Christmas Artists Open Houses festival

A hand-crafted christmas: Approach gift buying a little differently this year, with so much on offer from the Christmas Artists Open Houses festival

T he Christmas Artists Open Houses festival is delighted to be celebrating its 12th birthday this year, and is offering visitors an even bigger and more exciting range of arts and crafts to explore.
Spread throughout Brighton and Hove, Saltdean, Rottingdean and out to the South Downs village of Ditchling, the Artists Open Houses Christmas festival offers a wealth of wonderful things for you to view, experience and buy this Christmas.

Visiting the Christmas Artists Open Houses is a great way to discover the diversity of creative talent that exists in the city and offers work from some of the country’s top makers in the fields of ceramics, jewellery, print-making and homewares, as well as handcrafted Christmas cards, wreaths, tree decorations and foodie gifts.

This year the Artist Open Houses is excited to welcome students from the University of Brighton as festival exhibitors. At the University’s Grand Parade site you can buy Christmas gifts from artists and makers of the future, see fashion design students’ work in progress and take in an amazing film set installation, ‘Berg’, as part of Brighton’s Cinecity.

Why not take a break from Christmas shopping at Studio 106 to watch a short film by award winning AOH artist and photographer Andre Lichtenberg; meet a signing Santa at Hamilton Lodge Deaf School and College; hear carol singers at Brighton Health and Wellbeing Centre; take part in craft workshops at The Bridge in Falmer and view a unique performance at Rottingdean’s The Grange featuring puppets, a Smugglers Night and Exploding Toy Theatre!

Christmas Artists Open Houses creates a special atmosphere, where you can chat to the artists and have a sneaky peek around some of Brighton’s most interesting homes, whilst viewing an amazing selection of individual, unique arts and crafts. What better way to do your Christmas shopping than by sipping mulled wine and eating mince pies before blazing hearths whilst selecting gifts for family, friends and the odd treat for yourself!

An afternoon spent browsing Brighton and Hove’s Christmas Artists Open Houses is the perfect way to take the pain out of Christmas shopping and a chance to pick up a present, or something unique for your home.

Visit www.aoh.org.uk where you can find out more about the Artists Open Houses. You will also find links to many of the artists’ and makers’ own websites.