Countdown to Christmas

Support Local this Christmas

We're looking forward to the cheer and celebrations of another exciting festive season in the Chichester District, with events, markets and fantastic local gift buying opportunities all on our doorstep!

From using your local markets and food producers, to searching for unique gifts from our independent shops or making the most of our wonderful visitor attractions, it's really important that we all continue to 'shop local, visit local and support local' this Christmas.

Christmas events

Christmas events in Priory Park

Residents and visitors to Chichester will be able to enjoy a host of festive magic thanks to a dedicated programme of events taking place in The Guildhall in Chichester's Priory Park. The programme will feature:

Arts and crafts activities
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December, 10am - 3pm

Culture Spark's Get Creative returns with creative workshops for all your friends and family. Pre-book to guarantee your place/s or turn up on the day and pay what you can! Enjoy a Winter Wonderland in the beautiful Guildhall in Priory Park, Chichester. There will be arts and crafts, singing and drumming workshops and even a kids' karaoke!

Come in messy clothes and make Christmas decorations and elves on the shelves; sing favourite festive songs and generally have fun with some inspirational artists.

La Diva at Christmas - Carol Concert, The Guildhall
Monday 9 December, 6.30pm.

Get into the holiday spirit with La Diva, who will fill The Guildhall with festive melodies and heartwarming Christmas carols. La Diva are a nationally successful show choir from Bishop Luffa secondary school in Chichester. Tickets cost £7.50 per adult, £5.50 per child. For more information please visit The Novium Museum's 'What's On' page (opens new window).

Christmas storytelling, The Guildhall
Tuesday 10 December 10.30am - 11.30am.

Interactive Christmas stories session for toddlers and pre-schoolers with favourites such as 'One Snowy Night', 'The Night Before Christmas' and 'We're Going on a Polar Bear Hunt'. Led by Chris North of Freedom Through Fun.

Festive Soundbath by candlelight
Tuesday 10 December 6.30 - 8pm.

Come join us for a magical Sound / Gong bath, let the soothing sounds wash over you as we prepare for the festive period.

Wear warm, comfortable clothes and please bring the following: blankets / to keep you cosy - and extra to keep you warm; yoga mat / camping mat or similar to lay on; and, pillow for your head.

Please note - Whilst Sound Baths / Gong baths are suitable for most, it is not advised in the following situations: 1st trimester of pregnancy; anyone with a pacemaker; unsupported serious mental health condition; sound induced epilepsy.

Please also inform the instructor of any of the following: metal implants; tinnitus; severe illness; recent surgery.

Festive Jazz Cafe, The Guildhall
Wednesday 11 December, 7.30pm.

With Mike Carey's Big House Jazz Band and actors and poets. Enjoy a delightful mix of seasonal words and music with a jazz band, actors, poets and special guests plus refreshments and free mince pies! Expect all your favourite tunes, plus entertaining and inspiring readings.

Family pantomime, The Guildhall
13 - 15 December.

Fairy Sparkle dreams of being the fairy on the top of the tree. Santa and Mrs Santa are working their socks off to deliver Christmas on time. But! Norman the naughty elf is plotting to ruin everything. It's up to you, the audience, to save the day!

Delivered by seasoned panto professionals, enjoy a one-hour magical experience full of all the traditional pantomime ingredients. Cheer the goodies, boo the baddies and immerse yourself in family festive fun.

Approximate 45-minute performance followed by a 15-minute meet and greet with the cast. Panto times are as follows: Friday 13 December - 6pm; Saturday 14 - 11am, 1.30pm, 3:30pm and 6pm; Sunday 15 - 11am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm and 6pm. Ticket price: £9.50 per adult / £7 per child.

Silent Discos, The Guildhall
Thursday 12 December.

There will be a family-friendly Christmas-themed disco from 6pm until 7.30pm. Following this, from 8.30pm until 10pm there will be an 80s themed silent disco for adults. This links in with The Novium Museum's 'I Grew Up 80s' exhibition, which will run from Saturday 7 December until 8 June 2025. For more information, please visit The Novium Museum's 'I Grew Up 80's' page (opens new window).

Tickets and details for all these events are available by visiting the Chichester Box Office website (opens new window) or by calling: 01243 816525.

Other Christmas events

Chichester Christmas lights switch-on
The Chichester BID (Business Improvement District) will hold the Chichester Christmas Lights Switch-on event on Saturday 23 November at 5pm outside The Assembly Rooms, North Street.

