Ho ho go Christmas

Before you hang up your stockings and baste the turkey, there’s more festive fun to enjoy than you can shake your tinsel at!

Festive fun is firmly on the menu for all this month and next, so stop wrapping and start carolling! 

Hampshire

Family fun 

This Christmas, Mottisfont sets the stage for a festive pantomine twist on the classic tale of Cinderella as the house is transformed with a splash of seasonal sparkle. Step into the world of glittering ballgowns, lost slippers and larger-than-life characters. Nov 22nd-Jan 4th. Younger visitors can follow the family-friendly Cinders’ Magical Adventure trail. 

Step into a gingerbread Christmas at the historic Winchester Mill, brimming with the delights of Christmas and strings of gingerbread characters, complete with green garlands, shiny baubles and stack of presents. See if you can spot some familiar friends between the branches! Nov 20th-Jan 4th. 

Hinton Ampner also invites you into a world of pantos with twinkling fairylights shimmering their magic across the house. Bask in the glow of Aladdin’s lamp, see Jack’s magic beans and a glittering Cinderella slipper, discover Snow White’s forest feast and marvel at a quilted mountain of mattresses made ready for a sleepy princess. Nov 15th-Jan 4th. Booking essential, visit nationaltrust.org.uk & search for Hinton Ampner. Hop aboard the Christmas sleigh for the perfect photo op and pop into Santa’s sweetshop for traditional treats. 

Explore The Vyne’s gardens and the ground floor of the house in a Christmas fairytale, Nov 22nd-Jan 5th. Sparkling trees laden with baubles will illuminate fairy tale inspired displays. Discover the realm of The Snow Queen, keep your eyes peeled for Little Red Riding Hood’s wolf lurking and elegant tea cups, teapots and clocks adorning the tree in a nod to Beauty and the Beast. Find Rapunzel’s golden braid cascading from one of The Vyne’s towers. Join Goldilocks and the Three Bears as they try to work out which bowl and chair is whose. Spot The Ugly Duckling transformed into a proud swan in the second-hand bookshop. 

Explore a traditional Christmas at Uppark near Petersfield, Dec 7th-24th, and feel the thrill of glitz and glamour upstairs in the house where you’re welcomed with twinkling Christmas trees. Whilst downstairs is all about the hustle and bustle of preparations for the Christmas party with presents are stacked in heaps around the tree. 

Step into a Christmas Enchantment on a midwinter journey through Petworth House drawing on the park and gardens taking inspiration from the Winter Solstice and the surrounding nature. As part of Christmas Enchantment, Brambley Hedge inspired by Jill Barklem’s Winter Story and The Secret Staircase, is coming to Petworth House with cosy scenes all around, Nov 29th-Jan 4th. 

Experience the festive atmosphere of Petworth House after dark, with sparkling lights and a courtyard choir performing at 5.30pm on Nov 29th & Dec 20th, expect festive favourites to fill the air. 

Visit Santa 

Santa is back in the Planetarium for Cosmic Christmas at Winchester Science Centre, Dec 14th-23rd. Blast off on a live-action immersive festive space adventure for, meet the man in red and get a special Christmas gift. A live show, magical effects and an out-of-this-world journey through space on the Planetarium dome will come together as an original Christmas tale comes alive. Book at winchestersciencecentre.org/whats-on/cosmic-christmas 

Create memories to cherish with loved ones as you meet Father Christmas in his magical Milestones Museum grotto tucked within the heart of the decorated indoor streets. Capture the magic with family photos and unwrap your special gift from Father Christmas, Nov 22nd-Dec 23rd. For more & to book visit milestonesmuseum.org.uk/fatherxmas25 

Festive markets 

The annual Christmas Cracker Fair pulls into Alton Community Centre on December 7th with more than 45 stalls selling crafts, homewares & gifts. Santa’s grotto, Christmas movies, mulled wine and Christmas cheer abound.  

Browse and buy at a great variety of stalls from stylish bags, pyjamas, gifts, pottery, sweet treats and more while being entertained by live singers at the Rosemary Foundation Christmas Market at Churcher’s College on Nov 16th. 

Step back in time and do your Christmas shopping the annual Milestones Christmas Market where you’ll find something a little bit different at over 40 stalls selling seasonal gifts and treats throughout the museum and the award-winning Milestones shop to visit, too. Dec 6th & 7th. 

Shop at wooden chalets packed with treats and gems galore at Winchester Cathedral Christmas market, Nov 21st-Dec 22nd. Mulled wine and cinnamon 
will fill the air as you shop. 

Find Christmas presents and a treat for yourself at Petworth House’s festive makers market full of high quality artisan gifts on Nov 29th & 30th. You’ll find a range of beautiful handmade products including jewellery, homewares, textiles and art.  

Illuminations 

Steam Illuminations returns to The Watercress Line (Nov 28th-Dec 28th for Christmas vibes and pop anthems party, Dec 29th-Jan 4th). Experience an incredible light show, thousands of coloured lights and LED wristbands, a kaleidoscope of different colours and flashing patterns, includes Canopy of Lights a sound to light show inside every carriage. More details & tickets at watercressline.co.uk 

Follow the glow… and experience Hampshire’s most magical festive event with Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. The light and sound trail features a new route through the gardens, with eight reimagined zones. Marvel at animated projections, a new laser light show and immersive Bubble Zone, glowing sculptures and themed walkabout entertainment on selected nights. Nov 27th-Jan 3rd, book at lightuptrails.com 

Follow the enchanted nature light trail through a magical world of new displays and interactive experiences at Glow Marwell, Nov 28th-Jan 3rd. Experience the natural wonders of fire, earth, air and water at the one-of-a-kind winter lights experience. Book tickets at marwell.org.uk/Christmas