Let’s face it, there’s something undeniably thrilling about the prospect of visiting a good ol’ Christmas market with festive stalls strung with twinkling lights and intoxicating scents flooding the air. From finding the perfect gift to pop under the tree, to listening to carollers singing timeless classics, to seizing the chance to see Father Christmas himself, these festive celebrations offer something for everyone. So that you can jingle all the way to your favourite market, we’ve put together a list of some of the best Christmas markets in Hampshire this year, from day-long events to month-long celebrations.
Portsmouth Indoor Christmas Market
11th November 2023
Kicking off seasonal celebrations in style, the Portsmouth Indoor Christmas Market will host over a hundred stalls at Mountbatten Centre this November. Offering a huge variety of products for rich Christmas pickings, the market will showcase a wide selection of festive goodies by producers and makers from all over Hampshire and beyond. Supporting local businesses and celebrating regional talent, it’s a real favourite on the festive calendar.
Needless to say, whether you’re visiting with a specific gift in mind or are just looking for some ideas, you will find plenty of inspiration at Portsmouth Christmas Market. Later, if you’d like to get your skates on for some fast and elegant (or slow and wobbly) Christmas activities, you are only a short distance from Portsmouth’s winter ice rink. You can also visit Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, which is particularly fun for families and often hosts brilliant Christmas events.
Winchester Christmas Market
17th November - 21st December 2023
Set within the foreground of Winchester Cathedral, Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is not only one of the most popular Christmas markets in Hampshire, but the UK too. Open every day and running for a month, it is also the longest-running Christmas event in Hampshire in 2023, affording plenty of opportunities to browse an incredible array of decoration-clad market stalls and soak up the merry atmosphere.
Look forward to perusing over a hundred German-inspired wooden huts selling everything from mulled wine to candles and pick out the best stocking fillers crafted by skilful artisans. Once you’ve chosen the perfect Christmas gifts, then you can also branch out to explore the rest of the city which is full to the brim with wonderful attractions. Of course, the cathedral itself is a must-visit, especially if you can tie in your visit with a carol concert.
Hawk Conservancy Trust Christmas Market
23rd - 25th November 2023
Head to the Hawk Conservancy Trust’s Christmas market this year for a wonderful way to stock up on local goodies, get ahead of your Christmas shopping and support a charitable cause all at the same time. Held onsite at the Hawk Conservancy Trust, this superb fundraising fayre is a ticketed event, the proceeds of which will help to support this vital local charity and its work to rehabilitate and conserve birds of prey in Hampshire and beyond.
With more than fifty local businesses to discover, as well as the trust’s giftshop, you can look forward to perusing all sorts of lovingly-made items, from personalised gifts to homewares. More temptingly still, there will also be a wide assortment of culinary treats available, including speciality hot chocolates, churros, and barbecued snacks. All tickets include a small mulled wine or hot apple juice on arrival too, perfect for warming yourself against the chilly winter air.
Lymington Christmas Markets
24th November - 17th December 2023
Residing on the Hampshire coastline, the Georgian market town of Lymington is a picture of New Forest perfection. Full of enchantment, it is the perfect place to spend spellbinding Christmas weekends and winter retreats, close to country and coast for joyful festive moments. Making seasonal escapes in Lymington even more tempting this year are its Christmas markets taking place on select days from the end of November to the middle of December.
Wrap up in your cosiest layers and explore the markets. Commencing celebrations, Friday 24th November sees Lymington’s High Street transformed into a winter wonderland with food and drink stalls and family-friendly amusements and rides, including an inflatable toboggan ride, and culminating with a Christmas lights switch on event. Following on, each Saturday in the run up to Christmas proposes even more festive celebrations with Christmas markets and special events, including an appearance from Santa on his sleigh.
Petersfield Christmas Festival
9th - 10th December 2023
Taking place from 7pm to 9pm on Saturday 9th December and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 10th December this year is the Petersfield Christmas Festival. Lining the town centre with multi-coloured stalls and stands, this open-air Christmas market promises over a hundred sellers, live family-friendly entertainment and even a possible visit from Father Christmas too. Topped off with rides and play areas for the youngsters, all generations will be thrilled.
Wend your way over for a few hours of festive fun and take your time browsing all the Yuletide gifts and treats. From local fare for your table to the greenest Christmas trees to locally made crafts, you can find everything you need for a Christmas to remember. Treat yourself to a mulled wine and a mince pie to fuel your exploration (both are available in generous supply) and enjoy a soundtrack of Christmas favourites as you go.
Beaulieu Festive Fayre
16th December 2023 - 1st January 2024
A boutique Christmas market within the gorgeous setting of Beaulieu near Brockenhurst in the New Forest National Park, the Beaulieu Festive Fayre is not to be missed. Taking place across the second weekend of December this year, this event brings together seventy of the finest makers and local producers to create a seasonal celebration of crafts, food and music. Expect crackling log fires, beautiful Christmas decorations and carol singing to set the perfect Christmas scene.
As well as the festive fayre itself, your ticket to this event includes access to Beaulieu’s award-winning visitor attractions too. Among the many things to see and do onsite, you can visit the National Motor Museum and The World of Top Gear, Palace House, Little Beaulieu, Beaulieu Abbey and the estate’s sprawling grounds and gardens. You can even take a ride on Beaulieu’s monorail and veteran bus for a uniquely novel way to get around.
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