Tree blessing
On Sunday 24 November, the Rotary Club of Chichester will be holding their blessing of the Christmas tree at The Cross at 4.30pm.

The Novium Museum's Starlight Trail and Gonk Trail
On Saturday 23 November, 2pm-4.30pm visit The Novium Museum and Pallant House Gallery to make a paper lantern and festive crafts. Find out more on the Chichester Box Office (opens new window).

The Novium Museum's popular Gonk trail will run again, from Saturday 14 December until Saturday 4 January - ideal for little ones! Find out more on The Novium Museum's 'What's On' page (opens new window).

More events across the district!
You can access information on Christmas events and activities taking place across the district by visiting our What's On events calendar. Just a few events include:

Midhurst: Christmas Street Party 5pm until 8pm on Friday 6 December including live music; fairground rides; late-night shopping; a Christmas gift market; the popular Santa's Grotto and much more! More information will be available closer to the time on Midhurst Town Council's website (opens new window).
Petworth: Petworth Christmas Cracker event takes place on Saturday 7 December, 11am until 7pm. Visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of stalls throughout the day in Market Square, the High Street, Lombard Street and the Leconfield Hall. There will also be an array of musical entertainment throughout the day based in Market Square. For more information please visit the Petworth Town Council website (opens new window).
Selsey: Community Christmas' event in the High Street on Saturday 30 November from 2pm until 6pm. This will include a parade at 3pm, with special guest, Steve Power. It will also feature children's entertainment and a Santa's grotto. The 'East Beach Christmas Party' will take place on the same day - Saturday 30 November - between 2.30pm and 5pm. Santa is arriving at 3pm. There will be fairground rides and children's entertainment. For more information please visit the Destination Selsey website (opens new window).

If you are organising an event that is taking place in the district then email all the details, and a picture if possible, to whatson@chichester.gov.uk and we'll include them in our listings for you

You can also find details of more local events on our dedicated Chichester District Events and Markets Facebook page (opens new window) and Instagram page (opens new window) or sign up to our Initiatives+ email newsletter for updates direct to your inbox!

Shop Local

Our fantastic high streets in Chichester, East Wittering, Midhurst, Petworth and Selsey have so much to offer, with local and beautiful gifts from a wide variety of shops, many of which you can't find anywhere else. While you're there, don't forget to visit the great selection of cafés and restaurants.

By spending locally, you will also be supporting the local economy and helping to preserve the heart of our community. You may not be aware, but for every pound you spend in a small or medium-sized business, roughly 63 pence will stay in the local economy. This helps the high street to stay relevant, support jobs and the local supply chain.

Parking offers

This Christmas we have some special parking offers in place for the festive period.

Christmas light switch-on in Chichester: 23 November
If you're planning to go to the Chichester Christmas lights switch-on event on 23 November then we are offering free parking from 4pm that day in our Avenue de Chartres car park specially for the event.

Weekend offer when using MiPermit
When you select two hours using MiPermit (opens new window) during weekends in December, you will get the third hour free. MiPermit is available as an app and can be used in most council-owned car parks across the district. To find out more about MiPermit, please visit our MiPermit Chichester District information page.

Free Sunday parking in Avenue de Chartres during December
We are also offering free parking in our Avenue de Chartres car park in Chichester on Sundays during December 2024.

You can find out the locations of all of our car parks across the district by visiting our Chichester District car parks page or downloading the Chichester District Council app and looking under the 'Find my nearest' tab.

Spend Local

As well as encouraging as many people as possible to support our High Streets and local businesses, we are also making people aware of the many experiences, activities and events that are taking place across the district. You can find out more by visiting the Great Sussex Way (opens new window). We will also be welcoming a range of markets during the festive period.

Cross Market and More

Our popular artisan market returns to the city centre on Sunday 24 November, celebrating the very best creatives, designers, makers and producers from the district along with entertainment, family activities and mouth watering food from the local area. Find out more on our Chichester District 'Cross Market and More' page.

Chichester Festive Market

Chichester city centre will host a festive market from 7 until 15 of December. A wide variety of stalls selling Christmas gifts and novelties will be accompanied by a mouth watering selection of festive food and drink from local vendors.

