December transforms Brighton into a coastal Christmas wonderland. Madness play TWO shows in one day at Brighton Centre (creating 10,000-person demand), Bryan Adams brings his global tour, and Dara Ó Briain's nearly-sold-out weekend creates comedy pilgrims. The Lanes twinkle with thousands of fairy lights, Christmas markets fill Jubilee Square, and restaurants unveil festive menus that rival London's finest. This is Brighton at its most magical.
Date: Sunday 14th December 2025
Shows: Matinee 1 pm / Evening 6:30 pm
Venue: Brighton Centre (5,000 capacity per show)
Support: Squeeze at evening show
Madness has added a matinee performance "due to phenomenal demand" - meaning 10,000 people will see them in Brighton on a single Sunday. The "Hits Parade" tour brings their ska classics ("Our House", "Baggy Trousers", "It Must Be Love") to Brighton just before Christmas.
What This Means: The weekend of 13th-15th December will see exceptional hotel demand. The matinee show (1 pm) means families can see Madness, then enjoy Christmas shopping in The Lanes. Evening show attendees will fill restaurants from 9 pm onwards.
Why This Concert Matters: Two shows in one day creates unprecedented demand - fans travelling from across the UK, many making a weekend of it to combine the concert with Brighton's Christmas markets.
Insider Tip: Book dinner for 9:30 pm or 10 pm at Burnt Orange or The Coal Shed to avoid the 6:30 pm pre-show rush. The matinee creates afternoon opportunities - champagne at Riddle & Finns before shopping, perhaps?
Tickets: brightoncentre.co.uk
Bryan Adams
Date: Wednesday 10th December 2025
Venue: Brighton Centre
Global rock icon brings mid-December tour to Brighton Centre. "Summer of '69", "Everything I Do", the hits keep coming. Midweek December shows often attract people making for short pre-Christmas breaks.
The Holiday in Concert
Date: Monday, 8th December 2025
Venue: Brighton Centre
The beloved Christmas film with live orchestra. Following Love Actually's success, this promises similar sell-out potential. Perfect for couples seeking a festive atmosphere.
The Last Dinner Party
Date: Friday 5th December 2025
Venue: Brighton Centre
Hot UK act, early December weekend - perfect timing for pre-Christmas city breaks combined with Christmas shopping.
D-Block Europe
Date: Friday 12th December 2025
Venue: Brighton Centre
Why December at Brighton Centre Works: The venue becomes atmospheric for Christmas - festive bars, seasonal atmosphere, and central location make it ideal for combining concerts with Christmas shopping and dining.
Tickets: brightoncentre.co.uk
Dara Ó Briain
Dates: Friday 5th & Saturday 6th December 2025
Venue: Brighton Dome Concert Hall (1,800 capacity)
Status: Limited availability (nearly sold out)
Arena-scale comedy in an intimate theatre setting. Dara's two-night run over a Friday-Saturday weekend creates concentrated hotel demand - comedy fans making a weekend of it.
The Snowman with Live Orchestra
Date: Sunday 21st December 2025 (two performances)
Venue: Brighton Dome Concert Hall
Orchestra: Covent Garden Sinfonia
The beloved Christmas film with live orchestral score - a family festive staple that fills hotels just four days before Christmas. Families use it as a final pre-Christmas trip to Brighton, combining the show with last-minute gift shopping.
Also at Brighton Dome in December:
Brighton's Big Drag Pageant: The Snow Ball (Friday 12th) - queer winter gala, elaborate costumes
Brighton Festival Chorus: Christmas Concert (Sunday 14th - same day as Madness) - big choral/orchestral Christmas show
Insider Tip: The Snowman (21st) is incredibly close to Christmas - book accommodation and restaurants by early November. Many venues close 22nd-26th December.
Tickets: brightondome.org
Throughout December
The Lanes transform into a Dickensian winter wonderland. Thousands of fairy lights wrap every lamp post, independent shops host late-night shopping every Thursday until 8 pm (with wine and mince pies), and the Christmas Market in Jubilee Square brings an authentic festive atmosphere.
