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From the winter’s darkest nights emerges one of the year’s highlights with luminescent light trails and experiences switching on across Hampshire this Christmas and New Year.
Illuminate your imagination with neon trains, glowing gardens, and twinkling woodland – these winter light trails in Hampshire are sure to bring beaming smiles all around, just add hot chocolate and woolly hats.
Glow at Marwell Zoo, Winchester
Selected dates 24 November – 30 December 2023
Having seen great success in its debut year last Christmas, Glow Marwell returns for another incredible illumination experience to round off 2023 in glimmering gorgeousness.
Synonymous with Marwell’s zoological core, this year's theme is an enchanted nature trail featuring brand new light displays in a rainbow of colours – look out for the towering Enchanted Tree with fluttering butterflies and new creatures brought to life in the magical Glow Forest.
On premium nights there will also be spellbinding acts and there’s a chance to meet Father Christmas in his glowing grotto.
Find out more about Glow Marwell at Marwell Zoo
Steam Illuminations at the Watercress Line, Alresford
24 November 2023 – 6 January 2024
Neon nostalgic steam trains? See the locomotives of the Watercress Line as you’ve never seen them before at the Steam Illuminations when the traditional trains get a modern makeover and are adorned with LED lights inside and out.
With train-tertainment including the Christmas Chart Crackers DJ mix up and New Year Pop Anthems, interactive LED wrist bands, and onboard karaoke, this is one unmissable festive light party!
Find out more about Steam Illuminations at the Watercress Line
Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens at Christmas, Romsey
30 November – 31 December 2023
Another resounding light-up success from last year, award-winning producers, Light Up Trails return in 2023 for a new resplendent rendition of Light Up at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens.
A breathtaking array of glittering installations will lead visitors around the gardens on this magical trail with highlights including lasers in Himalayan Valley and a multi-sensory light show around the pond.
Find out more about Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens at Christmas
Winter Woodland Lights at Hawk Conservancy Trust, Andover
12 January – 24 January 2024
Continuing the bright cheer into the New Year, the Winter Woodland Lights at the Hawk Conservancy should be the first date in your January diary.
After exploring the beautiful woodland light trail, visitors will be treated to a breathtaking evening owl flying display set against the glorious glowing trees.
Find out more about Winter Woodland Lights at Hawk Conservancy Trust
Neverland Illuminova at Wellington Country Park
16 November – 23 December 2023
In the heart of Wellington Country Park near Basingstoke, an illuminated kingdom awaits this winter with an even bigger Neverland Illuminova for 2023.
This imaginative and immersive nighttime adventure takes visitors on an illuminated magical quest into Neverland following the chapters of the story along poetic paths with magical light and sound at the heart of its story.
Find out more about Neverland Illuminova at Wellington Country Park
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The Christmas Illuminated Garden Adventure at West Green House Garden, Hook
25 November – 30 December 2023
North Hampshire’s stunning West Green House is known as the Opera Garden and its Christmas Illuminated Garden Adventure has equal theatrical flair with spectacles including fountains dancing to music on the lake.
This year’s theme follows the story of Alice in Wonderland, told in spectacular illuminated installations elegantly created by the guest designers – look out for the Paradise Garden transformed into the flamingo’s crocket lawn.
Find out more about the Christmas Illuminated Garden Adventure at West Green House Garden
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Enlightened Winter Light Trail at Staunton Farm, Havant
8 December – 24 December 2023
Returning to Staunton Farm in Havant from 8 December, Enlightened is a magical outdoor light trail with illuminated installations and interactive elements for the whole family to enjoy.
Expect twinkling tunnels, enchanted woodlands, and immersive lights, all accompanied by ambient music.
Find out more about Enlightened at Staunton Farm
Forest of Light at Sandy Balls Holiday Village, New Forest
4 November 2023 – 2 January 2024
Book a stay at the Sandy Balls Holiday Village this winter and see the New Forest in a new light as the wonderful woodland surrounding the village is lit up with thousands of twinkly lights.
Throughout November and December, Sandy Balls’ stunning courtyard will shine with festive light displays, illuminated pathways, and decorations, bringing some Christmas magic to the New Forest – and the icing on the Christmas cake is that it might even snow!
