It’s Christmas! Saturday 22 November 2025

Burgess Hill welcomed the Christmas season in style on Saturday 22 November with a packed programme of entertainment on Church Walk and inside Market Place Shopping Centre.

The day began with Christmas carols from The Salvation Army on Church Walk, alongside a lively saxophone set from Lily Scrase in Market Place Shopping. Entertainment continued throughout the day with performances from Ariel Drama Academies, Mia Hayman-Lewis, The Frozen Princesses, Niruththiyalayam School of Dance, Haywards Heath College, M&M Theatre School, Tom Foolery, Walkhouse School of Dance, Melodie, Southway Junior School, The Sussex Harmonisers, Aimee Iris Music, and Saved by the Band closing the day. Burgess Hill Marching Youth paraded through the town centre, finishing in front of the stage, while Julie Holden, Mrs Christmas, and Mid Sussex Radio compered across both venues.

Families enjoyed free activities including walkabout entertainers The Nutcrackers on Stilts, The Frozen Princesses, and the returning Imperial Outlanders in Star Wars and Marvel costumes. Christmas craft sessions at The Hub gave children the chance to make festive decorations, while the Help Point hosted a busy face painter and balloon artist.

Santa’s Grotto, supported by Central Sussex & Burgess Hill Rotary Clubs and Burgess Hill District Lions, welcomed 163 children inside Market Place Shopping Centre.

Despite the cold and rain, 14 stallholders on Church Walk brought Christmas cheer with festive items, games, tombolas, and handmade gifts.

The day concluded with Town Mayor Stuart Condie announcing the winners of the Best Dressed Window competition: St Peter & St James Hospice Shop in first place and the Lions Book Den in second. The Christmas light switch on followed, accompanied by three festive songs performed by Saved by the Band.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and a special thank you to Market Place Shopping Centre and Mid Sussex District Council for providing free parking from 10am to 8pm, which was much appreciated by residents and visitors.