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Twixmas – the humdrum Chrimbo-limbo between Christmas and New Year – can become a blur of Christmas leftovers and wondering what to do with the children who are still off school and full of excitement.
But your Twixmas doesn’t have to be uneventful, we’ve rounded up the events and openings between Christmas and New Year to get out and about and make the most of those last days of 2023.
Be sure to check opening times with the attraction before making your visit and book tickets in advance.
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Hampshire attractions open during Twixmas, Boxing Day 2023, and New Year’s Day 2024
The Festive Fun continues at Beaulieu until 1 January 2023 (including Boxing Day) with Victorian decorations inside its Palace House, and outdoor theatre in the Abbey Cloister with special performances of A Christmas Carol.
Twixmas at Milestones in Basingstoke kicks off on 27 December until 31 December, a great day out whatever the weather, wander the beautifully decorated (and completely undercover) streets from days gone by, and there will also be live music and a Twixmas trail.
Winchester Science Centre will reopen after Christmas from 27 December sharing the prehistoric cheer of its Science Dino-mite Jurassic adventure until 2 January 2024.
Marwell Zoo will be open from 27 December with its glowing winter light trail Glow Marwell continuing until 30 December and winter opening hours starting from 1 January 2024.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is also open from 27 December with a Tudor Christmas Trail at The Mary Rose uncovering the wonderful and peculiar festive traditions of the Tudors until 2 January 2024.
Or visit Christmas at Randalls, a new immersive festive experience bringing the famous Christmas scenes from Emma to life at Jane Austen’s House from 28 to 30 December.
Follow a seasonal trail
Hampshire’s country parks have some magical seasonal trails to explore this winter with a Peter Rabbit™ Festive Adventure coming to Royal Victoria Country Park, Queen Elizabeth Country Park, and Lepe Country Park. Plus, a Winter Wander with The Snowman™ and The Snowdog returns this year taking place at Staunton Country Park and River Hamble Country Park. All are open after Christmas from 26 December 2023 until 1 January 2024.
The National Trust is also delivering its usual gift of fun festive trails this year with a Christmas Journey to the North Pole continuing at Mottisfont from 26 December 2023 to 7 January 2024; a Nutcracker Christmas at The Vyne from 26 December 2023 until 1 January 2024; and A Neverland Christmas at Hinton Ampner until 1 January 2024.
Or keep the children entertained in the city with Southampton’s free festive family walking trail: Reindeer Roundup until 31 December 2023 (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day).
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Pantomime – oh yes you should!
Is there a more traditionally British way to spend the time between Christmas and New Year than with a trip to see a pantomime? Oh no, there isn't!
Leading the cast of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Mayflower Theatre Southampton will be Britain's Got Talent winners and street dance sensations Ashley Banjo & Diversity from 26 to 31 December 2023.
There will be magic with Cinderella at Theatre Royal Winchester from 26 December 2023 to 1 January 2024.
And in Portsmouth, catch Aladdin - A Family Panto! At New Theatre Royal, Puss in Boots at Groundlings Theatre, and Hook - The High Flying Adventures of Peter Pan at Kings Theatre all from 26 to 31 December 2023.
Get your skates on and take to the ice
Glide down to Westquay on Ice for a skate on the rink in Southampton, or get your skates on at Portsmouth on Ice where the city’s Guildhall Square is transformed into a winter wonderland – both open from Boxing Day until 7 January 2024.
Find out more about ice skating in Hampshire
Brighten up the winter evenings on a light trail
Light up the darkest days of winter with the brightest lights by wrapping up warm and embarking on a winter light trail.
Glow Marwell continues to shine at Marwell Zoon from 27 to 30 December 2023 and Light Up at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens reopens from 27 until 31 December 2023.
Get the New Year party started with the Watercress Line’s Steam Illuminations pop anthems journey from 27 to 31 December 2023.
At West Green House, the Christmas Illuminated Garden Adventure near Hook reopens from 27 to 30 December 2023, and the Forest of Light shines on at Sandy Balls Holiday Village until 31 December, perfect to combine with a Christmas break at Sandy Balls.
