Two free Christmas events announced for Worthing town centre

Thursday, 12 November 2026 at 07:00

By Philip Keeler

Worthing is preparing for the festive season with two free Christmas events aimed at bringing people into the town centre and supporting local businesses.

Worthing Borough Council has announced plans for a Christmas tree lights switch-on in November, followed by an evening festive market in December.

The town's Christmas tree, will be unveiled and illuminated on Friday 20 November.

The celebrations will begin at 5pm with an introduction from Worthing's town crier, Bob Smytherman, before the official lights switch-on at 5.30pm.

Festive entertainment and Christmas music will continue until 7pm, with performances taking place at Montague Gardens, which officially opened in September.

The evening will feature Heene Sign Choir, Andy's Angels Choir, a Christmas sing-along with local singer Laura Vane and an appearance from the cast of this year's pantomime, Puss in Boots.

A second event will take place on Friday 18 December, when Portland Road will host an evening Christmas market featuring food, drink and gift stalls.

Live entertainment will also be held at Montague Gardens, with folk singers, local youth bands and DJs performing between 4.30pm and 8pm.

In addition to the two events, a knitted Christmas installation created by community organisation Storm's Make n Munch group will return to Worthing Town Hall by the end of November.

The celebrations form part of Worthing Borough Council's Pride in Worthing initiative, which aims to improve the town centre, support businesses and encourage greater community involvement.

Councillor Caroline Baxter, leader of Worthing Borough Council, said: “One of my priorities as leader is to make Worthing a place we can all be proud of, with a lively town centre where people want to spend time and support local businesses.

“That's what Pride in Worthing is all about. The opening of Montague Gardens showed how this new space can bring people together and breathe new life into our town centre. I'm delighted we're building on that with free Christmas events this year.”

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