Create a memorable holiday season in Fareham with our itinerary guide. Find all the best events and activities. From Fareham experts to wide-eyed newcomers, this guide illuminates the path to holiday magic.
Kick off the season with the Fareham Christmas Lights Switch-On, a delightful spectacle that brightens the heart of the city. Experience the festive charm of the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, featuring unique crafts and delicious seasonal treats. And the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Christmas Festival is something you definitely don't want to miss with its historical setting and engaging activities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Fareham
- Fareham Christmas Lights Switch-On
- Fareham Christmas Craft Fair
- Festival of Christmas at Fort Nelson
Fareham Holiday Light Displays
Fareham Christmas Lights Switch-On
What to Expect:
Community-led countdown and switch-on ceremony
Description:
Fareham's town center transforms into a twinkling spectacle as thousands gather for the annual Christmas Lights Switch-On. The event kicks off the holiday season with a community-led countdown, culminating in a dazzling illumination of the entire town. You can join local choirs in singing carols, a tradition dating back to the Victorian era when Fareham was a thriving market town. The air fills with the aroma of roasted chestnuts as visitors explore the pop-up stalls offering seasonal treats and crafts.
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Fareham Christmas Lights Switch-On
Fareham Holiday Markets and Shopping
Fareham Christmas Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Showcase of local artisans and traditional crafts
Description:
Fareham's Christmas Craft Fair spotlights the region's talented artisans and their handcrafted wares. The event celebrates traditional craftsmanship, featuring demonstrations of age-old techniques alongside contemporary creations. Visitors can watch skilled potters shape clay on wheels or observe intricate lace-making. The fair honors Fareham's industrial heritage, particularly its once-thriving pottery industry, by showcasing local ceramicists and their work.
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Fareham Other Holiday Activities
Festival of Christmas at Fort Nelson
What to Expect:
Christmas celebrations in a 19th-century fort
Description:
Fort Nelson's Festival of Christmas brings holiday cheer to a unique 19th-century military setting. The Victorian fort comes alive with period-accurate decorations and reenactors in historical costumes. Visitors can explore the atmospheric tunnels adorned with garlands and experience the fort's massive guns firing festive salutes. The event highlights the fort's strategic importance in protecting Portsmouth Harbour during the 1860s, blending military history with holiday traditions.
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Festival of Christmas at Fort Nelson
Nearby Events
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market (Winchester)
What to Expect:
Historic cathedral setting with over 100 chalets
Description:
Winchester Cathedral's Christmas Market transforms the ancient cathedral grounds into a bustling holiday bazaar. Over 100 wooden chalets line the paths, offering artisanal crafts and local delicacies. The aroma of mulled wine wafts through the air as visitors explore the stalls. You can ice skate on the temporary rink, gliding beneath the towering spire of the 11th-century cathedral. This market continues a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages when pilgrims would gather at cathedrals during religious festivals. The juxtaposition of modern holiday cheer against the backdrop of centuries-old architecture creates a truly unique atmosphere.
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Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Christmas Festival (Portsmouth)
What to Expect:
Christmas celebrations aboard historic naval vessels
Description:
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard's Christmas Festival brings holiday cheer to the decks of legendary naval vessels. The event uniquely combines maritime history with yuletide traditions, allowing visitors to explore festively decorated warships. You can step aboard HMS Victory, Admiral Nelson's flagship, adorned with period-appropriate decorations. The festival showcases the dockyard's 800-year naval heritage, offering insights into how sailors celebrated Christmas at sea throughout history.
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Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Christmas Festival
Southampton Christmas Festival (Southampton)
What to Expect:
German-inspired market with a focus on international cuisine
Description:
Southampton's Christmas Festival transforms the city center into a bustling hub of international flavors and crafts. The German-inspired market features over 40 authentic chalets, offering a diverse array of global cuisines and handcrafted gifts. Visitors can sample traditional German bratwurst or indulge in French crepes while browsing unique artisanal products. The festival pays tribute to Southampton's rich maritime history as a major port, reflecting the city's longstanding connections with continental Europe.
