Winchester Brew - 11th December '25

December can blur into a whirl of light trails, carols and last-minute lists, but this week brings something a little different: a Christmas murder mystery told as a live BBC-style radio drama, complete with original songs and a house full of suspects. Murder at the Grange is our featured pick, partly because it feels like Winchester in December distilled into one evening… cosy, a little theatrical, slightly mysterious, and perfect with a mince pie.

Beyond that, the city is in full festive stride. From glass fusing and wreath-making to ceilidh dancing, cocktail mixing, Pink Floyd under the planetarium dome, Jane Austen’s birthday tea, and more pantos, concerts and workshops than any one person can reasonably fit into a week. There’s something here for families, night owls, makers, music lovers and anyone looking to add a little extra sparkle to the week ahead.

If you know someone who’d appreciate a weekly shortcut to all of this, feel free to pass this along. Winchester is always better when more people know what’s happening around them.

Our featured pick of the events this week.

🎭🔍🎄🎶 Christmas morning. A dead man in a locked bedroom in a house full of secrets. Everybody has a motive. But who’s got the key?

Murder At The Grange is a Christmas murder mystery created by acclaimed songwriter Robb Johnson & performed by Robb & The Xmas Irregulars in the style of a BBC radio drama, with added original festive songs.

Blending the classic conventions of the Whodunnit with the traditions of Christmas, it’s an afternoon of suspense & comedy… murder, mince pies, mistletoe and a private eye.

When: Friday 12th December, at 7:30pm (Bar opens at 6:45pm)

Where: The Arc

How much: £16 in advance, £18 in person

A curated list of events from the next seven days. We try to only include events that still have availability, though things can sell out quickly so best to check ahead. Cheapest adult ticket price option shown where available.

🎭🎄The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, The Nutshell, Thursday to Sunday. Packed with action, humour, and holiday magic, this dazzling tale, inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic fairy tale is brought to life by Discarded Nut Youth Theatre in a way that will delight, surprise, and enchant audiences aged 6 and up! £14

🎅🎄🎗️ Winchester Santa Sleigh, Streets of Winchester, runs until 21st December. Santa, his sleigh and friends from Winchester Round Table will be coming down your street to raise money for local charities and good causes. This non-profit making event is put on by the community, for the community and is here to spread some Christmas magic across the city.

🎁🛍️🎄 Winchester Christmas Market, Winchester Cathedral, runs until 22nd December. Enjoy one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe with wooden chalets, the smell of mulled wine drifting through the air, the mix of handmade gifts and cosy food stalls.

🎅🎁🎄Santa’s Grotto at the Great Hall, The Great Hall, runs until 23rd December. Share a magical moment with Santa and his elf in the magical setting of The Great Hall Grotto, creating memories you and your family will treasure for a lifetime. Price includes a child and accompanying adult ticket and a gift. £25

🐆🎄🏮 Glow Marwell, Marwell Zoo, runs until 3rd January. Glow Marwell is back! Explore Marwell in a whole new light. Follow the enchanted nature light trail through a magical world of breathtaking new displays that will fill you with wonder for the natural world. £24.95

🎭🎄 Puss in Boots, Theatre Royal Winchester, runs until 4th January, . Get ready for the purrr-fect swashbuckling Christmas adventure. Full of PAW-some gags, original songs and loads of audience participation, it's going to be MEOW-gic! £12

🎶🎤🎄🎈 Steam Illuminations, Watercress Line, runs until 4th January. Step aboard a steam train transformed into a dazzling spectacle of colour, music, and festive cheer! Steam Illuminations returns with a reimagined experience for 2025 – featuring immersive entertainment, enhanced. £25

🔐🎄🎈 Pop-up Christmas Escape Game: Sleigh Bells & Sabotage, No. 45 Southgate Street, runs until 18th January. There’s trouble brewing at the Winchester Sleigh Depot. Follow a trail of missing melodies, stolen stockings, misplaced ingredients and one extremely impolite note as you uncover who’s been stirring up festive chaos. £22

🎄🎐🎓 Christmas Glass Fusing Workshop, Winchester Cathedral, at 1:00 PM. Get into the festive spirit with a fun and friendly glass fusing workshop - a wonderful way to make beautiful keepsakes and magical memories with friends or family. £85

🎤🏛️ The Real Great Escape: An Evening Talk with Guy Walters, The Rifleman's Museum, at 5:45 PM. We have all seen the movie The Great Escape. And as a result, we all think we know the story of this legendary mass breakout of prisoners-of-war from Stalag Luft III, deep in the heart of the Third Reich, in March 1944. But do we really? In this highly thought-provoking and entertaining talk, Guy Walters will challenge the myths and preconceptions of this celebrated wartime tale. £20

