West Sussex Christmas Treats

A Cowdray festive afternoon tea makes a perfect Christmas treat to enjoy with friends or family. Lovingly created with Cowdray's attention to detail, the afternoon tea with a festive flourish features the flavours of the season including turkey and cranberry in dainty sandwiches, miniature mince pies, stollen and, of course, traditional Christmas cake. Selected dates during December 2025.

Experience a very special festive take on the much-loved Goodwood House afternoon tea on 19th December. Accompanied by a candlelit carol service at Goodwood House where you're invited to gather around the beautiful Christmas tree to enjoy classic Christmas carols, this is a true festive treat. Take the opportunity to explore Goodwood House's astonishing collection of art, furniture and ceramics, meeting some fascinating characters along the way. Tickets are limited so be quick! 

Chichester Cathedral hosts several carol services during December (18th - 21st December 2025), and this wonderfully atmospheric setting makes for a truly unforgettable experience as you experience a service of lessons, congregational carols and music sung by the Cathedral Choir. The Advent Procession (Sunday 30 November 2025, 16:30), marking the beginning of Advent really is not to be missed. A special candlelit service, the procession moves around the Cathedral moving the spaces from darkness to light as candles are lit. 

Celebrate Christmas in Chichester, West Sussex at 'Light Up Chichester' 2025 on Saturday 22 November, 10am–6pm. The city will glow with festive lights, live performances, and seasonal treats, culminating in the magical Christmas Lights Switch On at 5pm. Streets including East Street, North Street, and The Cross will be filled with family-friendly entertainment, a Pop-Up Food and Drink Market, and local favourites, making this one of the best things to do in Chichester to kick off the festive season.

Families will love Let it Glow - a brand new winter illumination where you can see your designs projected onto Chichester Cathedral Bell Tower (8th-21st December).

Make your way to the town centre in picturesque Petworth for the annual Christmas Cracker. The town will be illuminating the twinkling lights which adorn the pretty buildings for the first time. There's Christmas shopping aplenty too, and entertainment to top off a fun, festive day out.

Midhurst's Christmas Street Party promises to be a sparkling evening with late night shopping and live music, with Santa visits for children. Find out more.

Get ready for a full day of festive fun at the Selsey Christmas Lights Switch On! Taking place along Selsey High Street, this much-loved Christmas event in West Sussex runs from 12 noon to 8pm, bringing plenty of seasonal cheer for the whole family.

And for those closer to the Witterings; join in on a much-loved community celebration with the East Wittering and Bracklesham Festive Procession and Christmas Tree Lights Switch On. Starting at Downview Hall at 5pm on 28th November; follow Santa in his sleigh through a sparkling walking light procession, heading into East Wittering village centre for the Christmas tree lights switch on at 5:30pm.

Come and experience the warmth, redemption, and joy of the much-loved Christmas tale, Scrooge, like never before. This true Christmas classic will be accompanied by a beautifully reimagined score, performed live by the talented FB Pocket Orchestra in the atmospheric surroundings of Chichester Cathedral. This special film screening - you'll see the timeless 1951 version of this iconic Christmas film with Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge - aims to transport you into Scrooge’s encounters with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future and is perfect for festive get-togethers with families and friends.

Don't miss: before the screening, children will love their chance to illuminate the Cathedral Bell Tower at Chichester's Let it Glow on the Cathedral Green

Discover the true story of Father Christmas in A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig tells the true story of Father Christmas. Eleven-year-old Nikolas, nicknamed Christmas, embarks on a magical quest with his mouse Miika and reindeer Blitzen to find Elfhelm, the legendary village of elves. Lonely but full of hope, he discovers friendship, wonder, and the true spirit of Christmas in this enchanting tale

And don't miss The Three Little Pigs – a 'very curly musical tail' that is perfect for the whole family this Christmas!  This charming and witty adventure is full of catchy songs and clever rhymes which will have you squealing with glee as three superstar piglets set about defeating the Big Bad Wolf.

And for those young at heart, there is Santa'a Grotto. Step into the magical world of our theatre Elves with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at their enchanting workshop, before meeting Father Christmas in person. Snap a festive ‘elfie’ and let little ones receive an early Christmas gift to pop under the tree. Our elves are excited to welcome you!

Impressive at any time of year, Petworth House in West Sussex becomes truly enchanting at Christmas. From 29th November, this grand National Trust estate near Chichester is transformed into a festive wonderland, complete with dazzling decorations and show-stopping trees throughout eight beautifully themed rooms. This year, the charming mice of Jill Barklem’s beloved Brambly Hedge series make a special appearance, having built their cosy oak-trunk home in the Little Dining Room. Beyond the house, visitors can enjoy a festive makers market, creative workshops, and atmospheric late openings; perfect for soaking up the season’s magic. Don’t forget to snap plenty of photos and add your Christmas wish to the glittering trees in the Chapel.

Step into a traditional Christmas at Uppark House and Gardens, one of West Sussex’s most enchanting Georgian mansions near Chichester. From 7th to 24th December 2025, visitors can wander through rooms adorned with towering Christmas trees, twinkling lights, and timeless decorations, filling the house with the scents of pine, citrus, and cinnamon. Explore below stairs to discover how the servants once prepared festive feasts and celebrated the season in contrast to the elegant festivities above. With its rich history and festive atmosphere, Uppark offers one of the most magical Christmas things to do in West Sussex, perfect for a seasonal day out steeped in tradition.

