Witness the grace and strength of acclaimed circus performers in Duck Pond, from world-renowned Australian company Circa. A stunning fusion of Swan Lake and The Ugly Duckling told with humour and heart, this is an entertaining tale of self-discovery and identity for the whole family. Marvel at breath-taking acrobatics, jaw-dropping lifts and stunts from a cast including a flipper-wearing duck army and a burlesque black swan (Wed 23 – Mon 28 Dec, ages 5+).
Step into the heart of tradition in Ceilidh the Musical, a brand-new immersive show that tells a beautiful story of family, queer love and legacy. A lively caller and a magnificent live band create a whirlwind of music and memories as the audience becomes part of the show and part of the story. More than a play and more than a night out, Ceilidh the Musical is at Brighton Dome Corn Exchange for one week only (Tue 15 – Sun 20 Dec).
For families, Stuff and Nonsense Theatre’s “truly enchanting” (The Stage) The Adventures of the Little Red Hen is an energetic re-telling of the beloved fable. Combining puppetry, live music and comedy, it has been made especially for children aged 3+ and will be enjoyed by older siblings and grownups too (Tue 22 – Thu 24 Dec). Christmas arts and crafts sessions for ages 3-11 (accompanied by an adult) provide opportunities to make festive spoon puppets (Sat 5-Sun 6 Dec), shadow lanterns (Sat 12 & Sun 20 Dec) and snowy scenes (Sun 13 & Sat 19 Dec). All materials are provided and no need to worry about the clean-up either, we’ve got that covered!
The family fun continues with a special screening of The Snowman accompanied by live orchestra in the Concert Hall. This award-winning show is a joyous take on a Christmas classic that will charm audience members of all ages (Sat 19 Dec). One Voice Festival of Singing once again brings together more than 2,200 young singers from Primary and Special Schools across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. The annual seasonal celebration of singing is produced by music education service Create Music, part of Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival, and Glyndebourne, in partnership with De La Warr Pavilion, and will see performances at all three venues across December.
Calling all scream queens, vamps, witches and freaks for Brighton’s Big Drag Pageant, returning for another winter spectacular and this year with a horrifying twist! Think Ghouls in Gowns, Gothic Glamour and Camp Krampus as award-winning drag artist, compere and DJ Alfie Ordinary hosts an all-star line-up of Brighton’s best drag performers, battling for the prize with high-flying, jaw-dropping performances and killer runways (Thu 10 Dec, 18+). Make the Yuletide gay with Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, as they return to the Concert Hall following last year’s smash hit sell-out Beauty and the Bear. This year’s extravaganza is A Merry Christmas Murder, a hilarious who-dunnit soundtracked to seasonal classics in a riotous evening of pure festive fun (Sat 12 Dec). Hosted by the inimitable Ida Barr, the gloriously bonkers ORGANOKE is back (Fri 18 Dec), inviting you to sing along to your favourite Christmas hits accompanied by the Concert Hall’s gorgeous 1936 pipe organ. Fancy going solo? Throw your name into the Tombola of Dreams for the chance to perform in the second half!
There’s unforgettable choral magic in the Corn Exchange from award-winning chamber choir The Purcell Singers as they perform Christmas music from across the centuries in the candle-lit Britten: A Ceremony of Carols, accompanied by world-class harpist Eleanor Metcalfe (Sun 29 Nov). Antarctica from Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra includes the works of Vaughan Williams, Johnny Greenwood, Sibelius and Arvo Pärt. The arrangement is set to stunning visuals by filmmaker Kathy Hinde, capturing the awe-inspiring and sometimes terrifying power of nature in winter. With ethereal vocals from lyric soprano Elizabeth Watts, groundbreaking pop superstar Bishi on the tanpura, and the wonderful Brighton Festival Chorus (Sun 6 Dec).
Lush and heartwarming, Gaudete! from folk and early music duo Green Matthews accompanied by an early woodwind player and violinist is an evening of winter folk songs and Christmas carols that perfectly evokes the Spirit of Christmas Past (Fri 11 Dec). There are annual Christmas concerts from Brighton Festival Chorus, who present Christmas with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Sun 13 Dec) and Choir With No Name, whose Big Christmas Singalong this year features Brighton band Arxx as special guests (Tue 15 Dec).
For comedy fans, Live at Christmas features a stellar line-up of comedians and their best festive jokes, including your host, Last One Laughing’s Amy Gledhill, TV favourites David O’Doherty, Sara Pascoe and Bridget Christie and rising star Toussaint Douglass. Christmas shoppers will find 90 local designers, artists and makers to choose from at Etsy’s Christmas Fair (Sat 5 Dec) and by popular demand, Christmas Craft and Chat are the perfect way to relax on a winter’s afternoon – the bar will be open, so you can grab a drink of your choice whilst creating your own festive masterpiece: choose from a snowy scene (Sat 19 Dec) or make a shadow lantern (Sun 20 Dec).
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