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.jpg "Hairspray at Mayflower Theatre credit Ellie Kurttz")
Get 2025 off to a great start this January with a month filled with music, theatre, illuminations, and winter trails. Here are our top picks of what’s happening in Hampshire this January.
Steam Illuminations Pop Anthems Experience at The Watercress Line
Sunday 29 December 2024 – Saturday 4 January 2025
Continuing their illuminated train parties into the New Year, the Watercress Line becomes a Pop Anthems Experience at the beginning of January.
Start 2025 with an unforgettable party experience under the dazzling glow of thousands of coloured LED lights.
The Pop Anthems edition of Steam Illuminations features a soundtrack of iconic tunes spanning the 1960s to present day, including pop favourites, sing-along cheesy classics, and crowd-pleasing dance anthems.
Sing the Musicals at MAST Mayflower Studios
Saturday 4 January 2025
Sing your way into 2025 with the first national tour of the greatest musicals of all time coming to MAST Mayflower Studios in Southampton on 4 January.
Direct from London’s West End, this spectacular show performed by a sensational live band and character singers features a giant screen with sing along lyrics so that the audience can join in with the songs from musical classics including Mamma Mia, The Greatest Showman, Dirty Dancing, and Mary Poppins.
Hairspray at Mayflower Theatre
Tuesday 7 January – Saturday 11 January 2025
Need some feel-good vibes this January? Then head to Mayflower Theatre in Southampton to see the joyous and fun-filled hit musical Hairspray.
Starring Strictly Come Dancing's Joanne Clifton, you won’t be able to stop your toes tapping to the beat of the show-stopping music and dizzying dance routines.
Chris McCausland: Yonks! at Theatre Royal Winchester
Monday 13 January – Tuesday 14 January 2025
Fresh from his Strictly Come Dancing win, Chris McCausland is hitting the road again with another masterclass in stand-up comedy and he’ll be at Theatre Royal Winchester on 13 and 14 January.
As well as his dance moves on Strictly, Chris is known as a regular on shows including Would I Lie to You, Have I Got News for You, QI, and The Last Leg.
Winter Woodland Lights at Hawk Conservancy Trust, Andover
Friday 17 January – Sunday 2 February 2025
Start the New Year with some illuminated cheer, the Winter Woodland Lights at the Hawk Conservancy is on from Friday 17 January – Sunday 2 February 2025.
After exploring the beautiful woodland light trail, visitors will be treated to a breathtaking evening owl flying display set against the glorious glowing trees.
Thank You For The Music at Portsmouth Guildhall
Saturday 18 January 2025
ABBA fans unite, Portsmouth Guildhall is hosting all the best hits from the world’s favourite Swedish quartet with the international smash-hit tribute show Thank You for the Music! on Saturday 18 January.
The hugely popular show, now in its 21st year, will have the whole audience dancing like queens with dazzling performances by an all-star cast singing all the classic ABBA hits including Waterloo, Super Trouper, and Mamma Mia.
Burns Night Ceilidh at Portsmouth Cathedral
Saturday 25 January 2025
Portsmouth Cathedral will be celebrating Burns Night with a spectacular evening of Scottish revelry featuring traditional Scottish live music, delectable food, and lively Ceilidh dancing.
Join the party in the grand surroundings of the cathedral for an energetic celebration of Scottish tradition bringing some welcome warmth to a winter's night in an iconic venue.
Winter Garden Bird Explorer trail at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Sunday 1 December 2024 – Friday 31 January 2025
Get out for a winter stomp at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens near Romsey in January to join the seasonal bird watch, follow the children’s trail, and look for winter wildlife in the Gardens.
The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch will also take place at the Gardens on the weekend of Saturday 25 January and Sunday 26 January, take part in spotting the birds help compile the RSPB: Big Garden Birdwatch survey.
Whales at Winchester Cathedral
Wednesday 22 January – Wednesday 26 February 2025
Have a whale of a time seeing the incredible art installation of three monumental marine life sculptures by artist Tessa Campbell Fraser at Winchester Cathedral, with a series of special events taking place whilst they are in situ in January and February 2025 including a family silent disco.
Pride and Prejudice Festival at Jane Austen's House
Thursday 23 January – Tuesday 28 January 2025
Kicking off a special year celebrating the 250th birthday of Jane Austen in 2025, Jane Austen's House will host a series of mini festivals starting with the Pride and Prejudice Festival in January coinciding with the anniversary of the novel's publication on 28 January.
The festival will feature a programme of special events including a Pride and Prejudice Tour, an early-morning tour, a writing workshop, a Sewing Circle event, special talks, and a Pride and Prejudice trail through the House.
Jane Austen's Travelling Writing Desk on display at a space, Southampton
Thursday 21 November 2024 – Sunday 23 February 2025
Also part of the Jane Austen 250 celebrations, the author’s travelling writing desk is currently on loan from the British Library and on display in God’s House Tower, Southampton.
It’s being displayed in the city for the first time since she lived in Southampton over 200 years ago, providing literary and history fans the chance to see up-close what she used to pen early drafts of now internationally famous novels.
The Training for a Heroine exhibition tells the story Jane Austen as a young, ambitious writer at the beginning of her career, and giving insight into her life and her time in Southampton where she lived briefly in 1783 and from 1806-1809.
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Jane Austen's 250th anniversary in 2025
Fancy a January break? 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.
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