December 2024 Whats On
SANTA POST BOX
until-19 Dec
Santa’s post box is
in The Swan Centre, Eastleigh for all the girls and boys to post the most important letter of the year!
Include your address and await your reply from the man himself!
A CHRISTMAS CRACKER AT MOTTISFONT
until 5 Jan
Enter the magical world of theatre this Christmas, as Mottisfont unveils The Nutcracker. 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. The adventure continues outside on The Nutcracker family trail. Closed 24 & 25 Dec
WALK THE SECRETS OF THE TITANIC
until 23 Jan
Royal Pier, Red Funnel Terminal
Dive into the stories of the Titanic and iconic ships like the QE2. Capture your adventure with included photography perks. Enjoy 20% off at The White Star Pub – perfect for a post-tour chill! Photography to capture your memorable moments.
SOUTHAMPTON CHRISTMAS MARKET
until-5 Jan
City centre
Santa’s Grotto, Moose Bar, Alpine Bar, rides, laser show, live music, food stalls and gifts galore to buy!
“MY DAY WAS NOT AN IDLE ONE” EXHIBITION
until Apr 25
Hartley Library, University of Southampton
Marking 240th anniversary of the birth of Henry John Temple, third Viscount Palmerston (1784–1865), this exhibition looks at aspects of the life of Lord Palmerston and of his much-loved Hampshire home Broadlands.
WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS MARKET
until 22 Dec
One of Europe’s best!
A CHRISTMAS CRACKER AT MOTTISFONT
until 5 Jan
Enter the magical world of theatre this Christmas, as Mottisfont unveils The Nutcracker. 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. The adventure continues outside on The Nutcracker family trail. Closed 24 & 25 Dec
LIGHT UP TRAIL
until 1 Jan
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Brace yourself for an enchanting spectacle of new and breathtaking light and sound installations, weaving through a changed route. With an entrancing array of theatrical, festive, live entertainment in association with Steamship Circus. Book online. Closed 25/26 Dec
SANTA’S GROTTO AT THE GREAT HALL
until-23 Dec
New for Winchester in 2024. Begin your journey at The Westgate Museum, write a letter to Santa. Follow the path down Candy Cane Lane to the Great Hall for a story, then meet Santa in his Grotto.
£18.50 per child, £6 per adult. www.historicwinchester. co.uk/events
SANTA CRUISES ON BASINGSTOKE CANAL
3-23 Dec
Climb aboard Rosebud and take a gentle cruise to the start of the tinsel trail in the woods.
01252 370073
HENRY VIII’S CHRISTMAS COURT
7-15 Dec 11:30, 1:30, 3:30pm
The Mary Rose, Portsmouth Dock
Immerse yourself in the world of the Royal Tudor court with this wonderfully festive experience which mixes yuletide tradition with Tudor re-enactment.
PETERSFIELD CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
7-8 Dec 10am-4pm
Live music Sat night in The Square
OAKHAVEN 3K SANTA DASH
8 Dec 11:30am
www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk/santa-dash
This is a festive fun run; some will be running fast, others will be jogging sedately, walking, strolling, skipping, hopping – or even scootering! Children in decorated buggies welcome, as are mobility scooters. Dogs (dressed up, too ) must be on a short lead.
WOODLAND FESTIVE CHEER
12 Dec 10-4pm 10:30,11.15 & 2pm
Titchfield Haven
Joyful festive cheer in one of the Nature Reserves hides. £8 (members £2) u15 Free. inc a drink, mince pie and day pass in the reserve.
FREE COOKERY SESSION
12 Dec 1-4pm
Eastleigh Library
Join Eastleigh Library for a FREE Cooking Session on the 12th of December from 1 pm till 4 pm. Book your place and not only will you learn a delicious new recipe, you will also receive all the ingredients to take home to enable you to create it for your friends and family at home
HEDGE END STATION CHRISTMAS FAYRE
13 Dec 4-7pm
Hedge End Train Station SWR
CHRISTMAS TOUR OF STANSTED HOUSE
13 Dec 10:30,11.15 &,2pm
Rowlands Castle
Step inside Stansted House and enjoy a guided tour in the House has been beautifully decorated for the festive season. Discover how the Bessborough’s celebrated Christmas and learn about the Queen Mother’s visit to Stansted Park in December 1939. An opportunity to enjoy a true ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ experience. 75min.
O COME, EMMANUEL
14 Dec 7:30pm
Holy Trinity Ch, Fareham
Philharmonic Choir’s Christmas concert. £15 Tickets 07966 867613 concertmanager@ fpchoir.gov.org
SOUTHAMPTON BRICK FESTIVAL
14 Dec 10am-4pm
Places Leisure Eastleigh
Speed building competitions, large scale displays, activities, traders selling loose bricks, new LEGO sets, retired LEGO sets, plus a dedicated building area. Book on Eventbrite
GIANT SNOW GLOBE
14 Dec 10am-4pm
Wells Pl, Eastleigh.
