1 In Winchester...

DIY – usually something you hear on an advert for home decor, not Winchester Science Centre!

Discover DIY Science at Winchester Science Centre this weekend.

Explore awesome hands-on science that you can do at home and experience a fantastic live show packed full of cool experiments and tips and tricks for DIY scientific exploration.

Get hands on with fun activities and challenges in the Invention Studio and look out for the centre’s team of Inspirers who will be roaming the exhibition floor with some exciting interactive demonstrations.

2 In Portsmouth...

THIS Christmas, Santa has set up his toy making workshop at Emirates Spinnaker Tower.

Join the elves this weekend as they make the finishing touches to their latest batch of cuddly reindeers.

Each child will name their reindeer, fill it with stuffing and place a magic charm inside before carefully sealing it up.

Once their reindeer is finished, no trip to Santa’s workshop is complete without a visit to see Father Christmas in his grotto!

Book spaces online.

3 In Andover...

JOIN the Hawk Conservancy for a special evening this Saturday or Sunday to kick off the festive season.

You will be welcomed by the sounds of The Blue Horizon Handbell Ringers.

Join in with Christmas carols, both traditional and modern, under the night sky accompanied by Test Valley Brass.

Warm up during the interval with mulled wine and a mince pie.

The Hawk Conservancy will also introduce you to the magical world of their owls as you witness the beautiful owls twist and turn in the night sky and skim silently over the top of your head.

4 In Winchester...

ONE of Winchester’s more recent Christmas traditions is the annual Advent concert given by the Cathedral Chamber Choir.

This hour of varied music, starting from 1pm on Saturday, has been chosen to soothe and inspire, and is performed in the splendour of the cathedral and takes a different format every year.

This is a free event – all are welcome. A retiring collection will be taken.

5 In Winchester...

STEP into the warmth of Winchester City Mill’s kitchen for some festive baking on Saturday.

From buttery mince pies, cakes and festive bread, find all your favourite bakes here.

Learn how to make seasonal treats using the mill’s delicious stoneground wholemeal flour.

Take away the mill’s Christmas Celebration Cake recipe card to try out at home.

6 In the New Forest...

HEAD over to New Forest Activities on Saturday for a festive paddle on the Beaulieu River to find Santa.

Enjoy a 90 minute guided tour of the river’s beautiful nature reserve, with the river offering up some of its more stunning sights on a fresh Winter’s day.

You’ll set sail in stable and safe, Canadian style canoes with the added excitement that of meeting Santa on the river in his boat full of Christmas gifts.

All children will receive a gift from Santa and there’ll be toasty hot chocolate available to keep you warm.

7 In Winchester...

THIS is the last weekend that the bustling Christmas market in the cathedral grounds will be open this year.

Founded in 2006, Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is recognised as one of the best in Europe due to its unique location, high quality exhibitors and bustling atmosphere.

Christmas gifts, decorations and festive foods can be found in abundance.

Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market is inspired by traditional German Christmas markets and attracts more than 350,000 visitors each year.

8 In Romsey...

CHRISTMAS is a special time of the year at Paultons, meet Santa in his magical Grotto, experience Peppa Pig World in a festive setting and enjoy selected rides and attractions, including Lost Kingdom and Critter Creek, across the park.

Santa’s Grotto is available to book 9.30am to 5.15pm this weekend.

There is limited capacity so book early to avoid disappointment.

9 In Southampton...

ARE you curious about Southampton?

Explore, discover and enjoy the city centre with two unique, quirky heritage walks with a treasure hunt theme.

Southampton is one of Britain’s famous maritime cities, a major departure point for ocean-going liners, as well as the many ferries which scurry to and from its port.

But it is more than that – it has an Old Town, with remnants of a castle to explore and the walls which surrounded it, a medieval merchant’s house, a 12th century city gate, a jaw-dropping Civic Centre and a 15th century Tudor House.

Buy a booklet or instant download format from Curious About’s website and explore at your own pace.

10 In Gosport...

Dust down your Rubik’s Cube and grab your legwarmers for a warp-speed trip back to the 80s.

The fantastic new exhibition I Grew Up 80s at Gosport Gallery this weekend will give an entire generation a chance to wallow in 80s nostalgia with over 200 iconic objects that defined the decade.

Following the success of his hit Star Wars-themed exhibition May The Toys Be With You, collector and cultural commentator Matt Fox has devoted himself to exploring a 1980s childhood through the iconic objects of an era in which so much changed.

Visitors will be able to travel through the cultural landscape of 1980s Britain, revisiting the vibrancy, quirkiness and innovation that symbolised the 80s.