We are delighted to unveil our plans for Christmas in Chichester, a magical box of delights to ensure everyone gets in the Christmas Spirit!
We will be hosting FREE, family friendly festive experiences that will entice visitors into the city and encourage everyone to support, shop, gift and celebrate local this Christmas!
Highlights include:
The unveiling of brand-new Christmas lights and character light trail
The installation of a magical Nutcracker Christmas Trail
A special Nutcracker Christmas Experience Day to take part in
Twilight shopping evenings
The much anticipated return of a traditional Christmas Market
Scroll down and click on the links to read more:
The Christmas Light Switch On
Christmas officially kicks-off in Chichester with the Christmas Light Switch On event on Saturday 26 November. The event is led by the Rotary Groups of Chichester and V2 Radio will also be playing music in the city centre from 3pm. Oakwood School Choir will sing carols at The Rotary Tree of Goodwill from 4.15pm. A spectacular parade of lanterns will march slowly down to The Cross led by the Chichester Town Crier and TS Sturdy Marching Band. To join the lantern procession, everyone is invited to meet outside the former Jack Wills building on North Street where the Prebendal School Choir will sing carols from 4pm. Lanterns, kindly sponsored by Trading Post Coffee Roasters on South Street, will be handed out to families. At 5pm, the Christmas lights will be switched on by a real-life superhero, nominated by the public, joined by the Principle of Chichester College. Carols will then be sung around the tree with Chichester City Band. Nominations remain open for the Light Up Chichester Competition until 31 October and can be made via the Chichester BID website.
The Nutcracker Trail
Also launching on 26 November will be an enchanting Nutcracker Christmas Trail. Guarding the city of Chichester through the festive period will be 11 magnificent Nutcracker Kings. Discover all their names and be entered into a draw for the chance to win a Nintendo Switch and game, kindly sponsored by Blue Spire Accountants, or one of two £50 Chichester Gift Cards. The trail will run until 2 January 2023 and can be completed via the LoyalFree App (free to download) or a trail leaflet, which can be collected from participating businesses or downloaded from the Chichester BID website.
The Nutcracker Experience Festive Family Day
Take part in a special Nutcracker Experience Day on 10 December from 11am – 4pm. Families are invited to collect a special passport and go on a Nutcracker adventure across the city enjoying a variety of free Christmas themed activities including storytelling at The Library on Tower Street, Nutcracker dance workshops at Wagtail Coffee & Yoga on Eastgate Square, facepainting and Santa letter-writing at The Cathedral Cloisters and Christmas decoration making at Draper’s Yard. Collect passport stamps along the adventure before heading to the V2 van on East Street to receive a surprise gift. Visitors can also enjoy mesmerising Nutcracker themed street entertainment throughout the day as well capturing Christmas memories at the giant snow globe on North Street (open 11am – 4pm).
Festive Shopping Day
On Saturday 17 December, Chichester will host a full line-up of music and entertainment to keep Christmas spirts high including performances from Chichester City Band and dance and drama group Stagecoach Chichester. The giant snow globe will once again be on North Street between 11am – 4pm for special #SnowGlobeSelfies, giving shoppers another opportunity to capture special Christmas moments with family and friends.
Twilight Shopping
Two Twilight Shopping evenings are planned to take place from 4pm – 7pm on Thursday 15 and 22 December. With the Christmas Market and many high street and independent retailers opening later, visitors can also enjoy a variety of festive entertainment whilst shopping for treats and gifts.
Thank You
We would like to extend a huge thank you to all the local businesses who are partnering with us this year to create a magical Christmas in Chichester.
The generosity and support of Blue Spire Accountants, Trading Post Coffee Roasters, Wagtail Coffee & Yoga, Draper’s Yard, Chichester Cathedral, Chichester Library, Selsey Press, St Wilfrid’s Hospice, Arabesque School of Performing Arts, Kate Mosse, The Ivy Chichester, Stagecoach Performing Arts School, The Prebendal School, Oakwood School and V2 Radio is greatly appreciated and has enabled us to give everyone coming into Chichester this Christmas a real treat.