Copyright © 2026 Discover. All rights reserved

All views, information or opinions expressed in Discover Brighton are solely those of individuals involved and do not represent the opinions of any entity whatsoever, including the businesses mentioned within this publication and those to which are affected.

7 Nov, 2025

THE OLD MARKET CELEBRATES THE SEASON OF GOODWILL AND GIVING WITH THEIR VERY OWN “GIFT”

Brighton and Hove’s much loved, independent and premiere grassroots venue is delighted to announce their brand-new in-house production – The Gift. Running for three weeks from December 3-21 – this immersive, anarchic and joyful part gig, part theatre, part dining experience is the perfect way to celebrate the end of the year with colleagues, friends and family.

Co-produced and hosted each night by award-winning director and writer Mella Faye – Artistic Director of the acclaimed Pecho Mama – and inspired by Berlin’s Social Muscle Club and America’s Burning Man, The Gift is a celebration of the absurdity and the wonder of being alive. It invites you to expect the unexpected and promises a night of unique and playful entertainment. 

Live music and cabaret style performances will take over TOM each night – steered by a crew of motley maverick artists skilled in everything and anything from clowning to cabaret, mime to music. They will entertain, engage and invite participation in an evening of unrehearsed magic and creative joy where no two shows will be the same. 

The Gift is about living and loving life and where inhibitions are unwrapped and left at the door for a night full of bespoke game-playing and joy. It is about leaving with a full belly and an even fuller heart. It is the gift of laughter, music, magic and mayhem. 

As Mella Faye explains: “It has been my dream to bring these bold, maverick artists together as they are all personal heroes of mine. They are going to lead us all on a choose-your-own-adventure of a night, where the whole room will co-conspire to create an evening of games, rituals and unexpected gift giving. Think of this as a radical alternative to the capitalist rodeo of Christmas, and the best kind of bonkers house party with 100 new best friends. Kudos to the brilliant people at The Old Market for taking on such a wild idea. It is going to be glorious!”

Tickets for The Gift also include a winter feast of sharing platters provided by local suppliers – served to diners on cabaret style tables during the evening’s merriment.

The Gift runs at The Old Market (TOM) from December 3-21. There are no shows on Mondays or Tuesdays. All shows are for 18+. Tickets are priced at £47.50 each and include a shareable feast. Full menu details outlined on the website. Tickets are on sale now via The Old Market. Box Office on 01273 201801 or online at https://www.theoldmarket.com/shows/the-gift 

Follow us:

More from Discover Brighton:

Cover Story Brighton

Cover Story: Print is the New Luxury

Print is the new luxury: Cover Story Brighton is putting magazines back on the high street   Brighton is getting a new home for the magazines you actually want to keep. Forget celebrity gossip and supermarket shelves. Cover Story Brighton is bringing fashion,...

Wahaca_ School lunch for grown-ups_0000_TheGoodLunch3

Wahaca: School lunch for grown-ups

Wahaca serves up a ‘school lunch’ for grown-ups as england prepares for a new era of school food   As the national conversation around the future of school food gathers pace this month, Mexican-inspired restaurant Wahaca is taking the classic school lunch tray...

Charleston: Intimate in-conversation

Charleston: Intimate in-conversation

Charleston: intimate in-conversation events with David Shrigley, Nigel Slater, Sarah Price, Kate Mosse, Roland Mouret, Jo Baring and more.   Charleston has just announced an exceptional lineup of speakers for its autumn programme of live evening events. These...

DJ James Lavelle

DJ James Lavelle at Komedia

Internationally renowned DJ James Lavelle To play end of year show at Komedia Brighton   A special one-off show from prominent DJ and producer James Lavelle (Unkle / Mo'Wax) will have Brighton celebrate the end of the year in style. On Tuesday 29 December...