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Santa Claus is coming to towns across Hampshire with so many festive days out to look forward to and plenty of merry opportunities to meet the man himself.
See our 2023 guide to Father Christmas in Hampshire
Take your little ones on a magical day out to see Father Christmas in Hampshire. Help Santa deliver Christmas presents to astronauts in space, spot him on the Beaulieu River, see his enchanting owls flying in the winter skies, or become an honorary elf in his toy workshop.
Read on for our ultimate guide to the top places to see Santa in Hampshire this Christmas.
Cosmic Christmas at Winchester Science Centre
3rd – 24th December 2022
Join Santa in the skies with this brand-new immersive cosmic adventure at Winchester Science Centre.
During this 45-minute family show in the planetarium, visitors will follow Santa in space to help him on his Christmas Eve mission to deliver presents to the astronauts at the International Space Station.
Due to his busy Christmas schedule, Santa won’t be available for a meet and greet, but he will narrate the experience and all children will receive a gift of a soft toy that features in Santa's story.
Find out more about Cosmic Christmas at Winchester Science Centre
Father Christmas' flying visit at The Hawk Conservancy Trust
22nd December 2022
Father Christmas will be taking time out of his busy schedule to make a special flying visit to the Hawk Conservancy Trust on 22 December accompanied by a parliament of owls to collectively share some festive magic.
This joyous family event includes a magical owl flying display and festive storytelling.
Mother Christmas will be sharing some freshly baked treats from her kitchen for the children to enjoy and Father Christmas' elves will have a special present to give out to every good girl and boy.
Find out more about Father Christmas' flying visit at The Hawk Conservancy Trust
A Celebration of Christmas at Paultons Park
Selected dates from 3rd – 23rd December 2022
Father Christmas will be the star of the festive show at Paultons Park this December 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.
New for 2022, visitors can also book an exclusive meet and greet with Santa as an add-on experience.
Peppa Pig World will be decorated for Christmas and the magical Illuminations will light up the Park, including the Marvellous Musical Christmas Tree – with its own light show every 15 minutes,
Find out more about Christmas at Paultons Park
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Christmas Canoe Paddle with Father Christmas at New Forest Activities
Selected dates from 10th – 23rd December 2022
Embark on a festive expedition and paddle in a canoe along the Bealieu River to find Santa with New Forest Activities.
This 90-minute guided tour will take adventurers along the stunning wintertime river, culminating in 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.
Find out more about the Christmas Canoe Paddle with Father Christmas at New Forest Activities
Meet Father Christmas at Milestones Museum
Selected dates from 3rd – 23rd December 2022
The period streets at Milestones, Hampshire's living history museum in Basingstoke, will be decorated for the festive season and Father Christmas’ grotto will be there too with a chance to meet Santa and receive a very special Christmas gift.
Children can help Father Christmas find his lost reindeer on the Reindeer Spotter trail around the museum, and on 23 December Father Christmas’ reindeer will be making their own special appearance.
Find out more about Father Christmas at Milestones Museum
Santa Experience at the Spinnaker Tower
Selected dates from 3rd – 24th December 2022
Join Santa’s mischievous elves for fun and games at the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth this December.
Write a letter to Santa, meet the man himself, receive a special gift, and enjoy the incredible views from Spinnaker Tower in this uplifting Christmas experience.
Find out more about the Santa Experience at the Spinnaker Tower
Father Christmas' Grotto at Chawton House
26th – 27th November 2022
Father Christmas and Mrs. Christmas will be returning to Chawton House near Alton to spread some seasonal cheer in their festive grotto.
The House will be beautifully dressed with traditional decorations, and children can spend time with Father Christmas and tell him all their wishes for Christmas before being gifted a present to take home.
The Chawton House Christmas Fayre takes place on the same weekend with Christmas shopping opportunities at stalls run by independent businesses in the historic setting of Chawton House.
Find out more about Father Christmas' Grotto at Chawton House
Meet Santa in John Lewis & Partners’ Grotto Southampton
There is magic in the air at John Lewis & Partners Southampton this Christmas with the store partnering with LEGO. Meet Santa in John Lewis & Partners’ Grotto and each child will receive a wonderful LEGO gift and have the option to buy a photo taken with Santa.
Find out more about Santa in John Lewis & Partners’ Grotto Southampton
The Elf Society at The Garden Society
Selected dates from 26th November
Become an honorary elf recruit at The Garden Society this Christmas with this immersive walk-through experience exploring Santa’s magical toy making workshop.
Arrive at check-in and receive your clocking-in card before you enter Santa’s workshop. Discover your creativity and decorate your very own gingerbread in Ginger’s Kitchen, have fun with the elves as they share their latest toy inventions, and discover what wonders await within this magical workshop before meeting Santa himself and receive a gift for your hard work.
Find out more about Christmas at the Garden Society
Magical Christmas at Finkley Down Farm
3rd – 24th December 2022
Father Christmas will be on the farm at Finkley Down near Andover with a full festive journey beginning in Mother Christmas’ Kitchen where children will be able to decorate their own festive treat.
Children can take part in seasonal activities and collect stamps in their own Christmas passport: send a letter to Father Christmas via the Intergalactic Post Box using a special golden ball, make reindeer food, meet Father Christmas, and visit to the Toy Shop to choose a gift.
Find out more about Christmas at Finkley Down Farm
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
Santa is back in the Planetarium for Cosmic Christmas! Blast off on a live-action immersive festive space adventure for the whole family before meeting the man himself and getting a special Christmas gift.
Last year, Evergreen ruined the special Christmas pie right before Mother Christmas' famous feast, but got his comeuppance when Father Christmas asked him to clear up all the reindeer poo as punishment! He also needed to learn how to wear his uniform properly – fortunately Tolkien the Verreaux's Eagle-Owl helped him there.
It's the most magical time of the year! Visit Paultons Park as it is transformed into a winter wonderland with decorations and illuminations at every turn. Santa will be appearing daily on the show stage to read stories to guests and to star in his Magical Christmas Wish Show!
Join New Forest Activities for a festive paddle on the Beaulieu River to find Santa this Christmas. Enjoy a 90 minute guided tour of the river's beautiful nature reserve, with the river offering up some of its more stunning sights on a fresh Winter's day. You'll set sail in stable and safe, Canadian style canoes with the added excitement that you'll be meeting Santa on the river in his boat full of Christmas gifts!
Meet Father Christmas in his magical Milestones grotto! Come along to our festive grotto deep in the heart of Milestones to receive a very special Christmas gift.
Write your letter to Santa, receive a special gift and enjoy the incredible views from Spinnaker Tower in this uplifting Christmas experience.
Children can spend time with Father Christmas and tell him all their wishes for Christmas before being gifted a present to take home.
Calling all Elf Recruits new and old! The Elf Society returns this Christmas 2023!
We are delighted to welcome Father Christmas back to Finkley once again. Christmas at Finkley tickets include all-day entry to the farm; we open at 9:50 am.
Can you crack the code and unlock the door to meet Santa? Work your way through our interactive grotto (with the help of Santa's mischievous little helpers). Complete your mission and you’ll meet Santa, have your photo taken and receive a very special gift.
