Oliver Parsons, 30, of no fixed address, appeared at Guildford Crown Court accused of killing Joe Lewis, 24, of Rustington, West Sussex.
Mr Lewis was stabbed at a block of flats in Montague Street at about 01:00 GMT and died at the scene.
Mr Parsons was remanded in custody to appear at Lewes Crown Court on 20 March.
He appeared by video link from Lewes Prison.
A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a man at a flat in Brighton on Christmas Day.