Find out more about Forest of Light at Sandy Balls Holiday Village
Winter lights at Blackwood Forest, Winchester
3 November 2023 – 29 February 2024
Book a break at Blackwood Forest between November 2023 and February 2024 and experience the enchanting winter lights trail inviting guests for a nighttime wander through the woodland.
Open exclusively to guests staying at Blackwood Forest, this winter light trail can be enjoyed in twinkling tranquillity before you retreat to your cabin in the trees for the rest of your stay.
Find out more about Blackwood Forest
Christmas Evening Lights Trains at Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway
8, 15 & 22 December 2023
The miniature locomotives at Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway near Southampton are a joy any time of the year, but on selected evenings in December, the trains look their Christmassy best when they are illuminated especially for rides around the country park in the dark.
The station will also be decorated with lights for the occasion and yuletide music will bring all the Christmas cheer.
Find out more about Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway
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 Marwell Zoo this winter for their magical Christmas light experience, Glow Marwell. This year's theme is an enchanted nature trail featuring brand new illuminations and immersive displays using more than 500,000 lights in a rainbow of colours. Venture through a 36 metre multicoloured light tunnel, gaze in wonder at a towering Enchanted Tree with fluttering butterflies, wander through colourful clouds projected overhead and meet some new animals brought to life in a magical Glow Forest. Plus, don't miss their premium nights where you'll come face to face with some spellbinding acts!
Steam Illuminations is a unique Christmas, pixel mappable digital LED train! It's an incredible light show on and in a steam train, consisting of thousands of fully controllable colour mixing LED lights and LED wristbands. This makes the train look magical both inside and out.
After an unforgettable transformation last year, the magnificent Sir Harold Hillier Gardens are set to shine bigger and brighter than ever before! Award winning producers, Light Up Trails return with a host of NEW glittering installations and amazing food and drink, completing a sensational, sensory feast!
The Hawk Conservancy Trust will once again become even more magical, with beautiful illuminations and a live owl display set in a stunning, colourful woodland.
A ten-acre wonderland of gigantic shimmering flowers, glowing fairies, and a forest of illuminated field flowers. There are enormous lit waterlilies floating on the lake and the five bridges turned in tunnels of lights. All the garden's follies are wonderfully lit for your enjoyment. An outdoor event with a trail of a mile in length, it is loved by all ages.
Enlightened returns to Staunton Farm in 2023! Enlightened 2023 will be the biggest, brightest, and boldest year yet with a trail bursting with even more interactive and immersive elements than ever before along with visitor favourites.
Discover the delights of thousands of twinkly lights at Sandy Balls Holiday Village this winter for the Forest of Light. Throughout November and December, the stunning courtyard will be lit up with festive light displays and decorations, bringing some Christmas magic to the New Forest. Visit for the evening and grab a hot drink from Aubrey's Forest Kitchen and wander through our lit up pathways. Book a stay with us and enjoy Christmas themed activities and shows, visits from Santa and prosecco alpaca walks for the adults!
Escape to a cosy self-catering cabin with private hot tub with Forest Holidays - the perfect getaway. Blackwood Forest, a tranquil woodland escape just one hour from London, is the perfect place to get away from it all. Relax in one of 60 cabins dotted among the tall beech trees in a secluded corner of the forest. It’s hard to believe you’re only an hour away from the vibrant city lights of London.
Wellington Country Parks gates will re-open at dusk to reveal a kingdom of illumination with even more Neverland to discover. New for 2023, explore the awakened woodlands and reach for the stars with our extended trail. Enjoy a magical quest with your friends and family, there is something for everyone. A heartwarming adventure with big memories. There are limited spaces for a truly bespoke experience.
Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway runs every weekend throughout the year and daily during all school holidays. The railway runs from its main station, Eastleigh Parkway, to Monks Brook Halt and then back to Eastleigh Parkway. Trains are usually steam hauled and the journey of 1¼ miles takes about 15-20 minutes. Monks Brook Halt gives an opportunity to visit the lakes, children’s playground or use the adjacent picnic tables.
