It's holiday time, Andover! Use our guide to find all the best seasonal activities. Whether you call Andover home or are just passing through, this guide will make your holidays special.
Popular events during this festive season include the enchanting Christmas at Winchester Cathedral, showcasing stunning decorations and a series of festive services. In addition, the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market features a delightful array of handcrafted gifts and seasonal treats, perfect for finding unique presents. And the magical experience at Paultons Park, with its family-friendly attractions and festive lights, is something you definitely don't want to miss. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Andover Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Andover
- Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market (Winchester)
- Christmas at Winchester Cathedral (Winchester)
- A Celebration of Christmas at Paultons Park (Romsey)
- Cosmic Christmas at Winchester Science Centre (Winchester)
- Light up Trail Sir Harold Hillier Gardens at Christmas (Romsey)
- Magical Christmas Experience at Finkley Down Farm
- Magical Christmas Adventure at 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park (Headley)
- Christmas Experiences at The Hawk Conservancy
- Christmas Tower Toymakers' Workshop at Spinnaker Tower (Portsmouth)
- Christmas Carols and Owls at Hawk Conservancy
See these and even more events listed below!
Andover Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Experiences at The Hawk Conservancy
What to Expect:
Live owl display with music and special effects in a colourful woodland setting.
Description:
The Winter Woodland Lights event at the Hawk Conservancy Trust features beautiful illuminations and a live owl display set in a stunning, colourful woodland. Explore the popular illuminated walk and discover exciting new sights. The event includes a delicious menu available from Feathers Restaurant, catering to most dietary requirements. The beautiful owls will take flight in the woodland, brought to life with music, special effects, and lighting to tell a brand new story.
Where: Andover | More Info: Christmas Experiences at The Hawk Conservancy
Light up Trail Sir Harold Hillier Gardens at Christmas
What to Expect:
Immersive light trail with live entertainment and festive food options.
Description:
Light up Trail Sir Harold Hillier Gardens at Christmas features a new immersive light trail with breathtaking installations, live entertainment, and festive food options, creating a captivating experience for all ages.
Where: Romsey | More Info: Light up Trail Sir Harold Hillier Gardens at Christmas
Over The Rainbow Christmas at West Green House Gardens
What to Expect:
Sparkling mile-long light trail with giant dancing fountains and mysterious follies.
Description:
Explore a ten-acre illuminated garden at West Green House, featuring gigantic shimmering flowers, glowing fairies, and a forest of illuminated field flowers. Enjoy giant dancing fountains, mysterious follies, and locally produced food stalls. The event includes concerts, carols, and musical fun.
Where: Hook | More Info: Over The Rainbow Christmas at West Green House Gardens
Andover Holiday Markets and Shopping
Milestones Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Meet Father Christmas in a historic setting.
Description:
The Milestones Christmas Market features over 40 stalls selling seasonal gifts and treats, with children's entertainment including a chance to meet Father Christmas in his grotto. Enjoy live music and festive refreshments in the museum's immersive, historic streets.
Where: Basingstoke | More Info: Milestones Christmas Market
Christmas Market at the Hawk Conservancy Trust
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local crafts and traditional market food.
Description:
The Christmas Market at the Hawk Conservancy Trust offers a delightful shopping experience with over 60 local businesses selling personalized presents, Christmas decorations, and handcrafted treats. Traditional market food favorites like barbecue, German Bratwurst, and fresh hot churros are available, along with specialty festive hot chocolates and mulled wine.
Where: Andover | More Info: Christmas Market at the Hawk Conservancy Trust
Christmas at Winchester Cathedral
What to Expect:
Traditional German-inspired wooden chalets with local choirs and festive food.
Description:
Winchester Cathedral's Christmas Market offers a unique shopping experience with handpicked high-quality exhibitors, festive food, and live performances in a stunning medieval setting.
Where: Winchester | More Info: Christmas at Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional German-inspired wooden chalets with festive atmosphere.
Description:
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is a renowned event in Europe, featuring bustling atmosphere, stunning location, and high-quality exhibitors. Visitors can shop at pretty wooden chalets inspired by traditional German Christmas Markets, enjoy festive lighting, Christmas carols, and mulled wine, and experience an authentic Christmas celebration with many services and events.
Where: Winchester | More Info: Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
Andover’s Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Multi-stage event with local music, children's activities, and a Christmas Market.
Description:
The Andover Christmas Festival is a vibrant celebration featuring three main stages with a packed program of performances, children's activities, a Christmas market, and street theatre. Local music acts will perform Christmas songs, and children can enjoy face painting and fun fairground rides. The event includes a Christmas Lights switch-on at 7 PM, a Christmas Market with local businesses selling gifts and handmade items, and live music at various stages. Refreshments are available from local restaurants and food stalls.
Where: Andover | More Info: Andover’s Christmas Festival
Andover Holiday Shows and Entertainment
A Celebration of Christmas at Paultons Park
What to Expect:
Live action theatrical Christmas extravaganza featuring Santa and festive characters.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas at Paultons Park with live shows, festive food, and rides in Tornado Springs and Peppa Pig World.
Where: Romsey | More Info: A Celebration of Christmas at Paultons Park
Magical Christmas Adventure at 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park
What to Expect:
Immersive theatrical Christmas experience with private Santa audience.
