Blog (things to do) - Visit Hampshire

Countdown to Christmas with us with festive treats to look forward to every day this December in Hampshire.

From Christmas markets to ice skating, and wintry trails to light trails, there’s a Santa’s stocking full of goodies to enjoy this advent in Hampshire.
 

Illuminate your imagination with neon trains, glowing gardens, and twinkling woodland – these winter light trails in Hampshire are sure to bring beaming smiles all around, just add hot chocolate and woolly hats.

Get your skates on, ice rink season is here! Nothing says winter wonderland like gliding across a sparkling ice skating rink with friends. From frozen pop-ups to permanent ice-covered surfaces, Hampshire has a great selection of places to lace up those skates and take to the ice.

Is that the sound of sleigh bells? It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Santa Claus is coming to towns across Hampshire this December with plenty of cheerful opportunities to meet the man himself.

Panto season has arrived – oh yes it has! – and with it a warm welcome of cheerful characters, sparkling stage sets, and joyful singalong music to brighten the winter days and nights. Join the fun of the great British pantomime pastime – here are five of our faves in Hampshire.

Looking for unique gifts that are guaranteed to fill the recipient with festive joy? Hampshire has just the ticket.

Wander wooden chalets, pick out some lovingly made local gifts, and savour the smells of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts filling the air. Nothing says Christmas quite like a festive market – here are five of our faves in Hampshire.

Stock up on stocking fillers in Stockbridge, pick up some presents in Petersfield, and shop ‘til you drop in Southsea – these places in Hampshire are sure to deliver unique and thoughtful gifts to go under the tree this Christmas.

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.

Christmas celebrations, winter light trails, and festive markets – there’s so much to enjoy in Hampshire during the most wonderful time of the year.  Here are our top picks of what’s happening in Hampshire this December.

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.

From a big birthday for an iconic Hampshire author, to the 200th anniversary of the railways; and a spooky new ride at Paultons Park, to UK Pride in Portsmouth – there’s much to look forward to in Hampshire in 2025 and we’ve rounded up the best of what’s new, just for you.