Looking for something to do this weekend? We've got some suggestions here

Here’s our guide to ten of the top things to do in Hampshire this weekend...

In Southampton City Centre...

THE incredible flying Santa returns to the skies above Southampton precinct as part of this year’s Christmas Festival.

Tomorrow at 5pm, families are invited to join the Mayor of Southampton, councillor Les Harris, and Wave 105 DJ Mark Collins, as they call upon some Christmas magic to bring the city’s festive lights to life.

After the lights switch-on you can enjoy Santa’s first flight to mark the opening of this year’s festival. After the show, he will invite children to join him at the large advent calendar to hand out small treats to all.

Above Bar pedestrian precinct will again host a traditional festive market operated by internationally renowned WELA Märkte, which will run through to Saturday, December 23. Featuring alpine themed chalets with traditional German fayre, you can enjoy a delicious bratwurst or waffles, gingerbread hearts or even a mulled wine or cold stein of beer.

As well as over 40 stallholders offering a range of goods including authentic traditional hand-made gifts, this free festival also boasts regular festive entertainment with musicians and carol singers performing daily. Chalets are open 10am to 8pm daily, with the bars staying open for a further two hours in the evening, until 10pm.

There will be two Flying Santa shows each day, Monday to Saturday at 5pm and 7pm, and Sundays at 3pm and 5pm.

At God’s House Tower, Southampton...

SOUTHAMPTON Ukelele Jam launch the city’s film festival tomorrow with a screening of their documentary, Q and A, and of course a giant jam!

With film fun for fans of all ages and interests, the tenth annual Southampton Film Week is set to intrigue audiences across the city from this weekend.

Since forming in 2008, Southampton Ukulele Jam have played over 400 gigs, turning up everywhere from toddlers picnics to music festivals (often in the same weekend) and raising over £20k for charity along the way.

Filmmaker Amy Lupin followed the jam over the course of almost a year, talking to them, their families and their friends to uncover how it all started, why it still continues to grow, who the people in the jam are and why so many of them put so much time, energy and love into playing good songs moderately well on tiny toy instruments.

What emerges is not a documentary about ukuleles; instead it’s about good times, bad times, friendship and community and how being part of something bigger than yourself can make a big, big difference to so many people.

At Westquay...

WESTQUAY’s first ever real ice rink will take over the Esplanade, in Westquay South, from tomorrow until January 2.

The rink will be open daily from 10.30am-10pm throughout the festive period, except Christmas Day.

It’s not your typical ice rink; there’s a fantastic log cabin bar, hundreds of fairy lights and all this is set against the brilliant backdrop of the old city walls of Southampton. The Après Skate bar will offer hot chocolates in the day and Jaeger during the evenings – the perfect place to warm up after a skate.

Get your skates on to book a ticket at west-quay.co.uk/skate

At Hampshire cinemas...

THE bare necessities of a fulfilling life will come to you if you follow Paul King’s unabashedly sweet, wholesome and crowd-pleasing sequel.

Paddington 2 is a lip-smacking, tear-jerking delight for audiences of all ages, which promotes compassion and understanding as the foundations of a truly great Britain.

It’s a resolutely old-fashioned message of hope and community spirit, and a nimble script co-written by Simon Farnaby never deviates from trumpeting the central character’s unerring optimism in an era of paranoia and selfish desires.

The pantomime villain this time is a scheming theatrical ham, played to the comic hilt by Hugh Grant, who dons a wimple and knight’s armour to steal hidden treasure that should have been claimed by an ancestor.

Colourful production design is almost as vivid as the performances and Whishaw’s warm, soothing vocal performance tugs our heartstrings.

King’s fleet-footed sequel delivers with a marmalade-smeared flourish.

At Greta Park, Hedge End

IF YOU didn’t have your fill of fireworks last weekend, head to Hedge End for the firework fiesta and fun fair.

Around 3,000 local residents are expected at Greta Park for the event, organised by C. Burnett & Sons in association with Hedge End Carnival Committee.

