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Christmas is coming to Hampshire, bringing with it sparkling light trails, traditional Christmas markets, magical visits from Father Christmas, festive family days out and plenty of seasonal cheer.
Whether you’re planning a Christmas day out with the kids, looking for festive things to do with friends or simply want to soak up the atmosphere at one of Hampshire’s Christmas events, there’s plenty happening across the county.
From Winchester and Southampton to Portsmouth, the New Forest and beyond, here are 24 festive things to do in Hampshire this Christmas 2026.
Magical Christmas days out in Hampshire
Enjoy a Celebration of Christmas at Paultons Park
See Paultons Park at its festive best during its annual Celebration of Christmas. As well as enjoying many of the park’s rides and attractions, families can soak up the Christmas atmosphere with seasonal decorations, festive entertainment and special Christmas shows.
Step back in time at Milestones Museum this Christmas
Experience Christmas with a nostalgic twist at Milestones Museum in Basingstoke. The museum’s recreated Victorian streets make an atmospheric setting for some festive fun, with its Christmas Market returning on 5 and 6 December 2026. Browse more than 40 stalls for gifts and seasonal treats, enjoy live music and family entertainment, and soak up the Christmas atmosphere as you explore the museum.
Experience Christmas at Beaulieu
See Beaulieu transformed for the festive season with a visit to the home of the National Motor Museum. Explore Palace House dressed for Christmas and combine the festive atmosphere with Beaulieu’s other attractions for a full family day out in the New Forest. This year's festive theme follows Alice in Wonderland.
Enjoy Christmas with a Regency twist at Jane Austen’s House
Discover Christmas with a Regency twist at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton. The house is traditionally decorated for the festive season, giving visitors the chance to discover the decorations, food and traditions that would have been familiar during Jane Austen’s lifetime.
Celebrate Christmas at a National Trust property
Hampshire’s National Trust properties become even more magical at Christmas, with beautifully decorated interiors, family trails and seasonal displays. Look out for what’s planned at Hinton Ampner, The Vyne and Mottisfont for Christmas 2026.
Experience Christmas at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Add a nautical twist to your Christmas celebrations with a festive visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Step aboard HMS Warrior and discover how Christmas would have been celebrated at sea, with the historic ship getting into the seasonal spirit on selected dates during November and December 2026. Combine your visit with exploring the Dockyard’s world-famous ships and museums for a Christmas day out with a difference.
Christmas light trails and illuminations in Hampshire
See the gardens sparkle at Light Up Hillier Gardens
See Sir Harold Hillier Gardens near Romsey in a whole new light during its annual Christmas illumination. Wrap up warm and follow the trail through the gardens as colourful lights and installations transform the trees and landscape after dark.
See Marwell in a whole new light
Experience Marwell Zoo after dark as its brand new winter event, Fire & Ice, illuminates the attraction for the festive season. Follow the trail through colourful displays and installations for a very different way to experience one of Hampshire’s best-known family attractions.
Ride the Watercress Line’s Steam Illuminations
All aboard for one of Hampshire’s most unusual festive experiences. The Watercress Line’s Steam Illuminations sees its heritage train covered in thousands of colourful LED lights, with music and light effects adding to the atmosphere as you travel through the Hampshire countryside.
Meet Father Christmas in Hampshire
Plan a magical visit to Father Christmas
Santa Claus is coming to Hampshire, with magical grottos and Father Christmas experiences taking place across the county throughout November and December.
From theme parks and zoos to heritage railways and countryside attractions, there are plenty of memorable places where children can meet the man himself. Take a look at our full guide to the best places to see Father Christmas in Hampshire in 2026 to find the perfect experience for your family.
Christmas markets and festive shopping in Hampshire
Visit Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
Soak up the festive atmosphere at one of Hampshire’s best-known Christmas markets. Set within the historic grounds of Winchester Cathedral, the market’s traditional wooden chalets are packed with Christmas gifts, decorations and festive food and drink.
Make a day of it by exploring Winchester’s independent shops, Christmas lights and historic city centre while you’re there.
Explore Southampton Christmas Market and festive trail
Head to Southampton city centre to browse the alpine-style chalets of Southampton Christmas Market, pick up some Christmas gifts and enjoy the festive food and drink on offer.
Families can also look out for Southampton’s annual free Christmas trail, offering another way to explore the city centre during the festive season.
Shop locally for Christmas gifts
Support Hampshire businesses this Christmas by swapping the usual online shopping for a trip to some of the county’s independent shops.
From Winchester, Stockbridge and Alresford to Lymington, Petersfield and Hampshire’s smaller towns and villages, there are plenty of places to find locally made gifts, delicious Hampshire produce and something a little different for under the tree.
Give a Hampshire experience for Christmas
Stuck for ideas for someone who has everything? Give them something to look forward to with tickets, memberships, vouchers or experiences from one of Hampshire’s attractions or events.
From family days out to food and drink experiences, a Hampshire experience can make a great alternative to another present under the tree.