Description:
At 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park, embark on a 2.5-hour journey to the North Pole, where you'll meet friendly elves, cheer performers at the Glacier Theatre, and explore the Enchanted Forest. Enjoy a private audience with Santa, build your own bear, and make reindeer food. The event includes a group tour around the enchanted North Pole, Sweet Treats, and your child's choice of toy from Santa's toy shop.
Where: Headley | More Info: Magical Christmas Adventure at 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park
Christmas Festival at the Brickworks Museum
What to Expect:
Steam-powered festivities with historical decorations.
Description:
Celebrate the festive season at the Brickworks Museum with a Christmas steam event, featuring the site illuminated by Christmas lights and decorations. Shop at the craft market and explore the Victorian cottage display to learn about Christmas traditions.
Where: Lower Swanwick | More Info: Christmas Festival at the Brickworks Museum
Cosmic Christmas at Winchester Science Centre
What to Expect:
Live-action immersive space adventure with Santa and special effects.
Description:
Join Santa in an immersive space adventure at Winchester Science Centre's Cosmic Christmas. Explore the Planetarium dome for an original Christmas tale filled with live shows, magical effects, and audience participation. Children receive a special gift and meet Santa for a festive selfie.
Where: Winchester | More Info: Cosmic Christmas at Winchester Science Centre
Steam Illuminations at The Watercress Line
What to Expect:
Interactive light and sound show on a historic steam train.
Description:
Steam Illuminations at The Watercress Line features a spectacular sound and light show on a steam train, with thousands of coloured LED lights and LED wristbands creating a kaleidoscope of colours and flashing patterns. The event includes 'Canopy of Lights' inside every carriage and 'Snowlight Cascade,' an enchanting display of falling lights at the summit of the journey. Hosted by the legendary 'Voiceover Man,' the show also includes interactive LED wristbands, neon-coloured flashing views of the scenery, and a full train Christmas karaoke experience.
Where: Alresford | More Info: Steam Illuminations at The Watercress Line
Christmas Carols and Owls at Hawk Conservancy
What to Expect:
Christmas carols and owl displays under the night sky.
Description:
Join the Hawk Conservancy Trust for a special evening of Christmas carols and owl displays. Sing along with traditional and modern carols under the night sky accompanied by live music. Enjoy mulled wine and a mince pie during the interval. Witness the beautiful owls twist and turn in the moonlight as they skim silently over your head. Feathers Restaurant will be open serving warming meals, hot drinks, and light snacks.
Where: Andover | More Info: Christmas Carols and Owls at Hawk Conservancy
Andover Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Tower Toymakers' Workshop at Spinnaker Tower
What to Expect:
Interactive toy-making experience with Santa's elves.
Description:
At Spinnaker Tower, children can join Santa's elves to craft their own cuddly toys, enjoy festive games, and visit Santa in his grotto. Each child will create their own toy, name it, and fill it with soft stuffing, while also discovering hidden elves and delightful surprises around the tower.
Where: Portsmouth | More Info: Christmas Tower Toymakers' Workshop at Spinnaker Tower
Magical Christmas Experience at Finkley Down Farm
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas activities with Father Christmas and festive treats.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas at Finkley Down Farm with activities like decorating gingerbread treats, making magical reindeer food, and meeting Father Christmas. Collect your Christmas Activity Passport and participate in various festive activities around the farm.
Where: Andover | More Info: Magical Christmas Experience at Finkley Down Farm
Christmas at The Vyne
What to Expect:
Whimsical Alice-themed challenges and displays.
Description:
Explore The Vyne's gardens and house, featuring a brain-teasing trail, fun activities, and plenty of festive sparkle.
Where: Basingstoke | More Info: Christmas at The Vyne
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Winchester (13 miles)
- Newbury (15 miles)
- Salisbury (16 miles)
- Thatcham (17 miles)
- Basingstoke (18 miles)
- Eastleigh (18 miles)
- Totton (20 miles)
- Southampton (22 miles)
- Hythe (25 miles)
- Swindon (27 miles)
- Bordon (28 miles)
- Reading (28 miles)
- Fareham (28 miles)
- Lower Earley (29 miles)
- Fleet (29 miles)
- Didcot (30 miles)
- Farnham (30 miles)
- Yateley (30 miles)
- Waterlooville (30 miles)
- Wokingham (32 miles)
- Aldershot (32 miles)
- Trowbridge (32 miles)
- Sandhurst (32 miles)
- Cowes (32 miles)
- Chippenham (32 miles)
- Crowthorne (32 miles)
- New Milton (32 miles)
- Farnborough (32 miles)
- Gosport (33 miles)
- Havant (33 miles)
- Abingdon (33 miles)
- Portsmouth (33 miles)
- Camberley (34 miles)
- Bracknell (35 miles)
- Christchurch (35 miles)
- Frome (36 miles)
- Ryde (36 miles)
- Newport (36 miles)
- Bournemouth (38 miles)
- Godalming (38 miles)
- Oxford (39 miles)
- Bath (39 miles)
- Witney (40 miles)
- Maidenhead (40 miles)
- Guildford (40 miles)
- Chichester (40 miles)
- Poole (40 miles)
- Woking (41 miles)
- Sandown (41 miles)
- Windsor (43 miles)
- High Wycombe (43 miles)
- Egham (43 miles)
- Slough (44 miles)
- Chipping Sodbury (45 miles)