Eat an epic Christmas sandwich

Get in early to get your hands on one of these mega festive sarnies. The supersized Christmas specials at Two Hands in Winchester are selling out daily this December. You have two flavours to choose between: roast turkey, stuffing, bacon bits, crispy onions, braised red cabbage and apple, gravy, cranberry sauce and garlic mayo; or roasted rosemary and maple parsnips and carrots, Brie, crispy onions, braised red cabbage and apple, cranberry sauce and garlic mayo.

Two Hands, Winchester. Available now.

Shop for second hand sequins

Winchester has an amazing range of second-hand and pre-loved stores for updating your festive partywear for the season. Visit re:dress or Emmaus Boutique on Romsey Road for high quality pre-loved clothing, or drop into one of the city's many charity shops, like Naomi House & Jacksplace Charity Shop, to pick up sparkly bargains.

Read: Christmas shopping in Winchester 

Watch a festive film at the planetarium

Elevate that movie you see every Christmas by watching it under a blanket of stars at Winchester Science Centre on the planetarium screen. Popcorn and snacks are available to purchase before the film starts. You can catch Home Alone, The Polar Express, Die Hard, The Grinch, The Muppets Christmas Carol and Elf on selected dates in December.

Read: Festive film screenings in Winchester 

Solve a festive escape game

Tis' the season to test your puzzle-solving skills. There’s trouble at the Winchester Sleigh Depot. A pixie imposter is sabotaging the Christmas party preparations, and your team has 45 minutes to uncover the culprit. Expect curious clues, festive chaos and a mystery perfect for adults and families alike. Anyone over the age of 7 can take part in teams of 2 - 8.

Pop-up Christmas Escape Game: Sleigh Bells & Sabotage at ClueCapers, Winchester. From Saturday 6 December.

Explore Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market

One of the best Christmas markets in Europe, Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is set around the city's ancient and imposing cathedral. You'll find matching wooden chalets selling trinkets and treats from local and indie sellers, as well as plenty of festive food and drink to keep you feeling warm and jolly as you browse. It's well loved for a reason.

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, Winchester. Until Monday 22 December.

Travel into space with Santa

Swap standard meet and greets with the big man in red for an immersive journey to the International Space Station. Winchester Science Centre is welcoming families into the planetarium for a live action tale of Santa's cosmic adventures, followed by a chance to take a photo with the man himself and pick up an extra special present.

Cosmic Christmas at Winchester Science Centre. Until Tuesday 23 December.

Shop at a local makers market

As well as Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, the city is full of small indie makers markets this month. Drop by Winchester Makers Market at The Arc on December 6, or an indie makers market which is taking over The Nutshell for that whole weekend. There are also markets at Hampshire Pantry, Newhouse Farm and more throughout December.

Read: Alternative Christmas markets and craft fairs in Winchester 

Have a Pantomime Christmas at Hinton Ampner

Take a trip to Hinton Ampner in the run up to Christmas and you'll be transported onto the set of your favourite pantomimes. Each room on the ground floor of the National Trust house has become a different panto classic, telling the story of Aladdin to Cinderella, via Snow White and Jack and the Bean Stalk. Pre-booking for the house is essential.

Pantomime Christmas at Hinton Ampner, near Alresford. Until Sunday 4 January.

Celebrate Roman Saturnalia

Learn all about how the Roman's celebrated Saturnalia, an ancient midwinter festival, following a trail to learn what they ate and how they greeted each other. You'll also find a range of crafts such as Roman wreath making and Saturnalia ornament making.

Celebrate Saturnalia at Winchester City Museum. Until Sunday 4 January 2026.

Try out Winchester's new soft play

It's cold outside, which means it's officially soft play season. If you're stuck for things to do outside with little ones this winter (or those little ones keep refusing to wear gloves or a coat) you may want to visit Thrive & Wild on the edge of Winchester, a new café and soft play space, where you'll also be able to take classes and book workshops. The official open date is still TBC, but they're hosting their first event on Thursday 4 December.

Thrive & Wild, Kings Worthy, near Winchester. Opens soon.

Book a festive Sunday roast

A roast dinner you didn't cook yourself? Yes, please! Winchester district is full of charming restaurants and characterful pubs for getting your roast potato fix. Get ideas for your own Christmas dinner in the run up or just enjoy not having to do any washing up.