🎬🍷 Film Society: It’s a Wonderful Life, Cabinet Rooms, at 7:30 PM. Over 18s only. Book in advance £15

🎶 🎬 Pink Floyd: Wish You Were Here at the Planetarium, Winchester Science Centre, at 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM. Sit back and relax to the sights and sounds of the fulldome Planetarium visualisation of Pink Floyd's critically-acclaimed album, Wish You Were Here. Celebrating 50 years to the day since the album was released. £20

🎄🎐🎓 Festive Soldered Bauble Workshop with Emily, The Colour Factory, at 2:00 PM. Join Emily at The Colour Factory to design a little copper bauble with brass accents. Spend the afternoon or evening sipping a festive non-alcoholic drink (blowtorches, no alcohol sorry!) and enjoying seasonal snacks whilst embarking on a little metalwork adventure! £65

🎶💃 WinQeilidh - Winchester’s Ceilidh dance, Holy Trinity Church Hall, at 7:00 PM. Lively, energetic folk dancing for everyone! Ceilidh, also known as barn dancing, emphasises the sociability of dances. Because everyone dances with everyone, you don't need to come with anyone. This ceilidh is gender-free, queer-, trans-, and family-friendly, and always welcoming. £10

🎶 At the Movies…. Music Showcase, The Chapel, University of Winchester, at 7:00 PM. An evening of fantastic music presented by the university of Winchester Music Centre ensembles including the King Alfred Singers, Show Choir, Concert Band and Jazz Band. Free admission, donations welcome.

🎶 Ghosts of Seattle, The Railway Inn, at 8:00 PM. The Ultimate 90's grunge tribute. We bring the best of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots and even hits from the Iconic Seattle movie  ‘Singles’ delivering the songs everyone knows and loves. £12

🎄🍸🎓 Christmas Cookery Class: Cocktails and canapes, Lainston House, at 10:00 AM. Get into the festive spirit with our hands-on Christmas Cocktail and Canapé cookery class! Perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike, this class will guide you through the creation of festive cocktails and delicious, bite-sized canapés that will wow your guests at any festive gathering. £195

🎄🎐🖌️  Christmas Bauble Painting, Holy Trinity Church Hall, at 2:00 PM. Step into the festive spirit and join artist Scarlet Standen for an enchanting bauble painting workshop perfectly timed to celebrate the festive season! Each participant will leave with their bauble, finished with a velvet ribbon, ready to hang as a personal touch to your holiday décor or as a heartfelt gift for a loved one. £35

🎬 After Dark - Starlight Cinema: The Grinch, Winchester Science Centre, at 5:45 PM. Are you ready for a completely unique cinema experience? Grab a seat, sit back and relax as one of the most-loved Christmas movies, The Grinch, plays out under the stars of the Planetarium. £8.50

🎤 The Wittering Whitehalls - Barely Alive UK Tour, University of Winchester, at 7:30 PM. The Wittering Whitehalls are bringing their unique brand of charm and wit to Winchester, replicating their hilarious podcast in front of a live audience. Booking is now open for you to be part of the crowd before they retire ahead of the festive season. £30

🎶🎗️ Southern Voices Winter Concert, The Hospital of St Cross, at 7:30 PM. Southern Voices are delighted to be returning, once again, to the stunning surroundings of the Hospital of St Cross, and very much looking forward to bringing you Christmas with Southern Voices from the beautiful Chapel. £20

🎶 Glass Satellites Marillion Tribute, The Railway Inn, at 8:00 PM. It's lonely without your last marble, but there's nothing like a zinging bit of modern-day Marillion to restore your colours and sound! No need to go see a shrink - get your fix of music more magical than diamonds with Glass Satellites. £12.50

📚🤝 Winchesters Writing Group meetup, The South Downs Social, at 10:00 AM. This is the regular meet up for Winchester Writers’ Group. Come along to get to know a friendly group of fellow writers. Chat about writing and ongoing projects. Share ideas and advice.

🎄🧶 Christmas Wreath Making Workshop with Carol, The Colour Factory, at 11:00 AM. Join Carol in this festive wreath making workshop on Sunday 7th December in Winchester! You will leave with a luscious, fragrant wreath to adorn your front door; it can also be used as a table centrepiece! £75

🎶 Market Carols Strictly Come Christmas, Winchester Cathedral, at 3:30 PM. The scorecards are ready, the dancers are warmed up, and we’re stepping into a Christmas service like no other. Salsa into the season with joyful carols, festive readings, meaningful prayers and maybe even a Cha-Cha-Cha or two. Bring the whole family and get ready to sparkle… we’re hoping you’ll score it a perfect 10!

