Glowing gardens, neon trains and glittering woodland trails.
From the dark nights of winter emerge some of the highlights of the year as light trails and experiences switch on across Hampshire this week.
Here we list the three top winter light events about to twinkle.
Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
After the success of last year's inaugural light trail, Sir Harold Hiller Gardens is once again opening its gates after dark to share the stunning transformation of its 180-acre arboretum site near Romsey by the award winning, Hampshire-based Light Up Trails.
World famous sound and light artists The Projection Studio have used the artworks from budding artists at local schools to create an intermission piece for their new work House of Dreams that draws on favourite fairy tales in a sound and light animation on Jermyn's House.
Tapping into sight, sound, smell and feelings, Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens At Christmas is a full sensory experience laden with stories that enable visitors to have fun discovering the history and mythology of the pine Christmas tree, sharing their thoughts in lights, exploring notions of infinity, and thinking about the part we can all play in creating a more sustainable world.
It runs from Thursday November 30 to Sunday December 31.
Tickets are on sale now from lightuptrails.com
Glow Marwell
Expect half a million twinkling lights, brand new illuminations, dazzling photo opportunities and interactive elements as Glow Marwell returns for 2023.
Organisers are promising the enchanted nature lights event will be bigger and better than ever before with double the magic of last year's inaugural event.
Children of all ages will be able to play in the LED playground, walk across light-up stepping stones, and strike a pose on Rainbow Road when Glow Marwell returns on Friday (November 24).
This year’s multicoloured light tunnel spans 36 metres and the event also features a specially created enchanted tree.
The whimsical Wishing Tree will return, along with snow machines, Christmas trees and the incredibly popular fire pits for marshmallow toasting.
Marwell’s ancient trees will enjoy a gentle colourwash of light and the silhouette boxes will be back for the perfect selfie!
Visit marwell.org.uk
The Watercress Line's Steam Illuminations
The Watercress Line’s Steam Illuminations is returning to the heritage railway this festive season.
The special train will be in operation from Friday (November 24) to Saturday, January 6, and will be lit up both inside and out by thousands of LED lights, creating a kaleidoscope of different colours and flashing patterns.
A new addition for this year is the Canopy of Lights, adding to the Christmas atmosphere.
The train will also feature a “sound to light” show inside every carriage. This will be hosted by the Voiceover Man (as heard on Britain’s Got Talent and X-Factor), with memorable music, corny jokes and a singalong “FlashyOke” game on every trip.
All passengers will be given an LED wristband which interacts with the on-board music and light show. The journey will feature the seasonal sounds of the Watercress Line’s Christmas Chart Crackers DJ mix-up until Christmas Day, followed by the Pop Anthems Journey, tunes from the 1960s to present day, until January 6.
The trains depart from either Alresford or Alton and complete a round trip.
Find out more at watercressline.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here