Chichester Farmers' Market

Taking place in East Street on 15 November and 6 and 20 December, you can buy all your fabulous, locally sourced, festive food and more from producers at our popular farmers' markets. Get the freshest vegetables, bread, cakes, fish, eggs and meat, along with some unique Artisan Gifts for the holiday season.

The Farmers' Market will return after the holiday season on Friday 17 January 2025 with another Feel Good Friday vibe! Find out more on our Find out more on our Chichester District Events & Markets Facebook (opens new window) and on our Farmers' Market&nbsp.

Other Chichester markets during December

Chichester's general market, run by Bray Associates, will take place in its normal location of East and North Street every Wednesday, except the 11 December when the Christmas Market is taking place. However, the general market will take place on an additional date: Monday 23 December in the city centre for last minute purchases.

There is also (weather permitting) an opportunity to find a bargain at the Car Boot Sale on Sundays in the Cattle Market car park, run by Bray Associates. More information is available on our markets page.

Keep up to date

For all the latest information and updates about City Centre markets and other events taking place in the district go to our What's On page, follow our Chichester District Events and Markets Facebook page (opens new window) and sign up to our Initiatives+ email newsletter for updates direct to your inbox!

Support Local

As well as shopping locally, there are a number of ways you can show your support.

Wrap your presents with our free gift tags and wrapping paper

Show your love for Chichester, East Wittering, Midhurst, Petworth and Selsey with our lovely Christmas gift tags and our special wrapping paper!

We have designed a tag and wrapping paper for each area, which you can download here for free. We also have a gift tag for the district. Simply download the paper or tag you want, print them out and use them on your gifts this Christmas to show your support for our local businesses.

Chichester District downloadable Christmas gift tags (Word doc) [877KB]

Chichester downloadable Christmas gift tags (Word doc) [836KB]

East Wittering downloadable Christmas gift tags (Word doc) [771KB]

Midhurst downloadable Christmas gift tags (Word doc) [874KB]

Petworth downloadable Christmas gift tags (Word doc) [780KB]

Selsey downloadable Christmas gift tags (Word doc) [775KB]

Chichester downloadable Christmas wrapping paper (Word doc) [742KB]

East Wittering downloadable Christmas wrapping paper (Word doc) [618KB]

Midhurst downloadable Christmas wrapping paper (Word doc) [775KB]

Petworth downloadable Christmas wrapping paper (Word doc) [630KB]

Selsey downloadable Christmas wrapping paper (Word doc) [692KB]

Shout about our your favourite places, shops and businesses on social media

Consider sharing pictures of the great places you've been, the experiences you've had in the district, or the great products you've purchased from local businesses by posting on social media, using one of the following campaign #hashtags:

Chichester — #LoveFromChichester
East Wittering — #LoveFromEastWittering
Midhurst — #LoveFromMidhurst
Petworth — #LoveFromPetworth
Selsey — #LoveFromSelsey
Chichester District - #LoveFromChichesterDistrict

Council contact centre Christmas closure

Our Customer Service Centre will be closed from Tuesday 24 December 2024, and will reopen on Thursday 2 January 2025.

If you need to contact our car parks office, please visit our Chichester District Council 'Apply Report Pay' page or call our out-of-hours messaging service on
01243 785166 or 01243 534734.

For any other district council related emergency, please call the 'emergency out of hours' number on 01243 785339.

If you have an enquiry about roads, pavements and street lighting, or need to report a fault relating to them, please contact West Sussex County Council (opens new window) or by calling 01243 777100.

You can also access our services on our website.

Eating out this festive season

Before you book a reservation or order a festive takeaway, make sure you check the restaurant's food hygiene rating. You can find out more about the food hygiene rating scheme and check a restaurant's rating at Food Hygiene Rating scheme (opens new window).

Travel safely this Christmas

If you're travelling by taxi this Christmas, make sure you follow our top tips to stay safe:

Make sure you know the cost of your journey in order that you have enough money to pay.
Book a licensed taxi or minicab or wait at an official rank.
Check that the taxi or minicab has a council licence plate on the rear of the car. Look for a badge in the windscreen and check that the driver is wearing their identification. The plate and driver identification will include numbers unique to the vehicle and driver.
Keep your mobile phone with you at all times (and make sure it is charged up).
Never get into an unmarked car offering you a lift.
Don't get into a car if you feel unsafe for any reason.

