Andover Christmas Festival
Visitors can experience an evening of live entertainment across two performance stages, featuring local choirs, bands, magicians, and pantomime performers. The streets host a festive market with independent makers, food and drink stalls, and fairground rides. Children can enjoy free drop-in activities including face painting and visiting Santa's post office in the Chantry Centre.
What to Expect
Town centre festival with live stages, festive market, and light switch-on.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Town Centre
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Andover Town Centre
Food & Drink
Food and drink stalls will be on Bridge Street and the lower High Street.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with young children
Vibe
Festive and lively
Energy Level
Moderate
Budget
Free
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Free event.
- Hours: Festival: 4pm to 8pm. Face painting: 4pm to 7pm; Santa’s Post Office: 4pm to 8pm. Stage entertainment starts at 5pm, with listed acts running through the evening; the Guildhall Stage listing ends at 8pm. Christmas lights switch-on: 6.30pm.
- Parking: Town Mills car park will be closed all day for fairground rides. Other town centre car parks will be open as usual, with accessible parking available in George Yard and the Chantry Centre. The High Street and Bridge Street will be closed to vehicles from 10am to 10pm. The page recommends walking, cycling or public transport.
- Accessibility: Accessible toilets are available at the Chantry Centre and Town Mills car park, and a calm space is offered at Koala Community Hub.
Tips & Advice
- Arrive when the stalls, rides and face painting open before the stage shows start, because it gets very busy in the hour before the switch-on.
- Pick up a free children's wristband at an information point and write your phone number on it in case you get separated.
- Walk, cycle or use public transport if you can, because the High Street and Bridge Street are closed to vehicles and Town Mills car park is shut.
- Go to the Chantry Centre early for face painting, because it finishes an hour before Santa's Post Office and the rest of the festival.
- Expect some changes on the night, because the stage entertainment times may be subject to change.
Special Events & Promotions
- The Christmas lights switch-on happens on the Guildhall Stage, followed by a set from Cove.
- Big Star Little Star poetry competition on the Guildhall Stage.
- Santa does a walkabout after his appearance on the main stage.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there for children?
The Chantry Centre has free drop-in face painting in the old O2 shop and Santa's Post Office in the Indoor Garden. The Town Mills Stage has family acts including a magician, the Abbotts Ann Pantomime Players and a UV Bubble Show. Fairground rides are in Town Mills car park, and Santa does a walkabout after his main-stage appearance.
Where is the food and drink?
Food and drink stalls are on Bridge Street and the lower High Street. The festive market of local makers and traders is on Bridge Street too, with DJ Chris Burford playing festive tunes.
What happens if my child gets lost?
Pick up a free children's wristband at an information point and write your phone number on it. The first aid and lost child point is behind the Guildhall on the High Street. Stewards in high-vis jackets are around the site.
Where are the toilets?
There are toilets in the Chantry Centre multi-storey car park and portable toilets, including accessible units, in Town Mills car park. You can also use The John Russell Fox, The Redbridge (through the community toilet scheme) and ACE.
Is there a quiet space?
Yes. Koala Community Hub is open for anyone who needs a calm space during the evening. It's not for general use.
More Christmas Events Near Andover
More Christmas Events near Andover
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.