Winchester Brew - 4th December '25

Winchester is heading into peak festive mode, and nothing captures it better than the great tide of red suits jogging (gently… very gently) through the city on Sunday. The Santa Fun Run is back, bringing hundreds of Santas, small and large, pounding the pavements for charity and turning the High Street into a moving Christmas card. It’s silly, joyful, and one of the few moments each year when Lycra and felt hats coexist without judgement.

Around it, the long-running Christmas staples are in full swing. The Cathedral Christmas Market is buzzing, Steam Illuminations are lighting up the Watercress Line, Santa’s Grotto is open at the Great Hall, Glow Marwell is dazzling crowds, and Theatre Royal’s Puss in Boots is purring through its run. If you’re after something handmade, quirky or edible, The Nutshell’s Christmas Makers Market brings together over 30 independent designers and food traders for a proper festive browse.

And the week itself is packed: wreath-making with cheese and wine, planetarium cinema nights, comedy, music gigs, history tours, paint-and-sip evenings, football fixtures, Handel’s Messiah, burlesque bingo, and enough workshops to decorate half of Winchester in handmade crafts by mid-December.

A warm welcome to everyone joining us this week. Lovely to have you with us.

Our featured pick of the events this week.

Make a difference this Christmas. Join a flurry of Santas in a festive warm up in front of the Guildhall steps – a truly magical experience to be a part of, before embarking on a 5k route around the historic streets of Winchester city centre.

There is also a shorter 2k route, perfect for those who want to enjoy the festivities without the longer distance.

Children under 5 attend for free and do not receive a t-shirt or hat, but we warmly encourage them to dress up and join the fun in their own special way!

The registration fee covers the cost of you taking part in the event. We kindly ask that you aim to raise a minimum £50 in sponsorship to help support the vital work of the hospices.

When: At 8am, on Sunday 7th November

Where: Outside the Guildhall

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.

🛍️🎄 Christmas Makers Market, The Nutshell, Saturday and Sunday from 10am. The Nutshell Makers Market is a vibrant celebration of independent designers, creatives, makers, and small businesses. Held once a year, our carefully curated market brings together over 30 talented makers and food vendors under one roof.

🎅🎄🎗️ 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

🖼️🍷 Paint & Sip Late Night Adult Craft Night, Bella Crafts, at 6:00 PM. You can bring your own project along and simply use our space or choose one of our Walk-In Workshop Activities which include pottery painting, decopatch, glass painting, fabric painting and simple jewellery. From £5.95

🎶 Black Kat Boppers, The Railway Inn, at 7:30 PM. Black Kat Boppers are a UK 4 piece who play their own brand of authentic rock'n'roll! £10

🎤 Having the Track Comedy Night, The Railway Inn, at 7:30 PM. Having The Track Comedy is back for another fantastic night of laughs this December! Grab a ticket in advance to avoid missing out! £8

🎶 It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, Winchester Cathedral, at 7:30 PM. Invite family and friends to sing along to a mix of well-known carols and seasonal songs in Winchester Cathedral at Christmas. £20

🖼️🍷 Arc after Dark- William Morris Paint and Sip with Alan Beckett, The Arc, at 6:30 PM. Discover your artistic potential with easy-to-follow instructions suitable for all skill levels - you can decide whether you would like a template, a grid or a blank sheet! Enjoy quality time with your friends and loved ones in a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. £16

🎶 Jam Night, Projects Winchester, at 7:30 PM. Get up and join in. Or sit back and relax. We serve beer, food, wine and good times.

🎤💃 Burlesque Bingo - Christmas Special, The Nutshell, at 7:30 PM. Get ready for the tease of your life as burlesque meets bingo in an evening of glamour, giggles and guaranteed, gorgeous surprises. £18

🧶🍷 Christmas wreath making with cheese, wine and mince pies, Thrive&Wild, at 7:30 PM. Get into the holiday spirit by crafting your very own Christmas wreath while enjoying delicious cheese, wine, and mince pies. It's the perfect way to unwind and get creative during this joyful season. Don't miss out on this fun and festive event! £25

🎬 After Dark - Starlight Cinema: Die Hard, Winchester Science Centre, at 7:45 PM. Are you ready for a completely unique cinema experience? Grab a seat, sit back and relax as Die Hard plays out under the stars of The Planetarium this December (18+ only). £8.50

🎶 Provincials, The Railway Inn, at 8:00 PM. Experimental / pop band. We play widescreen music in the dark. £12

📚 War Cloister Tour, Winchester College, at 2:00 PM. Winchester College’s War Cloister is the largest private war memorial in Europe. These thought-provoking tours bring to life the stories of the pupils and teachers from Winchester who died in both World Wars and subsequent conflicts, who are remembered in War Cloister. £15

🛍️ General Auction, Badger Farm Community Centre, at 2:00 PM. We hold popup auctions in and around Winchester. Sellers drop their items off in the morning We open for viewing at 12:30pm The auction starts at 2pm We settle up immediately afterwards and it’s all done in a day!

🎄 Soldered Bauble Workshop with Emily, The Colour Factory, at 2:00 PM. 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

🏉 Winchester Rugby vs Bournemouth, North Walls Park, at 2:30 PM. Come along and support the Winchester 1st XV in their next home match.

