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Is that the sound of sleigh bells? It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Santa Claus is coming to towns across Hampshire this December with plenty of cheerful opportunities to meet the man himself.
Read on for our ultimate guide to the top places to see Santa in Hampshire this Christmas.
Some 2025 dates are yet to be confirmed so keep an eye on this page for Hampshire Father Christmas updates.
A Celebration of Christmas at Paultons Park
Selected dates from 6 – 25 December 2025
Paultons Park is transformed into a winter wonderland every December with decorations and illuminations lighting up Peppa Pig World and Tornado Springs.
Father Christmas will be the star of the Paulton’s festive performance with plenty of seasonal singing, dancing, and fun in Santa's Christmas Wish Show! Also featuring Billy and Belinda the elves, Frosty the Snowman, and Rudolph the Reindeer.
Visitors can also book an exclusive meet and greet with Santa as an add-on experience.
Find out more about Christmas at Paultons Park
Glow Marwell at Marwell Zoo
Selected dates from 28 November 2025 – 3 January 2026
Father Christmas and his elves will be spreading festive cheer in Marwell Hall this Christmas on selected dates during Glow Marwell, the magical light experience trail around Marwell Zoo.
Combine your trip to see Santa with a visit to the zoo and the enchanting nature light trail through a magical world of breathtaking illuminations of the natural world.
Find out more about Glow Marwell at Marwell Zoo
Cosmic Christmas at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium
6 – 23 December 2025
Always guaranteed to be a blast, Santa will be back at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium this December with the return of Cosmic Christmas.
The experience includes an immersive theatrical performance filled with magical effects and a Planetarium adventure, followed by a meet and greet with Santa and a gift for all the children.
Meet Father Christmas at Milestones Museum
Selected dates from 22 November – 21 December 2025
Meet Father Christmas in his magical grotto at Milestones in Basingstoke, tucked within the heart of the living history museum's charming, decorated indoor streets.
You can also pick up the perfect presents for under the tree on 6 and 7 December at the Milestones Christmas Market and on 13 December Carols by Candlelight will bring full festive joy.
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Santa's Grotto at The Great Hall
29 November – 23 December 2025
Quite possibly the most jaw-dropping setting to see Father Christmas, the Great Hall in Winchester is welcoming Santa and his elves back this Christmas.
Share a magical moment with Santa and his elf in the magical setting of The Great Hall Grotto, with a gift for the children to take home.
Find out more about Santa's Grotto at The Great Hall
Christmas Canoe Paddle with Father Christmas at New Forest Activities
13, 14, 20 and 21 December 2025
It’s not just sleigh driving that Santa has mastered, he enjoys a bit of paddling as a pastime too and you’ll find him in a canoe on the Beaulieu River with New Forest Activities this December.
This 90-minute festive expedition will take adventurers along the stunning wintertime river, concluding with a fun meeting with Father Christmas who will give all the children a gift for their paddling efforts, with hot chocolate and mince pies to keep everyone toasty.
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Festive Express and Meet Father Christmas at Exbury Gardens
29 & 30 November, 6 & 7 December 2025
For two weekends in November and December, Exbury Gardens will be fully festive with the chance for visitors to ride the festive express when the steam train at Exbury Gardens is transformed into a special Christmas express train transporting visitors to see Father Christmas.
The Exbury Christmas Fair will also be held on 6 and 7 December with seasonal food and drink, local gifts and crafts, carol singing and music.
The Elf Society at The Garden Society
Selected dates from 29 November – 22 December 2025
Channel your inner Buddy and become an honorary elf recruit at The Garden Society this Christmas with this immersive walk-through experience exploring Santa’s magical toy making workshop.
A warm welcome awaits in the kitchen where children can help decorate and take home every Elf’s most loved treat – gingerbread. Then travel through the Candy Kingdom before meeting Santa himself.
The Garden Society’s beautiful festive displays loaded with sparkling decorations will be sure to leave everyone full of Christmas cheer.
Christmas at Finkley Down Farm
29 November – 24 December 2025
Little visitors to Finkley will delight in participating in all the magical fun on the farm during Christmas.
Send a letter to Father Christmas via the Intergalactic Post Box, decorate a festive treat with Mother Christmas in her kitchen, make reindeer food, meet Father Christmas, and visit the Toy Shop to choose a gift.
Christmasville at Gunwharf Quays
21 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
New for 2025, the pop-up ApolloDomes at Gunwharf Quays will be transformed for the festive season into 'Christmasville' – a magical new experience including The Elf Emporium immersive theatre adventure and the a Christmas grotto where younger guests will have the chance to meet Santa until 24 December.
Find out more about Christmasville at Gunwharf Quays
Christmas Tower Toymaker’s Workshop at the Spinnaker Tower
29 November – 24 December 2025
For the highest Father Christmas experience in the land, head to the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth where the tower will be transformed into a Christmas workshop for Santa’s elves.
