It’s Christmaaaaaaaaassss! OK, not quite – but the Christmas ads have started and I think we’re allowed to get a teeny bit excited now. Here’s a few of our festive fairs and markets across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and a bit beyond. Ready to shop? Hell yeah!

HAMPSHIRE

Gunwharf Quays Christmas Village, on now – Sun 31 Dec, Portsmouth

Overlooked by the Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf’s waterfront European-style has artisan craft and gift traders in wooden chalets and a Christmas Village. The Alpine Lodge bar is back selling mulled wine and beers and there’s all kinds of seasonal street food, from the German Bratwurst grill to Yorkshire pudding wraps, Greek souvlaki and chocolate churros. Prost! Families will love a ride on the 22-metre-high Giant Observation Wheel and balloon race fairground ride.

Southampton Christmas Market, Friday 15 Nov – Thurs 5 Jan, Southampton

Southampton Bargate Christmas Market Hampshire

Southampton’s annual German Christmas market is always an absolute belter. Expect the traditional carousel, Christmas traders in alpine-style chalets, festive bars with live music, visits from Santa and calorific street food Dutch pancakes and doughnuts to Yorkshire pudding wraps and German sausages. A light projection show will light up the historic Bargate monument every 30 minutes, between 5pm and 9.30pm until 24 December.

Around the corner in Guildhall Square, take your date or the whole family for a gentle ride on one of the UK’s tallest Ferris wheels. Big kids and thrill seekers will welcome the return of the frankly terrifying AtmosFear and Snowball Bungee rides, too.

The Sorting Office Christmas Maker’s Market, Sat 16 Nov, The Point, Eastleigh

Linked to Eastleigh’s big light switch on, artists and designer-makers from Eastleigh’s Sorting Office will return for their annual maker’s market at The Point. Grab a mulled wine or hot chocolate and support local with original gifts for Christmas from independent makers.

Christmas Shopping at Delawarr, Wed 20 – Thurs 21 Nov, Lymington

Lymington’s favourite festive fundraising shopping fest is back, bringing together independent businesses selling everything from cheese to Christmas cakes, handmade jewellery, art and loads of gifts. If you’re feeling crafty there’s a Wreath Making Workshop with Sarah from Corbins Florist in Brockenhurst.

Winchester Christmas Market, Friday 22 Nov – Sun 22 Dec, Winchester

Winchester Christmas Market Winchester Cathedral — Pic: Winchester Cathedral, *Harvey Mills*

Set in the stunning grounds of the Cathedral this market is one of the best in Europe (well, it’s in Hampshire, so of course it is!). With its unique location and Insta-worthy photo ops at every turn, Winchester’s atmospheric Christmas market has loads of chalets selling gifts, decorations and festive food. Grab a gluhwein and have it with a bratwurst sausage or perhaps a spot of raclette. Wander over to the central stage to catch Christmassy performances from local choirs, buskers and groups.

Fairy Lights and Fizz, Sat 30 November, Bapsy Hall, Guildhall Winchester

Fairylights and Fizz Hampshire Vineyards event in Winchester November

Local fizz shopping is something we take very seriously here at Muddy. At this special market and wine tasting event you can try and buy from a stellar line-up of top Hampshire vineyards including Black Chalk, Danebury Vineyards, Exton Park, The Grange, Hambledon, Hattingley, Louis Pommery England and Raimes. This year, it’s a drop-in Saturday event (11am – 5pm), so you can fit in some Christmas shopping and a spot of lunch or dinner after, too.

Hawk Conservancy Trust Christmas Market, Thurs 28 – Sat 30 Nov, Andover

Supporting local craftspeople and the brilliant Hawk Conservancy Trust, find personalised presents, Christmas decorations, handcrafted treats, beautiful homeware and more at this pop-up weekend festive market. There’s plenty of warming, European market treats too, like German Bratwurst, Tartiflette, hot chocolate, churros and mulled wine and cider.

Milestones Christmas Market, Sat 30 Nov – Sun 1 Dec, Basingstoke

Christmas Market at Milestones Museum Bastingstoke Hampshire

Tie in a trip to this brilliant nostalgic museum with a Christmas shop for seasonal gifts and treats from independent stalls. The period streets will be decorated for the season with a giant Christmas tree and reindeer spotter trail and for a bit extra, littlies can meet Santa in his grotto (book ahead).

Christmas Market at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire, Dogmersfeld

A fabulous fundraiser, the annual Christmas Market at the five-star Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire is back. This year, it’ll feature wildlife sculptures donated by The Farnham Sculpture Park and a vintage car display.

Port Solent Festival of Christmas, Sat 4 – Sun 5 Dec, Portsmouth

Ukelele band at Port Solent Festival of Christmas Portsmouth

Festive frolics by the marina – the Port Solent Festival of Christmas returns with seasonal street entertainment and festive music, winter-warming food and drink and more than 100 market stalls, all under cover.

On Saturday (10am to 6pm) there’s a Jack Frost Walkabout in the morning as well as performances from Waterlooville, Emsworth, Chichester & Petersfield Rock Choir, The Fine Voice Choir, Cowplain Ukelele Players and more.

On Sunday (10am to 4pm) there’ll be fun and games with The Squirrels, balloon modelling and magic with Matthew Garett and music from The Igloo Band & Choir, Pompey Pluckers and The Warsash Band. Free parking at this one as well.

Petersfield Christmas Festival Market, Sat 7 – Sun 8 Dec, Petersfield

The popular Petersfield Christmas Festival returns to the market town, this year preceded with an evening of Christmas music live on stage in The Square on Saturday 7 Dec (7pm-10pm) plus lit up tractors from the Petersfield Charity Tractor Run and tasty hot drinks and churros.

Then on Sunday (10am-4pm), there’ll be the usual winning mix of over 100 independent stall holders lining the High Street and beyond. Bring lots of change for the fairground rides and food. There’ll also be more live music and performances from local groups and acts and live Nativity petting zoo.

ISLE OF WIGHT

I Love Wight Artisan Christmas Market, Fri 30 Nov – Sun 1 Dec, The Garlic Farm, Newchurch

Pick up a sackload of stocking fillers at the Artisan Christmas Market weekend (9.30am to 3.30pm). Wander the Christmas pop-up shop in the Garlic Farm’s cosy Allium Barn for stocking fillers for foodies from the renowned producer, along with outdoor stalls and musical entertainment

The Northwood House & Park Christmas Fair, Sat 30 November – Sun 1 Dec, Cowes

Santa Paws Northwood House Cowes Isle of Wight Christmas Fair Market

With loads of local gifts, art, crafts and produce from 40 exhibitors, this is the ideal Christmas Market to find quirky and unique presents for all the friends and family. Children can see Santa in his Grotto and you can even take the dogs to meet and have a photo taken with ‘Santa Paws. Best of all, admission’s free – so more money for the Christmas booze shop.

Christmas Market at Briddlesford Lodge Farm, Fri 6 – Sun 8 Dec, Wootton Bridge

If you love handcrafted gifts and delicious Island produce, this annual market at the brilliant Briddlesford Dairy is for you. Along with the fab food and drink the farm produces (you can stock your entire cheeseboard with its award-winning fromage) there’s also other Island food producers, local crafters and a chance to have a singsong by candlelight.

Let’s shop! Cracking Christmas Markets around Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

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