Winter, Christmas & NYE Events in West Sussex 2026–27

West Sussex has a packed winter in 2026. Christmas markets open from 21 November, woodland light trails glow from late November into the new year, and stately homes dress their rooms for the season until early January. Add vineyard tastings, pantomimes, ice rinks, wreath workshops, spa days and New Year celebrations, and there is something for every kind of winter day out.

We have gathered the best of it into one guide, with dates checked against each organiser’s own listings. Pick a few favourites, book early, and enjoy the season.

Here are the key dates to put in your diary:

• Festive Fridays at Bolney: From 13 November to 18 December
• Christmas markets: From 21 November to mid December
• Light trails: From 26 November 2026 to 2 January 2027
• Stately homes: From 21 November 2026 to 5 January 2027
• Pantomimes: From 29 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
• Ice skating in Selsey: From 11 December 2026 to 1 January 2027

Where Are the Best Christmas Light Trails in West Sussex?

The two biggest Christmas light trails in West Sussex for 2026 are Glow Wild at Wakehurst, near Haywards Heath, and the Tulleys Christmas Light Festival at Turners Hill, near Crawley. Both run on selected evenings from late November to around the New Year, and both sell out on popular dates, so book ahead.

Glow Wild at Wakehurst

Best for: A calm, nature-led evening walk

• Where: Wakehurst, Ardingly, near Haywards Heath
• When: Selected evenings from 26 November 2026 to 2 January 2027
• What to expect: A woodland lantern trail themed around the search for “Nature’s Gift”, with light installations, music and performers
• Tickets: From £12.70, and booking ahead is required. Book Glow Wild tickets

Wakehurst is the wild botanic garden of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Glow Wild suits adults who want a gentle stroll and some fresh winter air more than a funfair feel.

Tulleys Christmas Light Festival

Best for: A lively night out with food, music and fairground rides

• Where: Tulleys Farm, Turners Hill, RH10 4PD
• When: Selected dates from 27 November to 30 December 2026, from 4pm
• New for 2026: An Alpine Valley area with wooden bridges and ponds, a large star installation set in water, and a vintage carousel
• Also on site: A 33-metre observation wheel, Christmas market stalls, street food, two live music stages and an Alpine Village with heated cabins and fire pits
• Tickets: Adults from £22.95, with a VIP option that includes a heated tipi lounge with cocktails and a DJ. Read the Tulleys Christmas Light Festival 2026 announcement

Which Stately Homes Decorate for Christmas in West Sussex?

Five West Sussex stately homes are dressed for Christmas in 2026: Petworth House, Nymans, Standen, Uppark and Stansted House. The first four are cared for by the National Trust and need no booking beyond normal admission. Petworth, Nymans and Standen stay open into early January, closing only on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Petworth House, Petworth

Best for: Grand rooms, choir music and a makers’ market

• When: 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, 10.30am to 4pm (closed 24 and 25 December)
• Theme: A nature-inspired midwinter journey through the state rooms, with starry, moonlit scenes
• Evening openings: On 28 November and 19 December the house stays open until 6.30pm, with a courtyard choir at 5.30pm
• Makers’ market: 28 and 29 November in the Battery House and a marquee
• More information: Christmas at Petworth House

Nymans, near Haywards Heath

Best for: A fairytale house and a winter garden walk

• When: 21 November 2026 to 5 January 2027 (closed 24 and 25 December)
• House hours: 10.30am to 3.30pm, with last entry at 3pm
• Booking: Not needed, with normal admission applying
• More information: Christmas at Nymans

Standen House, near East Grinstead

Best for: Arts and Crafts interiors with a playful twist

• When: 21 November 2026 to 5 January 2027 (closed 24 and 25 December)
• House hours: 11am to 3.30pm, with last entry at 3pm
• Theme: “Dreaming of Christmas”, with patterns spilling off the wallpapers and festive scenes inspired by the stories of the Beale family who lived there
• More information: Dreaming of Christmas at Standen

Uppark House and Garden, near South Harting

Best for: A glamorous Georgian Christmas with South Downs views

• When: 6 to 23 December 2026, Sunday to Wednesday only, 10am to 4pm
• Theme: Towering trees, festoon lights and garlands, with a festive feast laid out in the dining room
• Outside: A walk through the Humphry Repton garden, with views towards the Solent and the Isle of Wight on a clear day
• More information: Christmas at Uppark

Stansted House, near Rowlands Castle

Best for: A one-day Christmas tour, upstairs and downstairs

• When: Sunday 13 December 2026, 11am to 4pm, with last admission at 3pm
• What to expect: The decorated Edwardian house, the story of how the Earls of Bessborough celebrated Christmas, and a look at the servants’ quarters and the origins of Boxing Day
• Tickets: Adults £12.50, and booking ahead is recommended
• More information: Christmas at Stansted House

When Are the Christmas Markets in West Sussex in 2026?

