There's light trails and lots of festive cheer as we head into December in Hampshire. 

Here's our pick of five of the best festive family days out this weekend (November 30 and December 1).

At Marwell Zoo...

(Image: Paul Collins) Glow Marwell, the zoo’s festive light event, is open from this weekend with a free zoo visit from 1pm.

This year’s event will also feature UV facepainting, an immersive VR headset experience, new sky and sea zones and tasty festive food offerings, including illuminated candyfloss and giant Yorkshire puddings stuffed with turkey and all the trimmings.

Father Christmas will be taking up residence in Marwell Hall and guests will be able to pay a visit to his grotto inside the Grade I listed property on selected dates. 

At Harold Hillier Gardens...

(Image: Elliott Franks) Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens At Christmas is now open for memory making and festive family celebrations. 

The popular light art trail sees one of Britain’s most important botanical gardens transformed after dark.

Using millions of LED lights to tell stories, the event has become a mainstay of Christmas for thousands of Hampshire families.

Last year, more than 72,000 people visited the uniquely magical festive trail at Romsey and this year the award-winning Hampshire-based organisers Light Up Trails are promising it will be bigger and better than ever.

At Exbury Gardens...

(Image: Exbury Gardens) Enjoy the perfect blend of festive entertainment, outdoor fun and creative crafts at Exbury Gardens as it holds a duo of magical Christmas event weekends, starting on Saturday. 

A Christmas fair with over 45 stalls offering crafts, gifts, and festive food and drink from a great line-up of local producers will be on offer, accompanied by live music from Southampton Youth Brass Band and New Forest Brass Band.

Visitors can explore a festive seasonal trail winding through the renowned New Forest woodland gardens, or enjoy a gentle donkey ride. Youngsters can also write a letter to Father Christmas, and decorate a festive wish to hang on the Exbury Christmas tree.

At Whiteley Shopping Centre...

(Image: Dave Dodge / SWNS) If last week’s snowfall didn’t get you into the festive spirit, then the launch of Whiteley Shopping Centre’s Christmas celebrations this weekend will help. 

Alongside enjoying a host of seasonal treats at the traditional Christmas market, which will be at the centre until January 5, Whiteley will be welcoming characters including princesses, superheroes and Father Christmas himself to help spread seasonal cheer to shoppers.

The yuletide celebrations begin this weekend, with the Snow Sisters and their Huggable Snowman friend making a festive visit and hosting a sing-along for children on Saturday. 

On Sunday, Father Christmas and his Elf helper will be meeting everyone on his nice list in Whiteley’s magical grotto.

In Southampton...

(Image: Go! Southampton) From this weekend, visitors to Southampton will discover beautifully decorated snow scenes and Christmas characters on the windows of around 20 venues as part of the Snow Windows Trail.

On this free family walking trail, organised by the city’s BID team GO! Southampton and sponsored by Brackenwood Windows, participants will be able to do the North Pole and/or South Pole trails where they can find stunning individually designed windows created by Snow Windows.

Families will need to find the clues to reveal the festive word and then they can exchange their completed map at HMV and MAST Mayflower Studios. Trail maps will be printed and distributed around key venues in the city as well as put in book bags across primary schools in Southampton.