The ever-popular Winter Fair will return to the South of England Showground on Saturday 22nd (9am–5pm) and Sunday 23rd November (9am–4pm) 2025, offering two full days of festive shopping, seasonal food and family fun. With free entry for children and activities designed to delight all ages, this year’s event promises to be the perfect way to start the Christmas season.
The Winter Fair will host artisan and independent retailers from the south east and beyond, providing everything from handcrafted gifts and Christmas decorations to luxurious cashmere, natural beauty products and one-of-a-kind jewellery. Food and drink stalls will tempt visitors with award-winning cheeses, gourmet pies, festive bakes, wines, preserves and other seasonal indulgences.
For those looking to immerse themselves in the Christmas spirit, the Winter Fair also offers a host of hands-on workshops and activities (additional fees apply), including:
- New for 2025: Ice Rink – A fully undercover real-ice rink giving visitors a chance to skate whatever the weather. Advance booking recommended.
- Chocolate workshops – Hosted by The Chocolate Genie, these drop-in sessions offer fun, creative chocolate decorating for all ages using Belgian chocolate.
- Santa’s Grotto – A must-visit experience for young visitors, with Santa welcoming family groups in a festive, photo-friendly setting.
- Elf workshops – Join ‘Mistletoe the Elf’ for free interactive 45-minute sessions of festive storytelling, singing, crafting and a letter-writing activity to Santa.
- Willow weaving – With expert guidance from Willowpool Designs, visitors can make festive decorations, from wishing wands to stars and wreaths.
In addition to these festive activities, visitors can enjoy live music performances and the children’s fairground and capture a family photo in the giant snow globe. The fair will also feature the famous Watermill Wolves, stars of TV and film.
Commenting on this year’s event, Corrie Ince, Show Director at the South of England Agricultural Society, said:
“We’re delighted to bring the Winter Fair back for another year, especially with the addition of our new ice rink. The mix of high-quality shopping, festive food and hands-on fun creates an unbeatable atmosphere, and it’s a wonderful way to support small businesses and local craftspeople. Every ticket sale also helps support our educational charity work, helping young people learn more about the countryside and supporting careers in land-based industries.”
Tickets for the Winter Fair 2025 are available now at www.seas.org.uk. Entry is priced at £9 for adults and £7.65 for senior citizens/students (including a 10% online discount available until midnight on 14.11.25). Children under 16 go free (a suggested donation of £2). Please note that, due to the high number of indoor areas, this event is not suitable for dogs.