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Countdown to Christmas with us with festive treats to look forward to every day this December in Hampshire.
From Christmas markets to ice skating, and wintry trails to light trails, there’s a Santa’s stocking full of goodies to enjoy this advent in Hampshire.
- See Santa Claus come to town with our ultimate guide to the best places to see Father Christmas in Hampshire 2023.
- Spruce up your doorways and deck the halls with a locally made wreath or try your hand at making your own at a Christmas workshop.
- Hop aboard the festive express at Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway.
- Catch a yuletide movie with cocktails at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery’s Christmas cinema nights.
- Enjoy a magical owl flying display and festive story-telling at Father Christmas' Flying Visit to the Hawk Conservancy Trust.
- Book a last-minute festive or New Year break at one of the best places to stay over the Christmas and New Year holidays in Hampshire.
- Visit England's Christmas Capital in Winchester and the city’s famous Christmas Market at Winchester Cathedral.
- See the UK’s Number 1 Family Theme Park at its festive best with a Celebration of Christmas at Paultons Park featuring the Magical Christmas Wish Show and the Marvellous Musical Christmas Tree.
- Get an authentic taste of the Swiss Alps in the heart of the English countryside at the Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire’s ski lodge pop-up Alpine restaurant, Off Piste.
- Have an out of this world Cosmic Christmas at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium.
- Tuck into some Christmassy food and drink at a Hampshire pub or restaurant.
- Get your skates on and glide down to one of Hampshire’s ice rinks to sleigh some skating shapes.
- Join Peter Rabbit™ and friends on a festive wintry trail featuring Beatrix Potter's adored characters at Lepe Country Park, Royal Victoria Country Park, Queen Elizabeth Country Park.
- See a kaleidoscopic of light and sound at the winter light trail: Light up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens.
- Browse the alpine chalet stalls, enjoy a warming glass of mulled wine, and tuck into a traditional Bratwurst at the Southampton Christmas Market.
- Ride an incredible LED train at the Watercress Line’s Steam Illuminations and see the railway shine in a spectacular light show.
- Follow a festive National Trust trail with the cracking Christmas trail at the Nutcracker Christmas at The Vyne, a Christmas Journey to the North Pole at Mottisfont, and A Neverland Christmas at Hinton Ampner.
- Head to one of Hampshire’s Theatres for a traditional Christmas pantomime: Cinderella at Theatre Royal Winchester; Aladdin at New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth; Hook at the Kings Theatre, Portsmouth; and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton.
- Go for a Winter Wander with The Snowman™ and The Snowdog at River Hamble Country Park and Staunton Country Park completing the wintry adventure trail from the much-loved story.
- Have some Festive Fun continues at Beaulieu with Victorian decorations inside its Palace House, and outdoor theatre in the Abbey Cloister with special performances of A Christmas Carol.
- Join in the fun of the Gunwharf Quays Christmas Village with new attractions including an Igloo-inspired seating area and Alpine Curling Lanes as well as the return of the Giant Observation Wheel and Alpine Lodge Bar serving up warm spiced mulled wine alongside a variety of tasty street food stalls.
- See the zoo in a whole new light with the illuminations at the Glow Marwell light trail.
- Pick the perfect last-minute Christmas gifts with tickets to a Hampshire attraction or event.
- Get some fresh winter air with a Christmas walk or countdown The Twelve Walks of Christmas in Hampshire.
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
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is recognised as one of the best in Europe. Taking place from 17th November – 21st December 2023, Winchester Cathedral's Christmas Market is renowned for its bustling atmosphere, stunning location and handpicked high quality exhibitors, which attracts visitors from around the world each year who come to shop at the pretty wooden chalets, situated within the historic grounds.
We've got the perfect experience to fill you with festive spirit this December! Come join us at Lainston House for our annual Christmas Wreath Making Class.
Visit Exbury's Festive Express railway experience this December for a family Christmas day out like no other!
The Bombay Sapphire Distillery based at Laverstoke Mill in rural Hampshire, just 15 miles from Winchester and 10 miles from Basingstoke. The Distillery is in a conservation area with over 1000 years of history. The distillery showcases the care, skill and artistry behind every drop of Bombay Sapphire, and allows you to discover the flavours of the botanicals which make Bombay Sapphire gin so unique.
Discover something truly unique with our Merry Vintage Christmas party onboard HMS Warrior, located within Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard on Friday 8th December 2023, from 6:30pm.
The Hawk Conservancy Trust will be flying their awesome owls under moonlight at this magical time of year, with a few festive features to get you in the Christmas spirit!
Get your skates on this festive season and take to the ice as Portsmouth's Guildhall Square is transformed into a winter wonderland.
Whether you're a Dancing on Ice champion, a total newbie or just about anything in between, you can be sure to find some festive euphoria on the surface of Southampton's real ice rink. The rink is held within the Esplanade, next to the Medieval Walls and Westquay South, which has been magically brought to life for the Christmas season.
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.
Join Peter Rabbit™ and friends on a festive adventure around some of Hampshire's most spectacular country parks.
Join Peter Rabbit™ and friends on a festive adventure around some of Hampshire's most spectacular country parks.
Join Peter Rabbit™ and friends on a festive adventure around some of Hampshire's most spectacular country parks.
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!
The 2023 Southampton Christmas Market witll this year take place from Thursday 16th November until Tuesday 2nd January 2024.
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!
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!
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.
Immerse yourself in the magic of this festive tale as you explore the luxuriously decorated ground floor of the house open daily 11am-3pm. Families can follow our heroes Clara and the Nutcracker as they defeat the villainous Mouse King on indoor and outdoor trails. Look out for plucky gingerbread men, pirouetting snowflakes and savour the sight of a sumptuous banquet in the 'Land of Sweets'. When you need to refuel you can order steaming hot chocolates, coffees or something a little stronger in the cosy Brewhouse tea-room. You'll find a range of festive gifts in the shop. Closed 24 & 25 December.
This year's panto is a magical retelling of the greatest fairytale of them all. From the same team behind our record breaking production of The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella promises to be our greatest Christmas production ever!
Join the Kings Theatre for the 2023 Pompey Panto.
The largest Theatre in the south, The Mayflower offers spectacular touring musicals - many direct from the West End - plus opera, ballet and comedy.
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!
Join The Snowman™ and The Snowdog on a winter wander at River Hamble Country Park. Make your way around River Hamble County park or Staunton Country Park completing themed activities as you go. Inspired by the hit sequel to Raymond Briggs' much-loved classic, this wintry adventure is suitable for children aged 3-12 years.
Join The Snowman™ and The Snowdog on a winter wander at Staunton Country Park. Make your way around Staunton Country Park or River Hamble County Park completing themed activities as you go. Inspired by the hit sequel to Raymond Briggs' much-loved classic, this wintry adventure is suitable for children aged 3-12 years.
