CHRISTMAS wouldn’t be complete without a trip to a seasonal market - and festive shoppers are spoilt for choice in this area.
Surrey and Hampshire boast some of the best markets the UK has to offer - from two of the largest events in the South East in Farnham and Winchester, to an ice rink in Alton, a Christmas tree festival in Bordon, a festive farmer’s market in Haslemere and Christmas crafts in Petersfield, festive folk have never had it better.
They’re the perfect place too for children to meet Father Christmas and enjoy an array of activities and live entertainment, while older visitors can sample some mulled wine and grab a slice of stollen - not to mention snap up a few unique Christmas pressies!
Below we round-up five of the best Christmas markets taking place locally over the coming fortnight:
? Farnham Christmas Market, Sunday, December 9 from 10am to 4pm - Take the pressure out of Christmas preparations by heading to Farnham’s Christmas Market, promising around 200 stalls where shoppers will find gifts galore, Christmas decorations and festive food and drink treats.
Father Christmas will be in his grotto ready to meet children and the nativity scene will be recreated, featuring live animals which children can meet. Live performances from local choirs and bands will also add to the festive spirit.
Jill Hargreaves, Farnham Town Council’s lead member for tourism and events, said: “The market is spread across five locations in the town centre: the whole of Castle Street plus The Borough, the Bush Hotel courtyard, the hotel’s conference room and its car park.
“We’ve organised the market to make it as smooth a shopping experience as possible with plenty of places to stop for refreshments, entertainment to keep children occupied and a free shuttle bus service.
“I’d like to thank all our sponsors, including principal sponsor, The Patio Black Spot Removal Company, for enabling us to put on those attractions.”
A shuttle bus will run on the hour and half hour from the Hale Institute, calling at Tesco Express Upper Hale and Farnham Park.
A further service will run on the hour and half hour from Weydon School where visitors can park in the school’s car park.
The bus will stop at the train station and the bus stop at The Chantrys/West Street Cemetery.
Both services start at 9.30am and run throughout the duration of the market. The last bus will leave the market at 4.30pm.
A full list of sponsors and market stallholders can be found online at www.farnham.gov.uk/christmas.
? Alton Yuletide Festival, Sunday, December 2 from 10am to 4pm - Alton’s Yuletide Festival is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the town centre this Sunday, eager to enjoy the Christmas spirit.
Scores of charity and market stalls will pack the High Street, Market Street, Market Square, and Alton Assembly Rooms, alongside games and festive activities, street entertainment, fair rides, and food outlets.
With an ice rink in the Market Square, Santa’s Grotto and Postbox at Alton Community Centre, A ‘Christmas Cracker Fair’, and Christmas donkeys beside the Christmas tree on Crown Hill, carol singing and Christmas lights, Alton will be the place to be.
Parking in EHDC pay and go car parks will be free on Small Business Saturday (December 1) and Yuletide Festival Sunday (December 2).
? Whitehill and Bordon Christmas Fair, Saturday, December 1, from 10am - Whitehill and Bordon’s annual Christmas Fair will return this weekend with all the traditional festive favourites. Head on down to the Forest Community Centre for mince pies, mulled wine, a pop-up panto and the chance to bag a gift from Santa’s grotto.
Organised by the Whitehill and Bordon Town Partnership, the annual fair opens at 10am on Saturday, December 1, with stalls inside and out.
Running alongside the fair, St Mark’s Church Christmas Tree Festival will see local community groups decorate and enter their very own yuletide firs.
“Town’s Christmas tree is up, all ready for next Saturday,” a town partnership spokesman said. “Big thank you to Country Market for supplying the trees for the fourth year.”
? Haslemere Christmas Market, Sunday, December 2 from 10am to 4pm - Haslemere town centre will be packed with more than 10,000 visitors for its 17th blockbuster annual Christmas market on Sunday.
Festive stalls, entertainment, food and drink will be on offer in the High Street and overflow into The Georgian Hotel and Haslemere Museum.
Haslemere Farmers Market will also be there on the day, showcasing local culinary delights from bakers to cheese companies to drinks producers and everything in between.
The varied entertainment includes Santa’s grotto and a live Nativity performance, plus street entertainers, including circus acts, and bouncy castles and rides to keep the children happy.
Visitors can also enjoy festive refreshments, such as a hot mulled wine or a delicious turkey and cranberry sandwich.
Traffic diversions will be in place on the A286 through Haslemere and a free shuttle bus service will operate throughout the day from Lion Green, Wey Hill car park and Haslemere train station.
? The Petersfield Christmas Festival Market, Sunday, December 2 from 10am to 3.30pm - Petersfield will be transformed into a festive wonderland full of stalls and shops to buy that perfect gift for loved ones.
There will be children singing Christmas carols, Santa in his grotto greeting all the children to see if they have been naughty or nice, with rides and play areas for young and old alike as well as mulled wine, fudge, cheeses and mince pies in abundance.
The crowds will be out in their thousands to visit the stalls and buy some unique presents and to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the entertainment in the build up to the festive period.
Other dates for your diary this festive season include Winchester Cathedral’s famous Christmas market (open until December 20), the Farnham Maltings’ annual Christmas fayre (November 28 and 29), Hale School Christmas fair (November 30), St Thomas-on-The Bourne Christmas market (Decembre 1), St Andrew’s School’s Christmas fair (December 1), the Macmillan Christmas fayre in Grayshott (December 1), Old Thorns Christmas market (December 9) and Christmas at Lavender Fields near Alton (December 15).