SEASONAL · 1 NOV - 3 JAN
10 NEW THIS WEEKChristmas, done properly 🎄
Grottos, light trails, pantos and festive farm days across Southampton, from the first switch-on to Twelfth Night, with the dates, prices and ages that organisers publish.
PICK YOUR KIND OF MAGIC
What sort of Christmas are you after?
Everything on this page is filed by what it is, going on the organiser's own description. Some things fit more than one, so we've put each where it sits best.
Santa & grottos
Little ones · book early
Grottos, breakfasts with Santa and the elves that come with them.
Show me these
Lights & trails
All ages · wrap up
Illuminated trails, lantern walks and the big switch-ons.
Show me these
Shows & pantos
Ages 3+ · oh yes it is
Pantomimes, festive theatre, carols and Christmas cinema.
Show me these
START HERE
If you only book three things
One per venue, soonest first. Grottos and light trails sell out first.
🎅 SANTA & GROTTOSSanta's Christmas Grotto
The Dino Chase · 1 Dec - 3 Jan · daily
Meet Santa in his grotto at Paultons Park with a free photo and plush toy for children, on selected dates.
See listingDetails
✨ LIGHTS & TRAILSWindsor Illuminated
HORTON'S STEAM FAIR · 1 Nov - 31 Dec · daily
Vintage fairground rides light up Windsor Great Park as part of the Windsor Illuminated Christmas trail.
See listingDetails
🎭 SHOWS & PANTOSChristmas Panto
Chessington World of Adventures Resort · 21 Nov - 24 Dec · daily
A festive panto on the Mane Stage at Chessington World of Adventures, included with your theme park ticket.
from £24Details
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS · 21 DEC - 1 JAN
A plan for every day of the Christmas holidays
- Mon215 on
Christmas at Southsea
- Tue225 on
Christmas at Southsea
- Wed235 on
Christmas at Southsea
- Thu244 on
Christmas Panto
- Fri253 on
Santa's Christmas Grotto
- Sat263 on
Santa's Christmas Grotto
- Sun273 on
Santa's Christmas Grotto
- Mon283 on
Santa's Christmas Grotto
- Tue293 on
Santa's Christmas Grotto
- Wed303 on
Santa's Christmas Grotto
- Thu313 on
Santa's Christmas Grotto
- Fri12 on
Santa's Christmas Grotto
Santa's grottos
2 grottosEVERYTHING ON
13 things on for Christmas 2026
Santa & grottos · 2
1 Dec - 3 Jan · daily
Santa's Christmas Grotto
The Dino Chase · Romsey
Meet Santa in his grotto at Paultons Park with a free photo and plush toy for children, on selected dates.
1-23 December · daily
Christmas at Southsea
Southsea Model Village · Southsea
Southsea Model Village lights up for Christmas with a festive trail and visits to Father Christmas.
Lights & trails · 3
1 Nov - 31 Dec · daily
Windsor Illuminated
HORTON'S STEAM FAIR · Arundel
Vintage fairground rides light up Windsor Great Park as part of the Windsor Illuminated Christmas trail.
Tue 17 November · 10:00
Craft & Natter - Willow Lantern
Itchen Valley Country Park · Southampton
Sociable craft session at Itchen Valley Country Park to make a willow lantern and learn new skills.
Sat 28 November
Christmas Carol Concert & Lights Switch On
Woodford Park · Reading
Community carol concert and Christmas lights switch on at Woodford Park, Woodley.
Shows & pantos · 2
- from £24
21 Nov - 24 Dec · daily
Christmas Panto
Chessington World of Adventures Resort · Chessington
A festive panto on the Mane Stage at Chessington World of Adventures, included with your theme park ticket.
from £2524-28 November · daily
Christmas Carol Goes Wrong
Kings Theatre · Southsea · ages 8+
Comic disaster-theatre spin on A Christmas Carol from Mischief, the team behind The Play That Goes Wrong.
Indoors
Everything else · 6
1 Nov - 1 Jan · daily
Hever Castle Vintage Fairground
HORTON'S STEAM FAIR · Arundel
Festive vintage fairground at Hever Castle, Kent, with Gallopers, a Big Wheel and more after dark.
- Free
Wed 11 November · 10:45
Armistice Day
Woodford Park · Reading
Community remembrance ceremony at the War Memorial in Woodford Park, with a two-minute silence and wreath laying.
Fri 20 November · 09:30
Willow Wreath with Star Workshop
Itchen Valley Country Park · Southampton
Festive willow workshop at Itchen Valley Country Park making a willow wreath decorated with a star.
from £20Sat 5 December · 08:15
Bath at Christmas Day Trip
Hovertravel | Ryde · Ryde
A day trip from Ryde to Bath's Christmas market by hovercraft and coach, on Saturday 5 December 2026.
- from £45
Wed 9 December · 09:15
Winchester Christmas Market Day Trip
Hovertravel | Ryde · Ryde
A festive day trip from Ryde to Winchester Christmas Market by hovercraft and coach, running three dates in December 2026.
- from £45
Sat 19 December · 08:15
Bournemouth at Christmas Day Trip
Hovertravel | Ryde · Ryde
A Christmas day trip from Ryde to Bournemouth on Saturday 19 December 2026, combining hovercraft and coach travel.
The free list ✨
1 thing · £0PLAN A DIFFERENT DAY
What's on, when you need it
Everything open and on in Southampton today, with times and prices.
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