Burning Of The Clocks

The Burning of The Clocks is a Brighton tradition that has been going on for nearly two decades. It celebrates the winter solstice and ushers in the new sun. It’s typical of Brighton that this event can attract a vast variety of people, from hippies, to students, families with young kiddies, to the elderly.
The event starts with a lantern parade which commences in the centre of town and finishes on the beach, just to the east of the pier. Good viewing spots can be found on Madeira Drive and Marine Parade, but do get there early as it gets pretty busy.
There is plenty of music and dancing to keep the crowds entertained until the procession arrives, at which point a large bonfire is lit on the beach, and the homemade lanterns, filled symbolically with hopes and dreams, are placed on the fire to «burn the clocks» and welcome the new sun. All this takes places to the sounds on banging drums creating an evocative atmosphere.
The grand finale is a huge fireworks display, lighting the sky, sea and all of beautiful Brighton. This is such a unique event, it’s worth popping along to experinence it. It’s a little quirky, but yet again makes me happy to live in the eclectic, if slightly crazy, Brighton!