Read our full guide to winter illumination displays in Hampshire 2023
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Walk off the festive feast
Blow away the cobwebs and walk off some of the Christmas pudding with a festive walk in Hampshire.
From easy family-friendly strolls to more adventurous routes offering hilly climbs and stunning views, wrap up warm and get some fresh winter air with a Christmas Day or Boxing Day walk or countdown The Twelve Walks of Christmas in Hampshire.
Make the most of Twixmas by planning a Christmas break to Hampshire. Take a look at our huge range of accommodation. Hampshire has something for all budgets including hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering properties, and cosy traditional holiday cottages.
Places to stay over the Christmas and New Year holidays in Hampshire
See our full guide to Christmas in Hampshire
See our guide to winter in Hampshire
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Related
Get ready to enjoy a festive feast of family entertainment this Christmas, together. Visit Beaulieu on 2nd – 3rd December to celebrate the festive season in style as Beaulieu comes to life with Christmas joy and spirit.
Come to Milestones and enjoy some relaxing time out of the house between Christmas and New Year. There will be fun for all of the family!
Enjoy the sights, sounds and science of Christmas past - way past - with the return of Science Dino-mite! Our Dino Rangers have sprinkled prehistoric cheer ready for a Jurassic adventure this festive season. As well as all the usual Science Centre fun, there'll be even more on offer to excite all ages.
What is a yule log? Who is the Lord of Misrule? Who ate golden boars' heads and what on earth is wassailing? Uncover the many wonderfully festive, and sometimes peculiar traditions that the Tudors celebrated the festive season with in our Tudor Christmas Trail! This free trail is available throughout the Christmas school holidays and is free with a valid Mary Rose entry ticket.
This year Jane Austen's House present a brand new immersive experience bringing the famous Christmas scenes from Emma to life. Moving through the House, follow the story of Emma's Christmas Eve dinner at Randalls and the fateful snowstorm that follows through an audio installation starring Sally Scott as the matchmaking heroine Emma Woodhouse and Bertie Carvel as Mr Elton – the over-confident clergyman who proposes to her on Christmas Eve.
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 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.
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.
Ancient trees, babbling brooks and rolling lawns frame Mottisfont's 18th-century house with a medieval priory at its heart. There’s space to run, jump and play, and always something for families to do, with activity trails in school holidays and a special family exhibition every summer.
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.
A Neverland Christmas arrives at Hinton Ampner this winter, with more than a sprinkle of fairy dust on the Christmas trees. Step into the home of the Darling family and Nana the dog, where light, sound and movement bring scenes inspired by JM Barrie's much-loved story of Peter Pan to life. Your journey takes you on an adventure to find the ticking crocodile, the Lost Boys' camp and Tinker Bell's mystical hideaway. Watch out for Captain Hook and his band of pirates, and encounter the source of all magic, the fairies.
Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, don't miss the fairest pantomime of them all! Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be spectacularly brought to life with an abundance of comedy, sensational song and dance numbers, fabulous costumes, and stunning scenery. Throw in a magical mirror, the magnificent seven and plenty of audience participation and you have the perfect recipe to outwit the Wicked Queen and let love prevail in this glittering festive treat for all ages.
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!
This Christmas you are invited to Bumpy Village to join Groundlings Theatre for a magical adventure and holiday season you will never forget. Bumpy village is in turmoil and it's local residents, known as Bumpkins aren't sure what to do.
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.
Get your skates on this festive season, as Portsmouth's Guildhall Square is transformed into a winter wonderland.
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!
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!
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.
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.
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Sandy Balls this festive season between 22nd-31st December. We've got everything to make your Christmas getaway the most memorable, magical time for you and your friends and family - four-legged ones included! There's lots for the little elves to enjoy - meet Santa himself, walk his alpaca friends and help in Mrs Claus' kitchen cooking up lots of tempting treats! Not to mention showering you with a festive sprinkle of entertainment - we'll have a selection of live acts on stage throughout. We've got your Christmas lunch covered including all the trimmings with our delicious 3-course menu available to book in both Aubrey's Forest Kitchen and The Woodside Inn.
