. With eight performances in Brighton Dome’s Concert Hall, it promises a thrilling family-friendly alternative to a traditional festive ballet.
In the Corn Exchange, Ceilidh the Musical invites audiences into the heart of one of Scotland’s oldest traditions. Led by a lively caller, this immersive production combines music, storytelling and dance in a celebration of family, heritage, legacy and queer love. More than a conventional theatre performance, it offers audiences the opportunity to become part of the action, with songs, dancing and a dram or two along the way.
Families can also enjoy Stuff and Nonsense Theatre’s adaptation of The Adventures of the Little Red Hen. Bringing the much-loved fable to life through puppetry, live music and comedy, the production is an appealing introduction to theatre for younger audiences.
Brighton Dome’s Crafty Christmas workshops in Anita’s Room offer another opportunity for families to get creative, with children and grown-ups invited to make silhouette shadow lanterns, spoon puppets and snowy scenes together.
Christmas music, comedy and alternative festive entertainment
Music is at the heart of Brighton Dome’s seasonal programme. The much-loved Christmas film The Snowman returns to the Concert Hall, accompanied by a professional orchestra performing the soundtrack live, bringing a magical dimension to Raymond Briggs’ classic winter story.
The annual One Voice Festival of Singing also returns, bringing together more than 2,200 young singers from primary and special schools across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. Produced by Create Music, part of Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival, and Glyndebourne, in partnership with De La Warr Pavilion, the festival celebrates the importance of music education and young musical talent, with performances across all three venues during December.
For something altogether more flamboyant, Brighton’s Big Drag Pageant returns to the Concert Hall with a winter spectacular celebrating the city’s alternative drag scene. Hosted by Brighton-based drag artist Alfie Ordinary, the event brings together an all-star cast of contestants for an evening of extravagant performance and entertainment.
Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus will also present a new festive concert, this year taking the form of a camp murder mystery told through Christmas classics. Meanwhile, ORGANOKE sees Brighton’s own rapping pensioner Ida Barr lead an evening of organ-accompanied Christmas karaoke and festive mischief.
Classical music enthusiasts can look forward to the annual Christmas collaboration between Brighton Festival Chorus and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Conducted by James Morgan and featuring mezzo-soprano Juliette Pochin, the concert combines traditional carols and Christmas songs, with an opportunity for audience members to try their hand at conducting.
There is also a particularly meaningful seasonal event in The Choir with No Name Brighton’s Big Christmas Singalong. Made up of people affected by homelessness, the choir returns with Brighton-based band Arxx as special guests. Donations and profits from the evening will support the choir, which operates in partnership with homelessness charity BHT Sussex.
On 29 November, The Purcell Singers make their first Christmas concert appearance in the Corn Exchange, joined by harpist Eleanor Medcalfe for a programme spanning Renaissance Christmas music through to contemporary classics and traditional carols.
For a more intimate musical experience, Gaudete! in the Studio Theatre brings together English folk duo Green Matthews, a violinist and an early woodwind player for a journey through 600 years of seasonal music. Featuring carols, winter folk songs and lively traditional tunes, the performance evokes the atmosphere of Christmas past through an eclectic collection of unusual instruments.
Comedy fans can catch Live at Christmas, featuring a line-up of familiar names and rising stars. David O’Doherty headlines alongside Sara Pascoe, with Amy Gledhill hosting and performances from Toussaint Douglass and Bridget Christie. Expect an evening of festive humour and irreverent entertainment.
Beyond the performance programme, Brighton Dome’s 11th annual Etsy Christmas Fair returns to the Foyer on 5 December. With more than 90 independent designers, artists and makers, it offers an opportunity to discover original gifts and support local creative businesses. Adults can also join the Christmas Craft and Chat sessions, combining a festive drink with hands-on creative workshops.
Brighton Dome’s Christmas Challenge, in partnership with The Big Give, will also raise funds towards bursaries for Create Music students, helping more children access music education.
Explore the programme and book tickets at Brighton Dome.
Festive dining in Brighton: Sunday roasts, seafood and seasonal fine dining
After an afternoon of Christmas shopping or an evening at the theatre, Brighton’s restaurant scene offers plenty of opportunities to continue the celebrations. Whether you favour a traditional Sunday roast, seafood and cocktails or a more adventurous culinary experience, the city has an impressive selection of festive dining destinations.
Sunday lunch at The Ivy in the Lanes
Few things capture the comfort of winter dining quite like a traditional Sunday roast, and The Ivy in the Lanes offers an elegant setting for a leisurely weekend lunch.
