Christmas lights and light trails in Hampshire
Winter light trails have become one of the most popular evening outings of the season. These are the illuminated trails and light events in Hampshire we have been able to confirm for 2026.
Most run timed entry slots after dark, so dress for cold, uneven ground and book a slot that suits young children's bedtimes.
20 events we have checked
- 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.
- 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.
- Christmas lightsChristmas markets
Aldershot Christmas Cracker and lights switch-on
Aldershot town centre, Aldershot · 14 November 2026
Rushmoor Borough Council's afternoon of festive stalls, street food and family activities across Aldershot town centre, ending with the Christmas lights switch-on and fireworks in Princes Gardens. Father Christmas has a new grotto this year.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Saturday 14 November 2026, 12pm to 5.30pm. Lights switch-on countdown and fireworks from 5.10pm in Princes Gardens.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Christmas marketsChristmas lights
Festive Friday in Basingstoke
Top of the Town, Basingstoke, Basingstoke · 20 November 2026
Love Basingstoke's free evening to start the festive season across the Top of the Town, with a Christmas market of small local traders, music in Market Square and crafts for children. Pantomime characters from Pumpkin Pantos join the line-up.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Friday 20 November 2026, 5pm to 8pm. Performances in Market Square at 5.15pm, 5.30pm and 6pm.
- BookFamily days outHistory and heritage
Alice's Christmas Wonderland at Beaulieu
Palace House, Beaulieu, Beaulieu · 21 November to 3 January 2027
Palace House at Beaulieu is dressed as Alice's Wonderland for Christmas, with a rabbit hole, the Mad Hatter's hat shop and the Queen of Hearts among the themed rooms. The house has a link to Alice Liddell, the girl who inspired the stories.
- Price:
- From £16
- Dates:
- Daily from Saturday 21 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, 10am to 5pm, except Christmas Day. Palace House first entry 10.30am, last entry 4pm.
- 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.
- Christmas lightsChristmas markets
Fareham Christmas Lights Switch On
West Street and Fareham Shopping Centre, Fareham · 21 November 2026
Fareham Borough Council's switch-on fills West Street with a festive market, funfair rides, community performers and free children's activities through the day. The finale at the bandstand ends with the lights going on at 5.30pm.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Saturday 21 November 2026, 10am to 7pm. Lights switch on at 5.30pm at the bandstand. The funfair rides also run on Sunday 22 November, 10am to 4pm.
- Christmas lightsChristmas markets
Fleet Christmas Festival
Fleet Road, Gurkha Square and The Harlington, Fleet · 25 November 2026
Fleet's Christmas festival takes over Fleet Road from the Oatsheaf to Church Road, with stalls, a kids zone, a walk-through nativity and the Christmas tree lights switch-on. Santa's grotto is in The Harlington and Santa's Post Office opens in the Hart Shopping Centre.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Wednesday 25 November 2026, 2pm to 9pm.
- Christmas lightsChristmas markets
Alton Christmas Lights Switch-On and Market
Alton town centre, Alton · 27 November 2026
Alton Town Council's evening switch-on lights the Assembly Rooms and Market Square, with a Christmas market spread across the town and a family fun fair on the High Street. Father Christmas sees children for free at Wild House Play Cafe.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Friday 27 November 2026, 3pm to 7pm. Lights on at the Assembly Rooms at 5pm and in Market Square at 5.45pm.
- 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.
- BookChristmas lightsGardens
Once Upon a Time illuminated trail at West Green House
West Green House Gardens, Hartley Wintney · 28 November to 30 December 2026
A kilometre-long light trail around the lakes and follies of West Green House Gardens, themed on fairy tales such as Jack and the Beanstalk and The Little Mermaid. On some dates a petting zoo of animals in Christmas outfits is included.
- Price:
- From £18
- Dates:
- Selected evenings from Saturday 28 November to Wednesday 30 December 2026. Entry slots every half hour from 4.30pm, last entry 7pm, garden closes 9pm.
- Christmas marketsChristmas lights
Waterlooville Christmas Market and Lights Switch-On
Waterlooville town centre, Waterlooville · 28 November 2026
This year Waterlooville holds its Christmas market and lights switch-on on the same day, with local traders through the day and the switch-on in the early evening. Choirs, a brass band and a visit from Santa are planned.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Saturday 28 November 2026, a daytime market followed by the lights switch-on in the early evening. Times had not been published when checked.
- Christmas lightsChristmas markets
Ringwood Winter Wanderland and lights switch-on
Ringwood town centre, Ringwood · 29 November 2026
Ringwood Town Council's day of Christmas events in the town centre, ending with the Christmas lights switch-on in the Market Place. Last year it included a market of over 80 stalls, Santa's grotto and a festive parade led by Santa.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Sunday 29 November 2026. The town council says further details will follow.
- BookHeritage railwaysChristmas lights
Exbury Christmas Night Train
Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway, Exbury · 30 November to 4 December 2026
A 30 minute illuminated steam train ride around Exbury's woodland gardens after dark, past lights and festive displays. Father Christmas sees off every departure, and festive food and drink is sold each night.
- Price:
- From £21
- Ages:
- Features some flashing lights.
- Dates:
- Monday 30 November to Friday 4 December 2026. Trains at 5.15pm, 6pm, 6.45pm and 7.30pm; entry from 4.45pm.
- BookChristmas lightsFamily days out
Christmas Light Trail at Staunton Farm
Staunton Farm, Havant · 3 December to 2 January 2027
An after-dark Christmas light trail at Staunton Farm, run by Enlightened Moments rather than the farm. Entry is in timed slots from 4.30pm and must be booked in advance.
- Price:
- From £10
- Dates:
- Thursday 3 December 2026 to Saturday 2 January 2027. First entry 4.30pm, then timed slots every 15 minutes.
- BookChristmas lightsMuseums
Museum by Moonlight: Penguin Light Trail at Gilbert White's House
Gilbert White's House and Gardens, Selborne · 3 December to 22 December 2026
An Antarctic-themed evening trail through the museum that holds the Oates collections, followed by an outdoor lights trail with glowing penguins and a giant moon. Children can dress as explorers, step into a real Antarctic tent and make constellation crafts.
- Price:
- From £9.50
- Dates:
- Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 December, Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 December and daily from Thursday 17 to Tuesday 22 December 2026. 4pm to 8.15pm, with entry slots every half hour from 4pm to 6.30pm.
- 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.
See them on the map
20 of these events, plotted. Tap a pin for dates, prices and directions.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit a light trail?
Earlier slots and weekdays are usually quieter. Late slots in the week before Christmas are the busiest.