Step inside Dickens’ Christmas classic and enter the world of Ebenezer Scrooge
This brand new festive experience brings family and friends together as you travel through the realms of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Step into Scrooge’s story, move freely through the action, meet the characters and watch memorable moments unfold before you.
Milestones is transformed into the spectacular world of A Christmas Carol. Encounter extraordinary characters and discover the people and remarkable events that changed Ebenezer Scrooge forever. Join us this Christmas and bring generations together to discover the magic of Charles Dickens’ beloved Christmas tale.
Your Christmas Carol Experience ticket also includes unlimited visits to Milestones for a full 12 months - so you can come back and enjoy the museum and an exciting variety of seasonal events throughout the year, long after Christmas is over.
Experience the magic of A Christmas Carol after dark!
For the first time, Milestones is offering evening visits to this brand-new Christmas experience, with start times available until 7.30pm on selected dates. Prefer an earlier visit? Morning sessions are also available on selected weekends and weekdays from 21 to 23 December.
And with the entire experience taking place indoors, you can enjoy all the Christmas magic whatever the weather!
Session start times:
- Selected Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (until 17 December): 3pm - 7.30pm
- Selected Saturdays: 10am - 7.30pm
- Selected Sundays: 10am - 5.30pm
- Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 December: 10am - 7.30pm
How your journey will unfold
The five stages of Scrooge's journey
1. Meet Jacob Marley
Your journey begins with an encounter unlike any other.
Before you enter Scrooge’s world, you’ll meet Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s former business partner. Now condemned to wander for eternity, Marley knows what awaits Scrooge if he refuses to change.
Marley becomes your guide as you enter the world of A Christmas Carol. He reveals that the Spirits have already begun their work and that Scrooge is about to face the most important journey of his life.
Then, with Marley’s warning still ringing in your ears, he ushers you into Christmas Past, and your extraordinary journey begins.
2. Christmas Past
Discover the moments that shaped Scrooge
Step into Scrooge’s memories and discover a world of childhood, friendship, love and lost opportunities.
Encounter scenes from his younger life, from lonely schooldays to the joy and excitement of Fezziwig’s Christmas party, where you can join the festivities, and meet the woman who changed the course of his life forever.
Enjoy a drink and a bite at Fezziwig's party, move amongst the action as the past comes to life around you, revealing the people and moments that shaped the man Scrooge became.
3. Christmas Present
Experience the joy of Christmas
The next realm bursts with warmth, celebration and festive spirit.
Surrounded by abundance and merriment, step into the Christmas Scrooge has chosen to ignore. Explore bustling streets filled with festive activity, encounter Fred’s Christmas celebrations and experience the warmth that the Ghost of Christmas Present brings to the festive season.
But as the celebrations continue, the Spirit has more to show Scrooge. His journey is far from over.
4. Christmas Future
Face what may yet come
The atmosphere shifts as you enter the realm of the final Spirit.
The warmth of Christmas gives way to a darker and more mysterious world. As you move amongst the scenes, you’ll encounter possible futures shaped by the path Scrooge chooses to take.
From the sale of his possessions to the graveyard and the fate of those closest to him, this final realm reveals what may lie ahead – and brings Scrooge to the moment when he must decide what happens next.
Are you ready to see what the future holds?
5. The Joy of Christmas
Celebrate the spirit of Christmas
At the end of his journey, Scrooge must decide whether he will change.
As darkness gives way to light, experience a joyful finale filled with warmth, celebration and hope. See Scrooge’s transformation as he embraces the spirit of Christmas.
Your journey ends in a heartwarming celebration - a chance to share the joy of Christmas with Scrooge and your friends and loved ones!
What to expect
This is Christmas like you’ve never experienced it before. Arrive at your timed entry and enter the world of A Christmas Carol with a full cast of performers. Small groups enter at separate times, creating space to explore, dwell at your leisure and get close to the action. After meeting Marley, your journey takes you through five realms.
Once inside, you are free to explore each realm at your own pace, move amongst the characters, talk to them and discover scenes happening all around you. Feel free to stop and watch a scene unfold, join the celebrations or take time to explore the details. The world continues around you, whether you’re watching or moving on.
Light, sound and performances signal the journey from one realm to the next, transforming the atmosphere as you move from past to present and future. There’s no one directing you from scene to scene. You’re free to explore – and the world of A Christmas Carol comes alive around you.
If you would like to meet Father Christmas as part of your visit, book through our Meet Father Christmas page here.
The experience is designed to be enjoyed by all ages! The themes and story follow Dickens' classic tale, with plenty to discover for children and adults alike, from live characters and festive scenes to atmospheric details throughout your journey.
Yes If you already have an annual ticket and it is valid on the date of your visit, then you can enjoy the A Christmas Carol Experience for free this year.
At Milestones we aim to be as accessible as possible to everyone. We are a wheelchair friendly museum with stair free access to all floors of the museum. Please note that when exploring the Christmas Carol experience some areas in the museum have cobbled floors and curb sides, reflecting the terrain of a real, historic high-street. If you have any queries regarding access please do call us on 01256 639550 or email us here.
Not quite! This Christmas, Milestones is being completely transformed into the immersive world of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Rather than a traditional museum visit, you'll journey through spectacular sets, encounter live characters and discover Scrooge's story unfolding around you.
And the best part? Your Christmas Carol Experience ticket includes unlimited return visits to Milestones for 12 months, so you can come back as often as you like - to discover the museum in its usual setting and enjoy everything it has to offer throughout the year.
Your Milestones annual ticket becomes valid from the date of your first visit, rather than the date you book your tickets.
If you've booked a visit to Milestones in the coming weeks, including for Halloween, but haven't yet attended, your annual ticket won't be active, so the annual ticket holder discount won't appear when you try to book for Christmas.
Once you've made your first visit, your annual ticket will become active and you'll be able to access your annual ticket holder benefits when booking for Christmas.
Meet Father Christmas at Milestones
Father Christmas is coming back to Milestones this Christmas and can't wait to meet you - he's bringing gifts and spreading Christmas cheer. If you would like to book the Father Christmas experience please click below. Please note that your tickets for the Father Christmas Grotto experience include access to the Christmas Carol Experience at Milestones.
Corporate Group Discounts
Looking for a Christmas party idea for your corporate group?
We welcome groups of 10 or more to A Christmas Carol Experience for the discounted price of just £20 per person. Discounted group tickets are not annual tickets, they are valid for one day only. To book a corporate group, please contact us at milestones.museum@hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk.