HO ho ho! He's here in Hampshire.

Father Christmas has taken time out of his busy schedule to visit Southampton and the surrounding area in the run up to the festive season.

Between preparing Rudolph and the reindeers for their epic journey from the North Pole on Christmas Eve and wrapping all the toys for all the good girls and boys, there's not much time to spare.

But the big man is keen to check whether the young people of Hampshire are staying on the nice list and what they'd like in their stockings this year.

So he's planned a host of visits.

If your little one is keen to meet Santa in the run up to Christmas, here's some of the local places he'll be hanging out...

1) Marwell Zoo...

Journey down the rabbit hole for this Alice in Wonderland themed event, now in its tenth year.

Step into a curious world of topsy-turvy delights at Marwell Hall.

Begin with refreshments fit for the Queen of Hearts, then listen to Mother Christmas as you settle down for storytime.

The elves will help you make a ‘magical’ elf door in their workshop before a meeting with Father Christmas, who has a surprise for little ones.

Christmas at Marwell runs on selected dates until Christmas Eve.

2) On the Beaulieu River...

This is a Santa visit with a difference. Take to the water in a canoe with New Forest Activities for a festive paddle up the River Beaulieu. Explore the stunning river and keep an eye out for Father Christmas along the way.

All children will receive a gift from Father Christmas on the water. There will also be hot chocolate to keep you warm!

The 90 minute trips take place on four December dates.

3) Paultons Park...

Christmas is a special time of the year at Paultons. Visit Santa in his magical Grotto, experience Peppa Pig World in a festive setting and enjoy selected rides and attractions, including Lost Kingdom and Critter Creek.

Santa's Magical Grotto is available to book on selected days throughout November and December. Meet Father Christmas and many of his animal friends along the way as they all get ready for Christmas Eve. Adorable animated characters greet you at every turn with twinkling lights and magical scenes brought to life in this amazing Christmas experience.

There's a gift for all children and a festive treat for adults.

Peppa Pig World is transformed with twinkling illuminations, seasonal music and giant Christmas trees. Santa in his sleigh with the reindeer from the series can also be seen.

The spectacular musical Christmas tree stands in the entrance plaza and performs a festive song and light show every 15 minutes.

Show Street will be transformed into Snow Street and the 4D cinema chronicles the adventures of an abandoned young ginger cat named Thunder.

4) The Watercress Line...

Travel in a festive train carriage for a magical trip where Santa and his jolly helpers visit you in your seat with a gift.

Grown-ups get treated to white wine and mince pies, whilst children enjoy a soft drink and a gingerbread man.

Each child will also receive an activity pack to keep them entertained on this enchanting one hour journey.

Don’t forget to bring your very best singing voice to join in with your favourite Christmas songs too!

Santa Specials take place on selected dates in November and December.

5) Romsey...

Father Christmas will be paying a special visit to Romsey and taking to the streets in style as Romsey Round Table collects vital cash for local causes.

Over the course of December, Santa will be in his sleigh travelling through Romsey, Chandler’s Ford and other local Test Valley villages, with local Round Table members raising money in the process.

The elves are fully deployed making toys for the big day, so all that is left is for local residents to line the streets to cheer on Santa. As usual, everyone is welcome to come and see Father Christmas, who will be spreading his festive delights all over the streets of Romsey.

As well as bringing Father Christmas to the children of Romsey and Chandler’s Ford, they will also be collecting money to distribute to local charities and good causes.

Father Christmas starts his Test Valley travels on December 7 and is in various locations until December 22.

6) Bargate, Southampton...

Santa will be making his usual flying visits to Southampton this Christmas.

The big man himself is set to fly over the High Street at 5pm and 7pm Monday to Saturday and 4pm to 6pm on Sundays, where he will be giving free gifts to the children at a giant advent calender next to the Bargate.

The annual German market also has 40 independent stalls selling an array of handmade gifts and decorations.

Enjoy live Bavarian music as well as cuisines from around the world. The beer garden is open from from 10am to 10pm everyday and will serve a variety of drinks from typically German draught beer, festive favourite mulled wine and winter warmers like hot chocolate.

7) Longdown Activity Farm...

The Longdown Farm Christmas Barn is open daily from November 30 until December 23.

Children will delight in the festive atmosphere of the traditional barn with real live animals. Twinkling lights, Christmas trees and festive decorations set the scene where fluffy baby chicks and lots of other favourite farm animals will be waiting to meet the children and share their excitement.

The peaceful nativity scene is watched over by gentle donkeys and provides a serene reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. Look out for Santa's tractor sleigh, which he has parked outside the farmhouse grotto.

Father Christmas will be waiting inside to greet the children and their parents, giving each child a special gift to take home.

The soft play area, crazy golf course, mini tractors, diggers, tea room, gift shop and farm shop are also open.

8) Winchester Science Centre

Santa and the elves will be paying a visit again this year. Join them for a Christmas experience like no other and spark curiosity in your little ones with this fun-filled festive family day out!

Experience the magical setting of our Christmas grotto and meet Father Christmas. Children and their families will take part in a 45-minute relaxed workshop with Santa and his magnificent master elf. There will be the chance to make your very own Christmas cracker (complete with science gift!), meet Santa and take home a present.

Santa's Grotto will be available on weekends in December and from December 19 to Christmas Eve.

9) Exbury Gardens

Visit Exbury’s Festive Express railway experience this December for a family Christmas day out like no other! Read on for further details.

Festive decorations will be strung up from floor to ceiling inside the engine shed, creating a cosy and festive atmosphere for you to take part in yuletide crafts.

You can write your Christmas wishlist, create glittery cards and make paper straw trees guided by Exbury elves.

You can also meet Father Christmas in his very special ‘royal’ train carriage reserved just for your family, and take home a very special Christmas gift

There will be decorations galore to set off the Victorian splendour of the replica train station. Plus, a beautifully adorned 10ft Christmas tree and carolling from local choirs at intervals throughout each day.

Elves will be greeting passengers and interacting with children. They’ll guide families on a festive journey through the gardens, pointing out all the fantastic decorations that line the tracks and leading carol-singing as you steam along.

Also discover the winter grandeur of the gardens.

The experience takes place on selected dates in December, but meet Father Christmas is sold out.

10) Tudor House and Garden, Southampton

See Tudor House dressed in its best for Christmas, follow a festive family trail or meet the man himself, receive a Christmas gift and enjoy a truly magical experience in a traditional setting.

There will also be Gingerbread Men and Embossed Christmas Cards workshops during a special weekend of Christmas fun on December 7 and 8.

11) Great Hall Winchester

Let the magic of Christmas enchant you in this beautiful historic Great Hall, the perfect setting for Father Christmas.

A pop up Christmas Cafe will serve hot and cold drinks along with a selection of festive treats.

Your ticket includes meeting Father Christmas, a festive gift and an opportunity to undertake Christmas themed craft activities.

12) The Garden Society, Allington Lane

Calling all Elf recruits … The Elf Society returns this Christmas! The workshop is back and bigger than ever before. Join our elves on the Christmas mission within Santa’s workshop, creating and preparing all the toys ready for Christmas Eve. Explore the work stations and toy creations and see what wonders await you within this magical workshop before you meet Santa himself! Have you got what it takes to be an Elf?

Let your ideas run wild in the extraordinary Elf invention factory, help sort through all the Christmas letters in Santa’s Mail Room. Control Santa’s flight path at the Sleigh Station, before discovering how the toys are made and delivered in time for Christmas!

The Elf Society experience takes place on selected dates in December.