Brighton Christmas Market 2026: Dates, Location & Travel

Brighton Christmas Market 2026 is scheduled for 26 November to 27 December at Valley Gardens, opposite the Royal Pavilion. VisitBrighton lists free entry and daily opening from noon to 9pm. This is a new event, so treat those details as the current published plan rather than a promise that every stall or performance will operate unchanged.

This independent guide puts the verified event facts in one place and helps you decide how to get there, especially if your day starts at Gatwick Airport, another Sussex town or a hotel with luggage.

Entrance to Brighton's Royal Pavilion near the Valley Gardens Christmas Market location — The Royal Pavilion entrance near the market location. Photograph by Mike Peel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. This is a real Brighton location photograph from 2024, not a photograph of the 2026 market; displayed without alteration.

01 / AT A GLANCE

The details worth saving

DATES26 Nov–27 Dec 2026

HOURSDaily, 12 noon–9pm

ENTRYFree

PLACEValley Gardens, BN1 1EN

These are the details on VisitBrighton’s event listing as checked on 9 November. The listing places the market at Valley Gardens, Old Steine, directly opposite the Royal Pavilion. It describes craft stalls, festive food and drink, and live entertainment on selected dates. It does not publish a fixed entertainment timetable, so check the organiser’s latest information if a particular performance matters to you.

02 / THE PLACE

What to expect—and what not to assume

Expect a city-centre market built around independent traders, gifts, decorations and seasonal food. VisitBrighton specifically mentions hot chocolate, mulled wine, a Bavarian grill and music on selected dates. A short market visit can pair naturally with the Royal Pavilion, North Laine, The Lanes or a seafront walk. Those are separate attractions with their own opening times and costs.

Important photographic note: the official listing says its market photos are illustrative because this is a new event. Our photos below likewise show real Brighton landmarks and travel points, not a 2026 market that has not opened yet. That distinction matters when planning a genuine guide.

Editorial check

The verified VisitBrighton listing does not state a stall count, an ice rink or a detailed entertainment schedule. We have deliberately not invented any of those details.

03 / GETTING THERE

From Brighton, Sussex and Gatwick

Already in Brighton

Head for Valley Gardens opposite the Royal Pavilion. If arriving by rail, Brighton station is in the city centre; VisitBrighton’s city-centre map shows the route to the Pavilion and nearby attractions. Allow extra time if you are carrying shopping, travelling with children or using step-free routes.

Coming from Gatwick Airport

London Gatwick lists direct rail services to Brighton. Check the airport’s train advice and your live journey before setting off; planned engineering works can change an otherwise simple journey. A pre-booked road transfer can take you to an agreed Brighton drop-off without navigating the station with luggage.

Coming from elsewhere in Sussex

Check your complete outward and return journey with National Rail, particularly for evening visits. If you prefer a direct pickup from Lewes, Hove, Worthing or Mid Sussex, request a private-hire quote in advance and agree a practical meeting point away from the busiest pedestrian area.

Brighton railway station, a common arrival point for Christmas Market visitors — Brighton Railway Station, an arrival point for market visitors. Photograph by Mat Fascione / Geograph via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0. Real station photograph, not a 2026 market image; displayed without alteration.

04 / SMARTER PLANNING

A visit that actually runs smoothly

Choose your window. A weekday daytime visit may suit shoppers who want more breathing room; the official listing does not guarantee crowd levels.
Check before leaving. Confirm event hours and any selected-date entertainment directly with the organiser.
Plan the journey home. Evening train frequency and traffic can differ from the outward trip; use live information, not a remembered timetable.
Keep airport timing separate. If the market is a stop before or after a flight, build in the airline’s check-in requirement and a sensible travel buffer. Do not treat the market’s 9pm closing time as your airport transfer departure target.
Agree the pickup point. Valley Gardens is central and busy. Give the driver an exact, legal and reachable location confirmed when you book.

DIRECT SUSSEX TRAVEL

Make the visit the easy part

Sussex Airports Taxis provides pre-booked journeys across Brighton, Hove and Sussex, including Gatwick and Heathrow transfers. Tell us your pickup, date, passenger and luggage numbers, and preferred Brighton drop-off; we’ll quote for the actual journey and vehicle rather than promise an unverified market fare.

Get a journey quote Brighton–Gatwick guide

05 / QUICK ANSWERS

Brighton Christmas Market FAQs

When is Brighton Christmas Market 2026?

VisitBrighton lists 26 November to 27 December 2026. Check the organiser before travelling because event details can change.

Where is the market?

At Valley Gardens, Old Steine, Brighton & Hove BN1 1EN, opposite the Royal Pavilion.

What are the opening hours?

VisitBrighton lists daily opening from noon to 9pm. Confirm current times before setting off.

Is entry free?

Yes. VisitBrighton lists free entry; purchases from stalls cost extra.

Can I book a taxi from Gatwick to the market?

Yes. Sussex Airports Taxis offers pre-booked Gatwick to Brighton transfers, subject to availability. Give your flight number, terminal, passengers, luggage and preferred Brighton drop-off when requesting a quote.