Five things to do in Hampshire this weekend

At Unwrapped Festival...

Santa Claus himself will be making a very special off-season appearance at Unwrapped Festival in Eastleigh and Hedge End on Saturday and Sunday (June 10 and 11).

From 1pm to 3pm, those attending either day of the free, family-friendly festival will have the chance to meet Father Christmas as he stops off on his summer holidays.

However with temperatures set to soar this weekend, he will be swapping his traditional red and white coat for his swimming costume, based on his appearances in the beloved Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas novels which celebrate their 50th anniversary this year.

Fittingly, Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas will appear as this year’s ever-popular Christmas show at The Berry Theatre in December. 

With a firm family focus, Unwrapped showcases high quality, hand-picked live performances in theatre, circus and dance alongside have-a-go creative activities, an arts and craft market from The Sorting Office and street food stalls.

It's at Leigh Road Recreation Ground in Eastleigh on Saturday and Greta Park in Hedge End on Sunday, from 11am to 4.30pm.

At All Aboard Festival... 

All aboard for a free floating music festival taking to the river in Southampton this weekend. 

The community event on the River Itchen will feature anyone who's everyone on the local folk scene. 

All Aboard is a free community organised music and visual arts festival held every summer since 2019 in and around Cobden Bridge.

A week-long exhibition of visual and sound art at St. Denys Boat Club between now and June 18 culminates on Saturday (June 10) during high tide between 1pm and 7pm.

It will be a day of musical entertainment, dressing-up, and waterborne fun featuring over 50 established and upcoming artists from the South Coast, spread over eight riverside and even floating stages.

There will also be: storytelling, puppetry, samba and sea shanties afloat, an art exhibition at the boat club, and paddle boarding fun. 

One Trick Pony, Le hot Club De St. Denys, Fragile Lucy, Cat Elliot, Lonely Joe Parker, Pip Summers, Dan O'Farrell, Mary Jane, Netley Ukeleles, Southampton Shanty Women, Southampton Ukelele Jam, Hariya Hazaway, XR Rhythms, Kinesis4, Theo Dussek, Earth Propellor, Dan Eagle, Pegasusses, Jonny Moody, Steve Lowis, Sturmey Archers, and Flying Alexanders are among the artists set to appear. 

Food options will include buoyant burritos and a pizza pontoon. 

At New Forest Comedy Festival...

The fun continues with a comedy all dayer with a huge line-up at The Attic comedy club in Totton.

Jen Brister is a highly esteemed stand up comedian and author who has been featured on BBC’s Live at the Apollo, Frankie Boyle’s New World Order, QI, and Mock the Week. 

Alex Kealy is recognised as an articulate comic by The List; he has done stand-up on Radio 4’s The Now Show and also writes for several shows such as Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You. He was also a supporting act to renowned comedians including Ivo Graham, Tom Rosenthal and Shaparak Khorsandi on their nationwide tours.

Stuart Law gained worldwide recognition after posting a Twitter thread about dirty dishes in a restaurant, his impersonation of Michael Caine saying NEVER in Batman and dialing a mobile phone number off the side of a horse.

At Copythorne Carnival...

Hundreds of people will line the streets for Copythorne village’s carnival and fete on Saturday.

Residents will join the latest incarnation of the event, which first took place in 1947 and aims to raise funds for the local scout group the 2nd Copythorne (Stanleys Own) Scout Group.

As usual, visitors can expect falconry displays, ancient country crafts and the famous cart race.

Floats and even steam vehicles could join the procession, featuriing the Carnival Queen and princesses.

At Beaulieu...

Bringing together Minis of every variety, from early Austins and Morrises, Wolseley Hornets and Riley Elfs, through the iconic 1960s Coopers and popular 1970s Clubmans, to the last-of-the-line classic Mini Coopers and even modern-day MINIs, there will be something for every Mini fan at National Mini Day on Sunday. 

The theme of the 2023 National Mini Day will be 60 Years of the Cooper ‘S’. Celebrating the 60th birthday of this motoring icon, the central display of the rally will be dedicated to this iconic car.

As well as being an opportunity to view an array of Minis, there is also the opportunity to enjoy all that Beaulieu has to offer including The National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey and more.