The Christmas depend down is on! In preparation for this festive season, right here’s my information to Christmas occasions in Hampshire this yr.
Ticket gross sales for among the hottest days out went stay in the summertime. Don’t delay in reserving your tickets for these Christmas occasions taking place in 2024. They’re certain to get snapped up quick.
Right here’s extra Christmas days out taking place across the UK.
Christmas occasions at Hampshire household sights
Ho ho how do you fancy a completely festive day trip?
Learn on to seek out out what’s on this December together with the place you’ll discover Christmas occasions at sights in addition to festive exhibits, mild trails and Santa himself!
Steam Illuminations on the Watercress Line
All aboard the Watercress Line which is again for an prolonged experience into Christmas 2024 and past.
The classic loco and carriages are lined in hundreds of totally controllable color mixing LED lights making the the scene magical each inside and outside.
Throughout the journey you’ll be entertained by festive tunes and the legendary ‘Voiceover Man’ (as heard on Britain’s Acquired Expertise and X-Issue).
The festive enjoyable with Christmas hits continues till 28 December when the tunes transition into musical journey from the Sixties to the current day with dance ground singalong anthems.
Trains depart from both Alresford or Alton and full a spherical journey, again to the beginning station.
Please notice: this isn’t a Santa practice.
Steam Illuminations, Watercress Line, Alton, chosen dates from 29 November 2024 to 4 January 2025.
Christmas at Longdown Exercise Farm
Santa shall be greeting youngsters in his festive lodge on the farm.
Particulars about this occasion shall be launched nearer the time.
Longdown Exercise Farm, Ashurst, chosen dates from November onwards.
The Magical Christmas Journey at 4 Kingdoms Journey Park
Santa is returning to 4 Kingdoms Journey Park in Headley which hosts the UK’s largest indoor Christmas expertise.
The Magical Christmas Journey is a spectacular 2.5 hour storytelling journey stuffed with immersive experiences.
E book tickets in your youngsters to expertise a non-public viewers with the large man himself earlier than exploring his magical North Pole village of Sparkle Copse.
From toys to teddies, snowballs, and sleighs, immerse your self in a seasonal extravaganza; take a lot of incredible photographs and are available away laden with goodies and stuffed with Christmas cheer.
4 Kingdoms Journey Park, Headley, 23 November to 24 December 2024.
Portsmouth on Ice
Portsmouth’s ice rink returns to Guildhall Sq. this winter.
The ice rink features a cover for assured skating regardless of the climate. Classes could be booked prematurely and final an hour.
Portsmouth on Ice rink, Guildhall Sq., dates TBC from November 2024.
Discover extra enjoyable issues to do in Portsmouth with children.
Hayling Island Winter Wonderland
The elves at Funland have been busy making a spectacular wonderland expertise.
Be a part of them for a stroll by means of Wonderland, stopping on the Gingerbread Manufacturing unit and driving a festive practice earlier than assembly Santa Claus himself on the North Pole.
Entry into the Kidz Kingdom indoor play space in addition to limitless out of doors youngsters’s rides is included in your ticket.
Funland, Hayling Island, chosen dates from 23 November to 24 December 2024.
Christmas at Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World
Guests to Paulton’s Park close to Southampton will have the ability to see Peppa Pig World adorned for the season in addition to a brand new Christmas present and illuminations across the park.
Paultons Park, Romsey, 6 to 23 December 2024.
Check out extra days out close to Southampton.
Christmas at Milestones
Wander the cobbled streets decked for the season and benefit from the Christmas market which takes place from 30 November to 1 December.
Milestones Basic Christmas, Basingstoke, 30 November to 23 December 2024
Paddle with Santa within the New Forest
Christmas occasions in Hampshire don’t come way more distinctive than this opportunity to paddle down Beaulieu River to seek out Santa.
New Forest Actions will take you on a guided canoe journey lasting 90 minutes throughout which you’ll meet Father Christmas. There shall be a present for every little one and a sizzling chocolate to maintain everybody toasty.
Christmas Canoe Paddle, Bailey’s Arduous, New Forest, chosen dates from 7 to 23 December 2024.
Father Christmas Flying Go to on the Hawk Conservancy, Andover
Father Christmas and his magical staff of owls shall be stopping on the Belief for this particular household occasion.
Discover out what mischief Evergreen the Elf is as much as and watch the magical owls fly.
Women and boys will meet Mom Christmas, who will share some freshly-baked treats from her kitchen for the youngsters to get pleasure from while she tells them in regards to the magical owls.