Jump in and play in the snow, capture some great pictures with your friends, family and kids! It’s free and no need to book.
THE YOUNG ONES AT SEACITY MUSEUM
14 Dec 10:30-12:30pm / 1:30 – 3:30pm
Experiment with different art materials and ideas and have some fun! Each session is led by a local artist, who will take their inspiration from the artwork on display.
COMEDY ON THE GREEN
14 Dec 8pm
Sarisbury Green Community Centre
Back, bigger than ever. Alistair Williams British comedian of the year, Don Biswas, star of Comedy Central, Hal Cruttenden; star of Live at The Apollo, The Royal Variety Performance, Mock The Week, Roadshow, QI, Have much more.
PANTO: BEAUTY & THE BEAST
14 Dec 2:30pm
Fair Oak Village Hall SO50 7EJ
023 8060 2282
Mini-panto aimed at 3-11 year olds but enjoyed by all ages. Adults £12, Children u12 £10, Group ticket for 4 people £40.
COSMIC CHRISTMAS AT WINCHESTER SCIENCE CENTRE
14-23 Dec 11am
A 45min live show, magical effects and an out-of-this-world journey through space on the Planetarium dome.
CANDLELIT TOUR
14 Dec 5:30pm
Jane Austen’s House, Chawton
In this unique, candlelit guided tour discover Jane Austen’s story, told by an expert guide, using objects from the collection to set the scene. Walk through rooms Jane and her family knew and loved.
HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AN ELF?
15, 20 & 21 Dec
The Garden Society, Allington Lane
Join the Elves on their mission, inventing, creating and preparing this years favourite toys ready for another busy Christmas delivery. Explore work stations, toy creations, try your hand at gingerbread decorating and discover what wonders await within this magical workshop before you meet Santa himself! £15 pp
CHRISTMAS WREATH WORKSHOP
15 Dec 3-5pm
The Good Companions is once again teaming up with the amazing Hummingbird Creations to enjoy a festive feel afternoon including mulled wine, mince pies and festive music. £50pp includes wreath to take home and all the above.
02380 629001 or bookings@goodcompanionseastleigh.co.uk
FAIR OAK XMAS CRAFT MARKET
15 Dec 11am-3pm
Village Hall Shorts Rd
THE CHRISTMAS ORCHESTRA
17 Dec 6pm & 8:30pm
Central Hall SO14 Tel: 023 8023 7700
HYTHE MOVIOLA: LAST CHRISTMAS (12A)
17 Dec
Hythe & Dibden Parish Hall 023808 41411
Kate (Emilia Clarke) is a self-absorbed and irresponsible wannabe singer who works at Yuletide, an all-year-round
Christmas store run by “Santa” (Michelle Yeoh). Her romantic luck changes when she randomly encounters the handsome,
enigmatic Tom (Golding) outside the shop and immediately hits it off with him. Their love blossoms until he starts disappearing for days on end, signalling that there’s something off about this pairing.
GET INTO TEACHING INFORMATION MORNING
17 Dec 9-11am
Toynbee Sch SO53
Hosted by i2i Teaching Partnership to help people decide if teaching secondary school is the right career choice. Tickets Free
via Eventbrite search get into teaching
FILM NIGHT @ THE HILT
20 Dec
10 Jan doors 7pm start 7:30pm Community Cinema
Tickets at the door £5. Screening info thehilt.org.uk/whatson
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE DISTILLERY COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS
20,21 Dec 6pm & 8:30pm
Whitchurch
Indulge in an evening of mixology and learn to craft three delicious cocktails showcasing the different, unique expressions of its gin. £60 pp
WARSASH BAND CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
20 & 21 Dec 7:30pm
Victory Hall
Festive favourites, a sprinkling of carols and a whole lot of Christmas feelgood vibes await! Bar, refreshments and raffle available.
Tickets warsashband.co.uk £8 pp
EM’S FRIENDLY FARM
21 Dec 11am-3pm
Wells Pl, Eastleigh
Pop along and see the cute animals including the Christmas Donkey!
BURLEY VILLA SCHOOL OF RIDING BRUSH & RIDE FOR 4-14s
21 Dec-5 Jan
A special holiday hour activity includes time spent grooming and saddling up your pony as well as a riding lesson in one of their arenas or, if the weather and ground conditions are good a pony trail through the grounds of the stables. Carrots for ponies and a hot chocolate for riders£49.50pp or £95 for 2. 01425 610278
THE HILT’S FESTIVE FAMILY SINGALONG
21 Dec 3-5pm The Hilt, SO53
It’s back! Fun singalong for all the family with mulled wine, mince pies & more. Free but a donation is welcome.
WICKHAM SUNDAY MARKET
22 Dec & 26 Jan 10am-2pm
The Square Cow
BOXING DAY MOTORCYCLE MEET
26 Dec am
An informal annual meet at Wickham square that draws everything from tractors to drag cars, classics, bikes, scooters.