What’s going on in Eastbourne this Christmas?

Eastbourne’s business improvement district (BID) has finalised and confirmed the Christmas events taking place this year.

It has said there might be last minute changes due to Covid regulations, but it is ‘confident that Eastbourne’s Christmas 2020 will not be cancelled’.

Much of the lighting scheme is replicated from last year, with lights in Little Chelsea, Terminus Road, Cornfield Road, Cornfield Terrace and Gildredge Road.

In addition to this, there will be new installations in Station Parade as well as the return of lights in Bolton Road and Langney Road.

Festoon lighting, like that in Grove Road over winter, have been commissioned to be installed in Station Street and Terminus Road between the Cancer Research UK and TJ Hughes stores.

All the lights should be installed by November 16.

Eastbourne’s Christmas market will be taking place December 17-20. It is said to include regular traders, and BID are also working closely with East Sussex College Group, National Market Traders Federation and Brighton University, to provide opportunities for young people, aged between 16-30, to trade at the event.

One trader will be voted the Best Youth Trader and win £250 cash along with a business support package to help grow their business.

The market is fully licensed and has been approved by Eastbourne Borough Council to ensure it operates safely under Covid secure guidelines.

It will stretch from the Halifax to the Enterprise Centre, so it says there will be plenty of space for social distancing.

Additionally, children’s vintage funfair rides will be in place in Terminus Road from December 7 until January, Covid dependent.

BID says that some aspects of the market may need to be reduced, but at present it does have plans for a stage with live entertainment. Acts are being booked, but it says it is aware this part of the Christmas market may have to be cancelled if regulations change.

Further information about live entertainment will be available soon.

Anyone wanting to be involved and perform during the market should contact [email protected]

A Christmas draw is said to take place this year too. For every £40 a customer spends in any business within the BID between December 1-24, people can bring their receipt to one of the BID distribution points and they will receive a free raffle ticket - these distribution points are to be confirmed.

The winner will receive tickets to all Eastbourne’s big events. This includes tennis and VIP Airbourne tickets, theatre tickets, £300 in Enterprise Centre vouchers, lunches and dinners, a new television, Ninja Warrior passes, and more.

The draw will be held at 5pm on Christmas Eve and streamed live on Facebook.

Anyone wanting to know more about the raffle, and to see a map of the BID area, can visit the website: http://www.eastbournechristmas.com/christmas-cracker-raffle.html

Finally, there will be the Great Elf Hunt – encouraging children to find elves hidden in shop windows.

Children who find 10 elves will be entered into a prize draw.

Families can pick up an entry form from one of the participating shops, or electronically by visiting the Eastbourne Christmas website, where you can find all the information about everything going on in Eastbourne this festive period - www.eastbournechristmas.com