Andover's diary to mid November: the Half Marathon on 25 October, half term at the museum and Hawk Conservancy, and Thruxton fireworks on 7 November.

The two biggest dates in Andover’s diary are both on the road or in the sky. The Andover Half Marathon and 12km takes over the High Street on Sunday 25 October, and the Glitter n Glow fireworks at Thruxton follow on Saturday 7 November, with tickets now on sale at £12 for adults. Between them sits half term, from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October, when the Museum of the Iron Age, the Hawk Conservancy Trust and The Lights all put on extra events for children.

Everything below comes from the organisers’ own listings, read on 29 September 2026, and every entry links back to its source so you can check before you set off. Prices are shown only where the organiser publishes them. For places that are open whatever the month, see our guide to things to do in Andover.

This week

  • The Test Valley Tapestry, on show until Sunday 8 November, 10am to 4pm on the museum’s open days, Museum of the Iron Age, SP10 1DP, free. The 19-panel embroidery stitched by around 1,500 local people in 1990, back on public display at the museum after years in the council offices. (Hampshire Cultural Trust)
  • Torn Off Strips, Friday 2 October, 8pm, The Lights, SP10 1AH, £15. The local band return to the arena at The Lights. This is a standing event. (The Lights)
  • Chantry Centre Indoor Market, Saturday 3 October, 9.30am to 4pm, The Chantry Centre, SP10 1RL. The monthly pop-up market of local independent businesses, in the central area near Holland & Barrett and Waterstones. (Test Valley Borough Council)
  • The Angel in the House, Marian Obando, Saturday 3 to Saturday 31 October, gallery open 11am to 4pm, Wednesday to Saturday, Chapel Arts Studios, SP10 1DP, free. A first solo exhibition of experimental animation, dance and mixed media about memory. The opening is on Saturday 3 October from 4pm to 6pm, with performances at 5.30pm, and the artist talk is on Saturday 24 October at 3pm. (Chapel Arts Studios)
  • Let’s Rock the 70’s, Saturday 3 October, 7.30pm, The Lights, SP10 1AH, £27, Pullman seat £29. A night of 1970s hits in the main auditorium, listed on the theatre’s box office. (The Lights)
  • Owls by Moonlight, Saturday 3 October, doors 5.30pm, flying display from 7pm. Also on Saturdays 10, 17 and 24 October, Hawk Conservancy Trust, SP11 8DY, £23.50. Two evening owl flying displays, in the woodland and Savannah arenas, with time to meet the owls first. The Trust says these evenings book up early. (Hawk Conservancy Trust)

Next week

  • Human Nature, Quirky Productions, Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 October, 7.30pm, The Lights, SP10 1AH, £15, concessions £12.50, Pullman £16. Two nights from Quirky Productions in the main auditorium. (The Lights)
  • Andover Comedy Club: Marcus Brigstocke, Friday 9 October, 8pm, The Lights, SP10 1AH, £22.50, Pullman £23.50. The comedy club’s October night of stand-up, headlined by Marcus Brigstocke. (The Lights)
  • Mark Simmons: Jest to Impress, Saturday 10 October, 8pm, The Lights, SP10 1AH, £20. The one-liner comic who won Dave’s Funniest Joke of the Fringe in 2024. (The Lights)
  • Second Sundays, October, Sunday 11 October, 10am to 3pm, Andover High Street, SP10 1NW. Andover’s monthly market of independent producers, designer-makers, street food, artists and vintage sellers, with music and free creative workshops. (Second Sundays Andover)

Later in October

  • The People’s Portrait Studio, Monday 12 to Sunday 18 October, 10am to 3pm, Unit 53, The Chantry Centre, SP10 1RL, free, booked online. Photographer Simon Peter Green takes your portrait in the former O2 shop and sends you the digital files free of charge. Prints are optional and at your own cost. (Test Valley Borough Council)
  • Neil Delamere: Reinventing the Neil, Thursday 15 October, 8pm, The Lights, SP10 1AH, £24, Pullman £25. A new stand-up show from the Blame Game and Live at the Apollo comic. (The Lights)
  • Bye Bye Baby, Friday 16 October, 7.30pm, The Lights, SP10 1AH, £25.50, Pullman £26.50. A tribute to Jersey Boys and the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. (The Lights)
  • Sound of the Lioness, Saturday 17 October, 7.30pm, The Lights, SP10 1AH, £23, Pullman £24. An eight-piece band, with a full horn section, playing the songs of Amy Winehouse. (The Lights)
  • Andover Town v Locks Heath, Saturday 17 October, 3pm, Portway Stadium, SP10 3LF. Third round of the Hampshire Premier League Cup, at home. (Andover Town FC)
  • Lecture in the Loft: Agatha Christie and the ABC Murders, Sunday 18 October, 2pm to 3.30pm, Museum of the Iron Age, SP10 1DP, £4.50 including light refreshments. Author Lili Screen-Gear on Christie’s novel, in the museum’s autumn lecture series. Aimed at adults. (Hampshire Cultural Trust)
  • Fred the Cat’s Magical Monthly Storytelling Club, Tuesday 20 October, 10.15am, The Lights, SP10 1AH, £6 a child including one adult, £2 for an extra adult. The theatre’s monthly storytelling session for young children. It returns on Tuesday 17 November. (The Lights)
  • Dom Joly: Trigger Happy TV, the 25th Anniversary Tour, Tuesday 20 October, 8pm, The Lights, SP10 1AH, £29, premium £45, meet and greet £75. Dom Joly marks 25 years since the hidden camera series first aired. (The Lights)
  • Andover Music Club: Chamber Philharmonic Europe, Thursday 22 October, 7.30pm, The Lights, SP10 1AH, £20, ages 12 to 18 and students £10, under 12s free. An octet from the chamber orchestra founded in 2006, presented by Andover Music Club. (Andover Music Club)
  • Oas-is, Saturday 24 October, 8pm, The Lights, SP10 1AH, £17. An Oasis tribute band in the arena. The box office lists it as a standing event. (The Lights)
  • Spooky Owl Week, Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November, Hawk Conservancy Trust, SP11 8DY, included in the normal ticket price. The Woodland Wonders flying display becomes a Spooky Owl Show for half term, with a giant pumpkin trail. The Trust recommends booking ahead in school holidays. (Hawk Conservancy Trust)
  • Samhain Family Activity Trail, Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November, 10am to 4pm on the museum’s open days, Museum of the Iron Age, SP10 1DP, free with an annual ticket to the museum. Children build a Samhain mask as they go round the museum and collect a treat at the end. (Hampshire Cultural Trust)
  • Andover Half Marathon and 12km, Sunday 25 October, Half Marathon 8am, 12km 9am, Andover High Street, SP10 1LJ. Both races start and finish on the High Street. Registration closes on 17 October, and the clocks go back that morning. (Seasons Run Club)
  • The Eras Experience: Taylor Swift Tribute by Xenna, Tuesday 27 October, 2pm and 7pm, The Lights, SP10 1AH, £25, VIP meet and greet £30. A Taylor Swift tribute show with two half-term performances. (The Lights)
  • Tall Tales and Seasonal Stories: Room on the Broom, Tuesday 27 October, 10.30am to 11.30am, Harmony Woods, SP11 6XU, £8 a child with an adult, £2 for each extra sibling, free for Andover Trees members. Interactive storytelling for ages two and over, then children make mini broomsticks from hazel twigs. Meet at the cabin. (Andover Trees United)
  • Wednesday Craft Club, Wednesday 28 October, 11am to 3pm, Museum of the Iron Age, SP10 1DP, £2 a child, and the fifth craft is free. Drop-in make and take crafts, held every Wednesday of the Hampshire school holidays. No booking needed. (Hampshire Cultural Trust)
  • Back to the Iron Age, Thursday 29 October, 11am to 3pm, Museum of the Iron Age, SP10 1DP, included with an annual ticket to the museum. Hands-on history, held every Thursday of the Hampshire school holidays, with replica tools and Iron Age skills to try. (Hampshire Cultural Trust)
  • Owl-O-Ween, Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October, food from 5.30pm, first flying display 7pm, Hawk Conservancy Trust, SP11 8DY, £23, food and drink extra. A Halloween family evening with ghostly storytelling, a trail and two owl flying displays. Children must be with a full paying adult. (Hawk Conservancy Trust)
  • Tall Tales and Seasonal Stories: Awesome Autumn, Friday 30 October, 10.30am to 12.30pm, Harmony Woods, SP11 6XU, £10 a child with an adult, including a pumpkin, £2 for each extra person. Seasonal storytelling, pumpkin carving and Halloween games for ages two and over. Places are limited. (Andover Trees United)
  • Country Superstars, Friday 30 October, 7.30pm, The Lights, SP10 1AH, £26.50, Pullman £28. A Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers tribute show hosted by Sarah Jayne. (The Lights)
  • Museum by Torchlight: The Ghastly Funfair, Saturday 31 October, 4.30pm to 7pm, Museum of the Iron Age, SP10 1DP, free entry, with tokens to buy for the games. The museum becomes a Halloween funfair by torchlight, with fairground stalls and a prize every time. (Hampshire Cultural Trust)
  • Andover Town v Paulsgrove, Saturday 31 October, 2pm, Portway Stadium, SP10 3LF. A home league match in Hampshire Premier League Division One. (Andover Town FC)

November

  • Lecture in the Loft: The Lost IX Legion, Sunday 1 November, 2pm to 3.30pm, Museum of the Iron Age, SP10 1DP, £4.50 including light refreshments. Local historian and Roman re-enactor John Smith on what happened to the Ninth Legion. (Hampshire Cultural Trust)
  • The Shakin’ Stevens Story, Friday 6 November, 7.30pm, The Lights, SP10 1AH, £26. A tribute show in the main auditorium, listed on the theatre’s box office. (The Lights)
  • Chantry Centre Indoor Market, November, Saturday 7 November, 9.30am to 4pm, The Chantry Centre, SP10 1RL. The November pop-up market of local independent businesses. (Test Valley Borough Council)
  • Thruxton Glitter n Glow Fireworks Festival, Saturday 7 November, gates open 4.30pm, ends 8.30pm, Thruxton Aerodrome, SP11 8PN, adults £12, children aged 5 to 15 £5, under fives free. Fireworks, live music, funfair rides and food, hosted by Andover Community Events. The organiser says all profits go to Andover Foodbank. (Thruxton Circuit Ltd)
  • Second Sundays, November, Sunday 8 November, 10am to 3pm, Andover High Street, SP10 1NW. The monthly High Street market, and the last before the Christmas one on 13 December. (Second Sundays Andover)
  • Andover Christmas Festival, Friday 20 November, 4pm to 8pm, lights switched on at 6.30pm, Andover High Street, SP10 1NW, free. Two stages, festive market stalls on Bridge Street, fairground rides in Town Mills car park and Santa’s post office in the Chantry Centre. (Test Valley Borough Council)

Regular events

  • Andover parkrun, every Saturday at 9am, next on Saturday 3 October, Charlton Playing Fields, SP10 3LF, free, register before your first run. A timed 5km for walkers, joggers and runners. Parking is at Charlton Sport and Leisure Centre. (parkrun)
  • Andover weekly market, every Thursday and Saturday, next on Thursday 1 October, Andover High Street, SP10 1NW. Stalls on the High Street with fresh produce, plants, a butcher’s van, pet goods and clothes. The council also lists a Friday market outside the Chantry Centre. (Test Valley Borough Council)

Two monthly markets have fixed days as well, both from March to December: the Chantry Centre pop-up market on the first Saturday and Second Sundays on the second Sunday. Their next dates are listed above.

Andover Town’s other October matches are away from home. The Hawk Conservancy Trust closes to day visitors from 16 November, and our Hawk Conservancy at Christmas page has the dates it reopens.

Going further

Several of these events have their own pages, with parking, road closures and what is still to be announced:

If you are driving in, our parking in Andover page has the car parks and tariffs, and the roadworks and travel page lists closures. Rail users should check train times before a weekend trip.

Send us your event

Running something in Andover, Romsey or the villages around them? Email hello@andovernews.co.uk with the date, time, venue, price and a photo. It is free of charge, and your listing goes on this page and in the diary on our What’s On section.

Sources