Christmas near Winchester
Everything festive we have checked within roughly 25 km of Winchester, sorted by distance. It covers events in town and the best of the surrounding countryside.
23 events we have checked
- BookMeet Father ChristmasFamily days out
Santa's Grotto at the Great Hall
The Great Hall, Winchester · 28 November to 23 December 2026
Santa and his elves set up in the medieval Great Hall, home of the Round Table, for a short family visit with a gift for every child. The ticket also covers elf-led crafts, letter writing and entry to the Great Hall and Westgate Museum.
- Price:
- From £7
- Ages:
- Gifts are a plush reindeer or polar bear for ages 0 to 5 and a wooden board game for ages 6 and over.
- Dates:
- Saturday 28 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026, in booked five minute slots.
- Christmas marketsFood and drink
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
Winchester Cathedral Close, Winchester · 20 November to 22 December 2026
Wooden chalets in the style of a German Christmas market fill the historic Close around Winchester Cathedral for just over a month, selling handmade gifts, local food and festive drinks. The cathedral itself runs Christmas services, music and tours alongside the market.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Daily from Friday 20 November to Tuesday 22 December 2026. Fridays and Saturdays 10am to 8pm, Sunday to Thursday 10am to 6pm.
- BookPantomime and theatreFamily days out
Sleeping Beauty at Theatre Royal Winchester
Theatre Royal Winchester, Winchester · 4 December to 3 January 2027
Theatre Royal Winchester's own traditional pantomime this year is Sleeping Beauty, written and directed by Robin Belfield with music by Simon Slater. Expect a hero, a villain, a dame, original songs and plenty of audience participation.
- Price:
- From £13
- Ages:
- A family pantomime. Running time about 2 hours with a 15 to 20 minute interval.
- Dates:
- Friday 4 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with matinee and evening performances on most days. See the theatre's dates list for each performance.
- Christmas lightsFree
Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On
The Broadway, outside the Guildhall, Winchester · 19 November 2026
Winchester BID's annual switch-on fills The Broadway with an evening of choirs, dance and school performances before local heroes press the button to light up the city. It is hosted by Jonny Meah from Heart Radio.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Thursday 19 November 2026 from 4.20pm. The countdown starts just before 6.30pm.
- BookMeet Father ChristmasChristmas lights
Christmas at Marwell: Fire and Ice and Santa
Marwell Zoo, Winchester · 20 November to 30 December 2026
Marwell runs a festive day at the zoo, a new after-dark trail called Fire and Ice, and a 45 minute Santa's Grotto journey in historic Marwell Hall. The evening trail is themed on how animals survive winter, with illuminations, fire performers and an ice maze.
- Price:
- From £21.95
- Dates:
- Selected dates from Friday 20 November to Wednesday 30 December 2026. Zoo 10am to 4pm; Fire and Ice evening 4pm to 7.30pm (last entry 6pm). Santa runs on Fridays to Sundays, 10 and 17 December, and 18 to 24 December. Some weekdays are daytime zoo only.
- BookMeet Father ChristmasFamily days out
Christmas Grotto at The Point
The Point, Eastleigh · 21 November to 22 November 2026
Father Christmas visits The Point for the weekend of Eastleigh's lights switch-on, welcoming families with a song and a story before each child collects a gift and has a photo with him. It is a low-cost group session.
- Price:
- From £2.50
- Dates:
- Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November 2026, sessions from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Each session lasts about 20 minutes.
- Christmas lightsFireworks and bonfires
Eastleigh Christmas Lights Switch-On
Eastleigh town centre, Eastleigh · 21 November 2026
Eastleigh's switch-on fills the town centre with a day of festive entertainment, ending with the lights and a firework display. The Point runs its Christmas Grotto and a makers market the same weekend.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Saturday 21 November 2026. Timings to be announced by Eastleigh Town Council.
- BookFamily days outPantomime and theatre
Christmas in the Enchanted Forest at The Point
The Point, Eastleigh · 18 December to 24 December 2026
A walk-through forest trail inside The Point, with twinkling lights and snowy paths leading to the Snow Queen at a living snow globe. Children finish with a craft to take home.
- Price:
- From £8
- Ages:
- For all ages.
- Dates:
- Friday 18 to Thursday 24 December 2026, timed sessions between 9.30am and 7.30pm. Each visit lasts about 30 minutes.
- BookChristmas lightsHeritage railways
Steam Illuminations on the Watercress Line
Alresford Station, Watercress Line, Alresford · 27 November to 2 January 2027
A steam train covered in synchronised LED lights runs a round trip from Alresford or Alton with music, live entertainers on board and the Voiceover Man as host. Every passenger gets an LED wristband to keep.
- Price:
- From £37
- Ages:
- Many flashing lights, so it may not suit people with epilepsy. Father Christmas does not appear on this train.
- Dates:
- Selected evenings from Friday 27 November 2026 to Saturday 2 January 2027. Christmas music until 28 December, then a party anthems edition from 29 December. Allow about 2 hours.
- BookFamily days outHistory and heritage
A Christmas Wish at Hinton Ampner
Hinton Ampner, National Trust, Alresford · 14 November to 3 January 2027
The house at Hinton Ampner becomes Father Christmas's Post Room, with wish letters, wrapped presents and decorated rooms telling the Christmas wishes of King Arthur, Clara from The Nutcracker, Amelia Earhart and Jay Gatsby. Outside there are lit trees, family games and a sleigh for photos.
- Price:
- Normal admission applies, free for National Trust members. House visits must be booked by members and non-members alike.
- Dates:
- Saturday 14 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. The site closes at 4pm. House entry is by timed ticket.
- Family days outHistory and heritage
A Jack and the Beanstalk Christmas at Mottisfont
Mottisfont, National Trust, Romsey · 21 November to 3 January 2027
Mottisfont's house is turned into a pantomime version of Jack and the Beanstalk, from a towering beanstalk to the giant's castle, with thousands of decorations and dressed trees. The garden has panto-themed games such as rescuing the golden goose's eggs.
- Price:
- Normal admission, free for National Trust members, Art Fund members and under fives. Carers go free.
- Dates:
- Saturday 21 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. House opens 10.30am, last entry 3.15pm. The whole site is closed on 24 and 25 December.
- BookPantomime and theatreMeet Father Christmas
Santa's Sleigh Ride at The Berry Theatre
The Berry Theatre, Hedge End · 12 December to 18 December 2026
KD Theatre Productions' sing-along show follows Santa and Jingleberry the Elf as they try to fix the sleigh before Christmas Eve, helped by Frosty and Rudolph. Every child meets Santa afterwards and receives a present.
- Price:
- From £13.50
- Ages:
- Aimed at children aged 2 to 9. The show runs 50 minutes, then children meet Santa.
- Dates:
- Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December 2026 at 11am and 2pm, and Friday 18 December at 1.30pm and 4.30pm.
- BookPantomime and theatreMeet Father Christmas
Santa Live at The Berry Theatre
The Berry Theatre, Hedge End · 19 December 2026
Darling Productions' hour-long family show sends Santa's elf Muddles across the North Pole to sort out the mixed-up presents, meeting Frosty, Rudolph and the Gingerbread Man. It is packed with Christmas songs to sing and dance along to.
- Price:
- From £16.50
- Ages:
- For all ages. Runs about 1 hour.
- Dates:
- Saturday 19 December 2026 at 1pm and 3.30pm.
- BookPantomime and theatreFamily days out
Christmas Lights by Filskit Theatre at Mayflower Studios
Mayflower Studios, Southampton · 25 November to 28 November 2026
A gentle, very visual Christmas show for under 5s in which two friends try to light up their snowy house. British Sign Language is built into the performance, and children can stay to play in the snow-covered set afterwards.
- Price:
- From £11
- Ages:
- Made for children aged 1 to 4 and their families.
- Dates:
- Wednesday 25 to Saturday 28 November 2026, with several performances a day from 10.30am.
- BookPantomime and theatreFamily days out
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Christmas Show at Mayflower Studios
Mayflower Studios, Southampton · 2 December to 12 December 2026
A one-hour puppet show based on four Eric Carle picture books, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Dream Snow. More than 75 puppets appear, and every performance is relaxed about noise and movement.
- Price:
- From £17.50
- Ages:
- Suitable for all ages, from 6 months up.
- Dates:
- Wednesday 2 to Saturday 12 December 2026 in Studio 1, with morning performances. Check the booking calendar for times.
