Events, festivals and markets in Winchester with their dates published, for the next twelve months.
Each listing links to the organiser's own page, which is where we checked it, last on 27 October 2026, and where any late change will show first.
Sat 7 – Sun 8 Nov
The Nutshell Antiques & Flea Market Free
The Nutshell, 15 Kings Walk (the former Antiques Market building)
A quarterly indoor pop-up of antiques, vintage clothing, vinyl and bric-a-brac in the old Kings Walk Antiques Market building, open 10am to 4pm with free entry.
Details from the organiser →Sat 7 Nov
Winchester Bonfire and Fireworks
Torchlit procession from the Guildhall, The Broadway; display at North Walls Recreation Ground
Winchester Round Table's charity night opens with a free torchlit procession from the Guildhall up the High Street, while the bonfire and fireworks arena needs a wristband for everyone except babies in arms.
Details from the organiser →Thu 19 Nov
Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On
The Broadway, outside the Guildhall
Winchester BID's switch-on brings local choirs and schools to a stage in The Broadway from 4.20pm, with the countdown to the city's lights just before 6.30pm.
Details from the organiser →Fri 20 Nov – Tue 22 Dec
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market Free
Inner and Outer Close, Winchester Cathedral
Wooden chalets fill the cathedral's Inner and Outer Close, open 10am to 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 10am to 6pm Sunday to Thursday, with free entry and no booking.
Details from the organiser →Mon 23 Nov
Winchester Cathedral Family Lantern Parade Free
Starts and finishes at Winchester Cathedral; route up the High Street to the Buttercross
Families gather in the cathedral from 5.30pm with home-made lanterns and set off at 6.30pm up the High Street to the Buttercross and back to the West Front, where the Dean picks the prize winners.
Details from the organiser →Sat 28 Nov
Advent Procession
Winchester Cathedral
The cathedral's first Advent service is a candlelit procession of plainsong and hymns at 6.30pm, with no booking and seats taken on a first-come basis.
Details from the organiser →Sat 28 Nov – Wed 23 Dec
Santa's Grotto at the Great Hall
The Great Hall, The Castle, SO23 8UD
Booked five-minute visits to Santa in the Great Hall, home of the Round Table, with a gift for each child, elf crafts and entry to the Westgate Museum; adults £7 and children £20.
Details from the organiser →Mon 30 Nov – Wed 2 Dec
A Christmas Carol by The Three Inch Fools
Brethren's Hall, The Hospital of St Cross
The touring company stages Dickens's ghost story in the Brethren's Hall at St Cross at 7pm on each of the three nights, recommended for ages 8 and over.
Details from the organiser →Fri 4 Dec – Sun 3 Jan
Sleeping Beauty pantomime
Theatre Royal Winchester
Theatre Royal Winchester's own traditional family panto, with tickets from £13 and relaxed and BSL-interpreted performances on 10 December and 1 January.
Details from the organiser →Sat 12 Dec
Christmas with Sir John Rutter
Nave, Winchester Cathedral
Sir John Rutter conducts his own Christmas music with the Cathedral Choir, the Junior Choir and the Septura brass ensemble, with tickets from £20 to £55.
Details from the organiser →Mon 14 – Sat 19 Dec
The Gift by Luxmuralis
Winchester Cathedral
A light-and-sound installation projected across the cathedral interior each evening from 6.30pm to 9pm, with adult tickets from £12 and children aged 3 to 16 at £8.
Details from the organiser →Sun 20 Dec
Winchester Cathedral Carol Service Free
Nave, Winchester Cathedral
The first of two public carol services sung by the Choir of Winchester Cathedral at 7pm, free and unbooked, with doors at 5.30pm and a queue forming before then.
Details from the organiser →Wed 23 Dec
Winchester Cathedral Carol Service Free
Nave, Winchester Cathedral
The second public carol service by the cathedral choir at 7pm, again free with no booking; the cathedral advises arriving early because a queue forms before the 5.30pm doors.
Details from the organiser →Sat 13 Mar
Winchester Comedy Festival: Spring Gala
Theatre Royal Winchester
A night of stand-up with Clinton Baptiste, Sally-Anne Hayward and Jack Gleadow, compered by Tom Deacon, with tickets from £16.
Details from the organiser →Fri 16 – Sun 18 Apr
Winchester Books Festival
Winchester
The city's April weekend of author events, covering fiction, non-fiction and children's books.
Details from the organiser →Sat 3 – Sun 4 Jul
Hat Fair Free
Across Winchester city centre
Winchester's free open-air weekend of street performance, where the artists play for whatever goes into their hats.
Details from the organiser →Wed 11 – Sun 15 Aug
Boomtown
Matterley Estate, SO21 1HW, near Winchester
A ticketed camping music festival on the Matterley Estate, a working dairy farm at the western tip of the South Downs National Park near Winchester.
Details from the organiser →Everything listed here has now happened; the next dates go up as organisers publish them.
Winchester City Street Market
Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Lower High Street and Middle Brook Street
The city council's weekly street market, trading from 9am to 5pm on three days each week.
Check with the market →Hampshire Farmers' Market, Winchester
Second and last Sunday of the month
High Street and Middle Brook Street
Producer-run stalls of Hampshire meat, fish, cheese, bread and vegetables from 9am to 2pm; check the organiser's dated calendar around Christmas and New Year.
Check with the market →Antiques, Vintage, Retro & Collectables Market
First Sunday of the month
The Broadway, Lower High Street and Middle Brook Street
A monthly Sunday market for antiques, vintage and retro finds and collectables, 9am to 5pm.
Check with the market →Art & Design Market
Third Sunday of the month
The Broadway, Lower High Street and Middle Brook Street
A monthly Sunday market given over to art and design stalls, 9am to 5pm.
Check with the market →