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 Sleeping Beauty, the story of Princess Rose and a wicked snoozy curse.

Sleeping Beauty at Theatre Royal Winchester. 
Friday 4 December - Sunday 3 January 2027. 
📍Winchester city centre 

Send Christmas wishes to the stars

Swap standard meet and greets with the big man in red for an immersive Christmas experience at Winchester Science Centre. Tickerholders will get to meet Santa during a special storytelling experience, watch a planetarium adventure led by Aster the Elf, see festive live science shows and send wishes to the stars at the Wish Post.

Cosmic Christmas at Winchester Science Centre. 
Saturday 5 December - Wednesday 23 December.  
📍Winchester city 

Explore magical 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.
Friday 20 November - Tuesday 22 December. 
📍Winchester city centre 

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 Saturday 12 December, or the indie makers market which is taking over The Nutshell during Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December. There are also festive makers markets at The Yard, The Grange, in Wickham, Bishop's Waltham and more.

Read: Alternative Christmas markets and craft fairs in Winchester 

Take a festive cocktail class

Learn how to craft (and drink) the perfect Christmas and NYE cocktails at Bombay Sapphire Distillery. At the end of your mixology masterclass you'll be able to recreate three festive gin cocktails.

Festive Cocktail Masterclass at Bombay Sapphire Distillery. 
Saturday 5, Sunday 6, Friday 11, Saturday 12, Sunday 13, Friday 18, Saturday 19, Sunday 20, Monday 28, Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 December.
📍near Whitchurch 

Discover icy illuminations and festive flames at the zoo

Fire & Ice is a new immersive experience at Marwell Zoo for winter 2026, where fire blazes, ice shimmers and nature’s winter stories come to life. Alongside seasonal activities across the zoo and magical moments with Santa in his grotto, you can expect illuminations, installations, interactive play, fire effects and storytelling inspired by how animals survive and adapt through winter, from icy habitats to hibernation.

Marwell at Christmas: Fire & Ice and Santa's Grotto at Marwell Hall. 
Friday 20 November - Wednesday 30 December. 
📍near Winchester

Take part in a Santa fun run

Swap your usual running gear for a Santa hat and outfit, and join a bunch of other energetic Santas as they run a 2k or 5k route around Winchester city centre. The run, which will raise money for local hospice charities Naomi House & Jacksplace, will kick off with a festive warm-up outside the Guildhall and end in a flurry of snow.

Winchester Santa Fun Run. 
Sunday 6 December. 
📍Winchester city centre

Follow a festive trail inspired by the Twelve Days of Christmas

Head to National Trust property The Vyne from Saturday 21 November to take part in their festive garden trail, featuring games inspired by the Twelve Days of Christmas. The festive fun continues inside the historic house, which will have been transformed. Visitors can play a free game of Christmas Bingo while spotting the famous gifts and characters woven throughout the decorations!

Twelve Days of Christmas at The Vyne. 
Saturday 21 November - Sunday 3 January 2027. 
📍near Basingstoke 

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 

Search 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 and Second-hand shopping in Winchester 

Step into a Christmas story at Hinton Ampner

Take a trip to Hinton Ampner in the run up to Christmas and you'll be transported into a Christmas world. Every room holds a wish waiting to be discovered. The journey begins in Father Christmas' post room, where wishes from around the world are gathered. Travel through the house to meet much-loved characters and discover their Christmas wishes, brought to life through beautiful decorations and displays.

A Christmas Wish at Hinton Ampner.
Saturday 14 November - Sunday 3 January 2027. 
📍Cheriton, near Alresford

Celebrate Winter Solstice with a play for little ones

It’s the longest night of the year and it’s hard to sleep. Gazing at the stars, surprising things start to happen… As the sun sets and the stars come out to shine, join the woodland animals as they gather together to celebrate the solstice. Experience this playful, gentle journey based on the poem The Star by Jane Taylor, with original music, puppetry, joyful jokes, a host of woodland animals and lots of starlight.

Twinkle Twinkle at The Nutshell.
Thursday 10 December. 
📍Winchester city centre 

Ride a vintage steam train with Father Christmas

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. 
Saturday 12, Sunday 13, Saturday 19, Sunday 20, Monday 21, Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 December.
📍Ropley

Read: Santa's Grottos 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 films such as 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 

See Winchester Cathedral transformed with winter illuminations

Winchester Cathedral will be transformed into an immersive world of light, colour and sound. Created especially for the festive season, The Gift is a spectacular light and sound experience that celebrates the wonder, joy and meaning of Christmas. Visitors are invited to step inside the ancient cathedral and journey through enchanting festive scenes, dazzling projections and atmospheric soundscapes.

The Gift by Luxmoralis at Winchester Cathedral. 
Monday 14 - Saturday 19 December 2026. 
📍Winchester city centre 

Tour Jane Austen's home on her birthday

Celebrate the anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth with a special guided tour of her beloved home. Starting early, before the House opens to visitors, you will walk in Jane Austen’s footsteps and discover the house she knew and loved, whilst learning about her life in Chawton and her extraordinary legacy.

Guided Tour: Jane Austen's Birthday at Jane Austen's House.
Wednesday 16 December. 
📍Winchester city centre 

Meet Father Christmas in a medieval hall

Santa's grottos don't get more impressive than this one, set inside Winchester's Great Hall, one of the finest surviving aisled halls of the 13th century and the last remains of Winchester Castle. Visitors will share a magical moment with Santa and his elves in the magical Great Hall Grotto and be given a very special Christmas gift. There will also be crafts and activities to take part in, as well as a complimentary hot chocolate for every ticket holder.

Santa's Grotto at the Great Hall. 
Saturday 28 November - Wednesday 23 December.
📍Winchester city centre

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 and performances this festive season, with classic carol services on Sunday 20 and Wednesday 23 December.

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Carol Services. 
Sunday 20 and Wednesday 23 December.
📍Winchester city centre

Read: Christmas concerts and carols in Winchester 

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. 
Thursday 24 December. 
📍near Alresford 

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.

Read: Brilliant brunch spots in Winchester 

Warm up in a wild sauna

Shed your winter layers for a session in a sauna. There are lots of outdoor saunas in the countryside surrounding Winchester, from Woodland and Fallen Willow Saunas near Stockbridge to The Sauna Works in South Wonston and 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!)

Read: Outdoor saunas near Winchester

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.

Read: Walks in Winchester

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 2027 right.

Yoga Nidra and Sound Bath at New Energy Yoga. 
Sunday 27 December. 
📍Winchester city centre 

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

Party into 2027 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 at The Watercress Line.
Friday 27 November - Saturday 2 January 2027. 
📍Alresford