Hawk Conservancy Belief, Andover, 21 to 22 December 2024.
Christmas mild trails in Hampshire
Take in the magic of winter mild trails at these illuminating Christmas occasions in Hampshire:
Festive mild path at Marwell Zoo
Glow Marwell returns in 2024 with half one million twinkling lights adorning illuminations and interactive shows.
Count on extra particulars about this years’ occasion within the autumn.
Father Christmas will even be there in a brand new grotto.
Marwell Zoo, Winchester, chosen dates from 29 November to 30 December 2024
Mild up Hellier Gardens, Romsey
This Christmas mild path in Hampshire is again for a 3rd yr with new mild and sound installations, weaving by means of a modified route across the gardens.
There’s a value freeze on commonplace 2024 tickets and you may improve to tremendous peak tickets on chosen nights. These will embody stay leisure together with fireplace jugglers, aerial artists and larger-than-life characters.
Mild Up Hellier Gardens, Romsey, chosen dates from 28 November 2024 to 1 January 2025
The Illuminated Backyard Journey at West Inexperienced Home Gardens
This extraordinary mile lengthy mild path at West Inexperienced Home has the there ‘Over the Rainbow’ this yr with characters you could recognise from the land of Oz.
Warming drinks, sizzling meals and treats could also be bought alongside the path.
The Illuminated Backyard Journey, Hook, 23 November to 29 December 2024
Enlightened at Staunton Farm in Havant
Staunton Farm shall be reworked right into a magical illuminated mild path with mesmerising mild installations across the grounds.
There shall be interactive video games of sunshine and illuminated shapes and tunnels to bop by means of. The path is about 1.2 Kilometres in size and appropriate for the entire household.
Staunton Farm, Havant, 6 to 24 December 2024
Right here’s some extra Christmas mild trails taking place across the UK.
Nationwide Belief Christmas occasions in Hampshire
Nationwide Belief properties are at all times a beautiful place to expertise conventional decorations and winter walks.
Count on winter exercise trails and adorned homes.
Discover out extra about what’s on at Nationwide Belief properties in Hampshire this Christmas.
Hampshire pantomimes and Christmas exhibits
Love pantomimes? Oh sure you do! Right here’s among the Christmas exhibits taking place in Hampshire in 2024:
Mom Goose at Theatre Royal Winchester
This panto guarantees to be an EGGtraordinary present, filled with hilarious gags, unique songs and a great deal of viewers participation.
There are relaxed performances at 1pm on 11 December 2024 and 2.30pm on 1 January 2025.
Cinderella, Theatre Royal Winchester, 30 November 2024 to five January 2025.
Dick Whittington at The Kings Theatre, Portsmouth
The Pompey Panto is again for Christmas 2024 with the last word story of fame and fortune: Dick Whittington!
Starring Eastenders legend Lorraine Stanley (Karen Taylor) because the deliciously evil Queen Rat, Britain’s Acquired Expertise Winner, George Sampson as Dick Whittington, and the ever-unpredictable Jack Edwards as Dame Dolly this festive present is stuffed with fabulous units, dazzling costumes and foot-tapping tunes.
Dick Whittington, The Kings Theatre, Albert Highway, Portsmouth, 29 November to 31 December 2024.
The Owl Who Got here for Christmas
Impressed by a real story, this charming story celebrates the ability of affection, kindness, and the magic of Christmas.
With toe-tapping songs, charming puppetry, and loads of alternatives for viewers participation, The Owl Who Got here for Christmas guarantees to please audiences of all ages.
The Owl Who Got here for Christmas, The Haymarket, Wote Avenue, Basingstoke, 3 to eight December 2024.
Sleeping Magnificence at The Anvil in Basingstoke
The fabulous household pantomime at The Anvil guarantees a laugh-a-minute extravaganza with gorgeous units, prime musical hits, incredible costumes, and thrilling particular results to maintain audiences each younger and outdated entertained.
Sleeping Magnificence stars Chris Pizzey and Nic Gibney with additional solid members to be introduced within the autumn.
Sleeping Magnificence, The Anvil, Basingstoke, 12 December 2024 to five January 2025.
Magnificence and the Beast on the New Theatre Royal Portsmouth
Put together to be enchanted because the New Theatre Royal presents this basic story as outdated as time in true pantomime fashion.
Enjoyment of stay music, gorgeous units, slick choreography, and sensational costumes, and loads of panto enjoyable.
