to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Make November a month to remember – from Bonfire Night fun to winter illuminations, and festive markets to Father Christmas’ first appearances of the year. Here are our top picks of what’s happening in Hampshire this November.
Sundown Adventures at Go Ape Moors Valley, Alice Holt, and Southampton
Selected dates until Sunday 10 November
Don’t miss the chance to experience Go Ape at night this November with the Sundown Adventures offering a new level of forest fun in the dark. Become a creature of the night as you climb through the canopy on a high ropes course lit with colourful lights. Test your skills on tree top crossings and experience the thrill of a zip wire ride into the darkness. It's a unique opportunity to enjoy the forest's beauty and experience the adrenaline rush of adventure after dark.
The Utilita Bowl Fireworks Party
Friday 1 November
Always a top date in the November diary, The Utilita Bowl Fireworks Party will get the month started with a bang on Friday 1 November with the home of Hampshire Cricket hosting entertainment, a funfair, music, giveaways, and of course spectacular fireworks.
Mayflower Park Southampton Fireworks
Saturday 2 November
Promising an explosive evening of fun and excitement, the Southampton family fireworks display at Mayflower Park will light up the skies across The Solent with vibrant colours, crackling sounds, and dazzling fireworks.
Winchester Bonfire and Fireworks
Saturday 9 November
Starting with its annual city centre procession, the Winchester Bonfire and Fireworks night is a huge community event raising money for the Winchester Round Table Charitable Trust Fund to help local people. After the procession, the bonfire is lit and the spectacular fireworks display is enjoyed by over 20,000 people.
Remembrance Weekend at Fort Nelson
Saturday 9 November – Sunday 10 November
Remembrance Weekend will be marked at Fort Nelson with gun firing at 11.00am on both days and performances of a specially commissioned new play about the fort during the First World War.
On Remembrance Sunday – Sunday 10 November – the national two-minutes silence will be observed at 11.00am, followed by a bugler playing The Last Post, and a gun firing.
Southampton's Countdown to Christmas and Light Switch On
Friday 15 November – Sunday 17 November
Things will start to feel a lot like Christmas in Southampton when the Countdown to Christmas starts on Friday 15 November for three days of non-stop fun including festive characters, live music, family-friendly activities, surprise special guests, and the big Christmas lights switch-on.
Evolution, The Drone Light Show at Utilita Bowl Stadium
Saturday 16 November
A new event for 2024, the exciting new Evolution, Drone Light Show at The Utilita Bowl will use the sky as its stage to tell an extraordinary story from the dawn of time with hundreds of animated drone lights.
Expect cutting edge technology and immersive storytelling of epic proportions, in a brand-new narrated show with a powerful cinematic soundtrack.
An Enchanted Christmas at Hinton Ampner
Saturday 16 November 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025
Step into an Enchanted Christmas at Hinton Ampner from 16 November as the gorgeous Georgian house is decorated with bright Christmas colours, sparkling lights and charming festive scenes from the Snow Queen’s throne in her icy entrance hall to a woodland ball with swirling Northern Lights. There will be fairytale castles and gingerbread houses, and in the North Pole Workshop giggling elves tap away with their tools to make Christmas toys and games. Outside, don’t miss the pop-up sweetshop, family activities, hidden elves, and festive games.
Wonderland Christmas at The Vyne
Wednesday 20 November 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025
Dive into a divine rabbit hole of festive cheer at The Vyne from 20 November with Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass themed displays and activities.
In the gardens, look out for the Queen of Hearts' army on the north lawn and in the house sparkling trees illuminate a giant chess board. There’s also a Christmas trail for children with nonsensical Alice-themed challenges to complete in exchange for a prize.
White's Eco Light Festival at Gilbert White's House and Gardens
Thursday 21 November – Saturday 21 December
New for 2024, White’s Eco Light Festival at Gilbert White's House is a new light trail experience about wildlife and the natural world using renewable energy sources, solar power and low-level lighting with environmental consciousness at its core, remembering Gilbert White and his internationally important legacy to ecology.
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
Friday 22 November – Sunday 22 December
Nowhere spreads Christmas cheer quite like Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market with its wooden chalets twinkling with their festive wares and warms scents of mulled wine filling the air.
Plus on Thursday 28 November the Winchester Cathedral Lantern Parade will bring a colourful procession through the city centre with its 2024 theme of Christmas Creatures.
Portsmouth Christmas Market
Friday 22 November – Monday 30 December
From 22 November the Portsmouth Christmas Market will fill Commercial Road with cheerful stalls selling Christmas gifts and treats, and festive food and drink. Pick up some gifts to fill the Christmas stockings and refuel with German sausages and glühwein.