Read: Great places for Sunday roasts in Winchester 

Learn the truth about The Great Escape

You might have seen the movie but do you really know the story of the legendary mass breakout of prisoners-of-war from Stalag Luft III, deep in the heart of the Third Reich, in March 1944? During this thought-provoking and entertaining talk, Guy Walters will challenge the myths and preconceptions of this celebrated wartime tale.

The Real Great Escape: An Evening Talk with Guy Walters at The Rifleman's Museum, Winchester. Thursday 11 December.

Follow Santa's Sleigh around Winchester

Santa and his sleigh will be travelling around the streets of Winchester this December, raising money for local charities and good causes. Run by volunteers, the event is put on to spread some Christmas magic across the city. Expect music, fake snow and fundraising as the sleigh passes by.

Winchester Santa Sleigh. Various locations across Winchester. Tuesday 2 - Sunday 21 December.

Pen your novel at Jane Austen's House

Take your WIP or just a notebook and a head full of ideas to Jane Austen's House to see if putting pen to paper there will help your creative process. Writers are encouraged to drop into this quiet and inspiring space to work on their creative projects together.

Drop in and Write at Jane Austen's House, Chawton. Friday 12 December.

Make a Christmas wreath over afternoon tea

Let expert florists guide you to make a beautiful winter wreath to hang on your front door. Then, to reward all your hard work, sit down to a festive afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones and sweet treats.

Festive Wreath Making and Afternoon Tea at Lainston House, nr Winchester. Saturday 13 and Saturday 20 December.

Read: Christmas craft workshops in Winchester 

Be inspired to make your own patchwork quilt

Hear Laurne MacDonald talk about her new book Piece by Piece, a guide to making modern patchwork and quilting projects from preloved fabrics. She’ll also draw on one of the treasures of the museum collection – the patchwork coverlet created by Jane and her mother and sister Cassandra from scraps of dress and furnishing fabrics, which can be seen on display in the House.

Patchwork with Lauren MacDonald at Jane Austen's House, Chawton. Saturday 13 December.

Meet Father Christmas on board a vintage steam train

For a festive meet and greet with a difference, swap a Santa's grotto for a vintage steam train. The Watercress Line are running the Father Christmas Express over a handful of dates this December. Ticketholders will ride the rails, meet the man himself on board and get to select a special gift from Present Junction. There is also festive food and drink, plus fun activities like making your own reindeer food for Christmas Eve.

Father Christmas Express at The Watercress Line, Alresford. Saturday 13, Sunday 14, Saturday 20, Sunday 21, Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December.

Read: Santa's Grottos in Winchester 

Celebrate Jane Austen's 250th birthday

This has been the year of Jane Austen. We've been honouring her legacy all through 2025, with special events, walking trails, exhibitions and even the unveiling of a new Jane Austen statue in Winchester city centre (pictured). Now her 250th year is coming to an end, it's time to mark her birthday, 16 December. Winchester College are hosting an incredible musical performance on the eve of her day, while Austen lovers can enjoy tea and cake on the day itself at Jane Austen's Birthday Tea at Abbey House.

Jane Austen's Birthday Tea at Abbey House, Winchester. Tuesday 16 December.

Jane Austen’s Piano with Jeneba and Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason at Winchester College. Monday 15 December.

Revel in winter folk songs

Spanning several centuries, GreenMatthews' Midwinter Revels is a celebration of Yuletide Past guaranteed to warm the cockles of the most Scrooge-like heart. Featuring Christmas carols, winter folk songs, toe-tapping tunes and a plethora of weird and wonderful instruments,

Midwinter Revels at Theatre Royal Winchester. Wednesday 17 December.

Take a Christmas cocktail class

Learn how to craft the perfect Christmas cocktails at Bombay Sapphire Distillery. At the end of your mixology masterclass you'll be able to recreate three festive gin cocktails. You can also enjoy mince pies and a festive grazing platter while you learn, and take advantage of the distillery's Mill Bar and Gin Shop after your class.

Christmas Cocktail Masterclass at Bombay Sapphire Distillery. Thursday 18, Friday 19 and Saturday 20 December.

Visit Winchester's new comic book store

Kushti Comics has recently opened a shop inside Winchester's Brooks Centre. Go and give them a visit to find trading cards, comic books, retro toys, Pokémon merch and more.

Kushti Winchester. Open now.

Go to a traditional carol concert

Head to Winchester Cathedral for your fix of well-loved, traditional carols this Christmas. The ancient space is hosting a series of carol concerts, from Market Carols (the most Christmassy way to round of a visit to Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market) on Sunday 7 and Sunday 14 December to carol services on Friday 19 and Sunday 21 December.

