35 Amazing Christmas Things To Do In Hampshire 2024
Looking for the best Christmas things to do in Hampshire in 2024?
As a family, we love Christmas Day and especially the run up to it with all of the Christmas events that happen during the festive season. We’re lucky enough to spend Christmas Day in Antigua, and yes it’s amazing, however, it’s not quite the same with the winter magic. This year before we go away we want to try to pack in as many festive events as we realistically can because we want to make sure that we get fully into the festive season. Especially because our son will be 4 years old and he’s already started to talk about Santa Claus and all things Christmas like all young children do. To help us get ready for the Christmas season and because we live in Hamble we’ve put together a list of the best Christmas things to do in Hampshire.
We’ve tried our best to cover all of the main festive events that there are out there. From Christmas experiences at popular family attractions to light trails with some that even live entertainment thrown in too. And not to forget the more traditional elements such as Christmas markets and pantomimes. We’ve put our ⭐T&T⭐ icon next to those that we’ve already tried or are going to be trying for 2024. There’s quite the list for us to work through to complete all 35, can you beat us to it?!
Christmas Things To Do In Hampshire – Family Attractions
Lots of the main family attractions in Hampshire have their own Christmas events lined up months before. Some of the more popular ones already have tickets for sale and are starting to sell out, so if you’re keen to head to the North Pole and bag some time with Santa Claus and take home some Christmas gifts then now is the time to book!
1. Magical Christmas Experience at Finkley Down Farm ⭐T&T⭐
Finkley Down Farm | Andover | 30th November – 23rd December 2024
A full-on Christmas experience for kids of all ages at Finkley Down Farm, it’s more expensive than some other experiences, but it looks incredible – so we’ve booked to go! Their full magical Christmas experience includes:
- Collecting your Christmas Activity Passport
- Meeting Mother Christmas’ at her kitchen to decorate a gingerbread treat
- Venturing through the snowy treats with one of the cheeky elves.
- Meeting Father Christmas
- Joining Professor Rudolfski to make magical reindeer food to take home
- Visiting the Toy Shop to choose your special gift
- Writing a letter to Father Christmas and posting it in their intergalactic Post Box!
- Hunting around the farm for the missing elves to earn yourself a sweetie treat.
- Warming up with a hot chocolate
New for 2024 – they have a shorter “Mini Christmas Experience” especially aimed at younger children.
2. Christmas Experiences at The Hawk Conservancy
Hawk Conservancy | Andover | 23rd November – 22nd December 2024
This year they have a great selection of Christmas-inspired experiences at The Hawk Conservancy:
- Christmas Market – 23rd-25th November 2024
- Christmas Carols and Owls – 18th-19th December 2024
- Father Christmas Flying Visit – 21st-22nd December 2024
Christmas Carols and Owls sounds amazing, as you’ll sing a Christmas carol surrounded by flying owls!
The Hawk Conservancy holds a very special place in our hearts because Sara grew up nearby, and spent many summers there as a child.
3. Longdown Farm Christmas Barn
Longdown Farm | Ashurst, Southampton | 22nd November – 23rd December 2024
Meet Father Christmas in his magical Longdown Farm Christmas Barn. He’s there every Friday-Monday in the run up to Christmas.
4. Christmas at Milestones
Milestones Museum | Basingstoke | TBC
They had a lovely Christmas event last year and we are waiting for details of this years one.
5. Christmas Canoe Paddle in the New Forest
New Forest Activities | Beaulieu | 7th – 23rd December 2024
This is such a fun and different Christmas activity to try. You’ll head out for a paddle along the Beaulieu River in Canadian style canoes and along the way you’ll get to meet Father Christmas with his boat full of gifts! All the children receive a gift from Santa and it finishes with a hot chocolate to warm you up!
6. Christmas at Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World
Paultons Park | Romsey | 6th – 23rd December 2024
Your favourite park with lots of festive fun added into the mix with themed activities. You can expect magical illuminations, Santa’s story time as well as a special Santa’s Christmas Wish Show featuring singing, dancing, special effects and lots of fun with reindeers, elves and even Father Christmas himself comes to say hi!
7. The Magical Christmas Adventure at 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park
The Magical Christmas Adventure | Headley | 23rd November – 24th December 2024
This is one of the biggest indoor Christmas experiences in the UK where young children will get to go on a Christmas journey through Santa’s village.
