THE COUNTDOWN for Christmas has begun.
Shopping centres across Hampshire have got out the tinsel, put up their Christmas trees and transformed themselves into winter wonderlands.
And thousands will flock to their nearest shops to watch famous faces bring festive magic to the county.
Snake charmers, belly dancers and flying carpets will fill the Marlands Shopping Centre as Ceri Dupree, who will play Widow Twanky in the Mayflower’s panto Aladdin, takes a break from rehearsals to switch on the centre’s Christmas lights at 6pm today.
Then on Saturday Santa and his elves will arrive at the centre to open its free magical woodland grotto with a host of children’s activities from midday.
In Eastleigh St Nick will lead a special Christmas light parade through the town from 5pm on Saturday before helping the Mayor of Eastleigh Cllr Jane Welsh switch on the lights at 6pm and launching a bumper fireworks display as part of a huge festive event featuring children’s rides and an animal farm from 11am-4pm.
Romsey will also be in the festive spirit on Saturday as it hosts its Winter Carnival. Carnival Queen Naomi Reading will lead the procession through the town from Crossfield Hall car park from 6pm before the Christmas lights are switched on. Then from 5pm on December 4 town’s festive lantern parade will light up the streets.
There will be more family entertainment and carols in Lymington from 5-9pm tomorrow as Lymington and Pennington Town Mayor Cllr Michael White switches on the Christmas lights at 6.15pm.
And Lyndhurst’s lights will go on with a laser show from 6.30pm on November 26.
People of Fareham can enjoy funfair rides, a grotto and live music at an event from 11am finishing as the lights go on at 4.45pm ahead of a fireworks display.
On December 3 St Nick will visit Hedge End’s Christmas lights event from 4.30pm-6.30pm where there will be dancers, choirs, children’s rides, and storytelling.
In Woolston a lantern parade will also light up the streets 4.45pm on December 5 during the fifth annual Woolston Christmas Festival organised by Woolston Traders Association. Mayor of Southampton Linda Norris will then switch on the Daily Echo backed Communicare Tree of Light which raises money to support some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.
Children in Winchester will also be taking part in a lantern parade at the cathedral from 5.30pm-8.20pm on November 27.
The event will feature festive carols led by Churches Together Winchester Gospel Choir.
Anyone wishing to take part in the Winchester parade can join a lantern making workshop at BellaCrafts from 4-6pm this Thursday, from 2-6pm this Saturday and from 1-4pm on Sunday. For more information call 023 8051 7054.
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