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Twixmas – the humdrum Chrimbo-limbo 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 your Twixmas doesn’t have to be uneventful, we’ve rounded up the events and openings between Christmas and New Year to get out and about and make the most of those last days of 2024.
Be sure to check opening times with the attraction before making your visit and book tickets in advance.
Hampshire attractions open during Twixmas
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is open after Christmas from 27 December, with the chance to time walk through Christmas past continuing until 5 January.
Twixmas Tidings at Milestones Museum in Basingstoke kicks off on 27 December until 5 January, a great day out whatever the weather, wander the beautifully decorated (and completely undercover) streets from days gone by, and take on the jigsaw challenge.
The Festive Fun continues at Beaulieu until 5 January 2024 (including Boxing Day) with Victorian decorations inside its Palace House, and a Montagu Bear Christmas Trail.
Winchester Science Centre will reopen after Christmas from 27 December with their Space Station Science event continuing until 6 January 2025.
Or head out for a free festive adventure at restored Victorian fort as A Christmas Wish at Royal Armouries Fort Nelson continues from 27 December to 5 January.
Follow a seasonal trail
Hampshire’s country parks have some magical seasonal trails to explore this winter:
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A Festive Forest Adventure at Queen Elizabeth Country Park open after Christmas from 26 December until 5 January
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Mrs Claus's Reindeer Round Up Trail at Lepe Country Park open after Christmas from from 27 December to 5 January (excluding 1 January)
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Owl's Winter Woodland Trail at Staunton Country Park open after Christmas from 26 December until 5 January
The National Trust is also delivering fabulous and fun festive trails this year:
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A Nutcracker Christmas at Mottisfont continuing from 26 December to 5 January
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Wonderland Christmas at The Vyne from 26 December until 5 January
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An Enchanted Christmas at Hinton Ampner from 27 December until 5 January
Or keep the children entertained in the city with Southampton’s Snow Window Trail until 31 December 2024 (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day).
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See a pantomime – oh yes you should!
Is there a more traditionally British way to spend the time between Christmas and New Year than with a trip to see a pantomime? Oh no, there isn't!
Leading the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton will be Britain's Got Talent winners and street dance sensations Ashley Banjo & Diversity, continuing after Christmas from 26 December to 5 January (excluding New Year's Day).
There will be post-Christmas magic with Mother Goose at Theatre Royal Winchester from 26 December to 5 January.
In Portsmouth, catch Beauty and the Beast at New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth from 26 December to 5 January (excluding 1 January); and Dick Whittington at the Kings Theatre, Portsmouth from 27 to 31 December.
And in Basingstoke, wake up and see Sleeping Beauty at The Anvil from 26 December to 5 January (excluding 1 January).
Find out more about pantomimes in Hampshire
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Get your skates on and take to the ice
Glide down to Westquay on Ice for a skate on the rink in Southampton, or get your skates on at Portsmouth on Ice where the city’s Guildhall Square is transformed into a winter wonderland – both open from Boxing Day until 5 January 2025.
Find out more about ice skating in Hampshire
Brighten up 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.
Catch the beautiful illuminations at Light Up at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, reopening after Christmas from 27 December until 1 January 2024.
Marwell Zoo will be open from 27 December with its glowing winter light trail Glow Marwell continuing until 30 December.
Get the New Year party started with the Watercress Line’s Steam Illuminations playing Christmas hits on board on the 27 and 28 December, and pop anthems from 29 December to 4 January (excluding New Year's Day).
Follow the yellow brick road to West Green House near Hook for a Wizard of Oz themed Christmas Illuminated Garden Adventure from 27 to 29 December.
Read our full guide to winter illumination displays in Hampshire 2024
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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.
Make the most of Twixmas by planning a Christmas break to Hampshire. Take a look at our huge range of accommodation. Hampshire has something for all budgets including hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering properties, and cosy traditional holiday cottages.
