Christmas Lights in Hampshire | Things To Do 2025
*This article is in the process of being updated – many attractions haven’t announced their activities for this year yet so I’ve kept last year’s events on for some attractions until I can update them.
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Seeing Christmas light displays is such a big part of the festive season and it’s always great to go and see the holiday lights being switched on too. Most towns make a huge thing of it, with Christmas market stalls, food and drinks and entertainers as well as the winter lights being turned on for the first time.
Here are all of the Christmas light switch on Christmas events across Hampshire so you can add them to your plans for the coming weeks. I’ve organised them in date order for ease.
Christmas light switch on events in Hampshire
Winchester Christmas Light Switch On – Thursday 14th November 2024
The 2024 festive season kicks off with the Christmas lights switch on then Winchester district comes alive with a range of festive activities carrying on into the New Year.
Eastleigh Christmas Light Switch On – Saturday 16th November 2024
There will be lots going on during the day in the lead up to the lights being switched on by The Mayor and Father Christmas.
Aldershot Christmas Cracker – Saturday 16th November 2024
Start the countdown to Christmas at the magical Aldershot Christmas Cracker! The fun includes craft, food and community stalls, a nativity farm and donkeys, Juggling Jake, Lego brick building, birds of prey, free children’s Christmas crafts, face painting, brass bands and a full line-up of live entertainment across two stages.
Romsey Winter Carnival & Lantern Parade – 16th November 2024
The fabulous Romsey Winter Carnival is here again, including the famous Lantern Parade. An amazing spectacle of lights, music, dancing, floats and much more!
Andover Christmas Festival – 22nd November 2024
This is set to be a fabulous evening of festivities with three main stages featuring a packed programme of performances, children’s activities, a Christmas market, street theatre and festive refreshments, there will be something for everyone to enjoy this year. The Christmas lights will be switched on at 7pm.
Alton Christmas Light Switch On and Market – Friday 22nd November 2024
The event will have a vast selection of food and drink stalls plus shop and charity stalls to visit along the High Street and inside the Assembly Rooms. Children will have the opportunity to meet Father Christmas and an Ice Queen as well as the much anticipated Christmas light switch on.
Fareham Christmas Lights Switch On – Saturday 23rd November 2024
This event will have with a golden theme to bring Fareham Council’s 50th anniversary to an end. There will be a Christmas market, children’s activities, fun fair rides, food and drink, street and stage performers and more! The Christmas lights will be switched on at 5:30pm.
Fleet Christmas Festival – Wednesday 27th November 2024
A Christmas market with so many gift buying opportunities, great food, entertainment and the Christmas light switch on!
Petersfield Christmas Lights Switch On – Friday 29th November 2024
Petersfield’s Christmas Light Switch On!
Gosport Christmas Market and Light Switch On – Saturday 30th November 2024
Visit Gosport for a magical celebration and experience the festive wonderland as twinkling lights illuminate the street, casting a warm glow over the bustling market stalls adorned with seasonal delights and unique gifts. There will be mulled wine, festive treats, and live entertainment as well as the opportunity to shop for perfect presents. Finished with the grand Christmas light switch-on ceremony, helping to mark the beginning of the holiday season with joy and cheer!
Lyndhurst Christmas Light Switch On – Saturday 30th November 2024
Lights will be switched on at 6pm by the Mailmans PH. The High Street from the Romsey Road junction will be closed to traffic from 5.45pm until 6.30pm.
Yateley Christmas market and Christmas Lights Switch On – Saturday 30th November 2024
Come enjoy the festive spirit, watch as the Christmas lights are switched on, and enjoy the gift and food stalls, entertainment, carol singing and amusements.
Ringwood Winter Wanderland – Sunday 1st December 2024
Ringwood’s Winter Wanderland is a series of events and activities in the Town to mark the festive period and to encourage visitors to come into the town to view the wonderful lights and Christmas tree whilst supporting the fabulous shops, bars and restaurants too. This all starts with the Christmas light switch on event!
Christmas light events in Hampshire
There are also many family friendly festive light events, light shows and days out across the country – and we have a few Hampshire holiday lights events too. They make for a fantastic evening out as a family or with friends and transport you to a beautiful twinkling world, the North Pole or to Santa Claus doorstep, perfect for the holiday season.
Winchester Lantern Parade – Thursday 28th November 2024
Fun for all the family, the popular lantern parade returns to Winchester Cathedral, and this year the theme is Christmas Creatures. Celebrate Christmas with music, lanterns, and the Christmas Market.
Parade from Winchester Cathedral through Winchester with your lanterns and light the way back to the cathedral where The Very Revd Catherine Ogle Dean of Winchester will pick three favourites from her evening of judging, with a prize for all winners.
White’s Eco Light Festival at Gilbert White’s House – Selected dates 21st November 2024 – Saturday 21st December 2024
Delve into the story of Gilbert White in a whole new light, and unlock your passion and an excitement for wildlife and the natural world around us. Journey through the house and gardens and bring your imagination to life, learning more about the creatures which 18th century naturalist White identified, and how we can protect them today. Prepare to discover the plight of the harvest mouse, the noctule bat, follow the mesmerising journey of swifts and swallows, and then head out into the starry night to be enchanted by a mystical world of captivating light installations in a unique light trail.
You can read our full review of White’s Eco Light Festival here
Marwell Glow – 29th November to 30th December 2024
Visit Glow Marwell for a magical Christmas lights experience with double the sparkle! This year it’s an enchanted nature trail featuring brand new illuminations and immersive displays using over 500,000 lights in a rainbow of colours along with the magical Glow forest, colourful clouds projected overhead, a 36 metre multicoloured light tunnel and towering enchanted trees.
You can read our review of Marwell Glow here
Light Up Hillier Gardens – 28th November 2024 to 1st January 2025
Immerse yourself in a truly unforgettable, magical light trail experience like no other. With spellbinding lasers, a multi-sensory, spectacular light show and a mirrored world that will enliven the senses.
Enlightened Staunton – 6th December 2024 to 24th December 2024
Enlightened 2023 will be the biggest, brightest, and boldest year yet with a trail bursting with even more interactive and immersive elements than ever before.
You can read about more Christmas light trails in Hampshire here
I hope that’s given you some inspiration for the rest of the year. There’s so much going on in Hampshire, with so many Christmas displays, and I hope you’ve now got more to add to your calendar throughout the Christmas season. If you need more inspiration for festive days out, these posts might be useful:
- Christmas Theatre and Pantomimes in Hampshire
- Where to buy Christmas Trees in Hampshire
- Christmas Ice Skating Hampshire
