Our guide to the best events in and around Sussex. Edited by Erica Gilbert

The 2015 Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run - 1 November

In recognition of the large number of American automobiles regularly taking part in the annual Veteran Car Run, this year’s event will have a distinctly US theme.

The 2015 Bonhams Veteran Car Run will have pioneering cars and tricycles powered by examples of all three types of propulsion, all with the goal of reaching Brighton by the end of the day.

As tradition dictates, the 2015 Bonhams Veteran Car Run takes place on the first Sunday in November, with the first of the 400-plus cars leaving Hyde Park as dawn breaks just before 7am. The run will finish in Brighton’s Madeira Drive.

www.veterancarrun.com

Joss Arnott Dance 5|0 - 2 November

7.30pm. Joss Arnott Dance has joined forces with GRAMMY award-winning and 2015 Polar Music Prize laureate Dame Evelyn Glennie, who has collaborated with the company’s composer James Keane, to create the thundering score she will perform live onstage for the climax of the triple bill – Wide Awakening.

5|0 is a birthday celebration marking the company’s fifth and Dame Evelyn’s 50th so expect a high-octane, adrenaline-fuelled evening of dance and live music. Tickets: £15.50.

The Hawth, Crawley: 01293 553636

National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company - 2-7 November

The National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company presents three new productions:

• 2-3 November: The Gondoliers

• 2-5 November: HMS Pinafore

• 6-7 November: The Mikado

Tickets: £19-£28, under 16s half price.

White Rock Theatre, Hastings: 01424 462288

Les Ballets Trockardero de Monte Carlo - 3-4 November

7.30pm. This company of professional male dancers has been a global phenomenon since they formed in New York in 1974. Dancers, including Ida Nevasyneva and Olga Supphozova, present two programmes that effortlessly display their startling technical prowess and their no less extraordinary make-up skills. Tickets: £12.50-£27.50.

The Dome, Brighton: 01273 709709

Petworth Festival Literary Weekend - 4-8 November

At various venues in and around Petworth. Enjoy five days of insight and stimulating discussion – not to mention entertainment – in the company of leading authors and public figures as they talk about their books, answer questions and sign copies of their work. There will be authors from across fiction, history, current affairs, the natural world and children’s literature, not to mention the Festival’s annual winter concert.

This year’s line up includes: David Starkey; Andy McNab; Terry Waite; Alan Johnson; Lauren Child; Peter Hennessy; AN Wilson; Irma Kurtz; and Jane Hawking. www.petworthfestival.org.uk

Lewes Bonfire Celebrations - 5 November

Thousands of people line the streets in Lewes to watch the country’s largest bonfire night celebration. Featuring torchlit processions through the town centre, followed by bonfire and firework displays on the surrounding hills, organised by the various local bonfire societies.

An Introduction to the Wildfowl of Sussex - 6 November

10am-4pm. Join Mike Russell of Sussex Wildlife Trust to find out all about the spectacular wildfowl, geese and ducks that can be seen in Sussex throughout the year.

The morning starts with a presentation in Amberley Church Hall near Arundel, followed by a field trip to the nearby Pulborough Brooks nature reserve to look at some of the wildfowl that can be found on the reserve in the winter. No previous knowledge is needed, just a general interest in birds. Online booking is essential.

01273 497561; www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/whatson

Flanders and Swann - 6 November

7.45pm. Lifelong fans and the uninitiated alike have delighted in seeing these performers breathe new life into Flanders and Swann’s wonderful songs including: The Hippopotamus Song, The Gas Man Cometh, The Gnu Song, Omnibus (or A Transport of Delights), A Song of Patriotic Prejudice and Madeira M’Dear. Flanders and Swann’s own brand of inoffensive, gentle but witty and often satirical humour has stood the test of time, remaining popular with all ages. Tickets: £18, concessions £16.50, under 16s and students £10.

Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne; 01323 412000

Dawn French: Thirty Million Minutes - 6 November

7.30pm. Thirty Million Minutes consists of various delights and riches, with the odd irksome tribulation thrown in, as Dawn takes you through the various lessons life has taught her and the things she knows for sure.

Pavilion Theatre, Worthing: 01903 206206

The Royal Pavilion Ice Rink - 7 November-17 January

The 840 square metre rink has space for 260 skaters per session, with a beginners’ area, penguin skate aids and skate sizes from ‘just walking’ to adult. With the former Royal pleasure palace as the backdrop, huge rink-side bar and restaurant with a 40-metre terrace, this hidden gem of a rink is beautifully lit at night and is a great choice for those wanting to skate in a beautiful setting.

