Is that the sound of sleigh bells? It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Santa Claus is coming to towns across Hampshire this December with plenty of cheerful opportunities to meet the man himself.
Take your little ones on a magical day out to see Father Christmas in Hampshire. Spot Santa in space, paddle with him on the Beaulieu River, see his enchanting owls flying in the winter skies, or sing along to Christmas classics in Saint Nick shows.
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Read on for our ultimate guide to the top places to see Santa in Hampshire this Christmas.
Some 2023 dates are yet to be confirmed so keep an eye on this page for Hampshire Father Christmas updates.
Cosmic Christmas at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium
16 – 23 December 2023
He had such a blast last year that Santa will be back at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium this December with the return of Cosmic Christmas.
The experience includes an immersive festive space adventure with live science, magical effects, and a Planetarium show, followed by a meet and greet with Santa himself.
Find out more about Cosmic Christmas at Winchester Science Centre
Father Christmas’ flying visit at The Hawk Conservancy Trust
21 and 22 December 2023
Taking time out of his busy schedule, Father Christmas will be making his annual special flying visit to the Hawk Conservancy Trust on 21 and 22 December accompanied by a parliament of owls to collectively share some festive magic.
This joyous family event includes a magical owl flying display and festive storytelling.
Mother Christmas will be sharing some freshly baked treats from her kitchen for the children to enjoy and Father Christmas’ elves will have a special present to give out to every good girl and boy.
Find out more about Father Christmas’ flying visit at The Hawk Conservancy Trust
Christmas Canoe Paddle with Father Christmas at New Forest Activities
Selected dates from 9 – 23 December 2023
It’s not just sleigh driving that Santa has mastered, he enjoys a bit of paddling as a pastime too and you’ll find him in a canoe on the Beaulieu River with New Forest Activities this December.
This 90-minute festive expedition will take adventurers along the stunning wintertime river, concluding with a fun meeting with Father Christmas who will give all the children a gift for their paddling efforts, with hot chocolate and mince pies to keep everyone toasty.
Find out more about the Christmas Canoe Paddle with Father Christmas at New Forest Activities
A Celebration of Christmas at Paultons Park
Selected dates from 2 – 23 December 2023
Paultons Park is transformed into a winter wonderland every December with decorations and illuminations lighting up Peppa Pig World and Tornado Springs and the Marvellous Musical Christmas Tree putting on its own light show every 15 minutes.
Father Christmas will be the star of the Paulton’s festive performance with plenty of seasonal singing, dancing, and fun in Santa’s Christmas Wish Show! Also featuring Billy and Belinda the elves, Frosty the Snowman, and Rudolph the Reindeer. Visitors can also book an exclusive meet and greet with Santa as an add-on experience.
Find out more about Christmas at Paultons Park
Meet Father Christmas at Milestones Museum
Selected dates from 2 – 23 December 2023
Step inside a Dickensian Christmas this December as the Victorian streets of Milestones Museum in Basingstoke are cheerfully decorated for the festive season – the only humbugs you’ll find will be in the traditional sweet shop.
Father Christmas will be there too in his magical grotto and the Milestones Christmas Market is the perfect place to pick up some local gifts and treats.
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Find out more about Father Christmas at Milestones Museum
Father Christmas at the Great Hall
16 – 23 December 2023
Quite possibly the most jaw-dropping and magical backdrop for a photo with Father Christmas, the Great Hall in Winchester is welcoming Santa and his elves back this December for a fully festive week.
The magnificent medieval hall will be decorated for Christmas with a pop-up Christmas Cafe serving drinks and festive treats along with table crafts to keep the little ones entertained.
Tickets include meeting Father Christmas, a free child’s hot chocolate and a festive gift.
Find out more about Father Christmas at the Great Hall
Festive Express at Exbury Gardens
2, 3, 9 & 10 December 2023
For two weekends in December, the steam train at Exbury Gardens will be transformed into a special Christmas express train transporting visitors to see Father Christmas.
The Exbury Christmas Fair will be held on the same dates with seasonal food and drink, local gifts and crafts, carol singing and music.
There will also be a children’s Christmas trail with donkey rides new for 2023.
