Make the most of the festive period with a range of exciting events and activities taking place all over the New Forest. No matter if you’re a keen crafter or are after an action-packed day of activities, there’s plenty to get involved in over the coming months.
Staying at one of our New Forest holiday cottages this December? Make sure to add some of these days out to your itinerary!
Unleash your inner florist with the festive flower workshop at Chewton Glen. Here, hotel florist Sarah Wilkins will guide you through the art of putting together a Christmas door wreath and table arrangement, which you’ll take home with you.
The class is accompanied by a two-course meal followed by mince pies.
Embark on this hands-on crafting activity and have a go at making mini reindeer, tree, star and wreath decorations from willow. Led by Nina Stockings, you’ll learn all about how to use this versatile material to make some unique and meaningful festive ornaments.
This painting workshop offers the perfect opportunity to create a stunning gift for someone or to keep it for your own festive celebrations. During the workshop, led by Amelia from Feather & Bloom and Helen from What Peggy Did Next, you’ll choose three candles to hand-paint, creating personalised designs to treasure.
Christmas tree decorations are an absolute staple of the period and there’s something extra special about making your own. Join Becki Clark to learn how to paint ceramic baubles with plenty of festive cheer. You’ll get three luxury ceramic blank baubles to unleash your creativity upon.
Visit the historic St Thomas Church in Lymington and see it transformed into an enchanting Christmas forest. Walk amongst the decorated trees, each sponsored by a local charity or business to see what this community is all about. There will also be live music, refreshments and Christmas decorations available to buy.
Step back in time and experience the joys of a Victorian Christmas at the wonderful Palace House. Meet costumed characters as they get ready for the festivities, setting up the house with cosy log fires and twinkling decorations, as well as making preparations for the Montagu pantomime production of A Christmas Carol.
There is an abundance of festive family fun to be had at Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World this season – the whole park will be decorated for Christmas with plenty of activities going on to keep everyone entertained. Activities and attractions include Santa’s Christmas Wish Show, Santa’s Storytime, festive lights and the opportunity to meet costumed characters like Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Reindeer and elves.
Plus, you can enjoy all the usual Paultons Park attractions.
This event in Lyndhurst kicks off the festive period in the best way with a range of fun-filled activities and entertainment, along with a thriving Christmas market. Enjoy things like face painting, bouncy castle, skittles, football shooter, other games, a toy tombola raffle, street entertainers and live music.
For more of the best local markets and festive fairs, see our guide to Christmas markets in the New Forest.
For those who want a bit of adventure and to meet Father Christmas in a new way, head to the Beaulieu River for a spot of canoeing. Take the stunning 90-minute guided tour of the river before stumbling across Santa in his floating sleigh, where he’ll be giving out gifts. You’ll also get to enjoy some hot drinks and mince pies upon arrival.
For even more action and thrills, head to the BattleZone laser tag site, complete with a festive twist. Here, you’ll spend two hours battling through Christmas-themed woodlands and getting immersed in a captivating story for a slightly different kind of Christmas adventure. Team up with Santa’s elves to defeat the Grinch and save Christmas.
Keep an eye out for other assorted Christmas activities in the next month, as there is plenty more fun to be had, no matter where you are in the New Forest! For all the big light switch-on events, see our guide to Christmas lights in the New Forest.
Carry the festivities through into 2025 and see in the new year with a luxurious holiday cottage getaway. See our available New Year stays in the New Forest to book your escape.