The first big West Sussex Christmas markets open on the weekend of 21 and 22 November 2026, at the Weald & Downland Living Museum and the South of England Showground at Ardingly. Country house, vineyard and town markets follow through late November and December.

Chichester and Horsham

Both towns usually hold December markets, but 2026 dates had not been confirmed at the time of writing. In 2025, Chichester District Council ran festive markets on North Street and East Street across two December weekends. Horsham District Council says it will post 2026 plans on its Christmas events page.

Where can you go ice skating in West Sussex this Christmas?

The main public ice rink in West Sussex for Christmas 2026 is at Seal Bay Resort in Selsey. Two seasonal events also include skating:

• Seal Bay Resort, Selsey: 11 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, open to day visitors. Midweek 5pm to 10pm, and weekends and school holidays 12pm to 10pm
• South of England Winter Fair, Ardingly: Ice skating on 21 and 22 November, booked separately from fair entry
• Tulleys Christmas Experience, Turners Hill: An outdoor rink as part of the family Santa experience

Where Can You Make a Christmas Wreath in West Sussex?

You can make a Christmas wreath in West Sussex at Bolney Wine Estate, Petworth House, Stansted Park and the South of England Winter Fair in 2026. Most workshops supply all the foliage and tools, and many include a festive drink.

These wreath and craft workshops are confirmed for 2026:

• Bolney Wine Estate, near Haywards Heath: Evening wreath workshops on 24 and 26 November, 2 and 4 December, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. An expert florist guides you through a wreath of fresh, locally sourced foliage, with a glass of Bolney wine. No experience needed
• Bottle painting at Bolney: Sunday 29 November and Sunday 6 December, 12pm to 2pm. Paint a wine bottle with a seasonal design to take home, with a glass of sparkling wine
• Petworth House: Traditional wreath making on 2, 5 and 6 December, £55. You build a reusable willow base and dress it with foliage from the grounds (ages 16 and over)
• Stansted Park: Christmas wreath workshops on several dates, plus a calligraphy workshop on 20 November
• South of England Winter Fair: Wreath making and chocolate decorating sessions on 21 and 22 November, at an extra charge
• West Dean Christmas Market: Short calligraphy taster sessions and live engraving on gifts on 27 and 28 November

Where Can You Enjoy Festive Food and Wine in West Sussex?

For festive food and wine in West Sussex, a vineyard is a relaxed alternative to a busy town centre. Bolney Wine Estate, near Haywards Heath, hosts Festive Fridays with live music, guided Christmas tastings and festive group dining through November and December 2026, and has grown vines in Sussex since 1972.

Festive Fridays at Bolney

Best for: A relaxed Friday night with friends

• When: Every Friday from 13 November to 18 December 2026, 6.30pm to 10pm
• What to expect: Live music and a welcome drink in the restaurant, with small plates and sharing boards to order through the evening
• Book: Festive Fridays at Bolney

12 Wines of Christmas tasting

Best for: Choosing wines for the Christmas table

• When: Saturday 5, 12 and 19 December 2026, from 11am
• What to expect: A welcome drink, then a guided tasting of twelve Bolney wines, from sparkling and whites to a Pinot Noir and vermouths
• Book: 12 Wines of Christmas tasting
• Private tastings: Call 01444 711 722 to arrange a private or corporate session

Christmas parties and group dining

Best for: Work parties and family get-togethers of 12 to 40 guests

• Festive Sharing Menu, £55 per person: A welcome glass of sparkling wine and a three-course Christmas menu in the Bolney restaurant, Wednesday to Friday at 12pm or 2pm
• Private Dining, £65 per person: A welcome glass of Bolney sparkling wine and a three-course Christmas menu in a private room
• Enquiries: Call 01444 711 722, see the Bolney Christmas 2026 menus and gifting guide or visit the private events page

What Christmas Shows and Pantomimes Are On in West Sussex?

West Sussex has at least six pantomimes and family shows running over Christmas 2026, from Horsham and Crawley to Worthing and Chichester. The headline news is the return of The Capitol in Horsham, which reopens in November after a £10.2 million refurbishment.

Dates come from the Chichester Festival Theatre winter season announcement, The Capitol’s panto listings and the Big Panto Guide for West Sussex. Check times with each venue before booking.

Which West Sussex Spas Are Best for a Winter Break?

For a warm winter treat, four West Sussex spas stand out for their pools and heat rooms: Utopia Spa at Alexander House, the Spread Eagle in Midhurst, Bailiffscourt near Climping and the HarSPA in Chichester. All four work well for a quiet day between Christmas and New Year.

