Last updated: 11 November 2024
Make the most of your holiday season in Aldershot with our guide. For Aldershot residents and guests, our guide ensures you experience all the festive fun.
Popular in the holiday season is the enchanting Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, known for its traditional wooden chalets brimming with unique gifts and delicious seasonal treats. Additionally, the Fabulously Festive event brings an array of festive activities for all ages, including Christmas crafts and live entertainment. And the magical Christmas at Paultons Park is something you definitely don’t want to miss, featuring thrilling rides transformed into a winter wonderland. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Aldershot Holiday Light Displays
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 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 interactive sound and light fun, hosted by the legendary Voiceover Man, with a singalong "FlashyOke" game and Christmas karaoke.
- Where
- Alton | More Info : Steam Illuminations at The Watercress Line
Glow Marwell
- What to Expect
- Immersive light trail with natural elements and interactive experiences.
- Description
- Explore Marwell Zoo in a new light with breathtaking displays and interactive experiences featuring fire, earth, air, and water elements. Enjoy vibrant UV face paint designs, festive food, and a visit to Father Christmas in a majestic Grade 1 listed building.
- Where
- Winchester | More Info : Glow Marwell
Light up Trail Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
- What to Expect
- Immersive light trail with theatrical, live entertainment and festive installations.
- Description
- Light Up Trail at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens features a brand-new immersive light trail and numerous festive installations, including mesmerizing fire jugglers and breathtaking aerial artists. The event promises a sensory feast with delightful food and drink options, ensuring a memorable experience for all ages and abilities.
- Where
- Romsey | More Info : Light up Trail Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Aldershot Holiday Markets and Shopping
Farnborough Frost Fair
- What to Expect
- Free family Christmas event with over 100 performers.
- Description
- Farnborough Frost Fair is a vibrant Christmas event in Farnborough town centre, featuring over 50 stalls with local food, handmade jewellery, and unique decorations. Families can enjoy walkabout street theatre, circus skills, and meet Father Christmas in his grotto. The event also includes a children's crafts tent, giant bubble creations, and face painting.
- Where
- Farnborough | More Info : Farnborough Frost Fair
Kingston Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Two floors of handmade items and local artisan stories.
- Description
- The Kingston Holiday Market is a multi-weekend event featuring two floors of handmade items, local artisans, delicious food, live music, and hot cocoa. It's an opportunity to connect with the community and support local talent.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : Kingston Christmas Market
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Traditional German-style Christmas market with unique gifts and festive atmosphere.
- Description
- Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is renowned for its bustling atmosphere and stunning location, featuring handpicked high-quality exhibitors in traditional German-style wooden chalets. Visitors can shop for unique gifts, enjoy festive food and drink, and experience the cathedral's many Christmas services and carol concerts.
- Where
- Winchester | More Info : Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
Carshalton Frost Fair
- What to Expect
- Traditional winter event with live music and local market stalls.
- Description
- Carshalton Frost Fair is a traditional winter event held in the beautiful setting of Carshalton Ponds. It features live entertainment, including carol singing, dance, choirs, and folk and pop bands. The event includes stalls from the Wallington Farmers Market and the Eco-Fair, offering a variety of tasty treats and locally made Christmas gift ideas. Vegetarian catering and a hog roast are available, along with a bar serving warming drinks like mulled wine and hot cider. Charity stalls and children's activities, such as Father Christmas' Grotto and Christmas Magic Shows, add to the festive atmosphere.
- Where
- Carshalton | More Info : Carshalton Frost Fair
Aldershot Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas at Paultons Park
- What to Expect
- Interactive Christmas shows and character meet-and-greets.
- Description
- Celebrate Christmas at Paultons Park with Peppa Pig World, Tornado Springs, and festive shows featuring Santa, Frosty, and Rudolph. Enjoy rides, food, and shopping in a transformed park.
- Where
- Romsey | More Info : Christmas at Paultons Park
Magical Christmas Adventure at 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park
- What to Expect
- Immersive theatrical Christmas experience with Santa and festive activities.
- Description
- At 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park, embark on a festive journey to the North Pole. Meet friendly elves, cheer on performers at the Glacier Theatre, and explore the Enchanted Forest. Enjoy a private audience with Santa Claus, build your own bear, and make reindeer food. This theatrical Christmas experience is filled with fun and wonder for the whole family.
- Where
- Headley | More Info : Magical Christmas Adventure at 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park
Sir John Rutter’s Christmas Celebration at Guildford Cathedral
- What to Expect
- Classical music performance by renowned composer Sir John Rutter.
- Description
- Join Sir John Rutter and the talented Guildford Cathedral Choir for a captivating Christmas Celebration, featuring traditional and contemporary carols and Christmas music, presented alongside brass, organ, and the audience.
