Fareham Christmas Lights Switch-On
Visitors can explore an outdoor market featuring unique handmade gifts, decorations, and crafts stretching along the street, as well as family funfair rides like a big wheel and helter skelter. Live entertainment runs across the event, with local musicians performing beneath the bandstand and community choirs and dance groups taking the stage. Festive food options and seasonal drinks, including mulled wine and hot chocolate, are available alongside free family activities like bubble workshops and Christingle making.
What to Expect
Town centre celebration featuring live music stages, funfair rides, and festive markets.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Town Centre
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Fareham Borough Council
Food & Drink
Food stalls offer crepes, crumble, Greek food and hog roast; the fair also has a sweet stall, donuts and German sausages, while the food area serves hot drinks and a bar offers Christmas cocktails, mulled wine and Baileys hot chocolate.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and festive shoppers
Vibe
Festive and lively
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
High
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Free activities from 10am-4pm; no admission price or other activity prices are stated.
- Hours: Saturday 10am-7pm; lights switched on at 5:30pm; free activities 10am-4pm.
Tips & Advice
- Come earlier in the day for the free Christingle making, bubble shows and graffiti workshop around the bandstand, as they finish before the lights go on.
- Make your way to the bandstand later in the day for the switch-on countdown, after the Community Stage performances outside Millets.
- For food and drink, head towards Westbury Manor, where you'll find hog roast, Greek food, crepes and a bar serving mulled wine and Christmas cocktails.
- Shop the outdoor Christmas market between the children's play area and Millets, then visit Flo's Pop-Up at The Courtyard for more Hampshire makers.
- Dress warmly, because the switch-on is an outdoor event that carries on into the evening.
Special Events & Promotions
- Flo's Pop-Up makes its debut at The Courtyard in Fareham Shopping Centre and trades on switch-on day.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What free activities are there for children?
Around the bandstand there's Christingle making, a bubble workshop and shows, and a graffiti art workshop. There's also a mini trail around the event.
What live entertainment is there?
Buskin' Blitzen runs under the bandstand all day, with local solo artists and duos. The Community Stage outside Millets has community choirs, dance schools, theatre groups and other local groups. After that, everyone moves to the bandstand for the switch-on countdown.
Where is the food?
The food area is towards Westbury Manor. It has crepes, crumble, Greek food, hog roast, hot drinks and a bar with Christmas cocktails, mulled wine and Baileys hot chocolate. The funfair also has a sweet stall, donuts and German sausages.
What funfair rides are there?
Charle Coles Family Funfairs are set up on both sides of the bandstand. They have a big wheel, trampolines, a helter skelter, swing boats, a mini waltzer and chair o planes.
How can my group or business take part?
Groups that want to perform on the Community Stage can email leisure@fareham.gov.uk. Funyard Events organises the market stallholders. Performers and suppliers can contact the council's Leisure and Community Team.
More Christmas Events Near Fareham
More Christmas Events near Fareham
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.