🎬 After Dark - Starlight Cinema: The Muppet Christmas Carol, Winchester Science Centre, at 5:45 PM. Are you ready for a completely unique cinema experience? Grab a seat, sit back and relax as one of the most-loved Christmas movies, The Muppet Christmas Carol, plays out under the stars of the Planetarium. £8.50

🎄✨🎶 Christmas Acoustic Session, The Railway Inn, at 6:00 PM. Join Us for a Festive Night of Live Music! Come and enjoy 8 of the best local acoustic acts from the area - all in one unforgettable night! £10

🎶 Jane Austen’s Piano with Jeneba and Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, Winchester College, at 6:00 PM. Classic FM Rising Star and Sony artist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason is joined by her mother, author, professor and activist Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason for an evening exploring Jane Austen’s musical world on the eve of her 250th birthday. £22.50

🏛️ Walking Tour: Jane Austen’s Birthday Tea, Visitor Information Centre, at 2:30 PM. A brief tour of Abbey House followed by tea, cake and readings to celebrate Jane Austen's life on the 250th anniversary of her birth - 16th December 1775. £17

🎶🎭🎬 James Hood’s Mesmerica, Winchester Science Centre, at 6:00 PM. Discover Mesmerica 360 - the smash-hit multi-sensory experience where time stands still, and a new kind of magic surrounds you to soothe the senses. £24.50

🎄🎭🎶 The Royal Ballet cinema screening The Nutcracker, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 6:30 PM. Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker has enchanted audiences since its 1984 premiere by the Company. Featuring Tchaikovsky’s most familiar melodies and brought to life by Julia Trevelyan Oman’s exquisite designs, The Nutcracker is sure to be a festive firecracker for all ages. £13

📚 Read It and Weep book club, The Railway Inn, at 7:00 PM. Join us on the third Tuesday of every month in Platform 2 for The Railway Inn’s new book club, Read It and Weep, as we sink our teeth into a juicy book (and probably enjoy a glass of wine or three!)

🪩🎶🎄 Dance Yourself Dizzy - Posh & Sparkly Christmas Ball, Guildhall Winchester, at 8:00 PM. Always a highlight of the year for many, there’s no other event like it! 2025 will see this event have FOUR dance floors, including the return of the Main Ballroom! And will run from 8pm until 12am! £22

🎄🎤 Fatiha El-Ghorri: Cockney Stacking Doll (Work In Progress), The Nutshell, at 8:00 PM. She’s the break-out star of Channel 4’s Taskmaster and Sky’s Mr Bigstuff and she’s warming up before she hits the road. Catch Fatiha El-Ghorri, winner of Best Debut Show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2023, in this work in progress show!  £13

🌳🤝 Hampshire Business Networking Presents: Netwalking, Winchester Cathedral, at 10:00 AM. Netwalking combines the benefits of networking with the joy of walking through the beautiful city of Winchester. Connect with fellow business professionals while enjoying the surroundings of this historic location. Don't miss this opportunity to make meaningful connections in a relaxed and scenic setting. £5

🎄🎐🎓 Christmas Glass Fusing Workshop, Winchester Cathedral, at 1:00 PM. Get into the festive spirit with a fun and friendly glass fusing workshop - a wonderful way to make beautiful keepsakes and magical memories with friends or family. £85

🎬🍷🎄 Film Society: Scrooged, Cabinet Rooms, at 5:00 PM. Over 18s only. Book in advance £15

🎶🎄 Midwinter Revels, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 7:30 PM. Following on from A Christmas Carol: In Concert and A Brief History of Christmas, GreenMatthews present their new festive show. Featuring Christmas carols, winter folk songs, toe-tapping tunes and a plethora of weird and wonderful instruments, the show is brought to life with GreenMatthews' trademark wit and humour. £15

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Could your home be their forever place?

A bit of froth to end on…

Did You Know? In 1770, a wealthy landowner attempted to dismantle the city's medieval Buttercross monument and move it to his private estate. The citizens of Winchester organized a "small riot," driving his workmen away and saving the monument, which still stands on the High Street today.

Brain Teaser: Two fathers and two sons go fishing. Each of them catches exactly one fish, but at the end of the day there are only three fish in the bag. How is that possible? Last week’s riddle answer: He is a barber. Last week’s brainteaser answer: 20p and a 10p (Only one of them is not a 10p coin).

Till next time,