It’s the most wonderful time of the year (apart from Brighton Fringe, of course) and there are plenty of delightful performances to entertain you this winter. From traditional pantomimes to original productions from award-winning companies, there are plenty of choices to get the whole family into the Christmas spirt. Although the crowds flock to the city in the summer, Brighton at Christmas is very special too, with lots to entertain you and your family through the dark nights. So if you'd prefer something warmer than a brisk walk along the seafront, read on to discover our top five picks of what's on in Brighton this Christmas time.
If you've been stuck as a to what to do in Brighton, with a line up of shows as exciting and original as these, you’ll be spoilt for choice this Christmas 2018.
Brighton Fringe favourite drag prince Alfie Ordinary is back! Alfie has brought his friends together for a special one night only performance to celebrate all your favourite Christmas songs in Alfie Ordinary’s Christmas Special (Rialto, 13th December). This festive live performance will get your toes tapping ready for a special night out that is guaranteed to be anything but ordinary.
Tabby McTat is a cat who just loves to sing with a voice both loud and strong and he loves singing with his best friend, busker Fred, most of all. This much loved children’s book from the Sussex based author of The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson, has been brought to life by the team behind Stick Man Live and Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales. A heartfelt story about friendship and loyalty, Tabby McTat (The Old Market, 13th-16th December, various times) is certain to please audiences both young and old.
If you’re looking for an alternative to your bog standard wholesome Christmas fare, multiple award-winning theatre company 1927 are returning to The Old Market to bring you their latest original theatrical experience in The Animals and Children Took To The Streets (The Old Market, 19th December-13th January, various times). Set in the hopeless and bleak neighbourhood of Bayou, where curtain-twitchers and peeping-toms live side by side and the wolf is always at the door, this mixed media performance will take you on a rollercoaster ride full of twists and turns. Like a graphic novel brought to life, prepare to enter a dark world designed to amaze and startle.
After their Brighton Festival 2014 hit FLOWN and a welcome return performance at Brighton Dome in 2015, trailblazing company Pirates of the Carabina are back with their exhilarating new circus show, HOME (Brighton Dome, 15th December-23rd December, various times). This collective of world-class performers, musicians and acrobats explore fantastical lives of a neighbourhood of acrobats, alongside an animated set and absorbing live score. Heartwarming, funny and truly astonishing, HOME features a series of ever more incredible circus skills, including a vertical-swinging trapeze, never-ending ropes, a spinning carousel and a very temperamental staircase.
Family favourites, the Long Nose Puppets, have a magical new story to tell at Komedia this Christmas, Out Of The Hat (Komedia, 20th December-31st December, various times). When Doris and Delilah wake up to find something strange and sparkly has fallen from the sky, they are inspired to put on the world’s greatest magic show. Join them as they encounter a whole host of brilliant and funny characters, from a transformative moth, a giant singing frog to some beautiful fireflies and more who all help to create their dream show. Perfect for two-eight year olds, but fun for all the family, this charming musical will have you humming their tunes all Christmas long
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There are plenty of ways to celebrate Christmas in Brighton this year, so if you've been stuck as to what to do in Brighton, with a line up of shows as exciting and original as these, you’ll be spoilt for choice this Christmas 2018.