There’s a BSL signed efficiency at 3pm on 15 December 2024 and a relaxed efficiency at 5.30pm on 4 January 2025.
Magnificence and the Beast, New Theatre Royal Portsmouth, 13 December 2024 to five January 2025.
Cinderella at Fareham Dwell
Panto returns to Fareham this Christmas with probably the most magical story of all of them, Cinderella.
Introduced to you by award-winning Think about Theatre, the present will star TV favourites and dancing duo AJ & Curtis Pritchard because the dashing Prince Charming and Dandini, the hilarious Paul Burling (Britain’s Acquired Expertise).
This household pantomime guarantees loads of slapstick comedy, viewers interplay and gorgeous musical numbers.
Cinderella, Fareham Dwell, Osborn Highway – 13 December 2024 to five January 2025
Jack and the Beanstalk on the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton
After their first triumphant Mayflower Theatre pantomime final yr, road dance sensations, Ashley Banjo & Variety, and award-winning actor and comic, Kev Orkian, are again to climb a beanstalk of gigantic proportions.
Becoming a member of them in Jack and the Beanstalk shall be West Finish stars Matt Rixon as Dame Trot, Anne Smith as Mrs Blunderbore, Jacqueline Hughes as The Spirit of the Beans, and Lauren Hampton as Jill.
This panto shall be spectacularly dropped at life by sensational music and dance numbers, incredible particular results, magic beans and bundles of viewers participation on this big of a pantomime.
The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, 14 December 2024 to five January 2025.
Santa’s Christmas Cracker at Theatre Royal Winchester
Not solely is that this a festive present for little ones, all of them get to fulfill Father Christmas and obtain a present on the finish.
From the producers of Santa’s Christmas Want, Santa’s Christmas Cracker is a enjoyable, interactive, musical journey to find the surprise of Christmas. The present runs for 45 minutes and is especially appropriate for two to 8-year-olds.
Santa’s Christmas Cracker, Theatre Royal, Winchester, 16 December 2024.
Christmas Markets in Hampshire
In the event you fancy immersing yourselves in all of the sights and smells of the winter season whereas doing all your present purchasing right here’s the place to seek out Christmas Markets in Hampshire:
Christmas on the Fort
The nineteenth Century Fort Brockhurst in Gosport will host greater than 50 artisan stalls in addition to seasonal leisure over the weekend.
Enter is free.
Fort Brockhurst, Gosport, TBC
Ringwood Winter Wanderland
Ringwood is marking the beginning of the festive season with the return of its winter wonderland market and occasions.
This neighborhood Christmas occasion in Hampshire could have present stalls, festive meals, stay music and probably an look by the person in purple.
Ringwood Winter Wanderland, Market Place, Ringwood, 1 December 2024.
Southampton Christmas Market 2024
Southampton Christmas Market has been confirmed for 2024 however dates are but to be set. It’ll function a standard German market with alpine chalets providing conventional German fayre, from bratwurst and waffles to gingerbread hearts and candied fruit.
The market contains impartial stallholders providing a variety of hand-made, genuine items and Christmas decorations, in addition to two bars and stay leisure.
Southampton Christmas Market, Above Bar, 14 November 2024 to six January 2025.
Winchester Christmas Market 2024
Winchester has probably the greatest identified UK Christmas markets – in actual fact it’s commonly recognised within the prime 10 in Europe.
What makes it so particular is its distinctive location within the Cathedral’s Interior Shut, its handpicked top quality exhibitors and bustling environment.
It’s impressed by conventional German Christmas markets with fairly picket chalets, festive lighting, the sound of Christmas carols and the aroma of mulled wine and cinnamon drifting within the air.
Discover out extra about what to anticipate at this yr’s Winchester Christmas Market.
Winchester Christmas Market, Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire, TBC.
Queen Elizabeth Nation Park Christmas Market
Go to the nation park for a winter stroll and to browse a variety of stalls with handmade items made by crafters from the area people.
Enter to the market is free. Regular parking expenses apply.
Queen Elizabeth County Park, Gravel Hill, TBC in 2024.
Right here’s some extra Christmas markets across the UK.
Christmas occasions close to Hampshire
There’s loads of season spirit within the air in neighbouring county’s too. Right here’s some issues to do close to Hampshire:
Santa Specials on Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Board one of many Isle of Wight Steam Railway’s historic steam trains at Havenstreet for an atmospheric experience by means of wintery woodland.