- BookPantomime and theatreFamily days out
Peter Pan: A BIG Musical Adventure at Mayflower Studios
Mayflower Studios, Southampton · 20 December to 31 December 2026
A new festive musical version of Peter Pan performed by more than 50 young amateur performers in Mayflower Studios. It mixes pop songs with original music as Peter, Wendy and Tinker Bell take on Captain Hook.
- Price:
- From £19.50
- Ages:
- Recommended for ages 3 and over. Under 2s are not allowed.
- Dates:
- Sunday 20 to Thursday 31 December 2026 in Studio 1. Check the booking calendar for performance times.
- Christmas marketsChristmas lights
Southampton Christmas Market
Above Bar Street, Bargate and Guildhall Square, Southampton · 12 November to 27 December 2026
Wooden chalets, bars and fairground rides fill Above Bar Street and Guildhall Square for six weeks, with a laser show projected on the Bargate every 30 minutes from 5pm. The opening event brings local choirs, live music and the switch-on of the Bargate light show.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Thursday 12 November to Sunday 27 December 2026. Monday to Wednesday 11am to 10pm at Bargate and Above Bar (Guildhall Square until 9pm), Thursday to Saturday 10am to 10pm, Sunday 11am to 7pm, Christmas Eve 10am to 7pm. Closed Christmas Day.
- BookPantomime and theatreFamily days out
Robin Hood at Mayflower Theatre
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton · 12 December to 3 January 2027
Southampton's big Christmas pantomime stars Ashley Banjo and Diversity as Robin Hood and the Merry Men, with ventriloquist Max Fulham back as Will Scarlett. The show uses scenery and costumes from the London Palladium and runs for about two hours.
- Price:
- From £19.50
- Ages:
- Recommended for ages 3 and over. Under 2s are allowed at parents' discretion, but the theatre does not recommend it for that age.
- Dates:
- Saturday 12 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Performance times vary; check the booking calendar.
- BookIce skatingFamily days out
On Ice at Westquay
Westquay Esplanade, Southampton · 23 October to 3 January 2027
An outdoor ice rink on the Esplanade outside Westquay, open from the October half term until early January. Ice marshals help first-time skaters and child skate aids are available.
- Price:
- From £13
- Ages:
- Skate aids are available for younger children.
- Dates:
- Friday 23 October 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, open daily including weekends and holidays. Sessions last 45 minutes and start on the hour.
- Christmas lightsChristmas markets
Andover Christmas Festival and lights switch-on
Andover town centre, Andover · 20 November 2026
Andover's evening to start Christmas, run by Test Valley Borough Council, Andover BID, the town council and the Chantry Centre. There is music on two stages, a market on Bridge Street, a fairground in Town Mills car park and the lights switch-on at 6.30pm.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Friday 20 November 2026, 4pm to 8pm. Christmas lights switched on at 6.30pm.
- BookPantomime and theatreFamily days out
Jack and the Beanstalk, Andover College pantomime
The Lights, Andover · 8 December to 9 December 2026
Students from Andover College stage Jack and the Beanstalk in the main auditorium at The Lights, Andover's arts centre. It is a traditional pantomime with songs and audience participation over two evenings.
- Price:
- Check prices on The Lights website.
- Dates:
- Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 December 2026 at 7.30pm.
- BookMeet Father ChristmasChristmas lights
Christmas at Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World
Paultons Park, Romsey · 5 December to 3 January 2027
Paultons Park on the edge of the New Forest opens for Christmas with illuminations, a decorated Peppa Pig World and a large number of rides running. Santa appears in the stage shows until Christmas Eve, and families can book a separate grotto visit.
- Price:
- Park tickets are priced by date on the booking page. Santa's Grotto is an extra charge and must be booked before the day.
- Dates:
- Open on 5, 6, 12, 13 and 14 December, 18 to 24 December, 27 to 31 December 2026 and 2 and 3 January 2027. Park opens 10am; rides close 4.30pm.
- BookHistory and heritageMuseums
Christmas Presents and Pages at Jane Austen's House
Jane Austen's House, Chawton · 18 November to 30 December 2026
Jane Austen's home in Chawton is decorated with evergreen garlands and paper decorations made from old copies of her novels, with a festive table in the Dining Room. Seasonal audio brings Christmas scenes from Emma and Persuasion into the rooms.
- Price:
- Included with house admission.
- Dates:
- Wednesday 18 November to Wednesday 30 December 2026, during normal house opening.
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23 of these events, plotted. Tap a pin for dates, prices and directions.