This year, we’ve introduced a brand-new Christmas experience: the Snow Windows Trail! Follow our North Pole and South Pole routes through the city centre to discover 20 windows, each transformed into a unique, beautifully designed snow scene.
Unscramble the clue letters to reveal the festive word and take your completed map to the end locations where children can receive a FREE prize.
This trail is bought to you by GO! Southampton and sponsored by Brackenwood Windows.
Completed during our Snow Windows LIVE event, artist Tom Baker has brought to life a stunning four-meter-wide masterpiece at Westquay (by the Above Bar Street entrance), perfect for adding a touch of festive cheer to your visit. It took a total of 9 hours to complete, giving people the chance to see the detailed process up close.
This stunning wintry scene was brought to life by Tom, thanks to the efforts and funding of the city’s BID team, GO! Southampton, and Southampton Football Club, in partnership with Westquay and Brackenwood Windows. The artwork highlights homegrown Saints players, including Matt Le Tissier, Megan Collett, and Francis Benali, alongside the historic Bargate—once the city's grand entrance. The design beautifully captures the unity between the Club and the city, symbolizing the journey to the stadium.
Take a photo (or selfie) of the artwork and upload to Instagram by 31st December 2024, using #SouthamptonSnowWindows and you will be entered into a prize draw where one lucky person will win four tickets to Southampton's FA Cup tie against Swansea in January and two signed copies of Matt Lucas’ new Christmas book ‘The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas’. Make sure you tag Visit Southampton too and your photos will be reshared.
From 29th November - 31st December, you can follow our walking trail Monday - Sunday from 10am - 5pm. We are expecting all the clue hosts to either be open or to have their clue clearly displayed in their window for you to find.
The trail will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Trail maps are available at key locations across the city (while supplies last), including:
• Trail start and end points
• The Marlands Shopping Centre (Information Desk)
• Bluestar Bus Hub (Albion Place/Castle Way)
• Red Funnel terminals
Before you head out, please check the opening times of these locations to avoid disappointment.
If your child attends a local school, trail maps have also been sent home in book bags—be sure to take a look!
You can also download and print one at home or download it to your phone (it's ready to fill in).
Start your walk by heading to either W.J. French & Son (North Pole Trail) or IKEA (South Pole Trail). At either location, you will find a snowy scene and clue poster displayed in the window with a letter on it. Make sure you write down the letter on your trail map.
Then, when you have found them all, unscramble the letters to reveal the secret word. Write down your answer and take your completed trail map to one of our end locations to receive your free prize for all your hard work.
Prize collection will take place at MAST Mayflower Studios for the North Pole trail and HMV for the South Pole Trail, whilst supplies last.
You will then have the opportunity to enter our prize draw for a chance to win a £50 gift voucher to M&S. See below for more details.
While the artwork is beautiful to admire, please remember it’s delicate. To help preserve each piece for everyone to enjoy, we kindly ask that you refrain from touching the art along the trail.
This trail will take approximately 35 minutes to complete across 1.5 miles.
This trail will take approximately 25 minutes to complete across 1 mile.
Each artwork along the trail was crafted by Snow Windows, led by self-taught window artist Tom, who has a remarkable talent for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. Since 2015, Snow Windows has collaborated with hundreds of well-known brands and public figures, including Chris Moyles and Jamie Oliver, to create stunning snow displays that captivate and inspire.
Beyond the beautiful brushstrokes, Tom is deeply committed to fostering creativity and connection. Through workshops and live demonstrations, he encourages others to explore their artistic potential, inspiring a sense of wonder and community engagement. Learn more about Snow Windows here.
Completed both trails? Take your map to the Saints Store at St Mary’s Stadium between 9th – 15th December (10am – 4pm) to get 10% off when you spend £30 or more.
Whilst you’re there, be sure to check their Snow Window mural outside the store!
Completed one of our trails? You can enter our prize draw to be in with the chance to win a £50 voucher to M&S. To enter simply fill out our feedback form on the back of our trail map and return it to either the North Pole or South Pole end locations. Alternatively, you can complete our digital feedback form here. For full T&C's click here.
We are proud to work with Brackenwood, this year’s Snow Windows sponsor. As a trusted family business since 1987, Brackenwood has served more than 50,000 happy customers in their five decades of business. They believe everyone should be treated the same way their family would like to be treated, with straightforward advice. Warmer safer, smarter - transform your windows, doors and home with the best in Hampshire.
To find out more about Brackenwood’s services click here.
From visits with Santa to the biggest panto of the year, there are lots more ways to enjoy the season right here in the city. Take a look at our highlights video below for some of the fun to be had. For more details, download our Christmas guide here.
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