Santa Bus celebrates 20 years

Published on: 03/11/2023

For the last 20 years, Brighton & Hove Buses have brought festive cheer to the local community with their famous Santa Bus and raised more than £380,000 for multiple charities in the process.

Decorated with thousands of lights and playing festive music, the open-top double-decker bus transports Santa and his elves around the city to spread joy and festive cheer. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, this year the Santa Bus will raise money for 20 different charities, with 20 bus routes over 20 nights, starting on Friday 24 November.

2023 not only marks 20 years of the Santa Bus but also 20 years of Chestnut Tree House, so we are particularly honoured to have been chosen as one of the beneficiary charities again.

Alison Taylor, from Chestnut Tree House, said: “The Santa Bus is a festive highlight for so many families across Brighton and Hove and it’s an honour to be one of the chosen charities again this year. We’d like to say a huge thank you to the team at Brighton and Hove Buses and everyone who supports the Santa Bus. We can’t wait to see it on the streets again this year!”

Over the years, the Santa Bus has also detoured to make special visits to Chestnut Tree House so that Santa can meet some of the children and families.

Find out about Christmas at Chestnut Tree House

As well as the Santa Bus making a magical visit to the House, we'll also have a visit from reindeers, wreath making activities, puppet shows and trips to panto for the children and families we care for. It’s a magical time of the year to be together, having fun with lots of laughs!

Find out how you can make a difference this Christmas and help the families we support:

Christmas fundraising