Southampton's Countdown to Christmas is ON!

Join us from 16th - 19th November, across the city centre, for not one but four days of free family fun and entertainment as we celebrate the start of the Christmas season in Southampton. From street theatre acts to toe-tapping performances by local musicians, there is something for everyone to catch that festive feeling. And, no Countdown would be complete without the city's official Christmas lights switch on. Join us by our main stage over by the Bargate to cheer on the big moment.

City Centre - Bargate, Westquay, Marlands, Oxford Street, Carlton Place, Guildhall Square

Bargate mainstage

5.35pm - 6.05pm - The Keytar Man 
6.10pm - 6.50pm - Massaoke Christmas Live - Southampton's Biggest Seasonal Singalong!
6.50pm - 7pm - Official Lights Switch On with Christopher Biggins and Alex Lockhart (approx times)

Host for the evening Christopher Biggins & Zoe Hanson

Below Bar/Bargate area

Roaming characters (4pm - 5:30pm): Victorian Policeman, Christmas Gargoyles, and Willy Wonka

Above Bar Precinct

Roaming characters (4pm - 5:30pm): Jacks of Frost, Calvos, The Frost Dragon, Christmas Gargoyles, Spruce Cantatus, and The Christmas Carriage

Bargate Mainstage

4pm - 4.45pm - Kieron Cox  - Internationally recognised acoustic guitarist/vocalists
5pm - 5.45pm - Sophie Edge and Rhys Tonks
6pm - 7pm - Hannah Williams - The Voice Finalist 

Below Bar/Bargate area

Roaming character (4pm - 7pm): Professor Strange

Above Bar Precinct

Roaming character (4pm - 7pm): Supersize Elf

Westquay

5pm - 5.30pm - Sound Pop Academy (Level 2)
6pm - 6.30pm - The Rock Choir (Level 2)

Marlands

6.15pm - 7pm - Sophie Edge and Rhys Tonks

Bargate main stage

12pm - 12.45pm - Company B
1pm - 1.15pm - Hey Duggee Activity
1.30pm - 2.15pm - Isla Croll
2.30pm - 2.45pm - Hey Duggee Activity
3pm - 3.45pm - Tuba Libres
4pm - 4.15pm - Hey Duggee Activity
4.20pm - 5.05pm - The Henrys
5.45pm - 7pm - Charley Stride (backing vocalist for Sam Ryders)

Above Bar Precinct

Roaming character (3pm - 6pm): Supersize Snowman

Westquay

12pm - 12.45pm - Saints Brass Band (Westquay South)
3pm - Sophie Edge and Rhys Tonks (Westquay Entrance Above Bar)
6pm - Fuzzylogic: Attention (Westquay South)

Marlands

Character meet and greets:
10.30am - 11am - Hey Duggee Meet & Greet*
11.30am - 12pm - Hey Duggee Meet & Greet* - SOLD OUT
12.30pm - 5pm - Bluey & Bingo Meet & Greet* - SOLD OUT

(See below for more details*)

2pm - Company B

Bargate main stage

12pm - 12.45pm - Charley Stride (backing vocalist for Sam Ryders)
1pm - 1.15pm - Hey Duggee Activity
1.30pm - 2.15pm - Lucy Rachel
2.30pm - 2.45pm - Hey Duggee Activity
3pm - 3.45pm - Hannah Williams (The Voice Finalist)
4pm - 4.15pm - Hey Duggee Activity
4.20pm - 5pm - The Henrys

Westquay

1pm - Singing Living Statue (Above Bar Street Entrance)
2pm - Kieron Cox - Internationally recognised acoustic guitarist/vocalist (Above Bar Street Entrance)
1.15pm - 1.35pm - The Polar Bear Show (Level 2)
2.15pm - 2.35pm - The Polar Bear Show (Level 2)
3.15pm - 3.35pm - The Polar Bear Show (Level 2)

Marlands

10.30am - 11am - Hey Duggee (Meet & Greet)*
11.30am - 12pm Hey Duggee (Meet & Greet) - SOLD OUT 
12.30pm - 4pm - PAW Patrol Chase (Meet & Greet)*
4.30pm - 5pm - PAW Patrol Chase (Meet & Greet - SEN Session Only) - SOLD OUT 

(See below for more details*)

Roaming character (from 3pm): Singing Living Statue

Guildhall Square

Roaming act (1pm & 3pm): Fiddling About

Meet and Greet Registration

Registration is now open for our Countdown to Christmas character Meet and Greets!

Tickets for these opportunities are FREE of charge but are limited and you must have a ticket to attend. Without one, you will not get to meet them.

Before booking, please read the following T&C's:

• 1 family ticket admits up to 4 people to meet your chosen character. If your family has more than 4 people in it, you should book an additional ticket. Each family ticket needs to have at least one adult in the group.

• Meet and greets sessions will take place within time slots of 30 or 40 minutes. So if your booking is shown as 12.30pm for instance, then you will get to meet you character between 12.30pm and 13.10pm

• The meet and greet experience will last around half a minute per family group.

• This experience is recommended for families with children up to a maximum of 8 years old

• Queuing for each session will only commence once the previous session has finished. Therefore you should arrive no earlier than 20 minutes prior to your session.

• This attraction is held inside at The Marlands Shopping Centre and is therefore an all weather opportunity.

• What happens if you are late for your pre-booked slot? - Whilst we will endeavour to admit you, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to, if we are running at capacity.

• We reserve the right to refuse admission for any families that are proving disruptive to the experience.
• For T&C's and booking policies can be found on the ticketing website below

Gonks at the Gallery – a free Christmas family craft activity
18th November

Join the art gallery learning team in the main hall of Southampton City Art Gallery to make a Christmas Gonk, perfect for decorating your home. Drop-in anytime between 10.30am and 3pm. Please allow about 45mins for the activity. Suitable for all the family but children under 7yrs will need an adult to help them.

Thanks to our media partner Wave 105 for supporting our event. For the South's best variety of hits, click here to listen live or tune in to 105.2FM.