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Twixmas, Chrimbo-limbo, the Norwegian romjul…. the interlude between Christmas and New Year can become a blur of Christmas leftovers and wondering what to do with the children who are still off school and full of excitement.
But there are plenty of events still happening in Hampshire during this time with lots of wonderful ways to escape the sofa, get out and about, and enjoy those last days of 2022.
Be sure to check opening times with the attraction before making your visit and book tickets in advance.
Follow a seasonal trail
Go for a Winter Wander with The Snowman™ and The Snowdog at Royal Victoria Country Park, Queen Elizabeth Country Park, and Lepe Country Park completing the wintry adventure trail from the much-loved story until 2 January 2023.
Reconnect with nature with Bear's Winter Wander at Staunton Country Park near Havant and seek Bear's woodland friends with riddles, games and puzzles to solve until 2 January 2023.
Southampton's Great Elf Investigation Trail is a free family walking trail with two separate routes for families to explore in the city’s North and South poles.
Mottisfont is celebrating the tale of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe until 8 January 2023, step through the wardrobe into the kingdom of the White Witch, spot miniature wardrobes in the rooms of the house, and complete the outdoor family adventure trail revealing the story.
Christmas at The Vyne near Basingstoke celebrates Christmas in Europe until 3 January 2023 with decorations including sumptuous Venetian masks, mini Colosseums and intricate Moravian stars. A special passport takes families on their own grand tour adventure in the house and gardens, with activities to try that explore festive traditions in other countries.
Go on a journey with the animals from The Wind in the Willows with Christmas at Hinton Ampner near Alresford until 2 January 2023 and visit the characters’ homes in the garden.
Pantomime – oh yes you should!
Immerse yourself in the fun of the theatre and participate in the great British tradition of a Christmas pantomime.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Theatre Royal Winchester for a panto style production of The Wizard of Oz showing until 2 January 2023.
Jason Donovan stars in the Mayflower Theatre’s production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears until 31 December 2022.
And in Portsmouth, catch Sleeping Beauty at New Theatre Royal, Robin Hood at Groundlings Theatre, and Cinderella at the Kings Theatre, all showing until 31 December 2022.
Take to the ice in a winter wonderland
Glide down to Westquay on Ice for a skate on the rink and follow-up with a drink in the Après Bar, or get your skates on at Portsmouth on Ice where the city’s Guildhall Square is transformed into a winter wonderland – both open until 8 January 2023.
Illuminate the winter evenings on a light trail
Light up the darkest days of winter with the brightest lights by wrapping up warm and embarking on a winter light trail.
See a kaleidoscopic of light and colour at Light Up at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens until 31 December or hop aboard the Watercress Line’s incredible Steam Illuminations running until 7 January.
Get glowing to Marwell’s new immersive light extravaganza: Glow Christmas at Marwell Zoo continues after Christmas until 30 December.
The Christmas Illuminated Garden Adventure is on at West Green House Garden near Hook until 30 December, the gardens at Chawton House will be glimmering with gorgeous lights until 1 January 2023, and Staunton Farm’s Enlightened Winter Light Trail is on until 1 January 2023.
Read our full guide to winter illumination displays in Hampshire 2022
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Twixmas at Hampshire’s attractions
There’s Festive Fun at Beaulieu until 1 January 2023 with the attraction spruced in seasonal decorations, and a family fun trail to complete.
Visit Milestones Museum in Basingstoke between Christmas and New Year, and every day during Twixmas, there’ll be magic at the museum with an incredible street magician, plus a fun and free New Year trail to complete, too.
Discover the Festive Period at the time of Henry VIII with The Tudor Ladies and the Twelve Days of Christmas at The Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth, with a show demonstrating how Christmas was celebrated in Tudor households on 28 and 30 December 2022.
Delve into the secrets of space travel at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium and find out if you’ve got what it takes to live and work in space with the Space Station Science Training Academy.
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Walk off the festive feast
Blow away the cobwebs and walk off some of the Christmas pudding with a festive walk in Hampshire.
From easy family-friendly strolls to more adventurous routes offering hilly climbs and stunning views, wrap up warm and get some fresh winter air with a Christmas Day or Boxing Day walk or countdown The Twelve Walks of Christmas in Hampshire.
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Ready to be enchanted? Join The Snowman™ and The Snowdog on a festive winter wander around some of Hampshire's most spectacular country parks.