- Where
- Guildford | More Info : Sir John Rutter’s Christmas Celebration at Guildford Cathedral
Aldershot Other Holiday Activities
Fabulously Festive
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday experience with festive activities and live entertainment.
- Description
- Fabulously Festive is a grand Christmas event at Hurtwood Park Polo Country Club, featuring a vibrant Christmas market, delicious street food, mulled wine, and live performers. Enjoy activities like making reindeer food, meeting Father Christmas, and ice skating. The event offers a variety of festive activities for all ages, including a Christmas Village with live music and gourmet foods, and an Apres Ski Bar with fairground rides.
- Where
- Hurtwood Park | More Info : Fabulously Festive
Aldershot Christmas Cracker
- What to Expect
- Interactive activities and live entertainment for all ages.
- Description
- The Aldershot Christmas Cracker features over 35 craft, food, and community stalls, a nativity farm with donkeys, Juggling Jake, Lego brick building, birds of prey, free children’s Christmas crafts, face painting, brass bands, and live entertainment across two stages. Children can meet Father Christmas in his grotto and enjoy the giant snow globe.
- Where
- Aldershot | More Info : Aldershot Christmas Cracker
Christmas at Hatchlands
- What to Expect
- Nautical-themed Christmas decorations and family activities.
- Description
- Step into Hatchlands Park and see this family home dressed for a country house Christmas. Enjoy beautifully decorated rooms, festive fireplaces, and a festive parkland trail inspired by the carol 'I Saw Three Ships'. Meet Father Christmas in his cosy hideout and explore nautical touches throughout the house.
- Where
- Guildford | More Info : Christmas at Hatchlands
Painshill Christmas Special
- What to Expect
- Interactive forest school sessions for families.
- Description
- Join Painshill for a Christmas Special Parent & Child Forest School, where families can engage in arty-crafty making, fun forest games, and exciting outdoor activities amidst the winter woods.
- Where
- Painshill | More Info : Painshill Christmas Special
Shaun the Sheep winter trail at Winkworth Arboretum
- What to Expect
- Unique Shaun the Sheep sculptures inspired by English landscape.
- Description
- Explore Winkworth Arboretum this winter and find twelve super-sized Shaun the Sheep sculptures, each uniquely designed and decorated by talented artists. Enjoy fun games, carousel rides, and delicious winter treats while discovering the beautiful English landscape.
- Where
- Godalming | More Info : Shaun the Sheep winter trail at Winkworth Arboretum
Christmas at Bocketts Farm
- What to Expect
- Interactive Father Christmas experience with farm activities.
- Description
- Visit Bocketts Farm for a Christmas experience featuring a visit to Father Christmas in his traditional workshop, where children can hop on the Santa Express trailer, complete the Christmas Trail, make their own Reindeer Food, and enjoy various farm activities.
- Where
- Leatherhead | More Info : Christmas at Bocketts Farm
Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride at Chessington Garden Centre
- What to Expect
- Immersive 4D Virtual Reality sleigh ride experience.
- Description
- Join Santa's team on a thrilling 4D Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride at Chessington Garden Centre. Glide through immersive Christmas scenes, creating an exciting and memorable experience for the whole family.
- Where
- Chessington | More Info : Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride at Chessington Garden Centre
Winter Tail at Chessington World of Adventure
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
- Description
- At Winter's Tail at Chessington World of Adventures, immerse yourself in a festive extravaganza featuring a new Christmas Village, Father Christmas' Grotto, and an underground Toy Workshop. Enjoy select rides, attractions, and a Christmas Panto, with over 1,000 animals in the zoo and SEA LIFE to experience.
- Where
- Chessington | More Info : Winter Tail at Chessington World of Adventure
12 days of Christmas Trail at Painshill
- What to Expect
- Interactive trail finding Christmas gifts in a historic garden setting.
- Description
- Explore Painshill's beautiful landscape garden while searching for Christmas gifts mentioned in the carol. The trail is included with general admission and offers a fun family activity.
- Where
- Painshill | More Info : 12 days of Christmas Trail at Painshill
Meet the Reindeer at Santa Fir Christmas Tree Farm
- What to Expect
- Reindeer interaction in a festive farm setting.
- Description
- Meet the reindeer at Santa Fir Christmas Tree Farm, where you can interact with these charming animals in a picturesque setting.
- Where
- Guildford | More Info : Meet the Reindeer at Santa Fir Christmas Tree Farm
Festive Family Days at Ashtead Garden Centre
- What to Expect
- Interactive activities with Santa and festive treats.
- Description
- Join us at Ashtead Park Garden Centre for Festive Family Fun Days, featuring Santa's Gingerbread Grotto, nativity animals, Christmas face painting, balloon characters, pony rides, and festive crafts. Enjoy special treats and choose your family Christmas tree.
- Where
- Ashtead | More Info : Festive Family Days at Ashtead Garden Centre