• Utopia Spa, Alexander House, Turners Hill: An underground spa with four pools, including an outdoor hot tub, plus a sauna, steam room and 25 treatment rooms
• The Spread Eagle, Midhurst: A historic coaching inn whose spa has a heated indoor pool, Scandinavian-style sauna, steam room and cascade spa pool
• Bailiffscourt, Climping: A seaside hotel with indoor and outdoor pools, an outdoor hot tub, sauna and steam room
• HarSPA, Harbour Hotel Chichester: A compact city-centre spa with a hydrotherapy pool and steam room, handy after Christmas shopping

What Is There to Do on New Year’s Eve in West Sussex?

New Year’s Eve in West Sussex ranges from black-tie castle dinners to fireworks viewed from the South Downs. Most of the best options are ticketed and fill up early, so book by early December.

• New Year’s Eve Celebration at Bolney Wine Estate: A glass of English sparkling wine and canapés, a three-course dinner, live music and dancing, then a midnight toast with bagpipes and sparklers. 31 December 2026, 7.30pm to 1am, from £125 per person (ages 18 and over)
• Amberley Castle: A black-tie gala with a seven-course tasting menu and midnight fireworks in the castle grounds, as part of a New Year stay from 31 December to 2 January
• The Millstream Hotel, Bosham: New Year packages with a five-course dinner, a live band and a midnight toast
• Fluid Adventures, Chichester Harbour: A New Year’s Eve kayak trip with fizz and fireworks views (not for beginners)
• The Trundle and Harting Down: High points on the South Downs where people gather to watch fireworks across the coast

What can you do on New Year’s Day in West Sussex?

New Year’s Day in West Sussex is made for fresh air and a slow start. Good options include:

• The Big Dip, East Wittering: A charity sea swim that starts at 1pm, with plenty of people there to cheer from the beach
• A guided bird walk at Pagham Harbour: RSPB Pagham Harbour ran a New Year’s Day walk in 2026 to spot wintering ducks, geese and waders, so check for a 2027 date
• Christmas at Petworth or Nymans: Both Petworth House and Nymans stay decorated and open on 1 January
• A coastal walk: The England Coast Path between Shoreham, Worthing and Littlehampton follows the seafront, and the wide promenade past Worthing Pier suits an easy stroll before lunch

What Is There to Do in West Sussex in January?

January in West Sussex is quieter, but the festive season does not end on New Year’s Day. A few highlights carry on into 2027:

• Bolney Wine Estate: Open every day through the winter, with a new Winter Wine Tour and Tasting coming soon
• Glow Wild at Wakehurst: Last evenings on 1 and 2 January
• Christmas at Nymans: Open until 5 January
• The Nutcracker: New English Ballet Theatre at Chichester Festival Theatre, 6 to 10 January
• Wassailing: The Weald & Downland Living Museum held a Wassailing Day in January 2026, with processions and an orchard blessing, so watch for a 2027 date

Jargon explained: wassailing

Wassailing is an old English winter custom to bless fruit trees and wish for a good harvest. People sing, make noise to scare off bad spirits, and toast the trees, as Historic UK describes.

Good to know: winter in the vineyard

January is when vineyard teams start winter pruning. The vines are dormant, with no leaves, so growers can see each cane clearly and choose the ones that will carry next year’s grapes. A winter vineyard walk shows the bare bones of the season ahead.

The new Winter Wine Tour and Tasting at Bolney Wine Estate will cover pruning and how sparkling wine is made. Check the Bolney Christmas page for dates.

How can you make the most of winter days out in West Sussex?

A little planning goes a long way at this time of year:

• Book early: Light trails, the Weald & Downland market and most pantos sell out on Friday and Saturday nights
• Dress for mud: Woodland trails and country house gardens can be wet, so wear sturdy, warm footwear
• Check closures: Most attractions close on 24 and 25 December, and some open only on selected dates
• Plan your journey home: If mulled wine or fizz is on the menu, book a taxi or pick a designated driver

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book West Sussex Christmas events in advance?

Yes, for most ticketed events. Glow Wild and the Weald & Downland Christmas Market both require advance booking, and pantomimes, wreath workshops and New Year’s Eve dinners sell out early. Stately homes such as Petworth House and Nymans don’t require booking.

What can you do in West Sussex on a rainy day at Christmas?

Most of the best West Sussex Christmas outings are indoors. Good rainy-day picks include the decorated rooms at Petworth House and Nymans, a pantomime in Horsham, Worthing or Crawley, a spa afternoon, or a wine tasting at a Sussex vineyard.

Can you visit a vineyard in winter?

Yes. Many English vineyards stay open in winter for tours, tastings and dining, even though the vines are bare. Bolney Wine Estate, near Haywards Heath, is open every day through the winter, with festive tastings and events in November and December.

What is a good festive day out in West Sussex for adults?

A relaxed adult day out could pair a morning wreath workshop at Petworth House with a spa afternoon in Midhurst, or Arundel at Christmas followed by an evening at Glow Wild. For a night out, Festive Fridays at Bolney Wine Estate combine live music with local wine.