Children can help make their own cuddly toy before visiting Santa in his grotto before completing the Christmas trail around the tower.
Santa’s Tea Party at John Lewis, Southampton
11 and 12 December 2025
Join Santa for story time complete with cocoa and festive snacks at John Lewis in Westquay Southampton where each child will also receive a special LEGO™ set to take home.
Meet Father Christmas at Stansted Park
22 – 23 November 2025
Over at the Stansted Park Estate in Rowlands Castle, visitors will be able to enjoy a full festive experience with arts and crafts run by the cheeky elves and a special story with Father Christmas, plus the chance for children to meet him and tell him their Christmas wishes.
Find out more about Meet Father Christmas at Stansted Park
Santa's Christmas Party at Theatre Royal Winchester
22 December 2025
Join the festive fun at Theatre Royal in Winchester on 22 December with an interactive show where little ones will love helping the Christmas characters to help organise Santa's Christmas party.
Every child will receive a special present from Father Christmas in the popular meet, greet and treat, after the most Christmassy Christmas show ever.
Find out more about Santa's Christmas Party at Theatre Royal Winchester
Santa Specials at Moors Valley Railway
Weekends from 29 November – 21 December 2025
Hop aboard the Moors Valley Railway this Christmas and travel through a winter wonderland with the festive steam train transporting you to Kingsmere Station and Santa’s Railway Grotto.
There will be festive refreshments, mulled wine for the grown-ups, and special presents from Santa himself.
Find out more about Santa Specials at Moors Valley Railway
Santa Specials on Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway
Selected dates from 13 – 23 December 2025
Join the joyful Jingle Belle train at Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway this December for a magical journey to the Christmas grotto where kids can meet Santa and receive a special gift. Mince pies, mulled wine, and hot chocolate, and biscuits will keep everyone warm and cosy during the experience.
Find out more about Santa Specials on Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway
Breakfast with Father Christmas at Hillier Garden Centres
Selected dates from 6 – 24 December 2025
Join Father Christmas for a festive fry-up at Hillier Gardens Centres on selected dates throughout December. Alongside breakfast, there will be Christmas activities, a visit from Father Christmas, and a gift for each child. In Hampshire, participating places are the Hillier Garden Centre, Andover and Hillier Garden Centre, Botley.
We love seeing your seasonal snaps – share your Father Christmas photos with us on Instagram
See our full guide to what’s on this Christmas in Hampshire
See our guide to winter in Hampshire
Planning a Christmas break? Take a browse our huge range of accommodation. Hampshire has something for all budgets including hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering properties, and cosy traditional holiday cottages.
Related
Join Paultons Park for 'A Celebration of Christmas' running on selected dates from 6th December. Paultons will be transformed into a winter wonderland, with magical Christmas shows and illuminations at every turn. Tornado Springs and Peppa Pig World will be included in the festive fun.
Glow Marwell 2025 runs from Friday 28 November – 3 January 2026 on selected dates. Make memories to last a lifetime as Glow Marwell's magical light experience returns this winter brighter than ever before!
Memories wrapped up in magic! This Christmas, enjoy a festive experience for the whole family. Share a magical moment with Santa and his elf in the magical setting of The Great Hall Grotto, creating memories you and your family will treasure for a lifetime.
From 21 November, families will be invited to discover 'The Elf Emporium' – a groundbreaking immersive theatre adventure led by the Warden of Wonders and their mischievous apprentice, Pip. Audiences journey through three enchanted realms of 'Joy', 'Presence', and 'Hope', each unlocking a vital part of the Christmas Spirit, with the show blending live performance, puppetry, projection and cutting-edge effects. Tickets for 'The Elf Emporium' are £12.95 per person*, with shows running until 4 January**.
Enjoy a full festive experience with arts and crafts with our cheeky elves before you gather round to listen to Father Christmas tell a special story, then of course have your moment to tell him your Christmas wishes and receive a gift!
The show where every child gets a present from Santa! Following last year's sell-out performances, Honalee Media are delighted to present a brand new show this festive season.
Enjoy a festive train ride, walk through the winter wonderland, visit Santa in his grotto.
Your Santa train ride around the park includes a visit Santa when you return. All the children will receive a present from Santa and everyone will get refreshments from the cafe.
Experience the magic of Christmas at our Hillier Garden Centres with our enchanting 'Breakfast with Father Christmas' event. Join us for a delightful time of festive cheer, a delicious meal and a special visit from the man in red himself!
Experience the magic of Christmas at our Hillier Garden Centres with our enchanting 'Breakfast with Father Christmas' event. Join us for a delightful time of festive cheer, a delicious meal and a special visit from the man in red himself!
