Artists Open Houses Winter Festival 2026 listings go live as festive Cats’ Christmas brochure cover is revealed

Brighton & Hove’s Artists Open Houses Winter Festival returns, offering a unique alternative to online and high-street Christmas shopping and commercial Christmas markets.

Artists Open Houses Winter Festival returns, with 70 artists’ homes, studios and creative spaces set to open across Brighton & Hove and beyond over 28–29 November, 5–6 & 12–13 December 2026. The full festival listings are now live at aoh.org.uk.

Alongside the festival listings going live, Artists Open Houses has revealed the cover of its Winter Festival 2026 brochure. Entitled Cats’ Christmas, the playful festive illustration is by Brighton-based artist and Artists Open Houses Festival Director Judy Stevens.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the artwork, Judy Stevens said: “The cover image, Cats’ Christmas, is inspired by the behaviour of our own cat – her likes and dislikes and her apparent enjoyment of cosy winter fires, whilst never knowing for sure what’s going on inside her head.”

Across Hove and Portslade, Shoreham, Fiveways, Seven Dials, Ovingdean, Pyecombe, Ditchling and Kemptown, neighbourhoods throughout Brighton & Hove and beyond will come alive with art, craft and festive spirit as artists open their homes and studios to visitors.

Offering a welcome alternative to crowded high streets and commercial Christmas markets, Artists Open Houses Winter Festival offers a brilliant chance to discover original paintings, ceramics, jewellery, textiles, prints and more, meet the makers and buy directly from independent artists.

More than a Christmas shopping experience, the festival offers a festive and engaging way to explore the city, discover hidden creative spaces and enjoy a warm welcome, often with mince pies and a glass of something mulled along the way.

For more than 40 years, Artists Open Houses has offered audiences the chance to experience art outside traditional gallery settings and connect directly with artists and makers.

This year’s Winter Festival welcomes exciting new venues alongside returning favourites and some more unusual spaces, including an airport! Highlights include: BAS 106: De/Frost, Brighton Art Space CIC opens another space in Hove with an inaugural exhibition bringing together established and emerging local artists in the raw, undeveloped surroundings of its new home. Previously a refrigeration company, the site is being thoroughly thawed out with this supersized BAS show. A mixed exhibition led by Ruth Mulvie at Shoreham Airport, featuring Will Blood, Chloe McCarrick, Claire Knill, Alex Voinea and Antonia Hazlewood, explores flight, escape and the freedom of the imagination within the airport’s Art Deco surroundings.

Experience A Year in Brighton at POST Creatives. Celebrating 27 years of the Brighton & Hove Calendar, this exhibition brings together the work of the 24 photographers featured in its 2027 edition.

Uncover Winter Stories by May 2026 Artists Open Houses cover artist, Alej EZ. This exhibition draws inspiration from Georgian and Victorian fascination with Asian art and culture and the distinctive world of historic illustration. Voted Best Open House 2025, Sarah Arnett’s colourful Picture Palace returns with a curated mix of joy, creativity, original art, prints, jewellery, ceramics, fashion, craft and handmade gifts, plus Friday creative workshops. Discover new work across clay, paper, fibre, cloth, ephemera, metal and wood in the beautifully curated festive 11welbeck Winter, with complimentary mulled wine and spiced apple juice.

Rosie and James welcome visitors back to The Garden House to discover work by five artists, warm up by the fire and enjoy a locally made beer from their North Garden Brewery.

A new Winter Open House for 2026, Vale Yard Studios Gallery brings together 11 artists from its studios and the wider Portslade creative community.

Judy Stevens, Artists Open Houses Festival Director, said:

“Artists Open Houses Winter Festival is a chance to enjoy Christmas in a more creative and personal way. Instead of scrolling online or heading to the high street, you can spend the day exploring Brighton & Hove, discovering wonderful art and handmade gifts and meeting the people who actually make the work.

“We hope people will make a day of it, bring friends and family, explore a new part of the city, stop for something mulled along the way and enjoy the Open Houses as part of their Christmas traditions. And when you find something you love, you’re supporting an independent artist or maker directly.”

Visitors can browse all participating houses, discover artists and plan their routes at aoh.org.uk, and follow @artistsopenhouses on social media for artist highlights and festival updates.

Winter Artists Open Houses 2026 Dates: 28–29 November, 5–6 & 12–13 December 2026 Venues: 70 venues across Brighton & Hove and beyond Website: aoh.org.uk Social: @artistsopenhouses