The countdown to Christmas is on and a number of free events organised by Rushmoor Borough Council will be sprinkling festive magic over Aldershot and Farnborough throughout November and December.
Christmas starts in Aldershot town centre on Saturday 15 November, with the Aldershot Christmas Cracker.
The fun starts at midday when the town centre will be packed full of festive stalls to browse and free family activities to enjoy, plus live performances from local bands, choirs, and dance schools. Visitors can look out for the giant snow globe, have fun with bubbles, meet the festive donkeys and visit Father Christmas in his grotto.
The highlight of the day will be the countdown to the Christmas lights switch-on, which will take place in Princes Gardens from 5.10pm, including a short firework display.
Next in the diary, is the Farnborough Frost Fair which will be taking place in Farnborough town centre on Saturday 22 November from 10am to 3.30pm. The Frost Fair welcomes around 40 stallholders who will be setting up along Queensmead offering gifts, local food and drink, handmade jewellery, and all sorts of Christmas gifts.
As well as lots more free family activities, there will be a stage with a programme packed full of festive performances. There will also be fun fair rides and a chance to meet some beautiful birds of prey. Visitors can look out for the walkabout street theatre and circus performers, visit Father Christmas in his grotto and soak up the festive atmosphere.
North Camp will be hosting a festive evening on Thursday 27 November from 4.30pm to 8pm with late night shopping, music, Santa’s grotto, refreshments and more.
Other events in the packed calendar include the Farnborough Christmas Craft Fayre on Saturday 6 December in Queensmead from 9am to 4pm.
On Sunday 7 December, A Winter’s Gift will arrive at The Landing in Farnborough town centre from midday to 4pm. Visitors will be able to explore a magical installation of giant gift boxes, decorated by local schoolchildren, plus craft activities for families and enchanting winter stories from around the globe.
The popular North Town carol concert will be taking place on Wednesday 10 December from 6.30pm. Everyone is welcome and there will be free refreshments and Christmas crafts for children and a special visit from Father Christmas.
Aldershot’s Christmas Craft Fayre will be taking place in the warmth of The Wellington shopping centre on Saturday 13 December from 10am to 3pm.
The final event of the year will be a magical evening of Carols in the Bandstand in Aldershot town centre on Saturday 20 December from 5.30pm until 6.30pm at the community bandstand in Princes Gardens hosted by Aldershot Churches Together.
In the build up to Christmas the council will be offering free festive parking in most council car parks on the three Sundays leading up to Christmas on 7, 14 and 21 December. Find out more (and where the offer applies) on our park for free this Christmas page.
Councillor Julie Hall, Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills and Regeneration at Rushmoor Borough Council said: "It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner again. As always, we have some wonderful free town centre events for our residents to look forward to and spread festive cheer, and I certainly hope to see you all there! We also have our free festive parking offer to help support our town centre businesses.”
Details of all the council’s festive events are available on our events pages.
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