The Test Valley market towns of Andover and Romsey will be buzzing with entertainment and markets the weekend starting on Friday 25 November with Andover’s Christmas Festival launching off the festivities with two stages one on the High Street and one up on Bridge Street with festive live music and entertainment. Shops will be open late providing a fantastic opportunity for some Christmas shopping, alongside Fairground games and delicious street food. There will also be a magical production of Thumbelina suitable for all the family, using traditional glove, rod and shadow puppets. The 25 November is also the launch of Santa’s Grotto in the Chantry Centre. (Tickets can be booked in advance for Thumbelina and Santa’s Grotto).
Head down to the south of the borough to continue the seasonal festivities in Romsey on Saturday 26 November where the countdown to Christmas kicks off with the Romsey Winter Carnival and lantern parade to switch on the market towns Christmas lights.
New for 2022 at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is their first ever light trail event, this will be set up and running weekly from Thursday 24 November. Enter an awe-inspiring, kaleidoscopic, multi-sensory illuminated journey through fantastic worlds created in light. A truly unforgettable, magical walking experience for the whole family, and lovers of the great outdoors. You’ll find a shimmering Tree of Joy, hypnotic beams of light around the pond, mesmerising projected animals on the trees and a breathtakingly beautiful light show in Himalayan Valley to name just a few of this year’s spectacular and festive light art installations. There will also be a feast of delicious street food and festive drinks for you to enjoy along your journey. Make sure you book tickets so you don’t miss out https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilliergardens/whatson
Fly into the Hawk Conservancy for a Christmas Market on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 November from 4pm to 8.30pm. Enjoy the run up to Christmas with a delightful, festive shopping experience. There will be a variety of tempting treats for you to enjoy during the evening, with a speciality hot chocolate stand, barbecue, churros stand, festive hot drinks including mulled wine and Feathers Restaurant will be open and for more drinks and snacks. This market gives the opportunity to discover beautiful gifts for your loved ones while supporting local craftspeople and the Trust, for more information visit Christmas Market - Hawk Conservancy Trust - Hawk Conservancy Trust (hawk-conservancy.org)
A flurry of winter wonders making great days out for the family welcome us at the end of November and heading into December. From the whimsical winter world of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Mottisfont running from Saturday 26 November to the 8 January, where the house and grounds will be brought to life with decorations and a festive trail for families.
Visit the Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm holding its annual Christmas Fair on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November from 10am to 4pm hosting a selection of local businesses, crafters, suppliers, food and drink stands and local musicians. This is a great event that supports local businesses and gives the opportunity to get some of those Christmas presents sorted find out more Annual Christmas Craft Fair 2022 | Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm
As Christmas shopping continues to take off, head to the Army Flying Museum on Saturday 26 November for its Christmas Fayre with local stall holders selling jewellery, candles, original artwork and home furnishings. Hot on its tail on Sunday 27 November the Aircraft Enthusiasts Fair and Model Show will be up and running for aviation and modelling fans, tickets can be purchased online. To find out more visit Events | The Army Flying Museum .
The beautiful historic Romsey Abbey has a series of events in November and Christmas Fair on Saturday 26 November from 10am to 2pm. Together with the Advent Carol Service which is being held at 6.30pm on Sunday 27 November.
As we sleigh into December you can celebrate the magic of Christmas at Finkley Down Farm with a visit to Father Christmas, from the 3 to 24 December head down to passport control on the farm with your little ones where they can send their letters to Father Christmas in the intergalactic post box, the elves will be busy stamping passports as you make your way round the farm completing festive activities. Decorate Christmas cookies in the Mother Christmas Kitchen, get to meet Father Christmas, help make reindeer food with Professor Rudolphski and hunt around the farm for the missing reindeer, lastly don’t forget to collect your present from the shop. Tickets to be booked in advance and include all day entry to the farm. Visit Christmas At Finkley - Finkley Down Farm - Family Farm Park in Andover Hampshire
Looking for a frosty fun day out with the kids, Christmas at Paultons Park will be kicking off its festivities from 3 December! With a Christmas themed Peppa Pig World, Santa’s Christmas Wish Show, Singing, Dancing and fun! With magical illuminations around the park, a Musical Christmas Tree and characters to meet such as Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Reindeer, some Christmas elves, and more, there is lots to keep you entertained! Book in advance on the website Christmas at Paultons & Peppa Pig World (paultonspark.co.uk)
And lastly a magical Christmas treat at Romsey Abbey on Saturday 17 December where you can listen to the The Snowman – accompanied by Live Orchestra and Abbey Choristers. There are three performances and tickets can be purchased online www.ticketsource.co.uk/romseyabbey or from the Test Valley Visitor Information Centre.
The Lights arts and entertainment centre, Andover has lots to offer in the way of events this Christmas, including Santa Saves Christmas on Friday 23 December. Visit https://www.thelights.org.uk for more information.
The Plaza in Romsey also has a range of entertainment including the Michelmersh Silver Band Christmas Show for more information visithttps://www.plazatheatre.com/
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