Join The Snowman™ and The Snowdog on a festive winter wander around some of Hampshire's most spectacular country parks.
Find out about Bear's woodland friends, including Robin, Mole, Squirrel, Barn Owl, Badger, Deer, Bee, Rabbit and Hedgehog. You'll find riddles, games and puzzles to solve plus missing acorns and pine cones to find!
Explore Southampton this Christmas with our free family walking trail, with a brand-new story: The Great Elf Investigation!
Step into a Narnia-inspired world at Mottisfont this winter, with decorations and a family trail inspired by C. S. Lewis's beloved story, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
This Christmas, the atmospheric interiors of The Vyne are decked out in Victorian festive finery, with twinkling lights and glittering Christmas trees. Inspired by the mansion’s 18th century ‘Grand Tour’ treasures, which include an incredible casket encrusted with semi-precious stones, you’ll also find decorations that celebrate Christmas in Europe.
Celebrate Christmas at Hinton Ampner this year with The Wind in the Willows. Explore the beautifully decorated mansion house and visit the characters homes in the garden. Go on a journey with the animals as they leave their sheltered lives in the woods and riverbanks, embarking on a voyage of discovery and revealing a big wide world full of adventures!
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Theatre Royal Winchester this Christmas, for a panto style production of The Wizard of Oz.
Actor, singer and television star Jason Donovan will lead the cast in this year’s magical pantomime, alongside Coronation Street and musical theatre star Faye Brookes, with the triumphant return of Richard Cadell & Sooty in Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Join New Theatre Royal and Jordan Productions for its 2022 Christmas pantomime – Sleeping Beauty!
Will Robin save the day against the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham?
Join 'Search for Cinders' winner Michelle Antrobus on this magical tale packed to the brim with breath-taking special effects, scenery and live music. Fun for all the family, Cinderella has everything you can expect from a classic pantomime including sparkling costumes, hilarious jokes and plenty of audience participation.
Whether you're a Dancing on Ice champion, a total newbie or just about anything in between, you can be sure to find some festive euphoria on the surface of Southampton's real ice rink. The rink is held within the Esplanade, next to the Medieval Walls and Westquay South, which has been magically brought to life for the Christmas season.
Get your skates on this festive season, as Portsmouth's Guildhall Square is transformed into a winter wonderland.
After an unforgettable transformation last year, the magnificent Sir Harold Hillier Gardens are set to shine bigger and brighter than ever before! Award winning producers, Light Up Trails return with a host of NEW glittering installations and amazing food and drink, completing a sensational, sensory feast!
Join Marwell Zoo this winter for their magical Christmas light experience, Glow Marwell. This year's theme is an enchanted nature trail featuring brand new illuminations and immersive displays using more than 500,000 lights in a rainbow of colours. Venture through a 36 metre multicoloured light tunnel, gaze in wonder at a towering Enchanted Tree with fluttering butterflies, wander through colourful clouds projected overhead and meet some new animals brought to life in a magical Glow Forest. Plus, don't miss their premium nights where you'll come face to face with some spellbinding acts!
A ten-acre wonderland of gigantic shimmering flowers, glowing fairies, and a forest of illuminated field flowers. There are enormous lit waterlilies floating on the lake and the five bridges turned in tunnels of lights. All the garden's follies are wonderfully lit for your enjoyment. An outdoor event with a trail of a mile in length, it is loved by all ages.
After you have enjoyed the beautiful decorations in the House, explore the Gardens as they come to life in twinkling lights and spot the woodland creatures that call Chawton House home.
Enlightened returns to Staunton Farm in 2023! Enlightened 2023 will be the biggest, brightest, and boldest year yet with a trail bursting with even more interactive and immersive elements than ever before along with visitor favourites.
Get ready to enjoy a festive feast of family entertainment this Christmas, together. Visit Beaulieu on 2nd – 3rd December to celebrate the festive season in style as Beaulieu comes to life with Christmas joy and spirit.
From cobbled streets to a seaside pier, teddy bears, vintage vehicles, an operating pub, sweet shop and more, there is so much for everyone to see, do and enjoy at Milestones, Hampshire’s museum of living history!
Discover the Festive Period at the time of Henry VIII as we welcome back the Tudor Ladies for an entertaining hour-long show where they demonstrate how Christmas was celebrated in Tudor households.
Are you ready for an action-packed family adventure? Set off on an exciting journey through the world of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) at Winchester Science Centre.