Website:
Southampton Christmas Festival
Victorian Christmas at Osborne House (East Cowes)
What to Expect:
Immersive Victorian Christmas experience in Queen Victoria's former residence
Description:
Osborne House, Queen Victoria's seaside retreat, opens its doors for a truly immersive Victorian Christmas experience. The royal residence is adorned with authentic decorations, transporting visitors to a 19th-century yuletide celebration. You can explore the lavishly decorated state rooms and witness live demonstrations of Victorian Christmas traditions. The event offers a glimpse into the private life of Queen Victoria, who popularized many Christmas customs still observed today.
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Victorian Christmas at Osborne House
Southsea Ice Rink (Southsea)
What to Expect:
Seaside ice skating with views of the Solent
Description:
Southsea's Ice Rink offers a distinctive skating experience with panoramic views of the Solent. The temporary rink, set up near the historic South Parade Pier, allows visitors to glide on ice while enjoying the brisk sea air. You can skate under twinkling lights, with the sound of waves in the background. The location pays homage to Southsea's long history as a popular seaside resort, dating back to the Victorian era.
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Hayling Island Christmas Market (Hayling Island)
What to Expect:
Beachfront Christmas market on a historic island
Description:
Hayling Island's Christmas Market brings holiday cheer to its picturesque beachfront. The unique coastal setting allows visitors to browse stalls while enjoying views of the English Channel. Local fishermen offer fresh seafood alongside traditional Christmas fare, reflecting the island's maritime heritage. You can warm up with mulled wine while watching windsurfers brave the winter waves, a nod to Hayling Island's claim as the birthplace of windsurfing in Europe.
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Hayling Island Christmas Market
Petersfield Christmas Festival Market (Petersfield)
What to Expect:
Market celebrating local produce and crafts in a historic market town
Description:
Petersfield's Christmas Festival Market transforms the town square into a vibrant showcase of local produce and artisanal crafts. The event celebrates the town's long-standing market tradition, dating back to its 12th-century charter. Visitors can sample award-winning Hampshire cheeses or browse handcrafted gifts from local artisans. The market's location in the heart of the South Downs National Park is reflected in the abundance of locally sourced, seasonal products on offer.
Website:
Petersfield Christmas Festival Market
Gosport Christmas Tree Festival (Gosport)
What to Expect:
Community-decorated tree display in historic church
Description:
Gosport's Christmas Tree Festival fills the historic St. Mary's Church with a forest of uniquely decorated trees. Local community groups, schools, and businesses each contribute a tree, adorned to reflect their identity or a chosen theme. Visitors can wander among the creative displays, accompanied by the gentle sounds of seasonal music. The event showcases Gosport's strong community spirit and takes place in one of the town's oldest buildings, with parts dating back to the 12th century.
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Gosport Christmas Tree Festival
Titchfield Christmas Market (Titchfield)
What to Expect:
Medieval-themed Christmas market in a historic village
Description:
Titchfield's Christmas Market transports visitors back in time with its medieval-themed celebration. The picturesque village, with its half-timbered houses, provides an authentic backdrop for stallholders in period costumes. You can sample traditional mead or watch demonstrations of medieval crafts. The market pays homage to Titchfield's rich history, including its 13th-century abbey and its significance in Shakespeare's time.
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Bishops Waltham Christmas Fayre (Bishops Waltham)
What to Expect:
Christmas fair in the grounds of a medieval palace
Description:
Bishops Waltham's Christmas Fayre unfolds in the atmospheric ruins of the town's medieval palace. The event combines holiday cheer with historical intrigue, as visitors browse stalls set against the backdrop of ancient stonework. Local produce and crafts take center stage, reflecting the town's continuing tradition as a market center. You can explore the palace grounds, once a favorite residence of the Bishops of Winchester, while enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Website:
Bishops Waltham Christmas Fayre
Emsworth Christmas Lights Switch-On (Emsworth)
What to Expect:
Community-led lantern parade and harbor illumination
Description:
Emsworth's Christmas Lights Switch-On features a unique community-led lantern parade through the town's quaint streets. The event culminates in the illumination of the picturesque harbor, creating a stunning reflection on the water. Visitors can join the parade with handmade lanterns or watch from the sidelines as the town is bathed in a warm glow. The celebration highlights Emsworth's maritime heritage and strong community spirit, with local choirs performing traditional carols.
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Emsworth Christmas Lights Switch-On