Santa is expected at 12.30 with a procession of elves up the farm drive, then he will be in his Magical Grotto to meet all the families throughout the afternoon.

The Night Before Christmas
The Haymarket, Basingstoke Hampshire
1st December to 4th December

On the night before Christmas, Emily stares out of the window, hugs her teddy and waits excitedly for the morning, while in the corner a little mouse called Eddie can’t understand why only humans are allowed presents. So he sets off in search of Father Christmas to find out for himself.

Along the way he dodges the family cat, gets directions from a cowardly robot and is given some unexpected advice from the magical fairy on top of the tree.
Will Eddie get an answer? Will Emily get her wish? And what is that funny-shaped present sitting under the tree?

The Night Before Christmas is the latest production from the creators of the hit shows Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, The Way Back Home and Aliens Love Underpants.

Running time: 50 minutes
Suitable for: ages 2 and over
Times: Thu & Fri 10.30am & 1.30pm; Sat & Sun 11am, 2pm & 4pm
Tickets: £13 (includes £2 booking fee)

National Trust, The Vyne Winter Walk
Basingstoke, Hampshire
1st December 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Enjoy a guided woodland walk followed by a warming drink and mince pie.

Mid Hants Watercress Line, Santa Special
The Railway Station, Alresford, Hampshire
3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th – 24th December 2016

See Santa on a magical steam train ride on the scenic Watercress Line – the perfect way to start Christmas!

As you travel in a festive traditional train carriage Santa and his jolly helpers visit you in your seat with a special gift! There is white wine and mince pies for the grown-ups and soft drinks for the children. Don’t forget to bring your very best singing voice to join in with your favourite Christmas songs too!

Departing from either Alresford or Alton, Santa Specials are a one hour round trip back to your start point.

Santa Parade at Festival Place,
Basingstoke Hampshire
4th December 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Sunday 4th December will see the return of the well loved Festival Place Santa Parade, featuring an array of Christmassy characters marching from Porchester Square to Festival Square. Leading the event will be Santa himself, giving shoppers a welcome break from their Christmas shopping to enjoy the entertainment.

The Santa Parade comes as part of a series of events and activities coming up at the centre to spread the Christmas cheer this festive season, alongside their name change for the second year running from Festival Place to ‘Festive Place’.

Viables Christmas Fayre
Viables Craft Centre, Basingstoke Hampshire
4th December 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Come along with all the family to enjoy an afternoon of children’s crafts, Christmas raffle, Christmas shopping, meeting Santa and, of course, enjoying some mulled wine and mince pies! This is a family fund-raising event and all proceeds will go towards the activities we continue to provide for the community.

Sleeping Beauty
The Anvil, Basingstoke, Hampshire
8th December to 2nd January 

Starring Sue Holderness (Only Fools and Horses), Katrina Bryan (CBeebies) and Sarah-Jane Buckley (Hollyoaks)

One of the most loved and enchanting pantomimes, Sleeping Beauty, returns. Featuring traditional pantomime ingredients for the whole family, Sleeping Beauty’s glittering costumes, sensational songs and dazzling dance routines are guaranteed to keep you awake! So set your alarm clocks and don’t miss out on fun, laughter and magic in this dream of a pantomime.

See website for full performance schedule. Suitable for: the whole family
Tickets: £26, £25, £21, £19; Over 65s £2 off, under 16s and f/t students £3 off (includes £2 booking fee)

Traditional Father Christmas Grotto
Milestones Museum, Basingstoke Hampshire
10th December to 11th December 12:00 am

Experience our Traditional Father Christmas Grotto in the decorated Railway Station at Milestones Living History Museum. Your children can spend 10 minutes chatting to Father Christmas and each child aged 0 – 15 years will receive a gift appropriate to their age from Father Christmas.

Exbury Gardens Christmas Postal Express
Exbury, Southampton, Hampshire
10th-11th & 17th-18th December

Everyone loves a Christmas present and this year, as a gesture of goodwill to all its loyal visitors and locals, Exbury Gardens is giving everyone the chance to visit specially selected areas of gardens free of charge for two weekends in December. On the 10/11th and 17th/18th December, Yard Wood will be open from 10.00am – 4.00pm for everyone to enjoy and keep your eyes open as you might even bump into Father Christmas!

There will also be special ‘Postal Express’ trains running from 10.45 – 3.00pm where children will be able to post a picture they’ve drawn for Father Christmas in a special mailbox and then hop aboard the Postal Express. At the end of each day, Father Christmas will then look at all the pictures and choose three winners who will each receive a special present.

Living Nativities
Millers Ark Animals, Hook Hampshire
13th-16th December 4:45 pm

If you’ve never been to an original Magical Living Nativity before, then you will not know how special it is. Arriving in the dark, you will be welcomed into our warm candle lit Tea Barn to await the arrival of Mary and Joseph on their donkey. Travelling back in time, we will journey with them in search of a room at the inn. During the journey we will meet innkeepers, shepherds with their flocks, angels and wise men. Then at last the baby Jesus is born to the wonder of us all. Back in the cosy Tea Barn after this truly magical experience, you will be greeted with hot drinks and juice for everyone and “Miller’s Ark” own rare breed hot dogs and warm mince pies.

Tickets cost £15 (£16 on Christmas Eve) for everyone over the age of 2 years old* and MUST be booked in advance. We advise wearing warm clothes and shoes.

Carols in the Barn
Millers Ark Animals, Hook Hampshire
17th December 11:00 am

At Carols in the Barn you will be welcomed with a complimentary mince pie and the chance to buy our piping hot drinks and warming Winter punch! Mingle with friends in the beautiful Tea Barn, before heading through to the Straw Barn to enjoy the Carols.

Geoff and his band will be leading us in traditional Christmas Carols and all the children’s favourites. Join in with the popular “JINGLE BELLS”, appreciate beautiful SILENT NIGHT” and of course our own “Mickey” the donkey will be making his annual appearance as “Rudolph”. Santa may even make an appearance, waving to all during “SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN!”

A Christmas Carol
The Haymarket, Basingstoke Hampshire
20th December 7:30 pm

On Christmas Eve, the most magical night of the year, the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is whisked away on a terrifying journey through the past and into the future, accompanied by three fearsome ghosts determined to make him realize the true meaning of Christmas.

Charles Dickens’ classic ghost story is brought alive in this most traditional of productions, complete with beautiful period costume, song, dance and a magnificent, original musical score. Join critically acclaimed theatre company Chapterhouse as Scrooge’s frozen heart begins to melt and he finally embraces the festive spirit in this most Christmassy of Christmas tales.

So many great events this year! Which one takes your fancy?

Love Bella x