YOU don’t have to book flights to Lapland to see Santa this Christmas, there are plenty of magical encounters with the big man himself to be had around Hampshire this December.

From zoos to farms and steam trains to funfairs, this year Father Christmas will be popping up in a range of weird and wonderful places - but book your place now, before he flies back to the North Pole!

Christmas at Marwell...

Join the elves in the enchanted world of Marwell Hall as you are transported to Neverland for this year's festive offering.

Enjoy festive refreshments as your child checks whether they've made the nice list or the naughty list.

Be charmed by Mother Christmas in Pirate Cove and listen to stories and songs inspired by Peter Pan.

Create your own Christmas present bag in the elves workshop.

Meet Father Christmas and receive a special gift before posing for a professionally taken family photo

The price of the hour long experience also includes zoo entry.

Christmas at Marwell runs until Christmas Eve.

At Longdown Farm's Christmas Barn...

Delight at the festive atmosphere in the barn where you will meet real live animals among the fairy-lit Christmas trees.

See the peaceful Nativity scene and then look for Santa's tractor sleigh outside the Farmhouse Grotto where Father Christmas is waiting to meet the children and give them a gift and a special Longdown goody bag.

The barn is open daily along with the soft play area, crazy golf course, mini tractors, diggers, tea room, gift shop and farm shop.

Festive fun at the Watercress Line...

The Santa Special steam locomotive is chuffing along, giving families the chance to travel across the heart of the English countryside in a festive train carriage with Father Christmas and his jolly helpers.

On various dates until Christmas Eve, every child on board will receive a gift as well as a soft drink, gingerbread man and activity pack to keep them entertained on this enchanting one-hour journey, while grown ups will be treated to white wine and mince pies.

Guests of all ages are also asked to bring their very best singing voices to join in with everyone’s favourite Christmas songs!

Christmas at Paultons...

Meet Santa in his magical grotto and many of his animal friends along the way as they all get ready for Christmas Eve. Adorable animated characters greet you at every turn with twinkling lights and magical scenes brought to life.

Also meet Frosty, Rudolph and the two cheeky elves Billy and Belinda in the park's festive family show.

The spectacular musical Christmas tree in the entrance plaza performs a festive song and light show every 15 minutes.

Show Street has been transformed into Snow Street for the winter and see the beautiful illuminations in Peppa Pig World.

Christmas at Paultons runs until December 23.

At Southampton Christmas Festival...

The annual festival featuring the Flying Santa is under way.

Twice daily, Father Christmas flies over the traditional German market and up the High Street in his sleigh at a height of 35 metres.

At the end of each show, Santa will hand out a small treat to each child.

The market, which runs until December 23, features top quality arts and crafts and food stalls selling everything from bratwurst to gingerbread hearts.

At Winchester Science Centre's Santa and the Elves Christmas Experience...

Santa and the elves are back at Winchester Science Centre and this time they’re joined by Jack and the beanstalk!

A 25-minute live science show investigates different forces to see how they can help Jack reach the very top of his beanstalk.

Afterwards, children are invited to grow their own Elf grass in a 25-minute Elf-led workshop, along with the chance to meet Santa and receive a gift.

Enjoy the experience until Christmas Eve

At Keydell Santa's Grotto, Horndean...

Visit Santa at Keydell Nurseries and you'll also be able to take a stroll through a truly spectacular magical winter woodland walk.

At just under 120m long, it features everything from snowmen and polar bears, to gingerbread houses and enchanted fairy hideaways.

Each child ticket to Santa's Grotto includes a choice of unwrapped gift from Santa’s toyshop and entrance for two adults.

The grotto and woodland walk are open each day until December 23.

Breakfast or Tea with Santa at Wyevale Garden Centres in Fair Oak and Cadnam...

Enjoy Breakfast or Tea with Santa and lots of festive fun.

Youngsters and their grown ups can tuck into a delicious, freshly-prepared meal.

Those on the good list can decorate their own biscuit, receive a special gift and meet Father Christmas himself!

Also enjoy Santa's Grotto until Christmas Eve.

At Hayling Winter Wonderland...

The elves at Funland have been busy creating a spectacular wonderland experience.

To start your journey you will be met by Santa’s elves, who will take you on your visit to Father Christmas, with a breathtaking walk through wonderland, where you will meet Santa Claus himself and the children will receive an early Christmas present!

Then board the Funland Express, an indoor train journey through a stunning elf village where you may even meet Rudolph, Santa’s favourite reindeer!

Throughout the day, you can enjoy the Kidz Kingdom play area or ride on a selection of children’s rides.

While the children are enjoying the fun, the grown ups can have a mince pie and a festive tipple at the polar bar!

At Finkley Down Farm...

On arrival, pick up your Santa Passport which allows you to take part in all the fun, from now until Christmas Eve.

Visit Mother Christmas’s Kitchen and decorate your own festive treat to take home.

Tiptoe into the Christmas Barn. No doubt Father Christmas will be asleep after eating all of Mother Christmas’s gingerbread. You will have to wake him up if you want him to look you up in his good book.

A Golden Star is given to all those children who have been good.

The Elves will then use their magic to make it snow.

Next, it's time to meet the real reindeer and make some magical reindeer food to take home.

Then exchange your Golden Star for a gift of your choice.

Other activities include an elf hunt, write a letter to Father Christmas, a snowball shoot out and grooming one of Santa's little ponies.

Aboard The Gunwharf Express...

Set off to the North Pole with the Gunwharf Express!

The Gunwharf Express is a premium indoor immersive walkthrough (and ride on!) Christmas experience for the whole family, with a number of entertaining characters, stunning sets, professionally designed effects, and classic puppetry.

The experience lasts around 30 minutes, giving you and your family plenty of time to enjoy the full North Pole treatment, before meeting Father Christmas himself.

The Gunwharf Express is steaming around Portsmouth until Christmas Eve.