Christmas Market - Jubilee Square
30 wooden chalets selling local crafts, foods, and gifts - genuine artisan products rather than mass-produced items. Open 10 am-6 pm daily throughout December.
Best Time to Visit: Sunday afternoons (3-5 pm) for an atmosphere without Saturday crowds. Thursday late-night shopping (until 8 pm) offers magic without overwhelming numbers.
The Lanes Independent Shopping:
Snooper's Paradise runs "Vintage Christmas" throughout December - 1950s decorations and rare finds spanning multiple floors of vintage treasure. Perfect for unique gifts.
Pussy Willow (Kensington Gardens) offers wreath-making workshops (£65) - create your own whilst sipping mulled wine. Book ahead as they sell out.
Resident music shops stock exclusive vinyl releases - perfect for music-lover gifts. Staff knowledge is exceptional.
The Real Brighton Shopping Experience: What makes The Lanes special is discovering shops you'd never find online. Jewellery workshops, vintage clothing boutiques, independent bookshops, record stores - this is shopping as experience rather than transaction.
Insider Tip: Tuesday mornings offer personal shopping appointments at many stores - same late opening vibe, fraction of the crowds. Many shops offer champagne whilst you browse.
31st December 2025
BURNT ORANGE NEW YEAR'S EVE
Special menu (around £85pp) featuring their best wood-fired dishes, timed to finish exactly at midnight for champagne in their courtyard. More intimate than big parties, exceptional food, perfect for couples or small groups.
Why Choose This: If you value incredible food over mass-party atmosphere, Burnt Orange delivers the best of both - celebration without compromise on cuisine. Their courtyard becomes magical for midnight countdown.
Booking: burnt-orange.co.uk (opens October, sells out by mid-November)
THE BEACH CELEBRATIONS (Free)
The traditional Brighton New Year's Eve: Beach between the piers, thousands of people, midnight fireworks launched from Palace Pier. Arrive by 11 pm for good viewing spots.
What to Expect: Thousands gather on the beach, street performers, festive atmosphere, countdown to midnight, followed by spectacular fireworks over the sea. It's free, fun, and quintessentially Brighton.
Upgrade Option: The Mesmerist sells rooftop tickets (£25) - heating, bar service, unobstructed views without beach crowds.
Insider Tips for NYE:
Book restaurants AND hotels by mid-November - both sell out completely
Many restaurants close 25th Dec-1st Jan, limiting options
The Square Townhouse offers special packages, including late checkout on 1st January (until 1 pm instead of 11 am)
Carry a flask if beach-viewing (allowed, and very Brighton)
Taxis are impossible after midnight - walk or book accommodation centrally
Dates: Tuesday 2nd – Saturday 13th December 2025
Venue: Theatre Royal Brighton (952 capacity)
The Steps musical brings 90s nostalgia to the Theatre Royal's stage for nearly two weeks. If you loved the '90s pop era (and FIVE's Halloween show in October), this musical delivers "Tragedy", "5,6,7,8", and all the hits in theatrical form.
Also at Theatre Royal:
Comedy Crackers (Sunday 14th December) - Romesh Ranganathan & guests curated by Off The Kerb. One-night festive comedy special with big TV names.
Tickets: atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton
Where to Stay
December 2025 combines Madness (two shows, 13-15 Dec weekend), Bryan Adams, Dara Ó Briain's near-sell-out, The Snowman close to Christmas, Christmas market weekenders, and New Year's Eve - creating Brighton's busiest December for hotels.
The Square Townhouse offers festive packages throughout December, including late checkout on 1st January and special rates for extended Christmas stays. Recognised among the Top 1% of Boutique Hotels Worldwide, we are perfectly positioned to the Lanes shopping district, Brighton Centre, Brighton Dome, and seafront celebrations.
Our team can help arrange restaurant bookings for festive dining and provide local recommendations for Brighton's most magical month.
Contact: info@squaretownhouse.com
Direct Booking: squaretownhouse.com
Book early: Madness weekend (13-15 Dec), The Snowman (21 Dec), and New Year's Eve sell out first - often by October
