Let the festivities begin! It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Here are our top suggestions for events to get you feeling festive in Lymington and the surrounding area.

Lymington Christmas Lights Switch on, Fri 28^th Nov 4-8pm, Lymington High St & the Quay

Lymington will come alive with festive cheer on Friday 28th November as the town celebrates its Christmas Lights Switch-On event, marking the start of the Christmas season with music, entertainment, and over 100 beautifully decorated Christmas trees lighting up the streets.

From 4pm, St Thomas Street, the High Street and the Quay will be transformed into a sparkling Christmas trail. Visitors can enjoy a packed evening of live performances, family entertainment, and late-night shopping in Lymington’s independent shops and boutiques.

The festivities centre around St Thomas Church, where the official light switch-on will take place at 6pm, led by the Town Mayor. The town will feature two large, illuminated Christmas trees, one outside St Thomas Church, and another on the Quayside, creating a magical trail of light through the town.

Winchester Christmas Market, Friday 22 Nov – Sun 22 Dec, Winchester

Set in the stunning grounds of Winchester Cathedral, the wonderfully atmospheric Winchester Christmas market is one of the best in Europe. Browse the fairy-lit chalets for gifts and decorations then grab a gluhwein and have it with a bratwurst sausage or a spot of raclette. Wander over to the central stage to catch Christmassy performances from local choirs, buskers, and groups.

Pic: Winchester Cathedral, Harvey Mills

Oakhaven Santa Dash Fun Run Sun 7^th Dec Lymington

On Sunday 7th December, Oakhaven will once again be turning Lymington red with a sea of Santas! This will be Lymington’s 16th annual Santa Dash, which over 15 years has raised more than £200,000 for the Hospice.

Lovingly known by many locals as ‘the unofficial start of Christmas’, the Oakhaven Santa Dash is a fun opportunity to gather with friends, family, and colleagues to run, jog, walk, stroll, or even scoot around the streets of Lymington. Although some might be speeding to win, many choose to ‘dash’ far more sedately! The Oakhaven Santa Dash will start and finish in Lymington High Street, outside the event’s headline sponsor, John D Wood & Co. 

Registration is now open! Entry is £15 per adult and £7.50 per child, with a family ticket priced at £40. There is also a special ‘6 for £60’ ticket, which is perfect for groups of friends and colleagues. Register today at www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk/santa-dash

A Palace House Christmas 29^th Nov-4^th Jan Beaulieu

Join the festivities at Beaulieu this Christmas for a new festive experience, A Palace House Christmas – a magical journey through the story of pantomime, created by designers extraordinaire, Charlotte Lloyd Webber and Adrian Lillie of CLW Event Design. 

Taking place in Palace House Christmas, the story of pantomime will be told through a series of theatrical installations taking visitors on a magical journey around the stately rooms bedecked with immersive soundscapes, decorations galore and multi-colour projections.

Masked Harlequin mannequins will ‘greet’ you at the entrance, while their midnight banquet is already laid with sugary treats and jewel-themed glassware in the impressive Dining Hall. Look ‘outside’ to see their travelling cart overspilling with props, costumes, and musical instruments in the Fountain Courtyard.

See the life-size Pollock theatre set around the magnificent fireplace in the Lower Drawing Room, which is being created with artwork by Lord Montagu’s mother, Belinda, Lady Montagu. And discover weird and wonderful panto animals in the Portrait Gallery, from the time of Mummers right through to the modern-day pantomime horse. Then follow swags of lavish, colourful decorations as you climb the grand staircase to peek in the backstage dressing rooms above – where feathers, floristry and glamorous gowns fill the rooms.

Spot Pierrot sitting in a crescent moon at a window in the newly opened private wing and be amazed by the towering 14ft pantomime dame and mirrored catwalk of principal boy mannequins in the Upper Drawing Room. No Christmas at Beaulieu is complete without a Christmas tree – and you will be spoilt for choice by the 20ft centrepiece dressed in the Harlequin theme and shocking pink faux creation, with jewelled fruits and gemstone-inspired decorations.

Southampton Christmas Market, Thurs 13 Nov – Sun 3 Jan, Southampton

Southampton’s annual German Christmas market is always a festive affair. Expect the traditional carousel, Christmas traders in alpine-style chalets, festive bars with live music, visits from Santa and calorific street food Dutch pancakes and doughnuts to Yorkshire pudding wraps and German sausages. A light projection show will light up the historic Bargate monument every 30 minutes, between 5pm and 9.30pm until 24 December.

Around the corner in Guildhall Square, take your date or the whole family for a gentle ride on one of the UK’s tallest Ferris wheels. Big kids and thrill seekers will welcome the return of the frankly terrifying AtmosFear and Snowball Bungee rides, too.

The Northwood House & Park Christmas Fair, Friday 28 – Sun 30 November, Cowes

With plenty of local gifts, art, crafts and produce from over fifty exhibitors, this is the ideal Christmas Market to find quirky and unique presents for all the friends and family. Children can see Santa in his Grotto, and you can even take the dogs to meet and have a photo taken with Santa Paws. Want to swerve the crowds? New for 2025 there is a VIP Preview Night on Friday 28 November from 6pm-8.30pm.