Between 4pm and 8pm on Thursday November 13, the market will open with a “Magic of Christmas” party, featuring music from DJ Flash who is the tour DJ for the city’s very own Craig David.
Festive entertainers will also take to the streets with live performances from local musicians and choirs in partnership with Music in the City.
The evening will then be topped off with a big Christmas lights switch-on and a premiere of the new laser show that will light up the Bargate with a North Pole themed story.
New rides such as the Starflyer will open at the market for the first time too.
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While the party will end at 8pm, the opening times for S&D Leisure’s market throughout the season have also now been confirmed.
Between Monday and Wednesday, bars, food outlets and rides on Above Bar street will be open from 11am to 10pm, with Guildhall Square attractions closing at 9pm.
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, both areas will open an hour earlier at 10am with bars closing at 11pm, and on Sunday bars and rides will be active from 11am to 7pm.
Christmas Eve will see different opening times from 10am to 7pm, with the same in place for New Year’s Eve, though the market will be shut on both Christmas Day and New Years Day.
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A spokesperson for S&D Leisure said: “Please note these are the opening times for the bars, food and rides. Individual trade stalls may close earlier than advertised times.”
The market will be open from November 13 to January 4, two days earlier than it launched in 2024 as it opened on November 15.
Westquay’s festive activities have already started in Southampton with its annual ice rink being open until January 4.
The rink is open daily, including weekends and bank holidays, with each session starting on the hour and tickets being priced from £12.
Special “DJ Nights On Ice” will take place on select days throughout the season on November 27, December 11 and December 31.
