Big Christmas lights switch-on in Christchurch with Hush Disco Club providing festive fun
AN exciting line-up of festive fun is on offer in Christchurch this weekend with the big Christmas lights switch-on happening on Saturday.
From 11am to 5pm there will be activities, live music and an opportunity to meet Santa, with the lights switch-on taking place at 5pm.
A crowd draw this year is the well-known Hush Club, notorious for its open air summer events. Their DJs will be bringing the disco vibes to Christchurch High Street.
Street food and drink will also be available, along with a craft and gift market at Druitt Hall, and there will be BMX displays and an appearance by Bournemouth Goats.
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity are this year’s charity partner.
Starting on Saturday, the Christchurch Big Elf Hunt will run until 20th December. People must spot an elf in one of the town’s businesses to be in with a chance of winning more than £100 worth of gifts.
On 14th December, a Carols in the Square event will see a live band playing in Saxon Square from 4.30pm.
Louise Berkhauer, from Christchurch BID which organised the event, said: “It’s all about coming together to create wonderful memories and embracing the joy of the season!”
At Highcliffe Castle, a Christmas fair will be held on 23rd and 24th November from 10am to 4pm to showcase local artisans craft makers and food producers.
The castle’s first ever Christmas Tree Festival will run from 1st to 22nd December, along with festive storytelling and a trail for children.
At Sandy Balls Holiday Village in Fordingbridge, guests will be able to enjoy a magical Forest of Lights in which the whole site becomes alive with thousands of fairy lights.
Santa will arrive at the Festive Fire and Light event, where fire pits will be warming up visitors as they sing along to Christmas songs.
There will be a whole host of activities on offer including creating snow globes, an elf slime factory and joining Mrs Claus in her kitchen.
At Furzey Gardens, kids can take part in a ‘How to Train a Reindeer’ craft activity and trail.
They will create their own hobby horse reindeer and take on fun challenges before heading to Christmas cottage to collect a treat.
At the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, visitors can enjoy a Victorian Christmas from 21st December to 5th January.
There will be carols around the piano, with Palace House resplendent in traditional decorations, and a chance to watch pantomime rehearsals of A Christmas Carol in the Montagu Theatre.
Early bird discounts of up to 40% are available until 29th November.
New Forest Activities will be hosting festive paddles along the Beaulieu River, during which Santa will be giving kids a present.
And at Lyndhurst’s St Michael and All Angels Church there is a display of alternative Christmas trees and angels made by children. Running from 12th to 14th December, there will also be refreshments available.
