Winter Wonder in Eastbourne!

With Christmas fast approaching, why not watch the magic unfold in Eastbourne over the winter season? Each year is bringing you a bigger and better extravaganza; Be sure to visit our fantastic events to bring you some fun & laughter over the Holidays.

29^th November 2013 – January 2014

Drusilla’s Winter Wonderland

To enjoy the enchantment of Christmas visit Drusilla’s Park at 4:30pm this December to reveal a magnificent winter wonderland display for all of the family. Father Christmas will make his annual return to the zoo where he will be pleased to meet all of the children for fun and magic this Christmas. Also available are hot honey roasted chest nuts, as well as a glass of mulled wine for the adults!

1^st December 2013

Santa Fun Run & Walk, Eastbourne Seafront

For the 7^th year running, the Santa Fun Run is back to bring you some festive cheer! Santa’s will be making their appearance at the Sovereign Centre Eastbourne and ho ho ho-ing their way to Holy well Tea Chalet. The Santa’s are hoping to beat last year’s grand total of £15,000 for the fantastic charity MGA.

2^nd December 2013

Russian State Ballet & Opera House; the Nutcracker; Congress Theatre

After a successful premiere year at the Congress, the Nutcracker is back with its wonderful live orchestra to bring you an unforgettable 3 day Christmas spectacular. The Nutcracker, Swan Lake & Romeo and Juliet are set to bring you a beautiful fairytale for all of the family. Performance times are 7:30pm. Ticket prices range from £22 - £32; with discounts available for over 60’s, students, unemployed, children and disabled.

Also at the Congress Theatre is A Christmas Spectacular, presented by the fabulous Rattonians each year. Come along and join in the fun 6^th-8^th December. £12.50 per ticket; show time starts at 19:30.

3^rd December 2013

Wonderland Late Night Opening & Curator Talk, Towner

Join in with the fun at Eastbourne’s Towner Art Gallery, for a special Christmas Evening Event where you will discover more about the Towner’s Wonderland Exhibition with the collection curator. You can also find some wonderful Christmas gifts at the in store shop.

7^th December 2013

Christmas cheer at the Eastbourne Enterprise Centre

This is your chance to meet Santa every Saturday and Sunday, as well as his reindeers on the 15^th December. There is also a popular gift fair including 35 stalls selling everything you need for Christmas shopping. This takes place on the 1^st December for everyone to enjoy. Receive a complimentary mulled wine and mince pie on any visit which is free! Festive friends will also be on hand to welcome customers hoping to raise even more money than last years total of over £600 for the Chestnut Tree Children’s Charity.

Little Chelsea Christmas, South Street Eastbourne

South Street is once again coming to life for the 4^th year to bring you Christmas Magic offering great festivities for all of the family. Available will be: Santa’s Grotto and his reindeer, carol singing and dancing, a delicious hog roast, market stalls & late night shopping. You can find some special and unique gifts, and why not warm yourself up with a delicious mulled wine & mince pie. An evening not to be missed! The fun starts at 5:30-10:00pm.

Stargazing with Eastbourne Astronomical Society, Redoubt Fortress and Military Museum

Ever wanted to explore more of the night sky and become familiar with constellation patterns and galaxies? Why not join the Eastbourne Astronomical Society as they host a fun filled evening stargazing at the Redoubt Fortress. Beginners are all welcome as well as experienced; the event is free with hot drinks available. Warm clothes are advisable.

13^th December – 12^th January 2014

Aladdin! Traditional Fun Filled Pantomime, Devonshire Park Theatre  

Everybody loves A Panto! So why not join in the fun? It is back once again ensured to entertain you and the family, taking you on a spectacular adventure. Featuring your favourite characters Wishee Washee, Widow Twankey and of course the fabulous Genie the lamp. Tickets are selling fast! Contact the Devonshire Park Theatre for more details.

