Things to Do Southampton and Winchester This Christmas!

As deadlines loom and we start counting down the days until Christmas, Arts Ambassador Molly Adams shows there’s plenty of arts and culture to get you into the festive mood across Southampton and Winchester. With the University’s free shuttle bus and cheap train fares between Southampton and Winchester, transport between the two cities has never been more accessible for University of Southampton students.

  1. Visit the Cultural Quarter and enjoy the newest exhibitions over a festive drink!
Image Credits: Steve Shrimpton

Southampton’s Cultural Quarter, located in the heart of the city centre, boasts incredible arts and culture venues, alongside cafes and restaurants. Check out the SeaCity Museum, Southampton City Art Gallery and Solent Showcase Gallery or book a night at the theatre.

Take a break from Christmas shopping and ice skating to visit the free exhibitions at the John Hansard Gallery (JHG), check out the events programme,or bring along the kids to one of their Space To Create! workshops. With free entry, JHG’s open Tue-Sat, 1100 – 1700. There’s no excuse not to visit one of our city’s newest and most exciting venues.

You’re Invited!: On Friday 14 December, 1800 – 2000, come and enjoy at festive drink at the John Hansard Gallery, as part of preview event for artist Siobhán Hapaska’s new exhibition of sculptures. No RSVP required, just turn up!

  1. Go to the Theatre!
Image Credits: NST City and Manuel Harlan

This Christmas, Southampton’s theatres have some incredible offerings for all the family, from NST City’s hilarious new musical adaptation of David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy to Mayflower’s pantomime, Dick Whittington. Alternatively, you can still catch an incredible pantomime if you’re in Winchester, with the Theatre Royal Winchester’s production of Beauty and the Beast.

Not feeling in the Christmas spirit? Come down to the Annex Theatre on the University of Southampton campus to see our students perform in

Theatre Group Presents: Macbeth for a night of intrigue, murder, and the supernatural…

  1. Attend a Christmas concert at Turner Sims!

The incredible Turner Sims concert hall, at Highfield Campus is hosting a range of festive concerts, guaranteed to get you in the festive mood. There’s a weekend of yuletide-fun on Saturday and Sunday nights with concerts by Southampton Youth Concert Sinfonietta and the Southampton University Concert Band, or listen to the enchanting Cara Dillon and her band. For little ones, there’s the Jingle Bell’s Family Concert on Sunday 16 Dec, 11:00 & 15:00, so why not treat friends and family to an unforgettable experience of live music?

In Winchester…

  1. Visit Winchester and stock up on presents made by young artists and designers!
Image Credit: Hannah Teague

Winchester is known as the home of all things Christmas at this time of year, with the Christmas market being one of the best in the UK.

Our Winchester School of Art students and alumni have curated a pop-up shop in the Brooks Shopping Mall full of unique and beautiful gifts for the festive season, but this is only for a limited period, so get in quick (8th-13th December)!

 

Or, if you want to see what else our talented students have been up to, visit the Winchester Gallery and the Winchester School of Art, where our Fine Art students will be exhibiting work from their shared drive with a preview event from 4-6pm on Thursday 13th December.

Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium are also offering festive activities for the little ones, with their Storytime with Santa event and their Santa and the Elves Christmas Experience. Don’t miss out!

Arts Ambassadors is a paid opportunity, supported by the Careers and Employability Service’s Excel Southampton Internship programme, University of Southampton

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Arts at University of Southampton

Whether you’re a student, staff or from our wider community, there are plenty of exciting cultural opportunities for everyone through Arts at University of Southampton.

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