Discover the adventures we return to year after year. We have hand picked our festive season favourites to give your whole family the ultimate seasonal memories without the guesswork.
Light Trails
Step into a magical world of twinkling lights, dazzling displays and enchanting illuminated pathways.
Get ready to step into a winter wonderland at Light Up Hillier Gardens! Perfect for families looking for magical things to do this Christmas, this enchanting illuminated trail transforms the beautiful gardens into a sparkling festive experience, filled with twinkling lights, dazzling displays and plenty of seasonal magic. Whether you’re planning a festive family day out, a special evening with the children or simply looking for the best Christmas light trails in Hampshire, it’s one to add to your festive bucket list!
Get ready for a festive adventure at Marwell Fire & Ice! Bringing together the magic of Christmas with spectacular fire and ice-inspired experiences, Marwell is the perfect place to enjoy a memorable festive family day out. Expect a wonderful seasonal atmosphere, magical moments and plenty to keep the whole family entertained
Wrap up warm and get ready for a magical festive adventure at Enlightened at Staunton Farm! This enchanting illuminated experience is perfect for families looking to soak up some Christmas magic, with beautiful light displays and a wonderful festive atmosphere. Take a stroll through the sparkling surroundings, enjoy the seasonal sights and make special memories together
Festive Family Fun
Get into the Christmas spirit with a host of festive experiences, seasonal activities and magical moments to enjoy.
Get ready for a festive adventure at Hobbledown Epsom and Hobbledown Heath! This Christmas, little ones can step into Santa’s magical world, explore his secret village, meet his mischievous elves and enjoy a very special visit with Father Christmas. With enchanting festive surroundings, animal encounters and plenty of opportunities for family fun, it’s a wonderful way to make magical Christmas memories.
All aboard for a festive adventure at The Watercress Line Steam Illuminations! Step aboard a heritage steam train transformed into a spectacular moving light show, with thousands of twinkling LED lights, festive music and magical entertainment throughout the journey. Expect dazzling illuminated carriages, interactive games, singalongs and plenty of Christmas cheer. New for 2026, look out for the sparkling Disco Ball Alley and an even more spectacular Snow Light Cascade! It’s a wonderfully different way to enjoy the festive season and a brilliant experience for families looking for Christmas events in Hampshire, magical Christmas train rides or unique festive days out with the children.
Step back in time and experience the magic of Christmas at Milestones Museum in Basingstoke! This festive season, the museum is being transformed into the wonderful world of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, bringing the classic Christmas tale to life with immersive sets, live characters and magical scenes from Christmas Past, Present and Future. Families can also enjoy a magical visit to Father Christmas, meet his elf, explore the festive market and even meet Santa’s reindeer! With plenty of Christmas magic, nostalgic surroundings and festive fun.
Step into a world of Christmas magic at Warwick Castle! This festive season, the historic castle and its beautiful grounds are transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland, with an enchanting illuminated light trail featuring over half a million twinkling lights. Families can enjoy a magical visit with Santa and Mrs Claus, glide around the spectacular open-air ice rink beneath the castle towers and explore the festive food and drink village. There are also seasonal shows, Christmas treats and plenty of magical moments to enjoy together.
Get ready for an unforgettable festive adventure at Longleat’s Festival of Light! This Christmas, step into a magical world of myths, legends and incredible illuminated displays, with over 1,000 spectacular lanterns transforming the grounds into a breathtaking winter wonderland. Explore the lost city of Atlantis, walk beneath a life-sized blue whale and discover magical creatures, dragons, giants and legendary heroes. There’s also the spectacular Enchanted Christmas Tree Show, festive market stalls, seasonal treats and the chance to meet Santa aboard the magical Santa Train. And that’s not all – you can enjoy Longleat’s famous safari park, animal encounters and so much more!
Theme Parks
Get ready for some fang-tastic family fun at LEGOLAND® Windsor’s Brick or Treat! With the Resort transformed into a spooky LEGO wonderland, families can enjoy thrilling rides, Halloween-themed entertainment, character meet-and-greets, trick-or-treat stops and plenty of photo opportunities. With fun designed especially for younger visitors, it’s a brilliant way to celebrate Halloween together and make some seriously spooktacular family memories. Brick or Treat returns on selected dates from 10 October to 1 November 2026.
If you’re looking for a fun-filled family day out this Halloween, Chessington World of Adventures’ Howl’o’ween is well worth putting on your autumn calendar! Running on selected dates from 3 October to 1 November 2026, the event combines all the excitement of the theme park with plenty of spooky seasonal fun, including brand-new Halloween shows, rides at dusk and the new Enchanted Hollow: Trick or Treat experience. Little ones can enjoy the family-friendly frights while older children will love the thrills of the rides, and there’s also the Zoo and SEA LIFE to explore with more than 1,000 amazing animals. With plenty to see and do, it’s a brilliant way to make some memorable Halloween family adventures this October half-term.
Get ready for some spooktacular family fun this Halloween at Alton Towers Scarefest! Taking place on selected dates from 26 September to 1 November 2026, the award-winning event brings the theme park to life after dark with spooky entertainment, Halloween surprises and rides in the darkness. Little ones can enjoy family-friendly frights including Trick O’ Treat Town and the CBeebies Land Monster Ball, while older kids and brave grown-ups can turn up the thrills with some seriously scary attractions. It’s the perfect way to combine the excitement of Alton Towers with a little Halloween magic!
Get ready for a spooktacular family adventure this Halloween at Gulliver’s Resorts UK! With creepy characters, Halloween-themed entertainment, family-friendly attractions and plenty of seasonal fun, Gulliver’s is a fantastic choice for a Halloween day out or spooky family break. From thrilling rides to Halloween activities for little monsters, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy. If you’re looking for things to do with kids this Halloween, Gulliver’s Resorts UK is definitely worth adding to your autumn bucket list!
Theatre & Panto
From festive family favourites to spellbinding theatre productions, we’ve rounded up our top picks for the season. Whether you’re after pantomime magic, laugh-out-loud fun or a spectacular night at the theatre, there’s something to make this Christmas extra special!
Get ready to spread some Christmas cheer with Elf the Musical at Theatre Royal Portsmouth! Based on the much-loved festive film, this heart-warming and hilarious musical follows Buddy the Elf on his magical adventure from the North Pole to New York. Packed with dazzling costumes, feel-good songs and plenty of Christmas magic, it’s a perfect festive family treat!
Runs 20th - 28th Of November 2026
The much-loved Pompey Panto, Jack and the Beanstalk, returns to the Kings Theatre, Southsea, from 5–31 December 2026 for a giant-sized festive adventure. With Jack Edwards back as the fabulous Dame Trott, Shaun Williamson as the wicked Fleshcreep and X Factor finalist Sean Smith as Jack, expect laugh-out-loud comedy, magical beans, spectacular fun and plenty of audience participation. A brilliant family pantomime in Portsmouth and a festive must-see for anyone looking for fun things to do with the kids this Christmas!
Get ready for some festive fun with Mother Goose at Theatre Royal Portsmouth, running from 13–31 December 2026. Starring Portsmouth’s very own Cherry Liquor in the title role, this brand-new, in house Christmas pantomime promises laugh-out-loud comedy, dazzling costumes, toe tapping songs and plenty of audience participation. With magical moments, outrageous characters and all the traditional panto fun!