Tickets cost from £10 for adults (aged 12 and over), £7 for juniors (children under 12). Concessions for students and season tickets available. Box office open 9.30am-9.45pm, but it is advisable to book tickets in advance.

www.royalpavilionicerink.co.uk

Nymans Autumn Colour Woodland Walk - 7 November

11am-12.30pm. Nymans’ ancient and extensive woods, set in the valley beyond the famous gardens, are known for their rich and varied autumn colour. See the very best that Nymans has to offer at this time of year, on a special guided walk with the lead ranger. No booking required. Normal admission charge only.

01444 405250

Emma Johnson and the Engegard String Quartet - 8 November

Winning the BBC Young Musician of the Year Award in 1984 launched the international career of clarinet virtuoso Emma Johnson, a career that has taken Emma to some of the world’s major venues throughout Europe. Joining Emma will be one of Europe’s foremost classical music groups from Norway, The Engegård String Quartet. The programme includes music by Vaughan Williams, Grieg and Mozart. Tickets £18.

Frant Stores, Britten’s Music Shop Tunbridge Wells, www.wegottickets.com or telephone Paul Barber on 01892 750665 Reasons to be Pretty - 13-21 November7.45pm. This is a love story for the rest of us. It is a play for every guy who has ever said the wrong thing without knowing it and for every girl who has ever made sure he won’t forget. It is a comedy about how difficult being in love can truly be. Sunday performances are matinees starting at 2.30pm. No performances Mondays. Tickets: £9.New Venture Theatre, Brighton; www.newventure.org.uk

Arthur’s Drean Boat - 14 November

11am and 2pm. Based on the book by Polly Dunbar, this is the story about a little boy who has an amazing dream about his very own dream boat. Enjoy this magical playful children’s show with breathtaking puppets brought to you by Brighton’s Long Nose Puppets. Suitable for ages two to eight. Tickets: £7.50, Family of four £26.

Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham-by-Sea; 01273 464440

Weald & Downland Open Air Museum Christmas Market - 14-15 November

10.30am-4pm. This bustling Christmas market is located in and around the museum’s historic buildings, with over 130 stands selling arts, crafts, food, unusual gifts and much more, you will be able to browse and buy at your leisure.

As well as the craft and trade stands, there will be hot chestnuts to ward off the winter chill, and other tasty seasonal treats to sample and buy, including a delicious hog roast and festive music around the site. Visitors can also enjoy meeting the museum’s working Shire horses.

BBC Concert Orchestra: Nancy Kerr and James Fagan - 18 November

7.30pm. A celebration of British music with the BBC Concert Orchestra and electrifying folk duo Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, who have twice won Best Duo at BBC Radio 2’s Folk Awards. Tickets: £12.

Festival Theatre, Chichester; 01243 781312

Petworth Park Christmas Fair - 21-22 November

Now in its tenth year, Petworth Park’s Christmas Fair is a favourite seasonal tradition for thousands of visitors. This year, the fair takes place in a stunning new location, in the heart of the historic parkland itself. With over 140 artisan stalls there will be a huge variety of gifts on offer. Tickets: £6 (inc NT members), children free.

The Tiger Lillies - 30 November

8pm. The Tiger Lillies’ genre-defying brand of other-worldly vocals and unnerving performance style has carved them a unique niche in the cabaret and music theatre scene. After a sell-out run of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the cult creators of the award-winning Shockheaded Peter now stage another adaptation of a macabre classic. Tickets: £12.50-£19.50.

The Dome, Brighton; 01273 709709

Hairspray the Musical - 30 November-12 December

7.45pm It’s Baltimore, 1962 where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Thursday and Saturday matinees 2.30pm. Tickets: £11.50-£45.

Theatre Royal, Brighton; 0844 871 7677

The Snowman Spectacular Ball - 5 December

This is the eighth Snowman Spectacular Ball, and will feature the five-piece harmony group The Overtones as the headline act. Last year was an outstanding success, raising £415,596.

This year’s guests will enter a magical, ice-white wonderland of sparkling snowflakes, glittering Christmas trees and of course Raymond Briggs’ much-loved Snowman. www.thesnowmanspectacular.org.uk