Encounter the fabulously entertaining world of the Elves as they prepare for their busiest night of the year. You’ll head over to visit Father Christmas’s Workshop for a unique private audience with the big man himself; then there’s more fun in store as you explore his magical North Pole village of Sparkle Copse.
From toys to teddies, snowballs and sleighs, immerse yourself in a seasonal extravaganza; take lots of fantastic photos and come away laden with goodies and filled with Christmas cheer.
This incredible experience lasts around 2.5 hours and includes a special gift.
8. Steam Illuminations at Watercress Line ⭐T&T⭐
Watercress Line | Alton | 29th November 2024 – 4th January 2025
The Watercress Line’s Steam Illuminations is a fantastic sound and light show you can enjoy on the Watercress Line steam train that uses thousands of colourful LED lights. The steam train looks magical inside as well as out. Enjoy festive hits to get you into the Christmas spirit! We love that even young children can really enjoy it as all of the action happens around them. The whole magical experience lasts 2 hours.
New for 2024 – Snowlight Cascade will be a stunning display of falling lights for you to see when you the end of your magical journey.
9. Blast Into Cosmic Christmas at Winchester Science Centre
Winchester Science Centre | Winchester | 2nd December 2024 – 2nd January 2025
Experience a Cosmic Christmas with an interactive live-action space adventure featuring live science demonstrations and magical effects at the Winchester Science Museum. You’ll take a spectacular journey through space projected onto the Planetarium dome which all culminates in a brand-new Christmas story. As part of it, you might even get to meet the man in red and take home a special festive gift.
10. Winter Wonderland at Hayling Island
Winter Wonderland | Hayling Island | 23rd November – 24th December 2024
You’ll step through a secret doorway into a magical Winter Wonderland where you’ll find a land full of wonder.
Christmas Things To Do In Hampshire – At The National Trust
Each year the stunning National Trust properties get our their beautiful Christmas decorations and Christmas trees to give their houses and their estates ready for some festive fun. We’ve been looking online and quite a few of them have yet to put their details live – as soon as they do we’ll update ours.
11. Christmas Express Railway at Exbury Gardens
Exbury Gardens | Southampton | December 2024
Exbury Gardens turn themselves into magical festive gardens including a Christmas trail for all ages. On weekends they also give families the chance to ride on their traditional steam railway with festive music and even have a chance to meet Santa Claus whilst you visit.
12. Christmas at Hinton Ampner
Hinton Ampner | Alresford | Dates TBC
Last Christmas they transformed the estate and grounds of Hinton Ampner into a Never Never Wonderland with a Peter Pan inspired festive theme. We’re still eagerly awaiting the excitement of finding out the theme and dates for 2024.
13. A Christmas Crackers at Montisfont
Montisfont | Romsey | 23rd November 2024 – 5th January 2025
Follow Clara and her Nutcracker Prince into a wintry wonderland filled with swirling snowflakes. In the Land of Sweets, Sugarplum fairies dance among candy canes, and a thrilling duel unfolds between the Prince and the Mouse King. The story will unfold as you start to wander through the rooms filled up with sparkling trees as well as decorations, light effects and music.
The adventure extends outdoors with a Nutcracker-themed family activity trail.
14. Christmas at The Vyne
The Vyne | Basingstoke | Dates TBC
Christmas Things To Do In Hampshire – Ice Skating
Nothing quite says cold Winter and the start of some festive fun then a session on an ice rink listening to Christmas music whilst skating around an ice rink. We took our eldest who had just turned 3 years old to the one in Southampton last year. He happily did lap after lap around the rink getting faster and faster. Even if you’re not into skating you can grab yourself a hot cocoa and watch everyone else give it a go!
At the moment there aren’t any dates or details for Portsmouth or Southampton announced, however, we’ll keep an eye out and update our list here when they are released.
15. Portsmouth on Ice
Portsmouth | November 2024 (TBC)
16. Southampton Christmas Market ⭐T&T⭐
Southampton | TBC
Christmas Things To Do In Hampshire – Light Trails
Light displays are great festive fun for the whole family, even young children can enjoy the sparkling of the lights. Hampshire has some great ones to choose from.
17. Glow Marwell ⭐T&T⭐
Marwell Zoo | Winchester | 29th November – 30th December 2024
We’ve been to this one a few times, and it’s a big winner with us and our friends. In the evenings they reopen Marwall Zoo after the animals have gone to bed. They switch on an amazing light trail that includes lots of colourful displays, interactive experiences as well as actors dressed up in costumes. Along the way, there are chances to get a warm hot chocolate and even toast a marshmallow or two.
