Ringwood’s Winter Wanderland is returning, promising a spectacular launch to the festive season.

Organised by Ringwood Town Council, the well-loved community event attracts thousands to the market town each year.

The festivities will begin on Sunday, December 1, kicking off a full day of Christmas activities and continuing to enchant visitors for the rest of December with the town’s striking Christmas lights and beautifully bedecked shop windows.

The town will transform into a festive hub from 11.30am to 6pm, providing something for everyone.

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More than 80 market stalls will be available (Image: Ringwood Town Council) More than 80 market stalls will be available, offering unique gifts, local produce, arts and crafts, and a variety of delicious food and drinks, including mulled wine, hog roast, bratwurst, Greek street food, fish and chips and stone-baked pizza.

Live performances will take place in the Market Place from midday, featuring choirs from Ringwood and Poulner junior schools, followed by various festive acts throughout the afternoon.

The Ringwood and Burley Band will fill the High Street with joyful music, and the Steamship Circus entertainers will also be making an appearance.

Younger visitors can look forward to a mini funfair, free circus skills in The Furlong Shopping Centre, and rides on the miniature steam train from Chuffley Light Railway, running along Southampton Road.

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Steamship Circus entertainers will also be making an appearance (Image: Ringwood Town Council) Santa will be welcoming children to his magical grotto at Ringwood Gateway, with tickets at £5 available in advance.

He will also lead a festive parade through the town, concluding with the grand Christmas light switch-on at 6pm in the Market Place, unveiling a new lighting scheme for this year.

An art installation called 'Unfurl', created by Bristol-based studio, Air Giants, will be on display in Gateway Square.

This robotic light and air installation celebrates the wonder of nature’s design and provides a space for human connection and play.

The installation is funded by the Arts Council England and Without Walls, with Hampshire Cultural Trust partnering with Ringwood Town Council to bring this installation to the event.

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The day is made possible through the generosity of sponsors including headline partner Frettens Solicitors, stage sponsor Churchill Living, railway sponsor The Railway Pub, and other supporters such as The Furlong Shopping Centre, Ringwood Motor Company, Oak Mount Care Home, Doughty Engineering, Lonsdale Wealth Management, BH24 and Fred Olsen Travel Agents.

Community partners like Ringwood Carnival, Ringwood Rotary Club, Ringwood and District Roundtable, Ringwood and Fordingbridge Lions, and Ringwood Men’s Shed also play a significant role in making the event special.

The Ringwood Winter Wanderland is a free event, ideal for getting into the holiday spirit with family and friends.

For more details about the event, including Santa’s Grotto, the Christmas Window Competition, and a full programme of activities, visit ringwood.gov.uk/events/ringwood-winter-wanderland.