Press Release

19 November 2025

Enjoy a late-night shopping extravaganza at Fareham’s Festive Thursdays!

Fareham Borough Council has announced that, on Thursday 11 December and Thursday 18 December, Fareham Shopping Centre will be open for late-night shopping until 8pm. 

‘Fareham’s Festive Thursdays’ will include late-night store openings with many of the shopping centre shops staying open until 8pm. There will also be a host of additional attractions such as free children’s entertainment, a festive indoor market, food and drink and much more. There will also be free parking in all of Fareham’s town centre car parks from 5pm.

In the heart of the shopping centre, the former Game unit will be transformed into a festive indoor market. Newly renamed ‘The Courtyard’, this pop-up market will be open every Thursday-Saturday from 10am until 5.30pm but will also stay open for these two late night events and will feature a range of stalls offering stocking fillers, crafts, food and gifts.

Free children’s activities will include:

• Mini Golf at the Ping Pong Parlour
• Festive Storytelling
• Activities at Santa’s Grotto
• Children’s entertainer and magician 
• Face painting and glitter tattoos
• Elf Workshop

There will also be roaming entertainers, music and dancing and a range of festive food and drink stalls in Fareham’s very own Winter Garden, situated between the shopping centre and Fareham Live. 

Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Cllr Simon Martin, said: “Fareham Borough Council is committed to the regeneration of Fareham Town Centre and part of this work includes the creation of events to drive footfall into the centre and make Fareham a ‘go-to’ place for all ages. Our Festive Thursdays late-night openings will not only be an opportunity for people to get their Christmas shopping, but will be a experience for all the family, with plenty to see and do while you browse. This is the first time the Council has trialled late night shopping events, so I encourage residents to come along to see what we have to offer.”

To find out more, go to www.fareham.gov.uk/festivethursdays

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

The development of the Town Centre Regeneration Strategy started in 2017 with an initial vision outlining what we wanted to achieve to help shape the future the Town Centre. 

The Council worked with expert consultants and carried out extensive community and business engagement to develop an ambitious but deliverable Fareham Town Centre Regeneration Strategy, which was published in February 2025.

Part of this strategy includes work to help breathe new life into the town centre by creating community events and activities which drive footfall.

For further information contact:

Customer Enquiries

Tel: 01329 236100
Email: customerservicecentre@fareham.gov.uk

Media Enquiries

The Communications Team
Tel: 01329 824310
Email: publicity@fareham.gov.uk
Fax: 01329 550576

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