Half of the admission money from the display is distributed to good causes around Hedge End by the carnival committee.

Gates open at 6pm and admission is £4 for adults and £2 for children or £10 for a family ticket.

At the Watercress Line...

DUST off your walking boots and hit the permanent way as part of The Watercress Line’s annual sponsored walk this weekend.

Once a year you can experience the railway from a completely different view by walking along the trackbed. From track level you get to fully appreciate the gradients the locomotives and footplate crews have to tackle to haul trains along theten-mile line and ‘over the Alps’ at its highest point in Medstead.

There are three lengths of walk you can choose from and a free vintage bus service will run you around so that you end up in the right place at the end of the walk.

The three-mile Family Stroll starts with a free vintage bus ride from Alresford station to Ropley, from there you walk the three miles back to Alresford.

The six-mile Downhill is from Medstead and Four Marks station to Alresford.

For the more adventurous, challenge yourself by walking the full ten miles from Alton station and ‘over the Alps’ to Alresford.

Just turn up on the day or register at watercressline.co.uk

At The Cenotaph, Southampton...

THE City of Southampton Annual Civic Remembrance Service will be held at the Cenotaph, in Watts Park at 10.55am on Sunday, conducted by John Attenborough, the mayor’s chaplain/port chaplain, Mission to Seafarers - Southampton and assisted by representatives of the Churches and Faith Communities of the City.

All are welcome to attend the event, which will be mirrored at memorials, churches and in villages across Hampshire.

At Fort Nelson...

THE Royal Armouries will fire an 18-pounder First World War gun at Fort Nelson on Remembrance Sunday as part of the commemorations to those killed in two world wars and all conflicts since.

Museum visitors will be able to join the nation in remembering the servicemen and women who laid down their lives. A uniformed detachment from Ubique Right of the Line will fire the British 18-pounder field gun on the parade to mark the beginning and end of the two minutes’ silence at 11am.

Staff will also fire the 18-pounder on the parade at 11am, to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, followed by two minutes’ silence.

Visit royalarmouries.org

At Beaulieu...

SIMPLY Smart will celebrate this miniature motoring marvel with a cheerful display in the grounds of the National Motor Museum on Sunday at the final rally of the season.

The seventh Simply Smart will showcase examples of the cheeky ForTwo, roomy ForFour and racy Roadster as owners park up, chat with fellow drivers and enjoy all of the features of one of the south’s leading visitor attractions.

Some of the smallest and cheekiest cars on the roads, many Smart cars are personalised by their owners with vivid custom colour schemes and stick-on graphics, meaning that Simply Smart is always a colourful affair.

You can be sure to see ForTwos, ranging from first-generation examples right up to the latest third generation. Look out for front and rear engine versions of the family-friendly ForFour and expect to see a selection of highly sought after Roadsters in the varied line-up.

Simply Smart is traditionally held on Remembrance Sunday and a two-minute silence will be held during the event at 11am, which visitors are invited to take part in.

A highlight of the rally is the People’s Choice Awards, when visitors can vote for their favourite Smart car of the show.

See beaulieu.co.uk/events

In High Street, Winchester...

WINCHESTER Farmers Market, on Sunday, is regarded as the largest regular farmers market in the UK with up to 95 stalls.

The award-winning event is famous for being featured on Rick Stein’s food programme.

Held in the heart of this historic cathedral city, producers sell meat, game, goat meat, veal and buffalo meat, cheese, milk, cream, ice cream, honey, breads, cakes, fresh and smoked fish, a large variety of fruits and vegetables and apple juice.

Stroll around the huge range of stalls and sample some of the best produce that Hampshire has to offer. Stop and rest for a while and enjoy a coffee at the coffee stall and then explore the food to go options which include the renowned buffalo burgers, beef burgers, salt beef sandwiches, egg and bacon rolls, hot sausages in rolls, fish cakes, hot soup, the popular Hog Roast and mulled wine.

For the gardening enthusiast, there are a range of plants, shrubs and trees. The event was voted best in the country by the Guardian Food Magazine.

Go to hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk