10 things to do with your family this weekend

The attraction will have its last journey on its enchanted Christmas adventure on Christmas Eve.

Promising a magical experience for all the family, the park has added some seasonal attractions including a magical winter forest, complete with festive refreshments, Mother Christmas reading Mother Goose in a fairy glen, and a chance to meet Father Christmas in his grotto.

A regular ticket for the zoo does not include entry into the Enchanted Christmas experience. The zoo is open as normal, from 10am to 4pm. Visit www.marwell.org.uk/zoo/christmas.

2 SATURDAY will also be to the final opportunity to step through the special door at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium which leads directly to the North Pole. Santa’s elves are inviting children and their families to join them on a special tour of the Elf Invention Studio, meet Santa at his home and take part in a science-themed toy-making workshop.

Families will also be able to see elves journey across the solar system tracking down missing reindeer in a live Christmas-themed, elf-led planetarium show, as well as follow the new elf trail round the Science Centre, which sees the Sports Zone transformed into an elf gym.

All-inclusive tickets include general entry to the Science Centre, the Santa and the Elves Christmas Experience and a planetarium show. Three hours is recommended for your visit.

The last day of the experience is Saturday, December 23.

3 There’s not long left to help track down stolen ‘naughty or nice’ list and after the mischievous elves took it, and are now hiding around The Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth. Visitors can help locate the list before the big day, by finding all the elves while exploring the Tower. Make sure to post the elf trail sheet in the Christmas postbox, to be entered into a prize draw to win a festive goody bag.

The elf trail runs every day until the December 24 (subject to Tower opening times). All included in the standard ticket entry to the tower, no booking required.

4 IF YOU’RE looking for something a little bit different in you carol singing events this year, why not head to the Hawk Conservancy Trust, near Andover.

As well a mix of traditional and modern Christmas carols played by the Test Vally Brass Band and sung by the Andover Museum Loft Singers, there will be a special owl flying display.

You will also be welcomed to the popular Hampshire attraction by the festive sounds of The Blue Horizon Handbell Ringers.

The event will start at 6.30pm on Friday, December 22, and lasts around two hours.

Tickets cost £17.50, which includes a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie.

5 THE water may be a little but chilly at this time of year, but that not stopping people from canoeing along Beaulieu River in the New Forest this weekend.

New Forest Activities will putting on the festive paddle, which lasts 90 minutes.

It provides an opportunity for visitors to explore the river in a way many people don’t get to, and Santa may even make an appearance during the activities.

There will also be gifts from Santa for Children joining in.

The sessions will be held on Friday, December 22 and Saturday, December 23, both starting at 2pm and ending at 3.30pm.

To book your place, call New Forest Activities on 01590 612377.

6 SANTA will swap his sleigh for a steam train this weekend.

Children visiting The Watercress Line up to and including Christmas Eve will get the chance to meet the man St Nicholas when he delivers presents to their seats.

Each carriage will be decorated with festive colour and sparkle, plus there will be Christmas songs playing.

Places on The Watercress Line, in Alresford, cost £18, or £10 for 1-year-olds and under, until Christmas Eve, with prices rising by a pound on December 24.

Tickets are selling out fast so visit www.watercressline.co.uk to seal a space.

7 CHRISTMAS eve marks to last chance to take a festive tour, and enjoy a spot of afternoon tea at Hambledon Vineyard.

The afternoon starts with a full vineyard and winery tour, before visitors are taken to the cosy tasting room to savour of the vineyards award-winning Hambledon Classic Cuvée. This is then followed by a Christmas afternoon tea, including mince pies, Christmas cupcakes, gingerbread men, chocolate yule logs and mixed dainty festive sandwiches, served with a glass of Hambledon Vineyard Classic Cuveé Rosé, as well as a nice pot of tea or hot chocolate.

To book email tours@hambledonvineyard.co.uk or call 02392 632 358.

£70 for two people.

8 WINCHESTER residents and visitors can meet Father Christmas in the historic Great Hall until Saturday, December 23 as he stops off in the city.

Visitors will receive a festive gift and can enjoy a hot chocolate as well as take part in Christmas-themed craft activities- all included in the ticket price. A pop-up Christmas café will be serving a selection of festive treats.

The event will take place between 10am and 4pm daily.

Tickets, which cost £10, are limited for this pre-booked event. To secure a place, visit www.hants.gov.uk/shop.

9 IT’S the last chance for people in Winchester to enjoy pop-up performances and visual art installations as part of the Woolly Hat Fair.

Residents have the chance to hear heart-warming stories about Fondly Imagined Christmases based on local people and places, hear songs from local choirs and enjoy festive refreshments.

The event takes on Friday, December 22, and starts at 5.30pm.

10 RETURNING by popular demand, the Royal Armouries museum at Fort Nelson, near Portsmouth, will be running its Victorian Christmas event.

Visitors will be invited to gather round the range in the garrison kitchen at the for some festive entertainment and to experience the sights, smells and sounds of a traditional Victorian Christmas.

Visitors will step back in time to Christmas 1896 and enjoy a series of performances by costumed characters including head cook Sergeant Dobson as he prepares dishes for a Victorian Christmas feast for the inhabitants of the fort.

Sessions start at 11am, noon, 2pm and 3pm, and tickets cost £2.50 per adult, including a mince pie and glass of mulled wine. Under 16s go free.

However, numbers are limited to 20 per session, so to book a place, call 01329 233734.