It may be November, but now is the time to book up for those special Christmas events. We’ve rounded up some of the best which are kicking off this month.
Christmas Market & Lights
November 23 is when Christchurch town centre transforms into a winter wonderland with events held throughout the High Street and Saxon Square. Alongside stalls of gifts to browse, a full day of entertainment has been lined up between 11am and 7pm with performances from singers, local bands and school choirs. Hush Club Disco brings their party energy to the High Street, Father Christmas will be around to hear your Christmas wishes, there are William Cole Funfair rides and a chance to meet Frozen’s Olaf. The mayor turns on the Christmas lights at 5pm. christchurch-tc.gov.uk
Christmas Tree Festival
Admire a dazzling array of Christmas trees decorated by local businesses, charities, and individuals in The State Rooms at Highcliffe Castle from December 1 – 22. There is a festive trail to follow, Christmas storytelling, and The Wonder of Winter art exhibition. Bookable entry times to see the trees on Friday and Saturday evenings (5-9pm). highcliffecastle.co.uk/events
Christchurch Living Advent Calendar (December 1 –24) is back for a fourth year. The idea, which originated in Stockholm, features a different live performance behind each ‘window.’ Organised by Christchurch Rotary Club to raise money for 24 local charities, each evening at 6pm there’s a surprise performance, running until 7pm, by a talented local performer or group at locations around town, finishing on December 24 in Saxon Square at 2pm. christchurchlivingadventcalendar.org.uk
Christmas at the Red House Museum
Hand build and glaze your own ceramic set of Christmas tree ornaments and hand throw a festive nibbles bowl in the Festive Season Pottery Workshop (Nov 2/adults only) or hand build and glaze your own ceramic Christmas Gonk in the Family Festive Ceramic Workshop (Nov 9). Carols in the Courtyard at 3pm features St Peter's Community Choir (Dec 7) enjoy mulled wine, hot chocolate and mince pies as you listen. There’s a Festive Gnome Home Hunt around the museum (Dec 7 – Jan 5), and Herigeas Hundus reveal how your Anglo-Saxon ancestors partied in their Yuletide Living History Event (Dec 7). hampshireculture.org.uk
Christchurch: Festive Theatre
The Regent Centre is screening André Rieu’s Gold and Silver Christmas Concert (Dec 9 & 16) and the Royal Ballet's The Nutcracker (Dec 17 & 20). Enjoy favourite Christmas songs with the dynamic Big Band treatment jazzing up those Jingle Bells in The Big Band at Christmas with Five Star Swing (Dec1). Love Soul Choir’s Winter Show features an epic setlist of seasonal chart-toppers (Dec 7). And there’s an unexpected visitor in Christmas Town for Santa and his elves in Glad Rag Production Company’s Christmas Spectacular (Dec 14 –24, morning, afternoon and evening shows).
theregent.co.uk