Find out more about Festive Express at Exbury Gardens
Christmas at Finkley Down Farm
2 – 24 December 2023
Little visitors to Finkley in December delight in collecting stamps on their Christmas passports as they participate in all the magical fun on the farm.
Send a letter to Father Christmas via the Intergalactic Post Box using a special golden ball, decorate a festive treat in Mother Christmas’ kitchen, make reindeer food, meet Father Christmas, and visit the Toy Shop to choose a gift.
Find out more about Christmas at Finkley Down Farm
Santa Specials at Moors Valley Country Park
Selected dates from 9 – 20 December 2023
Hop aboard the Moors Valley Railway this December and travel through a winter wonderland in the Moors Valley Country Park with the festive steam train transporting you to Kingsmere Station and Santa’s Railway Grotto.
There will be festive refreshments, mulled wine for the grown-ups, and special presents from Santa himself.
Find out more about Santa Specials at Moors Valley Country Park
Santa’s Grotto at John Lewis, Southampton
Selected dates from 25 November – 24 December 2023
John Lewis is bringing the ultimate department store Santa experience back to Southampton this Christmas with their interactive grotto experience – crack the code to unlock the door to meet Santa.
New for 2023, there’s also a Santa Paws experience with a special opportunity for four-legged friends to meet Father Christmas too and receive a special doggy Christmas treat.
Find out more about Santa’s Grotto at John Lewis, Southampton
Christmas Tower Toymaker’s Workshop at the Spinnaker Tower
25 November – 24 December 2023
For the highest Father Christmas experience in the land, head to the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth where the tower will be transformed into a Christmas workshop for Santa’s elves.
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Children can help make their own cuddly toy before visiting Santa in his grotto before completing the Christmas trail around the tower.
Find out more about Christmas Tower Toymaker’s Workshop at the Spinnaker Tower
The Elf Society at The Garden Society
Selected dates from 2 December 2023
Channel your inner Buddy and become an honorary elf recruit at The Garden Society this Christmas with this immersive walk-through experience exploring Santa’s magical toy making workshop.
A warm welcome awaits from Elf Ginger in her kitchen where children can help decorate and take home every Elf’s most loved treat – Gingerbread. Then travel through the Candy Kingdom before meeting Santa himself.
The Garden Society’s beautiful festive displays loaded with sparkling decorations will be sure to leave everyone full of Christmas cheer.
Find out more about The Elf Society at The Garden Society
Santa’s Christmas Wish at Theatre Royal Winchester
18 December 2023
Following last year’s hugely successful sell-out performances, this delightful Christmas show returns to the Theatre Royal Winchester on 18 December.
Little ones will love helping Dotty the Elf decide what Christmas present to give to Santa and the sing-alongs to festive favourites like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bells are sure to leave the whole audience feeling merry.
Every child will receive a special present from Father Christmas in the popular meet, greet and treat, after the most Christmassy Christmas show ever.
Find out more about Santa’s Christmas Wish at Theatre Royal Winchester
Magical Christmas Adventure 2023 at 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park
25 November – 24 December 2023
You don’t need to go all the way to the North Pole to find Santa’s winter wonderland, North Hampshire has an immersive seasonal extravaganza bringing enough snowballs and festive cheer to light up the whole season.
The Magical Christmas Adventure is the UK’s largest indoor Christmas experience – explore the fabulous world of the Elves before heading to Santa’s lodge for a unique private audience.
Find out more about the Magical Christmas Adventure 2023 at 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park
Breakfast with Father Christmas at Hillier Garden Centres, Botley and Weyhill
2 December – 24 December
Start your day off with a delightful breakfast at either the Botley or Weyhill Hillier Garden Centres.
Your Breakfast with Father Christmas includes a delicious breakfast, a festive colouring activity, Christmas Crackers, a visit from Father Christmas and a sweet treat for the children to take home. Fun for all the family!
Find out more about Breakfast with Father Christmas at Hillier Garden Centre Botley
Find out more about Breakfast with Father Christmas at Hillier Garden Centre Weyhill
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See our full guide to what’s on this Christmas in Hampshire
See our guide to winter in Hampshire
Planning a Christmas break? Take a browse our huge range of accommodation. Hampshire has something for all budgets including hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering properties, and cosy traditional holiday cottages.
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