THE organiser of the Brighton Christmas Festival 2022 has pledged to 'create a genuine buzz in the city' with this year's Christmas market, shows and attractions.
David Hill - CEO of E3 Events in Hove - says he is very excited about this year's packed schedule, running from Friday November 18 until Christmas Eve.
He admits that last year the festival proved 'very challenging,' but it's back this winter bigger and better.
Christmas Market in Leicester Square
These are the main attractions:
- A new high quality traditional European-style Christmas market. E3 are partnering with a top German company experienced in providing Christmas markets in Hyde Park, London, and the famous market in Edinburgh.
- Two-storey Après Ski Bar with seating for 180 people, including an outside heated terrace
- The Big Wheel is coming back
- Traditional Christmas Grotto with Father Christmas and Snow Queen
- Aladdin the pantomime is at the Brighton Centre from December 22-27
- The Elves are back again after last year's success with their new show ‘The Elf Express’
- And Sussex Superstars, a new live talent show with five heats during the Festival, and the Grand Final in February 2023.
And - crucially for David - the festival has a new location.
He told guests at the launch held at the Malmaison Hotel in Brighton Marina:
"I genuinely feel incredibly excited at the line-up we have for 2022.
"We have listened to people in the city, and we have a new location for the market - next to St Peter's Church on both St Peter’s Plaza and Richmond Square.
"The Market will be completely different now we are working with this specialist company who are used to putting on these events in the heart of London.
"The idea this year is to keep everything closer together. The Après Ski Bar will be in St Peter's Plaza right by The Big Wheel, and in the heart of the market. People can do their Christmas shopping and then relax with some great street food and a mulled wine or a Bailey’s hot chocolate!
"The Wheel itself will be slightly smaller this year - 20 metres - and it will be a great signpost to the city for the whole event."
David is keen to build on last year's successes, which included the Grotto - 4000 tickets were sold in 2021 - and The Elf Express, which completely sold out.
It will be the third attempt staging Aladdin at the Brighton Centre after 2020 and 2021 were both cancelled due to Covid.
And the live talent show is a new fresh idea being staged at the Hilton Brighton Metropole.
David said:
"My team has worked so hard to create what we think will be a winning line-up this Christmas. We want to show the city, the county and surrounding areas that Brighton Does Christmas!
"We also want to demonstrate our commitment to the local community and give back to people in need.
"This is why all money raised for charity during this year's festival will be donated to The Focus Foundation, a new Sussex based charity that will be providing a range of grants to community initiatives and smaller charities within the city.