Shopping Centre announces special Christmas events
FAREHAM SHOPPING CENTRE have encouraged visitors to step into the magic of Christmas as they announced their calendar of festive activities to run throughout the month December; allowing people of all ages the opportunity to celebrate together and create memories that will last long after the decorations come down.
Christmas wouldn’t be possible without a visit from Santa Claus and he will be visiting his magical grotto based within Osborn Square (near B&M). Across three individual weekends in December little ones can step into Santa’s enchanting world and meet the big man himself, where they can share their all-important Christmas wishes and receive a special gift to take home for absolutely no cost.
Whether it’s a little one’s very first meeting with Santa or a much-loved family tradition, the grotto promises a magical experience filled with smiles, excitement and festive cheer. Santa’s Grotto will be open on December 5 (Saturday), December 6 (Sunday), December 12 (Saturday), December 13 (Sunday), December 19 (Saturday) and December 20 (Sunday).
It is completely free and there is no need to book a slot with opening times being from 11am to 4pm on the above dates only. Please note, Santa will be taking a short break between 1pm and 1.30pm each day to recharge his Christmas magic!
The fun doesn’t stop at weekends however as the shopping centre have further announced Festive Thursdays on December 10 and December 17 from 4pm to 7pm. These extra hours will allow families to bring more seasonal excitement to the heart of the town centre.
Families can look forward to an extra helping of festive cheer as Santa returns to his grotto for special evening visits, while little elves can roll up their sleeves and get creative with two magical Christmas workshops. From meeting Santa Claus to enjoying some hands-on festive fun, the evenings promise something special for children and families looking to make the most of the countdown to Christmas.
And with extended shopping until 7pm, it is hoped that Festive Thursdays provide a perfect opportunity to more presents off the Christmas list, discover festive gifts and enjoy the seasonal atmosphere. This includes those who are simply popping in for some Christmas shopping, bringing the children along for a festive treat or simply soaking up the magic.
Centre Manager at Fareham Shopping Centre, Mike Taylor, said “There’s something really special about seeing the excitement on children’s faces at Christmas, and we can’t wait to welcome families back for another magical festive season at Fareham Shopping Centre. We know how important it is for families to be able to enjoy Christmas experiences together, which is why we’re delighted to offer our Santa’s Grotto completely free of charge. Every child deserves a little Christmas magic, and we hope our grotto will help create some wonderful memories for local families.”
He continued to say: “With our Festive Thursdays adding even more fun to the celebrations, including creative workshops and extra opportunities to meet Santa, there’s plenty to look forward to. We hope everyone will come along, enjoy the festive atmosphere, support our fantastic retailers and celebrate Christmas with us.”
Councillor Frair Burgess, Executive Member for Leisure & Community, said: “Festive Thursdays are a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas in Fareham. With extended shopping, festive entertainment, local market stalls and free parking, there’s something for everyone to enjoy while supporting our fantastic local businesses.”
Readers can find all further information about the Christmas events for 2026 and other campaigns / events by visiting the Fareham Shopping Centre website which further features a layout map of all stores and small businesses. Alternatively they can also visit social media platforms including their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or contacting the dedicated team on this email link.
PICTURED BY PIXABAY: Fareham Shopping Centre have released information about their free Christmas events throughout December including Santa’s Grotto and Festive Thursdays.
