Event Dates
From: Sunday, December 21, 2025
To: Sunday, December 21, 2025
The Burning of the Clocks 2025
The Burning of the Clocks is a celebration of The Winter Solstice on 21st December when Brighton city centre lights up
The Burning of the Clocks 2025
The Burning of the Clocks is a celebration of The Winter Solstice on 21st December when Brighton city centre lights up the darkest, shortest day of the year with a unique festival.
- Visiting Brighton? Book your hotel well in advance, it is one of the most popular weekend escapes in UK, even during the Winter. Stay on the beachfront at Jurys Inn, a 4 star hotel with large rooms and great views.
The Procession
- Burning the clocks, Brighton is a magical procession which winds its way through some of Brighton’s oldest streets and lanes.
- In this community event people hold handmade willow lanterns aloft in the air, in a parade that heads down to the sea.
- The glowing lanterns are made from willow canes, traditionally called withies, and white tissue paper. The parade ends at the seafront by Marine Parade for a stunning finale featuring the burning the clocks on the beach.
- Clocks and lanterns and set upon a blazing beach bonfire followed by a burning the clocks firework display. Many people dress up, and each costume must include the image of a clock face to represent the passage of time.
- Drummers and musicians accompany the group, and the party atmosphere is hard to resist, with passers-by stopping to snap photos of the black-and-white display or dance along with them.
- For a “Fabulous” stay during the event, check in to Drakes Hotel, a boutique hotel offering stylish rooms and seafront location. Highly-recommended.
The Route
- The parade leaves from New Road at 6.30pm and arrives at Madeira Drive at approximately 7.15pm, when lanterns are passed onto the bonfire and the fire-show begins.
- The event finishes at around 8pm. The fire show and pyrotechnics will take place on the beach.
- Grab the best viewing spots along Madeira Drive and the Upper Terrace of Marine Parade. VIP viewing tickets are available.
- A simple lantern pack is available so that people can make and hang a lantern in their window to mark the winter solstice on 21st December and show their support.
- Burning of the Clocks is created by Same Sky a Brighton Community Arts charity group.
- Stay close to the parde on the Seafront at the Lanes Hotel, right on the seafront, just a short walk to the parade fishing point on the beach.
Recommended Hotels in Brighton
The following hotels are all close to the centre of Brighton, the gay bars & parade festivities
Recommended Hotels
Where to stay close to all the gay bars.
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
Where we stay!
Our editors have been to Brighton
many times and stay at Drakes
Official Website
For further information and advice on
The Burning of the Clocks The Website
Gay Map of Brighton
Most of the Brighton gay bars and pubs are located in the city’s ‘Gay Quarter’ in Brighton’s Kemp Town – a compact strip of pubs and clubs just moments from the seafront.
Hilton Brighton Metropole, Queensbury Mews, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, South East England, England, BN1 2FU, United Kingdom
Hilton Brighton Metropole looks out over Brighton seafront and is close to the shops and city centre. The grand Victorian building has large rooms, two restaurants, a spa and a fitness centre with an indoor pool. The en-suite rooms have a flat-screen TV, a hairdryer and ironing facilities. Some rooms also enjoy panoramic sea views.
Kings Road, Brighton & Hove, BN1 2GS, United Kingdom
Overlooking the seafront, Jurys Inn Brighton Waterfront benefits from its own entrance at the front of the hotel in the right corner and is just 400 m from the Brighton Pier and the Royal Pavilion. It offers free WiFi throughout, a restaurant with sea views, a pool and a spa. The air-conditioned rooms at the Jurys Inn Brighton Waterfront feature a Dream bed, a flat-screen TV and an en suite bathroom with free toiletries.
Mercure Btighton Seafront, 149, Norfolk Street, Brighton
This elegant Victorian hotel overlooks the beach, sea and promenade, and has a brasserie restaurant for guests to enjoy. It is half a kilometer from Churchill Square shopping centre, and has free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout.
Mercure Brighton Seafront Hotel has a bar and 24-hour room service. Each clean, modern room has a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and an en suite bathroom with toiletries. Some rooms have sea views.
Drakes, 43-44, Marine Parade, Kemptown, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, South East England, England, BN2 1PE, United Kingdom
This smoke-free hotel features a bar/lounge, coffee/tea in a common area, and 24-hour room service. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include self parking, a meeting room, and concierge services. All 20 rooms offer free WiFi and free wired Internet, TVs with satellite channels, and comforts like Select Comfort beds and Egyptian cotton sheets. 24-hour room service, coffee makers, and free newspapers are among the other amenities available to guests.
The Grand, 97-99, King's Road, Queen's Park, Brighton
With its sumptuous Renaissance style, The Grand Brighton has a magnificent location on Brighton’s seafront and is just a 10-minute walk from Brighton Pier. The rooms at The Grand Brighton have high-quality furnishings, including Egyptian cotton bed linen and bathrobes. Each room includes free WiFi and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and some Sky channels.