If you have concerns about a driver or vehicle, please contact taxilicensing@chichester.gov.uk

Recycling and waste

The packaging from many of our favourite festive food and drink products such as plastic confectionary tubs, meat trays, foil mince pie cases, glass bottles and jars, and empty chocolate advent calendars can all be recycled.

Before placing in your burgundy bin, please make sure your recycling is:

Clean - free from food and drink leftovers (a quick rinse will do).
Dry - keep your recycling bin lid shut (soggy paper and cardboard can't be recycled and can stick to other items or clog up the machinery when sorted).
Loose - not tied up in plastic bags, as the machinery cannot sort these.

If you have extra recycling that you can't fit into your recycling bin, please keep it dry and place it in a loosely tied black sack next to your recycling bin on your scheduled collection day. Excess cardboard should be flattened and folded or cut down to a manageable size for a single crew member to handle.

When you're unwrapping your presents this Christmas, remember that cardboard boxes and packaging, wrapping paper and empty tubes, cards and envelopes, can all be recycled. Unfortunately any shiny or metallic gift wrap, ribbons and bows, and plastic film and wrapping will need to be disposed of in your black waste bin, or re-used where possible.

We also offer a dedicated collection service for unwanted textiles, broken small electrical items, and coffee pods.

Follow us on social media for more festive recycling tips or use the handy searchable A-Z of recycling of waste (opens new window).

Download the Chichester District Council App

Don't forget you can also download the Chichester Council app from the Apple app store or the Google Play store. As our recycling and waste collection dates change over the festive period, this is a great way to check when your bins are due for collection. You can also sign up to receive handy notification reminders making it even easier to know when to put your bins out. The app also has a search function to check what can and cannot be recycled at home. For more information please visit the Chichester District Council app page.

St Wilfrid's Hospice TreeCycle Scheme

We've teamed up with St Wilfrid's Hospice once again to promote their Christmas Tree Recycling Scheme. If you sign up, St Wilfrid's volunteers will collect your real Christmas tree and recycle it for you in January 2025, in return for a donation to the hospice.

Collection dates will be 10 - 13 January 2025 and bookings close on 6 January. Postcodes being covered are: PO18, PO19, PO20, PO21, PO22, PO10, GU29, GU28, BN18, and the suggested donation is £15 per tree. If you are not already signed up to the council's garden recycling service this is a great way to ensure your real tree gets recycled whilst supporting the charity. Find out more on St Wilfrid's Hospice website (opens new window).

Wellbeing

If you need some support over the Christmas period, our Chichester Wellbeing service can help. We are here to support your emotional wellbeing if you find this time of the year difficult. Or would you like help to manage your weight or maintain the hard earned good habits you've developed this year? We are here to help.

The new year is traditionally a time when we think about making improvements to our health, if you feel the time is right for you to lead a healthier lifestyle, then get in touch. You can access advice and support on a range of topics including healthy eating, weight management, becoming more active, emotional wellbeing, stopping smoking, and reducing alcohol intake, at Chichester Wellbeing (opens new window).

The new year is a good time to stop smoking, we can provide free nicotine replacement therapy and support to help you quit.

If you would like help to reduce your alcohol intake then we will be promoting the Dry January campaign and can provide one to one support to help you reduce your drinking to within the sensible drinking guidelines. Or why not try switching to alcohol-free drink over the festive season. There are so many to choose from or why not make your own? If you are drinking alcohol, aim to eat before you drink to help slow down the rate that alcohol is absorbed into your system and avoid starting drinking too early!

Our new 12 week Weight Management course starts mid January and is free to join, we will help you to make long term sustainable changes that help you lose weight. Get in touch and we will assess your eligibility for the programme and you can join the waiting list now.

Our volunteer led Heartsmart walks (opens new window) will continue over the Christmas period offering you the chance to get out in the fresh air with like minded people in the beautiful Chichester District countryside.

The service is free and aims to help you introduce small lifestyle changes that can make a big difference to your health and wellbeing.

Social Prescribing

Some people can find Christmas a very lonely time of year. If you would like help to find social activities or groups in your local community our Social Prescribers are here to help support you.

Social Prescribing is an opportunity for you to talk through some of the non-medical issues in your life, which may be having an adverse impact on your health and wellbeing. During your appointments, you can discuss ways to improve how you feel and explore opportunities for you to connect to the practical and emotional support available in your community. We provide support for anyone aged 13yrs+ in a way that works for you. You can find more information through the Chichester District Council 'social prescribing' page.

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