14^th December 2013

Historic Old Town Christmas Party & Seasonal Street Market, Eastbourne Old Town

Why not venture into Eastbourne’s Historical Old Town to visit the seasonal street market full of wonderful Christmas gifts and joy. Eastbourne’s oldest village also welcomes you to visit the historical St Mary’s Church, Manor Gardens, Motcombe Lake and Pilgrims House.

Jongleurs Comedy On The Road, Royal Hippodrome Theatre

The Royal Hippodrome Theatre welcomes Comedy on the Road on 14^th December 2014 with an exciting line up of comedians. A wonderful night out in the run up to Christmas! Tickets are £12/£10 concessions.

25^th/26^th December 2013

Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day

Eastbourne’s silver band are returning to yet again bring a morning of entertainment you on Christmas Day with 90 minutes of festive tunes and fun. Why not join in with the magical Christmas Spirit and watch Eastbourne’s longest tradition at the Redoubt Fortress at 10:45am. Also available are hot and cold drinks including mulled wine on a lovely winter’s day. 

Sid and Scrat to Switch On Winter Wonderland Illuminations at Drusillas Park

Sid and Scrat from Ice Age will switch on the spectacular Winter Wonderland Illuminations at Drusillas Park this year, when they visit the award-winning zoo for the first time ever on Saturday 30th November.

Sid & Scrat from Ice Age

The beloved duo will meet and greet visitors at intervals throughout the day before switching on the lights during a grand ceremony at 4.30pm, marking the official start to Drusillas Park’s Christmas Winter Wonderland 2013.

Sid and Scrat are sure to feel right at home as the spectacular Illuminations are set within an ice-capped kingdom and feature an animal themed light show synchronised to music. Young revellers can see a host of magical creatures within the dazzling display, adding some extra sparkle to the festive season from 4.30pm each day, from Saturday 30th November until Sunday 5th January.

Drusillas Winter Wonderland

Also making his first appearance of the year on 30^th November, Father Christmas will make a welcome return to the zoo. Visit his cosy Christmas Cottage and have your picture taken in his sleigh; for a small additional charge children can meet Santa and receive an early Christmas gift.  Plus visitors can also Hug a Husky on selected dates, or enjoy a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie.

Located just off the A27, Drusillas Park is open from 10:00am until 5:00pm daily, with the exception of 24th, 25th and 26th December.  For further information and dates for Santa’s Christmas Cottage and Hug a Husky events please telephone (01323) 874100 or visit the website at www.drusillas.co.uk

Ravilious Talk and Book Signing at Towner

On Saturday 9 November at 3pm, Towner welcomes Alan Powers to talk about local artist; Eric Ravilious. He will also be signing copies of his new book about the artist.

More popular than ever, the work of Eric Ravilious (1903-42) is rooted in the landscape of pre-war and early wartime England.  This new book by Alan Powers, the established authority on Ravilious, provides the most comprehensive overview to date of the artist’s work in all media – watercolour, illustration, printmaking, graphic design, textiles and ceramics – and firmly positions Ravilious as a major figure in the history of early 20th century British art.

The lecture will look at the role of the sea in Ravilious’ watercolours, murals and prints, as well as his use of coastal scenes, harbours and docks as suggestive subject matters. This aspect of his work will be explored in relation to other artists and the 1930’s Modernist cult of the seaside. 

Alan Powers is a historian and curator, specialising in twentieth century British art, architecture and design. He curated the exhibition of Eric Ravilious: Imagined realities, at the Imperial War Museum in 2003. He is currently working on an introduction to a reprint of John Piers Brighton Aquatints for Mainstone press and an exhibition ‘Letters from America: The Graphic art of Ivan Chermayeff’, for the De La Warr Pavilion which opens on July 2014.

His new book on Ravilious was recently published by Lund Humphries. There is an opportunity to buy the book at the event, have it signed and speak with the author. The book is £35 with members receiving 10% discount.

The talk is 1 hour long and takes place at Towner on Saturday 9 November at 3pm. It is £6, £5 for concessions and £4 for members.

 To book or to find out more information go to www.townereastbourne.org.uk