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University and community-based events for the Christmas holiday

Christmas is a time for coming together with your community. Some of you will not have the chance to spend Christmas with your family or friends so we want to let you know about some activities taking place around Brighton during this time. Please check the event’s own website closer to the time for up to date information.

University and virtual events

The University of Brighton and Sussex Christmas Carol Service (virtual) – 9 December

Seasonal readings and performances by the combined university choirs. Christmas Hope: Carols and Readings for a Very Different Christmas at Online event tickets from TicketSource

Christmas Mingle (virtual) – 16 December

Hosted by the University of Brighton International Student Support team. An evening of events to break the ice and help you meet other students. Open to all UoB students (20+) Christmas Ice-Breaker | Facebook

Mature Student Society Christmas Party Extravaganza – 17 December

Activities, Competitions, Prizes and lots of Fun with a Christmassy Theme – Christmas Party Extravaganza (brightonsu.com)

Christmas Quiz (virtual) – 18 December

Hosted by the University of Brighton International Student Support team. We will be testing your knowledge of all things festive. We have Amazon vouchers for the lucky winners. We strongly encourage you to wear a Christmas jumper, Santa hat or other Christmas costume and there are prizes for the best ones! Open to all UoB students. Christmas Quiz! | Facebook

Home Alone – Virtual Film Night 19 December

Hosted by the University of Brighton International Student Support team. Join us for our Christmas virtual cinema night. We will be watching Christmas classic Home Alone and chatting about it live in MS Teams. Open to all UoB students.  (20+) Home Alone! Virtual Cinema Night | Facebook.

Gingerbread Bake Along – 21 December

Hosted by the University of Brighton International Student Support team. We will be making gingerbread together based in this short and simple tutorial. Open to all UoB students. Please see the Facebook event for information on what ingredients and equipment you need to take part. (20+) Gingerbread Bake Along! | Facebook event

Volunteer to plant some trees (Eastbourne but transport provided) – 22 December

Be part of creating positive change and come and help with planting trees. Working with a local environmental group to plant trees at Sevenoaks Rec in Eastbourne, this Covid-safe and fun event will allow you to connect with other students before Christmas and support a community initiative to reduce Co2. There’s no experience necessary, transport and lunch will be provided, hot drinks on site and all equipment will be provided.

Pick up points are from Manor House on Lewes Road in Brighton (at 10:15am), Hillbrow on Gaudick Road in Eastbourne (11.15am) and Eastbourne Pier (at 11.45am). The activity will end at 3pm with the Brighton drop-off at 4.50pm.

Sign up for this event

Free Christmas Meal for University of Brighton students – 23 and 24 December

We are providing every student that remains in Brighton and Eastbourne with a free Christmas meal kit. This includes ingredients and a recipe card to make a Christmas meal, plus a sweet treat.

Choose from a vegan wellington or a turkey escalope that is stuffed with cranberry and apricot and wrapped in bacon. These are accompanied with a selection of vegetables along with cranberry sauce and gravy and not forgetting a slice of Chocolate Log Cake and Mince Pie.

You must book your meal kit before 5pm on Friday 11 December. We will deliver the meals on the 23 and 24 December.

Book your free Christmas meal kit now

Sussex Sings Christmas (virtual) – 23 December

The ever-popular Brighton Festival Chorus Christmas Concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Sussex Sings Christmas – Visit Brighton

Events in Brighton

St Mary Magdalene’s Advent Breakfast (opposite Varley Park in Coldean) – 12 December
Email Rev Betsy for details and how to book: revbetsy@btinternet.com

St Andrews, Moulsecoomb Advent Breakfast – 19 December
Email Rev Betsy for details and to book: revbetsy@btinternet.com

Burning the Clocks Lantern Trail (Brighton) – 2 – 21 December

Usually an annual event in Brighton, this lantern parade and fire show will instead be displayed in local shop windows this year. Same Sky Lantern Trail

Artists Open Houses (Brighton and Hove) – now until 31 December

Either visit in person (5 – 13 December) or via a virtual tour of local artists’ homes. Online Open Houses will include video tours round artists’ homes, as well individual online galleries. Artists Open Houses (aoh.org.uk)

Events further afield

Wiston Estate Christmas Trail – 8 December – 3 January

Christmas light trail after dark in the grounds of this historic country estate in the heart of the South Downs National Park  Light Up Trails | Light Trail Spectacular | Sussex

Glow Wild in Wakehurst – until 3 January 2021

See the UK’s tallest living Christmas tree, glowing lanterns, mesmerising projections, immersive soundscapes, and glistening torches of fire. Glow Wild 2020 | Kew

Traditional Boxing Day walk – 26 December

If you want to explore the beautiful South Downs, the National Trust have some great free downloadable walks around Sussex. Live near our Falmer site? Why not try this beautiful walk around Stanmer and Ditchling Beacon. If you would like to find out more about Brighton and Hove whilst you are walking, then why not take a look at these fantastic walks put together by Discover Brighton.