November 15th, 2011
Eastbourne is counting down the days to Christmas already as the south coast destination prepares to celebrate a month to go with a bumper weekend of festivities at the end of November.
Visitors can look forward to an early dusting of Christmas Magic on Saturday 26 November with a festive extravaganza in the town centre, including children’s funfair rides, market stalls with Christmas gifts and fresh produce, and a packed programme of street entertainment and a dancing band!
Christmas shopping continues in the Enterprise Centre, a unique shopping precinct housed under a sunny Victorian glass roof, as it hosts its first Christmas Gift Market. Shoppers can browse 35 stalls offering handmade gifts, wooden toys, handcrafted jewellery, Christmas cakes and more, while getting into the festive spirit with free mulled wine, mince pies and live music.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure Cllr Neil Stanley said “What a fantastic month we have coming up here in Eastbourne, packed full of festive spirit and the magic of Christmas! From Christmas shopping choices galore to fun for the whole family with festive themed events and activities, Eastbourne makes a top choice to be your winter wonderland this year!”
For Christmas gifts with a difference, visitors can find unique pieces from more than 40 artists and makers in the Christmas Open Houses weekends from 26 – 27 November and 3 – 4 December. Artists will be opening up their homes to visitors around the town to showcase their work, while Eastbourne’s Redoubt Fortress will be bringing artists and makers together at this unique seafront venue.
Christmas shopping events continue through December with the return of Little Christmas on Friday 9 December in Eastbourne’s Little Chelsea. This traditional evening street event will welcome the arrival of Santa and his reindeer, while visitors can enjoy carol singing, festive food with a hog roast and roasted chestnuts, and treasure trails for the kids. Art Attack legend Neil Buchanan will also make a special appearance to launch his debut collection of fine art at Viewpoint Art Gallery.
On Sunday 11 December Eastbourne Arndale Centre shopping precinct will continue to spread the Christmas Magic with more festive retail therapy fun!
For those who want to feel like Father Christmas themselves don’t miss the Santa Fun Run & Walk on Sunday 4 December. Throw on a Santa suit and jingle all the way along Eastbourne’s three mile seafront prom to raise funds for the Myasthenia Gravis Association.
The little ones will delight in Eastbourne with a top choice of Christmas activities. From jumping aboard the Santa Special at Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway or making Christmas cards with a twist at Towner Contemporary Art Museum, to enjoying a classic Christmas movie at the International Lawn Tennis Centre or watching Santa and his elves hard at work at Drusillas Park, Eastbourne presents the ultimate festive experience for families.
Festivities continue throughout December in Eastbourne with the return of the traditional free Christmas and Boxing Day Concerts at the Bandstand. Enjoy a traditional concert with Eastbourne Silver Band on Christmas Day and get on your feet and dance along to The Ray Campbell Dance Band on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
And Christmas wouldn’t be complete in Eastbourne without a trip to the theatre to enjoy this year’s spectacular pantomime, The Adventures of Robin Hood, starring EastEnders’ Nasty Nick.
For more information on what’s coming up in Eastbourne this Christmas season go to the VisitEastbourne website or call 0871 663 0031.
