THE GIFT: AN ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY TO REMEMBER
Mella Faye performing The Gift live at TOM. Photo by Chloe Hashemi.
Returning to The Old Market in 2026 is our amazing alternative Christmas Party The Gift and we’re thrilled to see it come back. Those of you who visited last year will know what to expect, or maybe not, as this show truly embodies a unique immersive dining experience, with no evening being the same. We’re keeping the main events of this show purposefully vague so that you can go in with an open mind and make the most out of your experience.
Understandably, this can be a bit daunting for some of you who maybe need a bit more information about what to expect, and whether it’s truly something that you’d enjoy. Which is why we thought we’d try our best to let you know as much as we can so that you’re best prepared for coming to visit this December.
If you’re looking for something truly unique, engaging and focused on human connection, with ample holiday cheer throughout, this might just be the show for you.
A Christmas Party with a Twist
Christmas parties can start to feel a little familiar year after year.
A meal. A few drinks. Someone suggests Secret Santa, and before you know it, you’re doing exactly the same thing you did last December.
But with The Gift, this show is so unexpected, we can guarantee that if you went one performance after the other, you’d have a completely different experience. The Gift is Part feast, part performance and part choose-your-own-adventure of which participants can be as involved as you like.
What to Expect
Expect cabaret style seating, where dinner will be served throughout the evening. Book tables for friends and work colleagues to sit together and get the conversation flowing, or make new friends by engaging with the other audience members.
Then enters a cast of cabaret artists, musicians, clowns and performers to help set things in motion and break the ice, but the audience play the biggest part in deciding where the evening goes next.
You’ll be asked “What do you want to receive, experience or give to the evening?” It could be an object, an activity or a fantasy. And it’s up to the rest of the room to try and fulfil your request.
The result is an alternative Christmas party that feels less like watching a traditional show and much more like becoming part of one.
Expect warmth, laughter, music, a little mischief and quite possibly something you weren't expecting when you walked through the door.
An Alternative Christmas Party – With Dinner!
Dining is an integral part of The Gift, with a festive feast served during the experience. For 2026, We’ve teamed up with local favourites Circa to create a new menu featuring hearty seasonal food designed to be shared.
So rather than having to book a Christmas dinner and finding some entertainment afterwards, you get both rolled into one. And you can leave The Old Market with your heart and stomach full!
Come and Take Part
The Gift runs at The Old Market from Wednesday 2 December to Wednesday 23 December 2026, with a mixture of afternoon and evening performances available throughout the month.
The experience lasts approximately 150 minutes including dining and is suitable for ages 16+, with under-18s accompanied by an adult.
Bring your friends. Bring your colleagues. Bring your willingness to embrace the unexpected.
For an alternative Christmas party in Brighton & Hove with great food, brilliant performers and a night that quite genuinely won't be the same twice, give The Gift a go!
Click here to book your tickets for The Gift this Christmas!