What's On in Winchester
Things to do in and around Winchester: events, days out and family activities, with the practical details.
Top story
Winchester Cathedral light show: 14-19 Dec, tickets from £12
The Gift by Luxmuralis lights up Winchester Cathedral 14 to 19 December, timed entry 6.30pm to 9pm, adults from £12. Two slots already sold out; family £36.
Dates for the diary
- On now to 16 Feb Ray Harryhausen: Myths in Motion
- Tue 6 Oct Lullaby, Jasmin Vardimon Dance
- Fri 9 Oct Justice and the Rule of Law in the Age of Machines, Sir Robert Buckland
- Fri 9 Oct The Barber of Seville, New Arts
- Sat 10 Oct Winchester parkrun
- Sat 10 Oct Cathedral Scribes Open Day
- Sat 10 Oct Winchester Poetry Day 2026
- Sat 10 Oct Winchester City v Southall
- Sat 10 Oct Romesh Ranganathan: Work In Progress
- Sun 11 Oct Winchester Farmers' Market
- Sun 11 Oct Max Fulham: Monkey Business
- Tue 13 Oct National Theatre Live: The Misanthrope
More stories
Events
What's On in Winchester: Romesh Ranganathan, Then Bonfire Night
Romesh Ranganathan on 10 October, Halloween at Hinton Ampner and Marwell, the bonfire on North Walls on 7 November and the Three Tenors on 13 November.
Winchester
Winchester panto 2026: Sleeping Beauty, 4 Dec to 3 Jan
Sleeping Beauty runs at the Theatre Royal from 4 December to 3 January, 54 shows, tickets from £13. Cheapest dates, relaxed and BSL shows, and the dark days.
Winchester
Winchester Remembrance Sunday: 8 November, Cathedral 10am
Remembrance Sunday is 8 November. Last year the Cathedral service began at 10am, with the two-minute silence at 11am at the Outer Close war memorial. No ticket.
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Where to see Father Christmas in Winchester in 2026
Santa at the Great Hall from 28 November (£20 a child, £7 adults), Marwell Hall from 20 November, and the Father Christmas Express from 12 December.
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Winchester Cathedral carols 2026: 20, 21 and 23 Dec, 7pm
Carol services are free at 7pm on 20, 21 and 23 December 2026. The Big Nativity moves to 22 and 23 Dec, Midnight Mass 11pm, plus every Advent service.
Music
New Winchester orchestra's first concert: St Cross, 21 Nov
The Orchestra Session, a Winchester CIC formed in August, plays its first concert in the St Cross chapel on 21 November. Twenty strings, £23 and £12.
Winchester
Winchester Half Marathon 2026, Held 20 Sep: 21 Roads Shut
The Broadway and High Street close at 6am on Sunday 20 September, and 19 more roads follow through the morning. Every closure, with the exact hours.
Winchester
Winchester Fireworks 7 Nov: Display 7.45pm, Tickets £8
Fireworks at 7.45pm on Saturday 7 November, bonfire lit 7.15pm, procession 6pm. Wristbands £8 in October, £12 on the day. Every road and car park closure.
Winchester
Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On: 19 Nov, Lights 6.30pm
Thursday 19 November in The Broadway, 4.20pm to 7.30pm, lights on just before 6.30pm. Heart's Jonny Meah hosts 12 local acts. Free, with parking advice.
Winchester
Winchester Christmas Market: 20 Nov to 22 Dec, free
Open daily from Friday 20 November, 10am to 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Free entry, three gates, no ice rink, and no park and ride bus on Sundays.
Heritage
Winchester Heritage Open Days: 70 free events, 11-20 Sept
The free festival opens the weekend the M3 junction 9 roundabout shuts, and one event is already cancelled. What to book now, and the deadlines that bite first.
Environment
Winchester Green Fair: 14 free workshops, booking now open
Winchester Green Fair is at The Arc on Saturday 19 September, 11am to 4pm, free. Fourteen free workshops are bookable now, from bike mechanics to heat pumps.