Unite with the Basingstoke community for the holidays! Explore all the festive events in our guide. Whether you're a local or a visitor, our guide ensures you experience the holiday magic of Basingstoke.
Kick off the season with the Basingstoke Christmas Lights Switch On, a sparkling event that brings the town center to life. Marvel at the array of treats and unique finds at the Basingstoke Christmas Market, known for its charming stalls and festive ambiance. And don't forget, Christmas at Milestones Museum offers a historical twist to your holiday celebrations with its vintage displays and traditional activities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Basingstoke
- Basingstoke Christmas Lights Switch On
- Basingstoke Christmas Market
- Christmas at Milestones Museum
- Pantomime at The Haymarket
- Festival Place Christmas Events
Basingstoke Holiday Light Displays
Basingstoke Christmas Lights Switch On
What to Expect:
Community-wide countdown to illumination
Description:
Basingstoke transforms as thousands gather for the annual Christmas Lights Switch On. The air buzzes with anticipation as the community unites for the countdown. This year's event features local choirs performing carols, adding a melodious backdrop to the proceedings. Visitors can enjoy mulled wine while browsing stalls showcasing regional crafts. The switch-on tradition dates back to the 1950s when Basingstoke first installed electric holiday lights. Join your neighbors in this cherished local custom that marks the start of the season.
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Basingstoke Christmas Lights Switch On
Basingstoke Holiday Markets and Shopping
Basingstoke Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Fusion of traditional and contemporary market offerings
Description:
Basingstoke Christmas Market blends old-world charm with modern flair. Wooden chalets line the streets, offering a mix of artisanal goods and cutting-edge gifts. The market prides itself on showcasing local talent, with over 70% of vendors hailing from Hampshire. Savor the aroma of freshly baked mince pies as you explore. Try your hand at wreath-making workshops led by expert florists. This market has been a staple of Basingstoke's holiday season since 1995, growing from just 10 stalls to over 100 today.
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Festival Place Christmas Events
What to Expect:
Tech-integrated holiday shopping experience
Description:
Festival Place revolutionizes holiday shopping with its innovative Christmas events. The center utilizes augmented reality to create interactive window displays that come to life through your smartphone. A digital gift-finder kiosk helps you select perfect presents based on personality quizzes. Listen to the harmonious sounds of a robotic bell choir performing classic carols. Festival Place, opened in 2002, has consistently pushed the boundaries of retail experiences, and this year's Christmas events continue that tradition.
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Festival Place Christmas Events
Basingstoke Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Pantomime at The Haymarket
What to Expect:
Locally-written pantomime with regional humor
Description:
The Haymarket Theatre presents a pantomime that sparkles with local wit and charm. This year's production, penned by a Hampshire playwright, weaves in references to Basingstoke landmarks and legends. The show boasts elaborate costumes crafted by local artisans. Audience participation reaches new heights with a smartphone app that allows you to influence the story's direction. The Haymarket has been hosting pantos since its opening in 1965, making it a cornerstone of Basingstoke's cultural heritage.
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Basingstoke Other Holiday Activities
Christmas at Milestones Museum
What to Expect:
Interactive Victorian Christmas experience
Description:
Step back in time at Milestones Museum's Christmas celebration. The museum's streets come alive with costumed interpreters demonstrating Victorian holiday traditions. Witness the evolution of Christmas customs through meticulously recreated period rooms. Children can participate in traditional parlor games popular in the 19th century. The museum's centerpiece is a fully operational 1940s sweet shop, where you can purchase authentic vintage confections. Milestones Museum opened in 2000, housed in a former army barracks, and has been transporting visitors to Christmases past ever since.
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Christmas at Milestones Museum
Nearby Events
Headley Park Christmas Fayre (Headley Park)
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly Christmas celebration
Description:
Headley Park Christmas Fayre champions sustainability without compromising on holiday cheer. All decorations are crafted from recycled materials, creating a unique aesthetic. The fayre features a "green gift" section, showcasing environmentally conscious presents. Visitors can participate in upcycling workshops, turning everyday items into festive decorations. The event takes place in Headley Park, a 19th-century estate with a rich history of community gatherings. This fayre reimagines holiday traditions for an eco-conscious era.
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Thatcham Christmas Lights Celebration (Thatcham)
What to Expect:
Community-designed light installations
Description:
Thatcham's Christmas Lights Celebration showcases the town's creativity with community-designed light installations. Local schools and organizations contribute unique light sculptures, transforming the town into an outdoor gallery. The air fills with the scent of roasting chestnuts from street vendors. Visitors can vote for their favorite display using a mobile app, with the winner receiving a civic award. This celebration began in 2010 as a way to involve the entire community in holiday decorating, and has grown into a beloved annual tradition.
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Thatcham Christmas Lights Celebration
Yateley Christmas Market and Lights Switch On (Yateley)
What to Expect:
Fusion of market and light switch-on event
Description:
Yateley combines its Christmas market and lights switch-on into one vibrant celebration. The event features a procession of illuminated floats created by local businesses and community groups. Artisans demonstrate traditional crafts like glassblowing and woodcarving, offering a glimpse into holiday production methods of the past. You can join a community choir for impromptu caroling sessions throughout the evening. This dual event has been uniting Yateley residents since 2005, fostering a strong sense of community spirit.
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Yateley Christmas Market and Lights Switch On
Basing House Christmas Craft Fair (Old Basing)
What to Expect:
Historical setting for contemporary crafts
Description:
Basing House, a Tudor-era ruin, provides a dramatic backdrop for this Christmas craft fair. Artisans set up shop within the ancient walls, creating a striking contrast between old and new. The fair specializes in handmade items that blend traditional techniques with modern design. Visitors can try their hand at medieval-inspired crafts like candle dipping. Basing House, once one of the largest private houses in Tudor England, has hosted this fair since 1998, bridging centuries of craftsmanship.
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Basing House Christmas Craft Fair
Odiham Christmas Extravaganza (Odiham)
What to Expect:
Medieval-themed Christmas celebration
Description:
Odiham's Christmas Extravaganza transports visitors to a medieval yuletide celebration. The town's historic high street, dating back to the 12th century, serves as the perfect setting. Merchants in period costume sell goods reminiscent of a medieval market. Taste authentic recipes from the Middle Ages, prepared using traditional methods. The extravaganza features demonstrations of falconry, a popular pastime in medieval England. Odiham, with its rich history including connections to the Magna Carta, brings the past to life in this unique holiday event.
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Ropley Christmas Market (Ropley)
What to Expect:
Railway-themed Christmas market
Description:
Ropley's Christmas Market embraces its railway heritage with a unique steam-powered celebration. The market takes place along the platform and in the restored station buildings of the Mid-Hants Railway. Vendors sell their wares from vintage railway carriages, creating a nostalgic atmosphere. The highlight is a ride on a steam train decked out in holiday decorations. Ropley Station, part of the Watercress Line, has been hosting this market since 2008, blending railway enthusiasm with holiday cheer.
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Whitchurch Silk Mill Christmas Fair (Whitchurch)
What to Expect:
Silk-themed Christmas celebration
Description:
Whitchurch Silk Mill's Christmas Fair celebrates the town's textile heritage with a silken twist on holiday traditions. The 19th-century mill, still operational today, showcases the art of silk weaving with special holiday-themed demonstrations. Artisans offer unique silk Christmas decorations and gifts. Visitors can create their own silk Christmas cards in hands-on workshops. The mill, the oldest in the UK still in its original building, has been hosting this fair since 1990, weaving together history and holiday spirit.
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Whitchurch Silk Mill Christmas Fair