The Burning of the Clocks 2024

The Burning of the Clocks 2024

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

Brightonwave,   Drakes Hotel,   Square,   Legends Hotel.