Christmas markets & fairs · 2026
Christmas markets and fairs near Southampton
We’ve checked 7 Christmas markets and fairs within 28 miles of Southampton. 7 have confirmed 2026 dates. The first opens on Thursday 12 November (Southampton Christmas Market).
5 are free to walk in. Paid entry starts at £10. 1 welcomes dogs. The closest is Southampton Christmas Market, in central Southampton.
On this weekend
Based on each listing’s first and last dates. Some run on selected days only, so check times before you set off.
- ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Southampton Christmas Market
Above Bar Street and Guildhall Square, Southampton · in central Southampton · run by S&D Leisure
- When
- Thu 12 Nov – Sun 27 Dec
- Price
- Not published
- Type
- City Christmas market
Dates: Thursday 12 November to Sunday 27 December 2026; closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day
Times: Mon-Wed 11am-10pm (Bargate and Above Bar), 11am-9pm (Guildhall Square); Thu-Sat 10am-10pm; Sun 11am-7pm; Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve 10am-7pm
Wooden chalets selling crafts and gifts, plus food stalls and bars along Above Bar Street and in Guildhall Square. Rides include a Ferris wheel and the Star Flyer swing ride, and Santa's Grotto is booked separately.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: southamptonchristmasmarket.co.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Christmas Fair at Exbury Gardens
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway, Exbury · 7 miles from Southampton · run by Exbury Gardens
- When
- Sat 28 Nov – Sun 6 Dec
- Times
- 10am-4.30pm
- Price
- Free entry
- Booking
- Book or turn up
- Entry
- Paid
- Type
- Estate or castle market
Dates: Weekends 28-29 November and 5-6 December 2026
Prices: Adults £7 (£7.50 with gift aid); children under 16, Friends members and carers free. Pre-book or pay on arrival. Father Christmas and Festive Express train tickets are separate.
Local producers' stalls, with different traders each weekend. The ticket also covers the woodland gardens, a Family Christmas Trail in the Rock Garden, crafts in the Railway Engine Shed and visiting donkeys. Children under 16 go in free.
Parking: Free car parkingUnder-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: exbury.co.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
Winchester Cathedral grounds, Winchester · 11 miles from Southampton · run by Winchester Cathedral
- When
- Fri 20 Nov – Tue 22 Dec
- Price
- Free admission, no pre-booking required
- Booking
- Just turn up
- Entry
- Free
- Type
- City Christmas market
Dates: Friday 20 November to Tuesday 22 December 2026
Times: Friday and Saturday 10am-8pm; Sunday to Thursday 10am-6pm
Chalets in the cathedral grounds sell handcrafted gifts and artisan food. Dogs are welcome. Weekends are much busier than weekdays.
Parking: South Winchester Park & Ride (coach spaces), Worthy Lane Coach Park; public transport advisedAccess: Weekends can be very busy; a weekday visit is suggested if bringing a pushchair or wheelchairDogs: WelcomeChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: winchester-cathedral.org.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Milestones Christmas Market
Milestones Museum, Basingstoke Leisure Park, Basingstoke · 28 miles from Southampton · run by Milestones Museum
- When
- Sat 5 Dec – Sun 6 Dec
- Times
- Saturday 10am-7pm; Sunday 10am-4.45pm
- Price
- £10 per person
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Stalls
- 40
- Entry
- Paid
- Type
- Christmas fair
Dates: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026
Over 40 stalls along the museum's cobbled streets, 17 of them dressed in Victorian style. Mulled wine, hot drinks, snacks and live music. Tickets are booked online.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: milestonesmuseum.org.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Romsey Makers Christmas Market
Romsey town centre (NatWest to the Phoenix pub), Romsey · run by South Central Makers
- When
- Sunday 13 December
- Times
- 10am-3pm
- Price
- Free for visitors
- Booking
- Just turn up
- Stalls
- 40
- Entry
- Free
- Type
- Craft fair
Dates: Sunday 13 December 2026
About 35-40 artisan and hot food stalls on a closed road in the town centre. Parking is free on Sundays in the main council car parks.
Parking: Free Sunday parking in Broadwater Road, Church Road, Newton Lane, Princes Road and Alma Road car parksAccess: The road from NatWest to the Phoenix pub is closed to traffic so the market can be walked throughChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: southcentralmakers.co.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Winchester Makers Market: Festive Edition
The Arc, Winchester · 11 miles from Southampton · run by Hampshire Cultural Trust
- When
- Saturday 12 December
- Times
- 10am-4pm
- Price
- Free
- Booking
- Just turn up
- Entry
- Free
- Type
- Craft fair
Dates: Saturday 12 December 2026
Handmade gifts, artwork, ceramics, jewellery and textiles from local makers, with refreshments from The Arc Café. One day only.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: hampshireculture.org.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Romsey Craft & Gift Market at the Town Hall
Romsey Town Hall, Romsey · run by Mynt Image
- When
- Saturday 12 December
- Times
- 10am-4pm
- Price
- Free entry
- Entry
- Free
- Type
- Craft fair
Dates: Saturday 12 December 2026
Craft and gift market in the Town Hall. The Romsey Makers Market runs in the town centre the next day, Sunday 13 December.
Access: Held on the second floor of the Town Hall, reached by lift.Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: myntimage.co.uk Market details
Compare at a glance
| Name | Where | When | From | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton Christmas Market | Southampton (0 mi) | Thu 12 Nov – Sun 27 Dec | — | — |
| Christmas Fair at Exbury Gardens | Exbury (7 mi) | Sat 28 Nov – Sun 6 Dec | Free | Either |
| Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market | Winchester (11 mi) | Fri 20 Nov – Tue 22 Dec | Free | Turn up |
| Milestones Christmas Market | Basingstoke (28 mi) | Sat 5 Dec – Sun 6 Dec | £10 | Book ahead |
| Romsey Makers Christmas Market | Romsey | Sunday 13 December | Free | Turn up |
| Winchester Makers Market: Festive Edition | Winchester (11 mi) | Saturday 12 December | Free | Turn up |
| Romsey Craft & Gift Market at the Town Hall | Romsey | Saturday 12 December | Free | — |
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Common questions
When do Christmas markets near Southampton open in 2026?
Confirmed so far: Southampton Christmas Market (Thu 12 Nov); Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market (Fri 20 Nov); Christmas Fair at Exbury Gardens (Sat 28 Nov); Milestones Christmas Market (Sat 5 Dec); Winchester Makers Market: Festive Edition (Sat 12 Dec); plus 2 more on the list. Every listing shows the date we last checked it.
Are any Christmas markets and fairs near Southampton free?
Yes: Christmas Fair at Exbury Gardens, Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, Romsey Makers Christmas Market and Winchester Makers Market: Festive Edition and 1 other are free to get in. The cheapest paid option is Milestones Christmas Market at £10.
Which Christmas markets near Southampton allow dogs?
Dogs are welcome at Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market. The rest don’t say, so check before you go.