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.
Highlights
- Fire and Ice evening with fire performers, a fire dragon and an illuminated ice maze
- Marshmallow toasting and a snowball fight zone
- Santa's Grotto in Marwell Hall with a personal family visit and a gift for every child
- Christmas market outside Marwell Hall from 11am to 6.45pm on peak dates
Good to know
- Santa is sold out on Sunday 6 December
- Quiet Sessions on Thursday 10 and Thursday 17 December have lower music, fewer visitors and calmer lighting
- Animal houses and play areas close from 3pm; Fire and Ice tickets alone do not include seeing the animals
- Only tickets pre-booked on Marwell's website are valid; members get free daytime entry but must pre-book
Getting there
Marwell Zoo, Thompsons Lane, Colden Common, Winchester, SO21 1JH
Get directionsChecked on 19 October 2026 against marwell.org.uk, marwell.org.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the organiser before you travel. How we check
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Santa's grottos in Hampshire 2026Christmas lights and light trails in HampshireChristmas markets in Hampshire 2026More things to do in Winchester
Nearby
Wild Autumn at Marwell Zoo
Marwell Zoo's October half-term programme includes an autumn maze, pumpkin carving and pumpkin patch games, face painting and storytelling with Esme the Witch in Marwell Hall. Animal feeds and keeper talks run each day.
Photo: Gareth James, CC BY-SA 2.0Marwell Zoo
A wildlife park near Colden Common, eight miles from Winchester, with animals from around the world. It is open all year except on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Photo of Eastleigh: Peter Trimming, CC BY-SA 2.0Christmas Grotto at The Point
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.