Christmas shows and festive entertainment in Hampshire
See a traditional Christmas pantomime
Oh yes you can! Get into the Christmas spirit with a trip to one of Hampshire’s theatres for a traditional festive pantomime.
Theatres in Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, Basingstoke and other locations across Hampshire will be putting on plenty of family entertainment during Christmas 2026.
Enjoy a Christmas concert at Winchester Cathedral
Few settings are more atmospheric at Christmas than Winchester Cathedral. Get together with friends or family for one of its festive concerts and enjoy seasonal music in the spectacular surroundings of this historic Hampshire landmark.
Sing carols with the owls at Hawk Conservancy Trust
For a Christmas experience with a difference, head to the Hawk Conservancy Trust near Andover for an evening of Christmas carols beneath the night sky.
The attraction’s festive carol events traditionally combine seasonal music with the unforgettable sight of owls flying overhead, making this a very different way to celebrate Christmas in Hampshire.
Have a festive evening at Bombay Sapphire Distillery
Add a grown-up twist to the Christmas celebrations with a visit to Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Laverstoke Mill near Whitchurch. Look out for its Christmas programme, which has previously included festive cinema nights and Christmas cocktail masterclasses.
Free and low-cost things to do this Christmas
Follow a free festive trail
Add a little adventure to your Christmas days out with one of Hampshire’s free seasonal trails.
Head to Southampton city centre for its annual Christmas walking trail or enjoy some free indoor fun at the Curtis Museum in Alton, where families can follow Dotty the Dodo around the museum on a winter fact-finding adventure.
Explore Fort Nelson
Head to Royal Armouries Fort Nelson near Portsmouth for a budget-friendly family day out over the Christmas holidays. Admission to the Victorian fort is free, giving you the chance to explore its tunnels, ramparts and impressive collection of artillery.
Look out for any special family trails and Christmas activities taking place during the 2026 festive period. Parking charges apply.
For even more budget-friendly ideas, take a look at our guide to free and low-cost things to do in Hampshire over the Christmas holidays.
Festive food, drink and Christmas breaks
Tuck into some festive food and drink
Christmas is the perfect excuse to get together over some good food. Hampshire’s pubs, restaurants, hotels and cafés will be serving up plenty of festive menus, seasonal treats and warming drinks throughout November and December.
Whether you’re planning a Christmas catch-up with friends, a family meal or a festive afternoon tea, you’ll find plenty of places to eat and drink across Hampshire.
Spend Christmas at Back of Beyond
Fancy doing something a little different this Christmas? Back of Beyond Touring, Camping & Glamping Park, near the New Forest, is open throughout the festive period, with touring and camping pitches as well as cosy glamping accommodation for those who don’t fancy sleeping under canvas in December.
The adults-only park will be getting into the Christmas spirit too, with live music at Monty’s Bar on Christmas Eve, when Peter Burns will be performing a selection of Christmas hits exclusively for guests. With woodland and heathland to explore, an 18-acre off-lead dog walking area and the New Forest close by, it’s a great choice for a relaxed Christmas escape – especially if you’re bringing the dog along.
Escape for a cosy Christmas break
Why not turn your festive day out into a Christmas getaway? From country house hotels and cosy cottages to city stays and New Forest escapes, Hampshire has plenty of options for a few nights away over Christmas and New Year.
Take a look at our guide to places to stay over the Christmas
Related
Join Paultons Park for 'A Celebration of Christmas' running on selected dates in 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.
Milestones Christmas Market brings together the best of the season, unique gifts, festive food, live music and family fun, all set within the bustling cobbled streets of Milestones. Visitors can browse more than 40 stalls, plus 17 Victorian-themed stalls dressed in period style, where they'll find an irresistible mix of handmade crafts, local makers and seasonal treats all wrapped up in the nostalgic charm of our historic streets. Tickets £10 per person. Book tickets online now. Discover that perfect present, treat yourself to mulled wine and mince pies, or simply soak up the atmosphere, this is the perfect Christmas shopping experience to get you into the festive mood!
Don't be late for a very important date! Alice's Christmas Wonderland is coming to Beaulieu in a brand new festive experience for 2026. Visit the Mad Hatter's hat shop, tumble down a rabbit hole and meet the Queen of Hearts as Palace House takes you on a journey through Alice's imagination.
Award winning producers, Light Up Trails return with a host of NEW glittering installations and amazing food and drink, completing a sensational, sensory feast. Immerse yourself in a truly unforgettable, magical light trail experience like no other, for the whole family!
Discover a whole new festive adventure at Marwell Zoo this Christmas, with three magical experiences in one place. Why not combine all three for the ultimate Christmas experience?!
Steam Illuminations returns to The Watercress Line (November to January). Experience an incredible light show on and in a steam train, consisting of thousands of coloured lights and LED wristbands, creating a kaleidoscope of different colours and flashing patterns, includes 'Canopy of Lights' a sound to light show inside every carriage.
