Christmas Places in Hook

Basingstoke launches its Christmas season with Festive Friday, a free evening market and celebration at the historic Top of the Town. With six streets closed to traffic, there's plenty of room to browse festive stalls, grab some street food and enjoy the seasonal atmosphere among the independent shops and cafés around Market Place. Friday 20 November, 5pm to 8pm. Free, no ticket needed.

Fleet's Christmas Festival takes over Fleet Road and the Hart Centre for an afternoon and evening of festive stalls, entertainment and activities for all ages. Wander the high street for gifts and seasonal treats, enjoy the live entertainment, then head to Gurkha Square for the switch-on of the Christmas tree lights, a lovely community moment that marks the start of the season in town. Free to attend and very family-friendly. Wrap up warm and make an evening of it with dinner along Fleet Road.

The historic grounds of Basing House at Old Basing host a festive Christmas Fayre with around 35 stalls of gifts, crafts and seasonal treats. It's a relaxed, local fair with a lovely setting among the Tudor ruins and the restored great barn, ideal for picking up something special while enjoying a winter stroll. Saturday 28 November (entry slots 11am to 3pm) and Sunday 29 November (entry slots 11am to 1pm). Entry £4, under-5s free, booked in hourly slots.

Milestones Museum's lamp-lit Victorian street makes an enchanting, all-weather setting for a two-day Christmas market in Basingstoke. Browse festive stalls of gifts, crafts and seasonal treats among the museum's cobbled streets, old shopfronts and vintage vehicles, for a Christmas shopping trip with a real sense of nostalgia. Saturday 5 December, 10am to 7pm, and Sunday 6 December, 10am to 4.45pm. Tickets are £10 per person and must be booked in advance.

Basingstoke's big Christmas pantomime at The Anvil this year is Beauty and the Beast, starring Ellie Dadd. This tale as old as time comes with all the panto trimmings: a dashing hero, a villain to boo, a Dame to cheer and plenty of songs, sparkle and slapstick for the whole family. Runs from Thursday 10 December to Sunday 3 January, usually with performances at 2pm and 6pm. Tickets from £19.50 to £44.

Sing in the season at Carols by Candlelight among the lamp-lit Victorian streets of Milestones Museum in Basingstoke. Gather with friends and family for a festive evening of traditional carols in one of the most atmospheric settings in Hampshire, surrounded by old shopfronts and cobbles. It's a heart-warming way to get into the Christmas spirit just before the big day. Friday 18 December at 6pm. Tickets £9.50.