Places to stay over the Christmas and New Year holidays in Hampshire
See our full guide to Christmas in Hampshire
See our guide to winter in Hampshire
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Follow our Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook pages for lots more ideas and inspiration for what’s happening in Hampshire. We’d love to see your photos of visiting and enjoying the county so please tag us in your pics.
Related
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is home to the nation's most iconic naval attractions and with a packed festive events programme, Christmas at the Dockyard is not to be missed.
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!
Space adventurers – we need you! This Christmas, find out if you've got what it takes to live and work in space. Our space commanders are on the lookout for new recruits to join them at the Space Station Science Training Academy. Are you ready to start your mission to space?
Discover the magic of Christmas and join Santa's elves on a festive adventure at Fort Nelson. A Christmas Wish will take visitors on a magical journey to visit 12 specially themed installations around the Victorian fort – and admission is free.
It's feeling festive in the forest this winter and the animals are celebrating with all their friends. The woodland animals are giving each other a gift but can you figure out who they have brought the gift for? Solve the clues and you venture through the forest!
Join Mrs Claus on her search for her 9 mischievous reindeer, can you help her find them before Christmas eve? Children can enjoy the enchanting story in the trail guide and use the puzzles to find the hidden reindeers around Lepe Country Park.
Owl is set to have a winter woodland celebration but he can't find his friends, they are hiding in the woods. Can you help him find them? Take our trail pack through the park and see how many you can find? Each pack comes with a trail guide, a pencil, a wintery craft to take home and a special little gift from Owl to say Thank you 'hoot hoot!'
Enter the magical world of theatre this Christmas as Mottisfont unveils the Nutcracker. Collect your ticket at the 'Box Office', then follow the story through rooms filled with sparkling trees, music and special light effects. Snowflakes swirl in a frosty wonderland, sugarplum fairies twirl in the Land of Sweets, and there's a thrilling duel scene between the Prince and the Mouse King. Outside, the adventure continues on The Nutcracker family adventure trail.
With sparkling trees and quirky displays, in The Vyne's house and gardens, lose yourself in Lewis Carroll's dreamlike children's classics Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking-Glass.
Hop on a Christmas journey with us and discover the house brimming with bright Christmas colours, sparkling lights and charming festive scenes. From the world of the Ice Queen to a Woodland Ball, Gingerbread Village and the North Pole Workshop. Christmas elves are busy making toys & games - and getting in a muddle!
Starting on Friday 29th November - Tuesday 31st December, you can explore Southampton with a brand new free festive trail: Snow Windows Follow the North Pole and South Pole routes through the city centre to discover 20 windows, each transformed into a unique, beautifully designed snow scene.
Fe-fi-fo-fum, a giant panto full of fun! After their first triumphant Mayflower Theatre pantomime last year in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 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.
Play to the Crowd are EGGcited to announce that our next pantomime will be Mother Goose, the first time this famous, traditional pantomime has ever been produced at Theatre Royal Winchester.
The #PompeyPanto is back for Christmas 2024 with the ultimate tale of fame and fortune – Dick Whittington!
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!
Westquay on Ice in Southampton returns from 22 November to 5 January for its annual skating experience beneath the backdrop of the city’s medieval walls. The perfect place for a fun day out with friends and family, there are also plenty of shops and restaurants at Westquay to make for a full festive day out.
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!
Make Memories Make memories to last a lifetime as Glow Marwell's magical light experience returns this winter brighter than ever before! Join Marwell Zoo once again as they invite you to explore Marwell in a whole new light. Follow the enchanted nature light trail through a magical world of breathtaking new displays and interactive experiences that will fill you with wonder.
Steam Illuminations returns to The Watercress Line (November to January). Experience an incredible light show on and in a steam train, consisting of thousands of coloured lights and LED wristbands, creating a kaleidoscope of different colours and flashing patterns, includes 'Canopy of Lights' a sound to light show inside every carriage.
The fun continues after Christmas with The Watercress Line's Steam Illuminations Pop Anthems Experience! From the 29 December until the 4 January, the spectacular illuminated trains offer an unforgettable party experience under the dazzling glow of thousands of coloured LED lights that the Steam Illuminations event is famous for.
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.
