What’s On this weekend in Sussex
Fri 14 - Sun 16 Dec
Festive films, The Capitol, Horsham, until 20 Dec
There’s no better way to get in the Christmas spirit than with this programme of fave films at the Capitol this season. Three of them; The Muppet Christmas Carol (U), It’s A Wonderful Life and Elf (PG), will be shown on the big theatre screen and the £6 ticket includes a mince pie. There’s also Nativity Rocks (U) and CBeebies Christmas Show: Thumbelina.
Home, Pirates of the Carabina, Brighton Dome, Sat 15 – Sun 23 Dec
The circus stars behind the brilliant Flown, are back with this show about the joys of letting go, featuring a vertical-swinging trapeze, never-ending ropes, a spinning carousel and a temperamental staircase.
Sleeping Beauty, The Capitol, Horsham, Fri 14 Dec – Sun 6 Jan
More panto launches this week… Heart FM’s Nicola Hume, Sean Smith from X-Factor‘s Same Difference and James Fletcher from Hollyoaks star in Horsham’s Sleeping Beauty, with funny faves Hywel Dowsell and James Fletcher back to cause havoc as Nurse Nora and Lester the Jester. Get a ticket in the bag – if you snooze you loose!
Jack and the Beanstalk, White Rock Theatre, Hastings, Fri 14 to Sun 30 Dec
Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum, I smell the blood of.. Eastenders’ Michelle Collins and X Factor’s Chico at Hastings this Christmas. Chico is Jack, doing the beans for cow swap but somehow saving the day aided by Fairy Collins. Prepare for jokes about big choppers when that beanstalk comes down.
RSPB Walk: Cuckmere to the sea, Sat 15 Dec
Escape Christmas shopping madness with this free 2-3 hour walk. Michael Light will lead the group, pointing out birds along the River Cuckmere estuary. There will be some stiles and slopes to negotiate.Meet 10am at the pay and display car park on the south side of the A259.
The Rocky Horror Show, Theatre Royal, Brighton, Thurs 13 Dec – Sat 5 Jan
Think you could do the Timewarp again? You’ll be pleased to know that the musical is live at Brighton’s Theatre Royal for Christmas. With Trigger Happy TV’s Dom Joly playing the narrator and Strictly’s Joanna Clifton as Janet. Get out your fishnets and vamp it up! Tickets are from £13.
The Ho, Ho, Ho! Christmas Show, The Capitol studio, Horsham, Fri 14 – Mon 24 Dec
One for the wee ones without the attention span for panto. Help busy Steve the elf as he wraps presents and feeds the reindeer in Santa’s workshop. Every child gets to meet Father Christmas and receive a gift after the show and performances are at pre-school-friendly times of the day. Tickets are £12.50.
Make a belt in a day, Wolfram Lohr, Hove, Fri 14 Dec
Handcraft a present – to self or for someone else – on this workshop that will help you make a belt of your choice in a day. It’s at leather specialists Wolfram and Lohr in Hove. Tickets are £85. There are also workshops in January you could gift for Xmas including one making a wallet or a clutch bag.
ONGOING
Pantos and other Xmas shows, Across Sussex, various Dec dates
Picture by Sam Pharoah
Pantos, musicals, puppetry and ballet – they’re all in the dedicated the Muddy guide to the Christmas shows on in Sussex and nearby and it’s behind you! Oh no it isn’t – it’s right here on the link below.
Pop-up ice rinks, Brighton, Worthing, Chichester, Bewl Water, Tunbridge Wells and further afield until Jan/Feb
Gliding into action, are Brighton (pictured), Worthing’s, Tunbridge and Bewl Water rinks and a new Chichester one and there are other several others for day trips into Surrey, Hants and London.
Check out the Muddy round-up.
Beach hut advent calendar, Hove seafront, 1 – 24 Dec
Head down to Hove seafront 5.30pm to 6.30pm between 1 and 24 December and you’ll find a different beach hut each day has been artistically transformed for advent. There’ll also be a chance to enjoy a mince pie and mulled wine and join in carols. Find the huts on the seafront between First Avenue and Hove Lagoon and discover which is open when via the website, or pick up a flyer in the i360 gift shop. There’s a puzzle to be built if you visit every day collecting pieces.
Christmas at Fishers Farm Park, 1 – 24 Dec
The big fella is in big demand and Santa slots are selling out fast at Fishers so if you’d like to meet a bearded man in red get booking quick. There’s also panto entertainment in the barn with Dick Whittington and his cat besides the regular Fishers attractions.
Christmas Grotto, Hever Castle, Kent, 24 Nov – 24 Dec
At Hever’s magical Grotto children will be greeted by Mother Christmas and taken by an elf through the snowy ‘forest’, to meet Father Christmas in his log cabin and receive a gift. Ride the carousel and enjoy vintage fairground stalls, meet characters along the Christmas trail and even huskies.
The Snowman and The Snowdog exhibitions, Nymans, from Sat 17 Nov/ Brighton Museum now till 6 Jan/ Peter & the Wolf + The Snowman screening, Brighton Dome Mon 24 Dec
Image © Snowman Enterprises Limited
If you’re not feeling festive yet, Nymans will sort you out. The National Trust home and garden near Haywards Heath just opened an exhibition of original drawings from The Snowman and The Snowdog to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the classic tale by Sussex author Raymond Briggs. There will also be a snowdogs trail in the garden coming up in Dec. There’s another The Snowman illustrations exhibition already running at Brighton Museum. Then, come Christmas Eve there’s a screening of the classic film, alongside Peter and the Wolf at Brighton Dome.
nationaltrust.org.uk brightonmuseums.org.uk brightondome.org
