Fareham Events Calendar: Autumn and Winter 2026

What is on in Fareham this autumn and winter?

This calendar lists events with a date published by Fareham Borough Council or the organiser, in date order as far as possible. Details can change, so follow the link to each organiser before you travel. The council's own events page is the place to look for anything added later.

When are the Fareham and Portchester markets?

The council's markets page lists traditional markets from 9am to 3pm at three places: West Street in Fareham every Monday, Portchester Precinct every Wednesday, and Locks Heath Shopping Village every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. For how the market fits with the station and town centre, see our Fareham market and station guide.

The same page lists the Fareham Artisan and Farmer's Market in the pedestrianised area of West Street on 17 October from 10am to 4pm, with bookings through the Funyard Events website. Flo's Market in Portchester Precinct runs on the second Saturday of the month from 10am to 3pm, on 10 October, 14 November and 12 December. Flo's Pop-up at The Courtyard in Fareham Shopping Centre is open every weekend in November and December, plus Festive Thursdays in December.

What is happening at Fort Nelson?

Royal Armouries has three dated events at Fort Nelson on Portsdown Hill this autumn. From Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026 there are free Halloween half-term activities from 10am to 4pm each day, including a Creepy Codebreaker trail and drop-in activities for ages 3 and over. Tickets are booked online by arrival slot, parking is £3 per vehicle, and the organisers say the event does sell out, so book through the Halloween Fun at the Fort page.

On Sunday 8 November 2026 there is a free Remembrance Sunday event, with the two-minute silence at 11am and a First World War play called Our Little Fort at 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm. Pre-booking is asked for, and the details are on the Remembrance event page. Guided East Tunnel Tours run on Saturday 14 November 2026 at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2pm, at £12 each and limited to 12 people. The page says the route is not accessible and pre-booking is required, so read the East Tunnel Tours page first.

Is there anything on at Titchfield Haven?

Yes. Bird Aware Solent says its rangers will help host a free-entry open day at Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve on Saturday 24 October 2026, between 10am and 3pm, as part of the Great Coastal Birdwatch. The event is weather dependent, so check the event page for updates. For the beach nearby, see our Hill Head beach guide.

When is the Fareham Christmas lights switch-on?

The council has announced that the Christmas Lights Switch On will be in Fareham town centre on Saturday 21 November 2026, from 10am to 7pm. The countdown is at 5.30pm under the town centre bandstand, with the Mayor of Fareham switching on the lights alongside Father Christmas and some of the cast of Fareham Live's Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime. The day includes fun fair rides, festive food and drink, gift stalls, a community stage and free children's activities, and the Christmas market is run by Funyard Events. The council has more in its announcement.

What is on at Fareham Live and Swanwick Lakes this winter?

Fareham Live's Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime runs from Friday 11 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, and the venue lists Anne Hegerty of ITV's The Chase as Poison Ivy. Earlier in the season it lists Dog Man: The Musical from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026, during the October half term, and Operation MI6 on Sunday 8 November 2026. See our Fareham Live guide for more.

On Sunday 13 December 2026, from 10am to 12 noon, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has a festive family wild play session at Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve. The Trust suggests a donation of £5 per child, and online booking is essential, closing at 1pm on Thursday 10 December. See the event page.

What about the big council events next year?

Fareham's Big Weekend is a two-day event in and around the town centre, using sites such as Bath Lane Recreation Ground, Fareham Leisure Centre and Fareham Live. The council's Big Weekend page lists the next one for July 2027 and describes it as a low-cost, family-friendly event with free and low-cost activities. Exact dates have not been published there yet.

Motors and Melodies, the town centre classic vehicles event formerly known as Bygone Fareham, took place on Saturday 12 September 2026 in West Street, according to the council's press release. Watch the council's events page for the next one.

What is Fareham in Bloom?

The council's Fareham in Bloom page describes it as a gardening campaign involving communities across the borough, with more than 100 entries each year. In this year's South and South East in Bloom awards, announced on 2 October 2026, the council received gold awards for Abbey Meadows, Warsash Common, Coldeast Conservation Area, Portchester Common, the Civic Gardens and the Sensory Garden, and Silver Gilt for Holly Hill (council announcement).