Again at Havenstreet observe the pathway to Santa’s North Pole station, the place you’ll be welcomed by a seasonal Station Grasp and his helpers. Subsequent Meet Santa himself on board a historically festive Victorian carriage.
There’s additionally magic exhibits, a standard carousel and pop up shops promoting distinctive Christmas items.
Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet, chosen dates December 2024.
Discover extra solutions for issues to do within the Isle of Wight with children.
Christmas in Bournemouth
Bournemouth Christmas Tree Pageant is again in 2024 though dates are TBC! This seaside city in Dorset shall be reworked into an open-air alpine village.
Expertise the magical spectacle of greater than 100 glittering timber and illuminations, and discover the Alpine market and skate within the enchanting Victorian decrease gardens.
Dates are nonetheless to be introduced however the occasion is confirmed.
Examine what to anticipate from the Christmas Tree Wonderland and try our video from our final go to.
Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland, TBC.
Discover extra issues to do in Poole and Bournemouth with children.
Christmas Want at Kingston Lacey
Uncover the magic of Christmas needs at Kingston Lacy the place the Want Makers have been busy remodeling the home with lovely decorations to fulfil each Christmas want.
In the meantime, within the gardens, an issue on the want sorting workplace means the Want Makers are going to want assist from the entire household to seek out all of the escaped needs earlier than Christmas.
There will even be bookable Santa storytelling periods on chosen dates.
Kingston Lacey, Wimborne Minster, 30 November 2024 to five January 2025.
Poole Christmas Maritime Mild Pageant
Enter a world of Christmas in Poole this yr, with this FREE Christmas attraction! This occasion has been confirmed for 2024 however dates are nonetheless to be introduced.
Be ready to be dazzled as hundreds of twinkling lights take you on a nautical journey by means of the city and culminating within the glistening lit-up harbour.
There shall be quite a few spectacular mild installations, together with a five-metre tall ship, an enormous anchor, a formidable 120-metre maritime curtain of lights to provide you a bespoke ‘underneath the ocean’ expertise.
This enchanting mild competition affords way more than simply mild installations, with plans for funfair rides, a Christmas themed market promoting conventional fare, and distinctive festive meals and drinks choices.
Poole Christmas Maritime Mild Pageant, Poole City Centre, TBC in 2024.
Longleat’s Pageant of Mild in Wiltshire
Flip again the clock and journey the world at this yr’s Pageant of Mild: Journey by means of time.
This yr’s spectacular lantern path is a historic wonderland simply ready to be explored. Change into a time traveller and seize household reminiscences with kings and queens, an enormous 12 metre clock and the spectacular colors of The Arabian Nights.
This yr marks the tenth anniversary of the Pageant of Mild so anticipate it to be a present stopper.
The Pageant of Mild, Longleat, from 9 November 2024 to five January 2025.
Christmas mild path at Stourhead in Wiltshire
Watch reflections of the festive lights dance throughout the lake at Stourhead this winter.
The 2024 path celebrates the sixth anniversary of this well-liked occasion with lights up the waterside and forest panorama.
There shall be music and road meals to accompany you stroll across the gardens whereas they’re illuminated with lasers and light-weight installations.
Stourhead, Mere, 29 November 2024 to 1 January 2025.
Christmas at Blenheim in Oxfordshire
The Palace’s gardens shall be illuminated by one million lights, whereas inside you’ll discover rooms reworked into Neverland®.
Open air you’ll additionally discover Blenheim’s famed Christmas market.
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, 15 November 2024 to 1 January 2025.
Glow Wild 2024 at Wakehurst
Glow Wild is celebrating its eleventh anniversary with new fantastically hand-crafted lanterns and charming mild installations.
Alongside the much-loved Glow Wild regulars akin to the enduring moon and stars, the UK’s tallest residing Christmas tree and cheeky Percy the Peacock, you’ll additionally meet new awe-inspiring creations to fill you with surprise and make lasting reminiscences.
Glow Wild, Haywards Heath, chosen dates between 28 November 2024 to 1 January 2025
Leonardslee Illuminated at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens
With the occasion in its sixth yr, the historic 240-acre Grade I Listed property will transport guests right into a magical world because the gardens are reworked with illuminations, large-scale installations and atmospheric soundscapes.
Friends are welcomed with a funfair, a small Christmas market, a choice of seasonal food and drinks and different leisure earlier than getting into the mile lengthy path.
Leonardslee Illuminated, Horsham, chosen dates from 22 November to 30 December 2024
For extra seasonal occasions check out my information to Christmas days out throughout the UK.