Artists Open Houses Winter Festival 2026

Festive Open Studios Across Brighton & Hove

Across three weekends in late November and December 2026, the Artists Open Houses (AOH) Winter Festival transforms residential streets throughout Brighton, Hove, and the Sussex countryside into an open-door network of independent galleries, workshops, and Christmas artisan markets. Originating in Fiveways in 1982 when Ned Hoskins first invited the public into his domestic studio, the Open Houses movement remains England's premier celebration of grassroots visual arts and craft.

A Distinctive Christmas Shopping Tradition

While the flagship spring AOH festival coincides with the wider May festival season, the Winter Festival carries a distinctively cosy, festive character focused on Christmas gift buying and personal connection. Visitors can step directly inside historic Victorian villas, Regency bungaroosh townhouses, and hidden mews spaces along Sussex twittens to meet painters, potters, silversmiths, printmakers, and sculptors over seasonal mulled wine and mince pies.

Neighbourhood Trails

The festival is structured into walkable neighbourhood trails, each with its own character and creative community:

• Fiveways Trail: The historic birthplace of the Open Houses movement, featuring traditional Victorian terraced homes displaying fine art, ceramics, and textiles.
• Hanover Trail: Perched on the steep chalk hills east of the city, known for vibrant contemporary illustration, screenprinting, and bohemian artist collectives.
• Central & North Laine Trail: Easily accessible from Brighton railway station, linking independent studios with the bustling North Laine retail quarter.
• Hove & West Hove Trails: Broad tree-lined avenues featuring established ceramicists, jewellery designers, and large-scale architectural photography.
• Coastal & Rottingdean: Extending along the cliffs eastward, integrating Sussex landscape paintings with sea views.

Direct Patronage for Local Makers

The Open Houses model provides an unmediated link between art patrons and working makers. By buying directly from creators in their domestic workshops, buyers support Sussex's independent creative economy without gallery commissions, while discovering one-of-a-kind artworks, hand-blown glassware, bespoke textiles, and seasonal decor.

Visitor Guidance & Planning

Venues typically open from 11:00 to 17:00 on festival weekends. Detailed interactive maps and trail brochures are published directly by the organisers on the official portal at aoh.org.uk. Most venues accept card payments, though carrying cash is helpful for smaller home craft purchases.