Portsmouth On Ice
Saturday 23 November 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025
Returning this November, the ice-popular Portsmouth on Ice will once again transform the city’s Guildhall Square into a winter wonderland.
This firm festive favourite is a great place for a family slide outside, with push-along penguins to help the little ones find their skating feet.
A Nutcracker Christmas at Mottisfont
Saturday 23 November 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025
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.
Farnborough Frost Fair
Saturday 23 November
Sprinkling Christmas spirit over the town centre on Saturday 23 November, the Farnborough Frost Fair will feature a festive market with over 50 stalls along Queensmead, street theatre, music, children's Christmas crafts, a giant snow globe to bounce around in, and the chance to meet Father Christmas in his grotto.
Santa's Winter Wonderland at Stewarts Abbey Garden Centre
Saturday 23 November – Tuesday 24 December
Stewarts Abbey Garden Centre in Titchfield will be transformed into an enchanting winter wonderland from 23 November, complete with Elf Village shops and a magical grotto where children can meet Father Christmas and receive a special wrapped present from Santa and his Elves.
There will also be SEN Sessions for young visitors who would benefit from a calmer visit that will raise money for Naomi's House & Jacksplace.
Christmas Market at The Hawk Conservancy Trust
Thursday 28 November – Saturday 30 November
Get ready for Christmas with the Hawk Conservancy Trust's delightful, festive shopping experience.
Over 60 local businesses will be selling their crafts and creations at the Hawk Conservancy Christmas Market including personalised presents, Christmas decorations, handcrafted treats, beautiful homeware, and plenty of traditional Christmas market food and drink.
Light Up at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Thursday 28 November 2024 – Wednesday 1 January 2025
Returning for a third year, a new resplendent rendition of Light Up at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens will again add a new depth of winter colour to the beautiful gardens near Romsey.
A breathtaking array of glittering installations will lead visitors around the gardens on this magical trail with a Christmas Wonderland theme featuring mesmerising fire jugglers, breathtaking aerial artists, and larger-than-life characters.
Glow Marwell at Marwell Zoo
Friday 29 November – Tuesday 31 December
Glow Marwell returns for another incredible illumination experience to round off 2024 in glimmering gorgeousness.
Synonymous with Marwell’s conservational core, experience the natural wonders of fire, earth, air and water: dive under the sea with jellyfish in a new ocean display, drift amongst neon clouds in the new Sky Zone, stroll in the snow beside the glowing ancient woodland, and tuck into toasted marshmallows at the firepits.
Steam Illuminations at the Watercress Line
Friday 29 November 2024 – Saturday 4 January 2025
Neon nostalgic steam trains? See the locomotives of the Watercress Line as you’ve never seen them before at the Steam Illuminations when the traditional trains get a modern makeover and are adorned with LED lights inside and out.
With train-tertainment including the Christmas Chart Crackers DJ mix up and New Year Pop Anthems, interactive LED wrist bands, and onboard karaoke, this is one unmissable festive light party!
Vineyards of Hampshire Festive Fizz Wine Tasting & Wine Shopping Event
Saturday 30 November
The perfect occasion to try and buy your Christmas wines, the Vineyards of Hampshire Festive Fizz Wine Tasting and Shopping Event will fill Winchester Guildhall with the county’s excellent wines all under one roof.
Tickets include eight free tastings, one from each vineyard, and redeemable vouchers against wine purchases.
Milestones Christmas Market at Milestones Museum
Saturday 30 November – Sunday 1 December
The popular Milestones Christmas Market returns to Basingstoke from 30 November to 1 December featuring over 50 stalls selling festive treats and gifts from local and independent sellers along the museum’s immersive, historic streets.
There’s also the chance to meet Father Christmas at Milestones on selected dates from 30 November to 24 December.
Christmas at Exbury Gardens
Saturday 30 November – Sunday 1 December and Saturday 7 December – Sunday 8 December
For the last day in November, and into the first two weekends in December, Exbury Gardens will be fully festive with the chance for visitors to ride the festive express when the steam train at Exbury Gardens is transformed into a special Christmas express train transporting visitors to see Father Christmas.
The Exbury Christmas Fair will be held on the same dates with seasonal food and drink, local gifts and crafts, carol singing and music. There will also be a children’s Christmas trail.
Search more events in Hampshire
Bonfire Night and fireworks in Hampshire
Where to see Father Christmas in Hampshire
Winter illuminations in Hampshire
Fancy a November getaway? 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.
Sign up to our newsletter and stay up to date with the latest news, events and offers.
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.