New for 2024 – You can join in the light spectacular by getting UV face paint for a small extra charge.
18. Light up Trail Sir Harold Hillier Gardens at Christmas. ⭐T&T⭐
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens | Romsey | 28th November 2024 – 1st December 2025
For a 3rd year running they are bringing back their award-winning light and sound spectacular with a brand new route. We’ve heard that this is one of the best places to head in Hampshire if you love a Christmas light trail – so we’ve booked for 2024 to try it out!
New for 2024 – Super Peak Nights will see live music as well as live performances by Steamship Circus including fire jugglers and incredible aerial artists.
19. Over The Rainbow Christmas at West Green House Gardens
West Green House Gardens | Hook | 23rd November – 29th December 2024
A bit of a Christmas twist at West Green House Gardens as they bring the Wizard of Oz story alive in their light trail for 2024. You’ll have to keep an eye out for all of the regular characters and along the way indulge in some tasty treats!
20. Enlightened at Staunton Farm
Staunton Farm | Havant | 6th – 24th December 2024
Staunton Farm is one of five incredible light trails designed and managed by Enlightened this year.
Last year was fantastic and this year they’re back bigger and better!
Christmas Things To Do In Hampshire – Christmas Markets
In the run up to Christmas Day there is nothing that adds a little bit of festive fun than some time spent wandering through a Christmas market. We love to get into the Christmas spirit by enjoying a little bit of Christmas shopping followed by a mulled wine or hot chocolate. They’re also one the best free things to do in Hampshire at Christmas as none of them charge entry, so you can wander around and enjoy the atmosphere for free.
21. Gunwharf Quays Christmas Market
Gunwharf Quays | Portsmouth | Dates TBC
22. Ringwoods Winter Wanderland
Wanderland | Ringwood | 1st December 2024
To celebrate the switching on of the Christmas festive lights there is a return of their much loved Winter Wanderland where you can literally enjoy a winter wander. As well as stalls expect to find live music, food vendors with delights such as hot cocoa along with live entertainment.
23. Southampton Christmas Market ⭐T&T⭐
Southampton | Dates TBC
This fantastic market is due to return in Winter 2024, however, dates have not yet bene confirmed. What we love the most is that there’s a wonderful ice skating rink as part of this festive set-up.
24. Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market ⭐T&T⭐
Winchester | 22nd November – 22nd December 2024
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is hands down our favourite Christmas market in Hampshire!
The Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is famous for its lively atmosphere, beautiful setting, and carefully selected high-quality exhibitors. This is why visitors from around the globe each year flock to the charming alpine chalets within the historic cathedral grounds.
Inspired by traditional German Christmas Markets, these pretty wooden chalets, along with festive lighting, the sound of Christmas carols, and the scents of mulled wine and cinnamon wafting through the air, create a magical setting. Visitors are transported into a festive wonderland where they can buy their Christmas gifts and soak in the magic.
25. Christmas at Queen Elizabeth Country Park ⭐T&T⭐
Queen Elizabeth Country Park | Dates TBC
Every year the country park have a fantastic Christmas Market. Alongside this, they offer a variety of Christmas-themed events such as wreath making. They’ve not released the list of events yet but we’ll add them as soon as they do.
26. Four Seasons Hampshire Christmas Market ⭐T&T⭐
Four Seasons Hampshire | Hook | Dates TBC
We’ve not been to this one before. However, it came up when we were looking online to see if there were any new Christmas markets in Hampshire. The Four Seasons Hampshire dressed the hotel for the festive season and also hosts a wonderful Christmas market. To add to the festive vibes they also have a ski lodge pop-up Alpine restaurant called Off Piste that you can enjoy there.
Christmas Things To Do In Hampshire – Pantomimes and Shows
We love pantomimes and live entertainment. For us, nothing quite says Christmas than getting a group of your together and shouting and singing along to the stories. Hampshire has a great selection of different pantomimes on offer this year, and what we’re also loving is that there are some lovely other shows such as The Owl Who Cam For Christmas on as well.
We’ve looked at each local theatre and taken the listing direct from their webpage so that you can see exactly what they have to offer this year.
27. Mother Goose at Theatre Royal Winchester
Theatre Royal Winchester | Winchester | 30th November 2024 – 5th January 2025
“We’re EGGcited to announce that our next pantomime will be Mother Goose, the first time this famous, traditional pantomime has ever been produced at our theatre!