⚽ Winchester City FC vs Willand Rovers, Hillier Way, at 3:00 PM. Come and support the Citizens in their next home match. £13.50

🎬 After Dark - Starlight Cinema: The Polar Express, 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 Polar Express, plays out under the stars of the Planetarium. £8.50

🎶 Loud and Clear Night in Winchester - No Alcohol or Drugs, Unit 12 CIC, Winnal Lane, at 7:00 PM. We bring together DJs, dance music, an awesome sound system, and custom reactive visuals to create an uplifting rave experience without alcohol or drugs. Expect high energy, deep bass, and a friendly, welcoming crowd.

🎶 The Waynflete Singers – Handel’s Messiah, Winchester Cathedral, at 7:30 PM. To herald the Christmas season and bring the Christian message of hope and joy, the Waynflete singers perform Handel’s much-loved oratorio, Messiah. £15

🎶 John Otway, The Railway Inn, at 8:00 PM. Cor Baby that’s a PhD! That’ll be Dr Otway if you please as so called ‘Rock’s greatest failure’ is granted a doctorate! £15

🎅🎁🎄 Santa’s Relaxed Grotto at The Great Hall, The Great Hall. Share a magical moment with Santa and his elf in the magical setting of The Great Hall Grotto, with sensory accommodations: Please note this event will have reduced lighting effects and no music. £25

🧶🎄 Christmas Wreath Making Workshop with Carol, The Colour Factory, at 11:00 AM. Join Carol in this festive wreath making workshop. You will leave with a luscious, fragrant wreath to adorn your front door; it can also be used as a table centrepiece! All moss covered frames, foliage and fruit will be supplied. £75

🎬 After Dark - Starlight Cinema: Home Alone, 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, Home Alone, plays out under the stars of the Planetarium. £8.50

🖼️🍷 Paint with Pals - Christmas Special, The Square, at 6:00 PM. Join us for a cosy evening of hot chocolates, laughter, and painting your own Christmas decorations! Get into the festive spirit with us at The Square in Winchester for a cosy evening of creativity, laughter, and Christmas magic! £20

🎶 Skinny Bob Album Launch Show, The Railway Inn, at 7:30 PM. Their songs are loud, unique, original, fun, at times soulful and are guaranteed to have a crowd singing along and jumping around! £9

📚🏛️ Archives Tour, Winchester College, at 11:00 AM. This tour allows a rare opportunity to view two medieval rooms which house the school’s Archives, as well as documents and artefacts relating to the school’s history which will be on display. Tours are delivered by our College Archivist, Suzanne. £15

🎄🎐🎓 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

🎬 After Dark - Night Sky Live:, Winchester Science Centre, Family Session at 5:00 PM and Adult Session at 7:30 PM Have you ever looked up into the sky at night and wondered what you’re seeing? Begin your Night Sky Live adventure in the Planetarium. Learn the skills you’ll need to identify what’s above us before following the stargazing host outside into the South Downs National Park. £17.50

🎶 The Spitfire Sisters present: It's Snowtime!, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 7:30 PM. Grab a mulled wine, wrap up warm and get ready for a night of festive songs and cheer with The Spitfire Sisters. Backed by their brilliant band, The Spitfire Sisters bring their trademark close harmonies and fabulous outfits for en evening of seasonal merriment. £18

🪩🕺🏽 Dance Yourself Dizzy Jive Class, Guildhall Winchester, at 8:00 PM. Dance Yourself Dizzy is re-opening at Winchester Guildhall for class nights every Tuesday. Spread the word, bring your friends & spread the Modern Jive love! £10

🎄 Contemporary Festive Earring Workshop with Emily, The Colour Factory, at 2:00 PM. As much as I enjoy a pair of garish, tinsel, light-up Christmas earrings, they aren’t an accessory that you can wear all year round. I’ve decided to take a series of subtle festive imagery and create some sophisticated, slightly unusual pieces of jewellery that can be worn especially for this seasonal time, or all year round. £75

🎶🎭🎬 James Hood’s Mesmerica, Winchester Science Centre, at 7:15 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. Mesmerica is an experience unlike any other - specifically designed to unwind. £24.50

🎬🎗️ Naomi House & Jacksplace Christmas Movie Night: Love Actually, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 7:15 PM. Follow the chaotic love lives of eight very different couples a month before Christmas from the classic film, Love Actually. Plus enjoy a tasty refreshment of a mince pie whilst you savour the sweet sounds from Otterbourne Brass. This is a charity event with proceeds going to Naomi House & Jacksplace. £9

Got an event we should feature in the Winchester Brew? Click the button below and add your event details!

Could your home be their forever place?

A bit of froth to end on…

Did You Know? At Winchester College, new pupils historically had to learn a whole private language of slang and customs called “Notions” - even taking a “Notions exam” to prove they understood the school’s unique vocabulary and traditions.

Riddle Me This: A man shaves 25 times a day and still has a full beard. How is that possible? Last week’s answer: Everyone on the boat is married.

Brain Teaser: You have two coins that add up to 30p. One of them is not a 10p coin. What are the two coins?? Last week’s answer: One fruit, from the “Apples & Oranges” box.

Till next time,