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Carol Services. Various December dates.

Read: Christmas concerts and carols in Winchester 

Mark winter solstice with a spiritual walk

Winter solstice is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Embrace the darkness with a spiritual, reflective guided walk around Winchester. Setting off from outside City Museum, wanderers will be lead through the city, finding pockets of stillness and encouraging a sense of slowing down for midwinter. Tickets must be booked in advance.

Midwinter Walk by Wild & Witchy Walks, Winchester. Saturday 20 December.

Join a torchlit procession on the longest night of the year

Join Team Wickham in welcoming the longest night of the year. Wickham Morris will lead a torch-lit procession through the village, concluding at Woodies for a round of winter carols. You're welcome to embrace the spirit of the season with pagan-themed attire if you feel drawn to. The event is free, though you can pre-order flame torches.

Winter Solstice Celebration, Wickham Community Centre. Sunday 21 December.

Enjoy a traditional family-friendly panto

Brace yourself for lots of laughs and audience participation (it's behind you!) at Theatre Royal Winchester's annual panto. This year, it's Puss in Boots, the story of Colin, a poor miller’s son, who has no chance of impressing the beautiful princess. That is, until his faithful cat, Puss, proves to be no ordinary feline...

Puss in Boots at Theatre Royal Winchester. Until Sunday 4 January 2026.

Have a long relaxing brunch

Christmas annual leave is made for slow, chilled mornings. Make the most of not having to be anywhere by really taking your time over brunch. Winchester has a whole host of great brunch spots where you can start your day with anything from Malaysian roti to avo toast with a Bloody Mary. Head to Josie's, which has locations in Winchester, Alresford and Bishop's Waltham to try their festive brunch menu, featuring a cheeseboard toastie, Boxing Day tots and After Eights pancakes.

Read: Brilliant brunch spots in Winchester 

Take part in The Big Nativity

Make some core memories this Christmas Eve by taking part in a huge nativity in Winchester Cathedral. Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend the joyful, family-friendly retelling of the Christmas story, which will take part twice during the day. Children are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite nativity character.

The Big Nativity at Winchester Cathedral. Wednesday 24 December.

Spend Christmas Eve at a singalong

Gather around the pub piano for carols and classic festive tunes. There will also be woodfired pizzas served by the slice and lots of Christmas cheer. Tables are available on a first come, first served basis.

Christmas Eve Singalong at The Tichborne Arms, nr Alresford. Wednesday 24 December.

Go on a whimsical frozen adventure

Watch a heart-warming play about a place called Lunavik, where it's so cold that the moon has frozen. A young girl sets out on a quest to confront the dragon under the ice who has hoarded all of the fires and lights for himself. Expect lively poetry, transforming sets, atmospheric live music and exciting puppetry.

Under the Frozen Moon at The Nutshell, Winchester. Saturday 27 - Wednesday 31 December.

Read: Christmas shows, pantos and plays in Winchester 

Warm up in a wild sauna

Shed your winter layers for a session in a sauna. Winchester Garden Spa has a wood-fired sauna and hot tub as well as a cold water dipping pool, under the trees with views of St Catherine's Hill. For an even more rural experience, book onto Wild Sauna at The Yard an outdoor sauna and cold plunge surrounded by fields (but a conveniently short walk from The Yard's café for afters!)

Hibernate at a yoga class

What do you need more in twixmas than deep rest? Make up for the excesses of the month before with a yoga nidra workshop. It's a deep and ancient form of guided sleep meditation, and apparently this two hour workshop is like the equivalent of a full eight-hour snooze. Exactly what you need to start 2026 right.

Yoga Nidra: Deep Rest at New Energy Yoga. Sunday 28 December.

Head out on a wintery Winchester walk

Blow out the cobwebs with a stomp around Winchester city or the district's stunning countryside. It's the ideal antidote to too much mulled wine or time spent inside. Try a section of a long-distance trail like the South Downs Way, the Clarendon Way or St James' Way, or climb St Catherine's Hill for views back over Winchester as it sparkles.

See in the New Year on board a pop anthems party train

Party into 2026 with full train karaoke on board The Watercress Line's Steam Illuminations. The train is full festive vibes up until 29 December when it turns into a pop anthems party train to welcome the new year. Expect lights, colours, a party atmosphere and a soundtrack of iconic hits from the 60s to today.

Steam Illuminations: Pop Anthems Party Train at The Watercress Line. Monday 29 December - Sunday 4 January 2026.

Read: Where to celebrate New Year's Eve in Winchester