As the festive season approaches, The Ivy Collection brings back its classic Sunday roast, featuring beautifully cooked roast beef accompanied by a golden Yorkshire pudding, rosemary roast potatoes, glazed carrots, green beans and broccoli, all served with a rich rosemary red wine sauce.
Situated in the heart of Brighton’s iconic Lanes, just moments from the seafront and nearby theatres, The Ivy combines a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere with a menu designed for indulgent dining. Equally suited to a pre-theatre lunch, weekend brunch or celebratory Sunday gathering, it makes a particularly appealing choice for a festive occasion.
Reservations and menus: The Ivy in the Lanes, Brighton.
Seafood and cocktails at The Velvet Crab
For seafood lovers, The Velvet Crab brings a taste of Louisiana and the American Gulf Coast to Brighton’s dining scene. Inspired by the region’s distinctive food, fire, music and hospitality traditions, its menu celebrates seafood through generous seafood boils, fresh oysters, open-fire cooking, chargrilled shellfish and smoked specialities.
Creole-inspired small plates and handcrafted cocktails add to the experience, making it an appealing destination for a relaxed festive dinner or pre-theatre drinks and seafood. Whether sharing oysters and crab with friends or settling in for a more substantial seafood feast, The Velvet Crab offers something a little different from the traditional winter menu.
Discover more at The Velvet Crab.
Seasonal fine dining at Maré in Hove
For a more elevated culinary experience, Maré in Hove is the latest restaurant venture from renowned chef Rafael Cagali and his partner Charlie Lee, the team behind two-Michelin-starred Da Terra and Elis at Bethnal Green Town Hall.
Maré, meaning ‘tide’ in Portuguese, takes its name from the natural rhythms of the sea, reflecting a menu that responds to seasonal ingredients and the surrounding East Sussex landscape.
Head Chef Ewan Waller, a protégé of Cagali, leads a kitchen where the menu moves from small bites to hot and cold plates, mains, dishes designed for sharing and desserts. The approach combines thoughtful seasonal cooking with a contemporary sensibility, offering an appealing destination for a special winter dinner or festive celebration.
For those looking to make an occasion of dining in Brighton and Hove, Maré brings an exciting addition to the area’s restaurant scene.
Discover more at Maré Hove.
Afternoon tea at The Grand Brighton
For a quintessentially British festive indulgence, afternoon tea at The Grand Brighton offers an opportunity to slow down and enjoy a little luxury overlooking the sea.
With spectacular coastal views and an enticing selection of colourful patisserie, the hotel’s award-winning afternoon tea combines elegant presentation with a classic tradition. From beautifully crafted sweet treats to the pleasure of taking time over tea in one of Brighton’s most recognisable seafront hotels, it makes an ideal winter treat, whether celebrating with friends, marking a special occasion or taking a break from Christmas shopping.
Having been voted Brighton’s Best Afternoon Tea for three consecutive years, The Grand’s offering is a particularly appealing addition to a festive itinerary.
Cocktails, music and creative culture at ONAIR
For something a little different, ONAIR offers a distinctive combination of music, cocktails and creative community. More than just a bar, this multi-use Brighton venue brings together a bespoke audio listening space, a daytime 30-seat co-working hub and a live radio broadcasting platform, creating a meeting point for music lovers, independent creatives and the city’s cultural community.
At its heart is a Custom Audio Gold sound system, providing the soundtrack to a programme of guest DJs, music selectors and live broadcasts. The drinks offering champions independent craft beers, low-intervention natural wines from the UK and Europe, and inventive Still Room Vermouth cocktails. For those feeling peckish, the menu includes charcuterie from Beals Yard and artisan cheeses from Neal’s Yard.
The interiors are equally distinctive, bringing together Bauhaus-inspired geometry and Brutalist design influences, complemented by hand-thrown ceramics. Whether dropping in for a pre-theatre cocktail, discovering new music through a guest DJ set or settling in for an evening of conversation and carefully curated sounds, ONAIR offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional Brighton bar scene.
Make a festive occasion of Brighton this winter
From supernatural theatre and feel-good musical comedy to spectacular circus, Christmas concerts and alternative drag performance, Brighton’s winter cultural programme reflects the city’s appetite for creativity, entertainment and celebration.
Add to that the pleasures of a traditional Sunday roast at The Ivy, Louisiana-inspired seafood at The Velvet Crab, seasonal fine dining at Maré and afternoon tea at The Grand, and there is every reason to make a winter visit to Brighton an occasion in itself.
Whether planning a festive weekend away, a theatre date, a family day out or an indulgent evening with friends, Brighton offers a wonderfully varied selection of things to see, hear, eat and drink this Christmas.