So come and have a GANDER at what promises to be an EGGtraordinary show, full of hilarious gags, original songs and loads of audience participation.
People will be FLOCKing to see it, so book early!”
28. Dick Whittington at The Kings Theatre
The Kings Theatre | Portsmouth | 29th November – 31st December 2024
“Starring Eastenders legend Lorraine Stanley as the deliciously evil Queen Rat, Britain’s Got Talent Winner George Sampson as Dick Whittington and the ever-unpredictable Jack Edwards as Dame Dolly, who will be celebrating his tenth panto here at The Kings Theatre!”
29. The Owl Who Came For Christmas
The Haymarket | Basingstoke | 3rd – 8th December 2024
“Join Rosie the Owl on her enchanting adventures, as she finds herself nestled amidst the branches of a family’s new Christmas tree. Witness the joy and wonder as the family discovers their unexpected visitor and endeavours, to help her back home to the forest.”
30. Sleeping Beauty at The Anvil
The Anvil | Basingstoke | 12th December – 5th January 2025
“The fabulous family pantomime at The Anvil promises a laugh-a-minute extravaganza with stunning sets, top musical hits, fantastic costumes, and exciting special effects to keep audiences both young and old entertained!
A beautiful Princess is cursed by the evil Carabosse at her 18th birthday party and can only be awoken by true love’s kiss. Can the Good Fairy’s magical spell break the curse? Will she find her true love and live happily ever after?”
31. Beauty and the Beast at the New Theatre Royal Portsmouth
New Theatre Royal Portsmouth | Portsmouth | 13th December 2024 – 5th January 2025
“Experience a pantomime extravaganza that’s simply the BEAST!
Get ready to be whisked away by the sensational pantomime Beauty and the Beast on a spellbinding journey following the roaring success of this year’s smash hit, Aladdin.
Prepare to be enchanted as we present a classic tale as old as time in true pantomime style, full of OO-LA-LA-UGHS! Delight in live music, stunning sets, slick choreography, and sensational costumes, and plenty of panto fun that’ll leave you HOWLING with delight!”
32. Cinderella at Fareham Live
Fareham Live | Fareham | 13th December 2024 – 5th January 2025
“Cinderella is the hilarious family pantomime suitable for all ages, with tons of slapstick comedy, plenty of audience interaction and stunning musical numbers that you’re guaranteed to be singing for days afterwards.
Grab your tickets quick before the clock strikes midnight!”
33. Jack and the Beanstalk at the Mayflower Theatre ⭐T&T⭐
Mayflower Theatre | Southampton | 14th December – 5th January 2025
“Street dance sensations, Ashley Banjo & Diversity, and award-winning actor and comedian, Kev Orkian, are coming back to climb a beanstalk of gigantic proportions to cloudland in the spectacular family pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.
Joining them this year will be West End stars Matt Rixon as Dame Trot, Anne Smith as Mrs Blunderbore, Jacqueline Hughes as The Spirit of the Beans, and Lauren Hampton as Jill.
Doomed to sell his trusty cow, join Jack and his family as they fight to outwit the evil giant, win riches beyond his wildest dreams, and earn the hand of the girl he loves.”
The Mayflower Theatre is local to us and we’ve took our eldest to a pantomime a few years ago when he was two years old. We’re not quite sure that he totally “got” what was happening but he had a wonderful time booing and shouting and singing along which was the main thing!
34. Santa’s Christmas Cracker at Theatre Royal
Theatre Royal | Winchester | 16th December 2024
“It really is the most wonderful time of the year, so it’s no surprise that everyone at the North Pole is super-excited as Christmas draws near!
Father Christmas is busy making toys, Dotty the Elf is decorating the Christmas tree and Dasher the Reindeer is getting presents onto his sleigh – but then they meet a lost penguin who has never even heard of Christmas…
Impossible! But how to teach him all about Christmas? Dare they open the door marked For Christmas Emergencies Only? And can you help unleash the magic of Christmas by pulling one of Santa’s Christmas Crackers?”
Final Thoughts on Christmas Things To Do In Hampshire
We love enjoying all of the Christmas things to do in Hampshire that there are to try. We’re making it our mission to spend the next few Christmas seasons trying as many on the list as possible. If you spot any more, then please feel free to pop us an email as we’d love to add them on!