10 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1TB, UK
Overlooking Brighton Pier, Pier Court Apartments feature a fully equipped kitchen with an oven, hob and dishwasher. Each apartment has a flat-screen TV and a Sonos/Amazon Echo. Free WiFi, close to gay bars
St James's St, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1RG, UK
The apartment has 5 bedrooms, a living room with a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, microwave, a washing machine, 3 bathrooms with showers. Free WiFi and is 500 m from The Royal Pavilion
69 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1AD, UK
Offering a terrace and sea views the apartment has 1 bedroom, a living room with a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, fridge, & washing machine, 1 bathroom with a shower. Free WiFi
Modern & unique warehouse apartment with outside space. Bright & spacious. Hi-speed internet, 5 speaker surround sound, Smart TV, Netflix. High-quality beds, mattresses & bed linen. 4 minute walk to the seafront.
8 Marine ParadeBrighton
Brighton's largest LGBT venue in the heart of Brighton's Gay Village, home to award winning cabaret, fresh gourmet pub food and an impressive range of craft beers, there is always something happening at the Charles Street Tap. From retro video gaming, drag quizzes and award winning DJs, make sure you don't miss the show.
2-3 High St, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1RP, UK
Glamorous offers a range of nightly special offers on a wide variety of drinks as well as award winning international drag artists, top UK drag artists, resident DJ’s, student nights and much more.
5-7 Marine Parade, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1TA, UK
R-Bar is a feisty, friendly and fun LGBTQ+ bar on Brighton’s seafront featuring super cheap drinks deals with DJs & entertainment throughout the week; the perfect warm-up to our bigger venue – Club Revenge – round the corner!
As day turns into night, the lights go down on the ground floor, to give way to a vibrant pre-clubbing feel with queer-themed neon signs and plenty of selfie opportunities!
30 Western St, Hove, Brighton BN1 2PG, UK
Brighton's infamous back street gay boozer. Home to the notorious Bonkers Musical Bingo every Sunday
83 St George's Rd, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1EF, UK
Set in the heart of Kemptown at one of the City’s most iconic nightspots, just a stonesthrow from Brighton beach, Proud Cabaret Brighton offers world-class cabaret, dragand burlesque dinner shows.
31-34 Marine Parade Brighton
Big wide windows open up on a large terrace making Legends a great place to sip a coffee, enjoy a drink, a bite to eat, or just kick back and enjoy the panoramic sea views from Brighton’s biggest terrace bar whatever the time of day. With Brighton legends like Davina Sparkle, Miss Jason and many up-and-coming acts appearing on Legends stage
59 West St, Brighton BN1, UK
FunnyBoyz is a unique gay concept in Drag Cabaret – bringing you the most hilarious Drag Shows, Drag Events, Comedy Bingo, Silly Games, Cheesy Tunes and the best value drinks. Come mingle with our drags & have fun!
13 Broad St, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1TJ, UK
Marine Tavern is well known for it's comfortable, cosy atmosphere, which is just as well considering we are certainly one of Brighton's smallest pubs!
16 Western St, Hove, Brighton BN1 2PG, UK
Stylish, modern, friendly neighbourhood bar serving the LGBTQ+ community and friends With drag shows
11-12 Marine Parade, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1TL
Fun Gay bar with regular drag shows
31 Upper St James’s Street Brighton
Brighton's oldest Gay Bar that offers happy hours, regular DJs, Karoake and live entertainment. A very lively, busy bar that you must visit when in Brighton.
10 Steine St, Kemptown, Brighton BN1, UK
Great Central Brighton Gay Bar showing Musicals non stop. Very Friendly Staff in Comfortable surroundings.
129 St James's St, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1TH, UK
A small but perfectly formed gay bar with an excellent drinks menu at reasonable prices with fun drag shows
7 Marine Parade Brighton
Club and Bar Revenge are Brighton’s biggest and busiest LGBTQ+ venues
With 2 floors of music, a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the iconic Palace Pier,
120 St George's Rd, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1EA, UK
Gay cafe bar offering regular drag shows
129 St. James’s Street Brighton
New in Kemptown, Nautilus Gay Lounge offers an extensive cocktail list
7-8 George Street Brighton,
The Queens Arms, bringing you cabaret 10 times a week.
Brighton's foremost gay cabaret bar and winner of the Golden Handbag award for - Best Cabaret bar.
33 Upper St James’s Street Brighton BN2, UK
A fun and friendly bar situated in the heart of the gay village. Top cabaret and live music every weekend, fabulous drinks and available for events.
Recommended Hotels in Brighton By Booking
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Brighton that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Leonardo Royal Hotel
4 Star, Luxury
- 4-star luxury, seafront location with pool and spa.
- Close to the gay district.
- Air-conditioned, flat-screen TV.
- Perfect for seaside relaxation, offering stunning sea views and convenient access to Brighton Pier and the Royal Pavilion.
The Grand Brighton
4 Star, Readers Choice
- 4-star, Renaissance style on Brighton’s seafront.
- Close to the gay district.
- Egyptian cotton linen, bathrobes.
- Offers a blend of luxury and history, ideal for experiencing Brighton’s seafront elegance and cultural landmarks.
Square Townhouse
4 Star, Great Value
- 4-star, in fashionable Kemp Town, Regency garden square.
- Close to the gay district.
- Ocean views, exclusive bar.
- Combines style and comfort, perfect for enjoying Brighton’s vibrant atmosphere and seafront, with pampering options available.
Staybridge Suites
4 Star, Location
- 4-star, near Brighton Beach and cultural attractions.
- A short taxi ride to the gay bars.
- Air-conditioned rooms.
- Ideal for extended stays, offering modern amenities, close to Brighton’s attractions and beach for a convenient experience.
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