Not only will people be able to enter into the Christmas spirit in Ringwood at the weekend, they will find that the town is fully accessible as the roadworks to widen the A31 have ended.

The 2022 Winter Wanderland kicks off on Sunday 27 November. The free event, organised by Ringwood Town Council, takes place in the town centre and is even bigger this year with activities in the Gateway, High Street, Market Place and Southampton Road.

The event, which opens at 11.30am, includes a market with over 60 stalls made up of local arts, crafts and produce, gifts and charity stalls. Shoppers will be able to enjoy an array of hot food and drink including mulled wine, hog roast, a fish and chip van, bratwurst and stone baked pizza. A charity bar, run by the Ringwood and District Roundtable will be positioned in the Market Place where there will also be live music from 2pm. A small fair will be set up in the Market Place and Ringwood and Burley Band are performing on the High Street as well as street entertainment from Steamship Circus.

For the first time, a mini ‘Polar Express’ will provide children’s rides from Friday’s Cross. The miniature steam train is operated by Chuffley Light Railway.

Santa will be in his grotto from noon in the courtyard of Ringwood Gateway. Some timed tickets may be available on the day but visitors are advised to check social media to avoid disappointment. Tickets, which are just £4, are available in advance from the town council offices and this year the grotto is sponsored by BrightWater Properties. Santa will also appear in two parades. The first leaves the town centre car parks at 11.30am. He will drop into The Furlong Shopping Centre and make his way around the town centre. The second parade leaves at 5.45pm and he will arrive for 6pm in the Market Place for the all-important switching on of the Christmas Lights.

The Christmas Window Competition opens on the 28 November and members of the public will be able to ‘wander’ around the town and vote for their favourite. So far, there are 25 entries and there are a few more days left to enter – but get in quick. A Wanderland map will be available to download from www.ringwood.gov.uk on 28 November.

For more information about the event including the programme, grotto or window competition please visit our website https://www.ringwood.gov.uk/events/ringwood-winter-wanderland/