There is no organised Christmas Day swim in Brighton: the council says the dip is not its event and only the very experienced should try it. Here is its advice.
Is there a Christmas Day swim in Brighton in 2026? Not an organised one. Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December 2026, and people do go into the sea off Brighton beach that morning, but nobody runs it: there is no organiser, no start time, no entry and no safety cover laid on. Brighton & Hove City Council said in December 2025 that the Christmas Day dip “is not a council organised event”, and it is not in the council’s 2026 programme of events on its land, which ends with Burning the Clocks on 21 December.
Checked 20 October 2026 against the council’s December 2025 seafront release and its 2026 outdoor events programme. The council usually repeats its seafront advice in the week before Christmas; this page will be updated when it does.
What the council says about the Christmas Day dip
The council’s seafront team put out its advice on 17 December 2025. Residents and visitors, it said, “are also advised to stay out of the water this winter”. Michael Grier, the council’s Seafront Operations and Contract Manager, said:
“We understand people will be considering a Christmas Day dip this year, but we’d like to remind swimmers and spectators that this is not a council organised event and those taking part should be aware of the risks when entering the water.”
“Cold water sea swimming takes skill, stamina and knowledge of the physical dangers and should only be for the very experienced, using suitable wetsuits, in very calm conditions and with friends.”
He added that “even on a calm day, sea currents, unpredictable waves or a sudden change in weather can create life threatening hazards without warning”, and that people who get into difficulty put pressure on HM Coastguard and the lifeboat crews.
If you are thinking of going in
The council’s checklist, from the same release:
- Check the forecast and the sea on the morning itself, not the night before.
- Only in very calm conditions, in a suitable wetsuit, and never alone.
- Never after alcohol or drugs. On Christmas morning that rules a lot of people out.
- Think about the rest of your group, including the people watching from the beach.
- “The sea will be there tomorrow.”
If someone gets into trouble in the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard (Maritime and Coastguard Agency). Do not go in after them.
If you are going to watch
Most people on the beach on Christmas morning are spectators. The council’s advice for them is to keep away from the groynes, the wooden and stone barriers running down the beach, and to stay on the path or high up on the shingle when the sea is rough. Keep small children close and hold their hands on the beach, and keep dogs on leads and out of the sea.
Seafront office hours over Christmas
The council’s seafront office opened on these hours over Christmas 2025; the 2026 hours have not been published yet:
| Day | Hours (2025) |
|---|---|
| Christmas Day | 9am to 1pm |
| Boxing Day | 10am to 2pm |
| New Year’s Eve | 10am to 2pm |
| New Year’s Day | 10am to 2pm |
The office’s phone number is 01273 292716.
Getting there on Christmas Day
There are no National Rail services on Christmas Day, and Brighton & Hove Buses publishes its own festive timetable each year; our Christmas and New Year travel page carries the 2026 times as they come out. If you drive, see parking in Brighton for the seafront car parks and zones, and check roadworks and travel before setting off.
Other things on the seafront this Christmas
- Burning the Clocks, Monday 21 December, the solstice lantern parade to the beach: Burning the Clocks.
- Father Christmas at the Royal Pavilion, from 4 December: Royal Pavilion Christmas.
- Everything else coming up is on what’s on in Brighton this month.
Still to come: the council’s 2026 Christmas seafront advice, normally published in the week before Christmas, and the seafront office’s 2026 hours. This page will be updated with both.
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