Standard National Trust entry fees apply.

Come and join the wintry fun as the Seal Bay Ice Rink opens from 13th December until 3rd January. Whether you're a seasoned skater or new to gliding across the ice, come and enjoy some festive skating fun. Seal Bay is offering extra sparkly ice skating with evening disco sessions as well as quieter sessions every morning. Don your hats and gloves and get ready to get your skates on! Warming refreshments will be on hand afterwards at Box Christmas, with its tasty seasonal menus.

Visiting Father Christmas in his Grotto is an important part of the Christmas build up. Luckily, the man in red is landing his sleigh at various venues across West Sussex so children can meet him and tell him what they'd like for Christmas. Santa's Grotto will be at Chichester Festival Theatre and West Dean Gardens.

While at Weald and Downland Living Museum, you can attend the Green Father Christmas' Elf school where you will get to train as a Christmas elf, meet the Green Father Christmas and graduate with a certificate and a festive gift. 

At Chichester Canal, the hugely popular Father Christmas boat trips run from 30th November until 24th December. We recommend booking as soon as you can for these as they sell out fast, and for good reason! A Father Christmas boat trip features festive activities and treats for the children, and refreshments for all as you cruise along the canal with Father Christmas.

Over at Stansted House and Park, this December 2025, you can Meet Father Christmas; enjoy a full festive experience doing arts and crafts with our cheeky elves before you gather round to listen to Father Christmas tell a special story, then of course have your moment to tell him your Christmas wishes and receive a gift! 

Amberley Museum are also playing host to a festive Christmas Adventure. For each weekend leading up to the big day, join in for a special seasonal celebration. Hop on the Christmas train to visit Father and Mrs Christmas in their cosy parlour, enjoy an exclusive story written just for Amberley, and receive a festive gift.

Cowdray Estate's Christmas Market at the Farm Shop & Cafe on 22nd November also offers a chance for children to meet Father Christmas and make their wishes come true. In aid of Midhurst Palliative Care, visits need to be booked in advance but are free of charge.

Family festive fun is also the order of the day at Northlands Farm where you can book a slot to meet Father Christmas as well as enjoying Christmas crafts in the elves workshop, a chance to post your letter to Santa and toast giant marshmallows before embarking on a nature trail, meeting the resident farm animals and trying the zipline! There's a supervised petting farmyard, too where you can cuddle a guinea pig and chat to the chickens.

A new family focussed initiative from Chichester Cinema at New Park is offering families the chance to see ageless classic films on the big screen for a budget friendly £2.50 per person. Choose from Wicked: For Good, Jungle Book, a compilation of Wallace & Gromit favourites, E.T, The Nightmare Before Christmas and more. Head to the website and select the Family Flicks screening of the film of your choice to access the offer. What's more Chichester Cinema is hosting family workshops at several showing - spaces are very limited for these though, so be quick! (£5 per child).

Pull up a chair in the cafe at Weald & Downland Living Museum's waterside cafe. Treat yourself to a mince pie and warming drink as you watch the ducking and diving on the mill pond. You don't need to visit the museum to enjoy the cafe, but we think the Museum's 40 acres are particularly picturesque in autumn and winter, with the remaining leaves tinged yellow and orange, or maybe a frost to crunch underfoot as you explore. 

Looking for festive things to do in West Sussex this Christmas? From late November through December 2025, wreath-making workshops are popping up across the county, offering creative experiences for all ages and budgets. Craft your own natural wreath or festive bird feeder at the Arundel Wetlands Centre, enjoy mulled wine as you design in one of Chichester’s artisan florists, or immerse yourself in the timeless charm of Petworth House or Stansted Park at their traditional wreath workshops. Whichever you choose, these hands-on sessions are the perfect way to celebrate the season and bring a touch of nature home for Christmas.

Read the full blogpost here and find your favourite event this festive season!

Explore some of West Sussex's most stunning scenery with your nearest and dearest. Cold, clear, crisp wintry days are made for the views at Harting Down and there's plenty of places close by in which you can warm yourselves; try The White Hart in South Harting or The White Horse in Chilgrove.

Enjoy a live, interactive theatre experience as Stansted House brings A Christmas Carol to life.

You'll make your way from room to room inside stunning Stansted House as a host of characters recount Scrooge's experience from the famous book. You'll be invited to participate as you join the Fezziwig's Christmas Party or watch Scrooge's nephew playing party games, for a truly memorable immersive tour. Complete with a visit from the Ghost of Christmas yet to come, the tour finishes as Christmas Morning breaks and you'll make your way to the Old Victorian Kitchen to sing carols, enjoy mince pies and delicious mulled wine in the beautifully decorated house. Find out more and book.

Enjoy a warming hot chocolate laced with rum to begin your evening shopping at Ashling Park Estate, where you'll go on to taste the wines for your Christmas table or a thoughtful gift for a loved one. You'll find stocking fillers and gift inspiration including a chance to purchase gift vouchers.