FESTIVAL Place is gearing up for the Christmas period with six weeks of festive fun.

Rather than the traditional Christmas lights switch on, this year the shopping destination hosted a day-long launch event.

With snowflake decorations all around the centre, parts of Festival Place have been transformed into festive destinations.

In Portchester square there are a host of different stalls selling Christmas treats with the Pollyfields stand giving off the smell of Christmas as soon as you walk into Festival Place.

Guest can also stop off at the magical pop-up pantomime Festa and the Frozen Fjords will transport audiences to a wintry wonderland.

One parent who had just gone to see the pantomime told the Gazette: “It was actually really enjoyable.

“It is a good way to break up the shopping, especially if you have little ones who may get a little bit restless.”

Children were also enjoying a ride on the festive train around the shopping centre, while others made stops at Santa’s Grotto and Santa’s post office to send their Christmas letters.

As part of the launch event there were also fairy tale characters roaming around the centre as well as musical performances from the Rock Choir and Bellboy Band.

Cheryl Jones, from Chineham was out with her daughter, she said: “It is a bit sad not to see the normal light switch on, but it is nice that there are lots of different things going on.

“By being able to pop into the Grotto or on the train it means that we’ve been able to break up our shopping trip.”

Activities will be running throughout Festival Place in the lead up to Christmas.

Here is a full list of events happening over the festive period: 

November 16 – Christmas Launch (10am-7pm)

A host of colourful fairy tale characters will be roaming the centre to spread a little Christmas magic! Look out for the Brilliant Bellboy Band, our sparkling Festive Fairy and musician, super chefs Nigelfa and Hestonblumentelf, mischievous elves, LED ballerinas, wind-up doll dancers, toy soldiers, and Festa the talking reindeer.

Weekends from November 16 to December 22 – Festive Train

A festive train will help shoppers by picking them up on the upper level and doing a loop to and from Paperchase. The train will cost £1 per person with all proceeds going to St. Michael’s Hospice.

Weekends from November 16 to December 22 – Frozen Fjords

The Frozen Fjords Theatre Show can be booked on the Festival Place website or any time up to an hour before the performance. Tickets will be £5 per person all proceeds will go to St Michael’s Hospice.

Weekends from November 16 to December 14 – Flower Therapy

Need a break from Christmas shopping? Head over to the Hampshire Flower Studio for mindfulness wreath making. Learn a new skill in this adult-only space with tea and cake provided. Book your slot at the Customer Lounge.

November 23 & 24 – Toy Testers

Try out the latest toys, gadgets and Christmas must-haves for little (and big) kids. All elf approved, of course!

December 7 & 8 – Cracker Station

Get crafty and join our elves at the Christmas Cracker Making Station! Fill your crackers with giggles, jokes and wishes to start your Christmas with a bang!

December 14 & 15 – Gingerbread Men Making

Get creative this Christmas and decorate your very own gingerbread friend in our fun-filled festive kitchen. Find us on the Upper Level.

Throughout December – Happy Wrappy

Rubbish at wrapping? Need an extra pair of hands? Get all wrapped up with Festive Services’ Happy Wrappy team in aid of St. Michael’s Hospice. This service will run on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday each week throughout December starting on Sunday, December 1. There will be an extra date on Monday, December 23, for those last-minute gifts. For times, please check the website. 

From November 16 to December 24 – Santa’s Grotto

Come and visit our fabulous, festive grotto for a truly magical Christmas experience for all the family, open from November 16 until December 24.