Burning the Clocks Brighton 2026
1 Upcoming Event
https://samesky.co.uk/burning-the-clocks/
Free. Procession starts approximately 18:30.
About
Burning the Clocks is Brighton's winter solstice celebration — a lantern procession through the city streets to the seafront, where the paper and willow lanterns are thrown onto a bonfire on the beach to mark the shortest day and the return of the light. It's Brighton's alternative to Christmas commercialism, a community-made celebration of the turning year. In the weeks before the event, workshops across Brighton teach people to make their own paper and willow lanterns — the tradition is that each lantern represents a clock, and burning it releases the old year. The procession through the Lanes and along the seafront is magical — thousands of glowing lanterns carried through the dark streets, accompanied by bands, fire performers, and drummers. The bonfire and fireworks on the beach are the culmination — the lanterns are thrown onto the fire and a fireworks display lights up the Palace Pier. The whole event is free and genuinely community-driven (organised by Same Sky, a Brighton arts charity). Dress warmly — it's the shortest day and you'll be standing on a beach. It's one of the most beautiful community events in the UK.
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