Eastbourne hosts Christmas Day spectacular

Eastbourne Bandstand will be packed with more than 4,000 revellers as the traditional Christmas and Boxing Day concerts return to the south coast with fantastic festive entertainment, and it’s all for free.

A popular and longstanding tradition, the concerts began when the Bandstand was first built back in 1935 and have been a regular Christmas attraction ever since. The concerts are organised by Eastbourne Borough Council and always attract large crowds over the two days, with one bunch braving the winter chill for a customary Boxing Day dip in the sea!

Eastbourne Borough Council Spokesperson for Tourism, Cllr Steve Wallis said “The Christmas concerts are one of the many highlights in the Bandstand calendar with a great atmosphere that really brings the whole community together. Locals are joined by visitors spending their Christmas holiday here for a variety of Christmas tunes and traditional music that gets everybody on their feet and dancing and singing along.”

Eastbourne Silver Band will provide a morning of entertainment on Christmas Day with classic Christmas songs and family favourites in a traditional Christmas celebration from 10.45am to 12.15pm.

Sounds Easy present dancing with the Ray Campbell Band who bring the venue to life on Boxing Day as they play popular festive hits, with mulled wine to warm the crowd up. From 11am-12.30pm revellers can enjoy a refreshing break away from the Christmas TV repeats and turkey leftovers to join in the family fun.

On the day, audiences can take away a copy of the 2008 concert programme hot off the press. Highlights for the coming season include Afternoon on Broadway every Saturday throughout the summer, plus favourite tributes will be returning alongside the spectacular 1812 firework nights, Rock ‘n’ Roll and Big Band concerts.

Eastbourne Bandstand kicks off its 2008 season with a traditional Easter concert on Easter Sunday, before the summer season gets underway on 4 May.

To receive priority information and an early copy of the 2008 programme by e-mail, join Friends of the Bandstand absolutely free on Visitbandstand.com.