Christmas Lights, Festivals & Markets in Dorset

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, FESTIVALS & MARKETS

16 November – 2 January

Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland Various Locations, Bournemouth

A spectacular Christmas tree trail, enchanting illuminations and seasonal family fun from Bournemouth Seafront into the Lower Gardens the town centre and beyond to Westbourne, Boscombe and Southbourne. Experience the magical sight of glittering trees along pine-scented walkways. Explore the Alpine Market, skate under the stars in our enchanting Victorian gardens and visit Father Christmas in his alpine grotto.

18 November

Christmas Wonderland Market Lighthouse Poole, Poole BH15 1UG

A fantastic Christmas shopping event with over 120 stalls. Plus, free story time with Santa, Wonderland Workshops, photos with Santa and Candy Cane Alley leading to the Snowy Post Office where children can write their letters to Santa. Entry adult £2.50, child free. 11am – 4pm.

South Coast Makers Market Corpus Christi Parish Centre, Boscombe BH5 2BX

Kick off your seasonal festivities and visit this friendly, design-led Makers Market featuring a diverse mix of artists & designers, mixing up local talent with makers from further afield. There’s a children's free craft table, local food producers, pop up cafe & creative workshops on offer. At St James Square in Parkwood Road. 10.30am - 4pm. Free entry & parking.

23 November

Christmas Lights Switch On & The Sleeping Beauty Castlepoint Shopping Centre, Bournemouth BH8 9UZ

Join us for a very magical evening featuring a magical fairy tale Sleeping Beauty show with a London based cast of superb dancers & costumes leading to a grand finale with the Christmas light switch on. 5 – 9pm. Free.

24 November

Christchurch Christmas Festival Town Centre, Christchurch BH23

Christmas cheer takes over the town with a Christmas market, Santa’s procession, entertainment and music. With a guest appearance from Santa and festive lights switch on. From 10am – 8pm.

Christmas Time at Brewery Square Brewery Square, Dorchester DT1 1QR

Christmas Time at Brewery Square has a host of events lined up, including live music, performances, skating, lights illumination and more. 4 - 8pm.

New Milton Christmas Festival High Street, New Milton BH25

A great family-friendly event with live music, stalls including a French market and Disney-themed Christmas parade. 12pm – 5pm.

25 November

Littledown Christmas Market BH Live Active, Littledown BH7 7DX

Enjoy the festive market atmosphere with a visit from Father Christmas, face painting, entertainment from Jules the Entertainer, plus performances from Pavilion Youth Theatre and festive choir. 11am – 4pm. Adult £1, child 50p (Age 6-15), under 5’s free.

1 December

Lyme Regis Christmas Light Switch On Town Centre, Lyme Regis DT7

Activities include a lantern workshop at the Baptist Church Pine Hall at 3pm, followed by a lantern parade at 5.15pm with the Majorettes and Father Christmas through Broad Street, concluding with the lights switch on at 5.30pm.

Swanage Christmas Lights Illumination Swanage Railway Station, Swanage BH19 1HH

Join the community for a festive celebration whilst the Christmas lights are illuminated.

1 – 2 December

Dorset Team Christmas Fair Allendale Community Centre, Wimborne BH21 1AS

Featuring some of the best makers, designers, vintage sellers and craft suppliers in Dorset with unique gifts that you won't find on the high street! 10am – 4pm. Free.

Vintage Christmas The Tank Museum, Wareham BH20 6JG

Fantastic entertainment, crafts and a festive vintage market and historical education in a unique setting. See Father Christmas arrive by tank & meet him in his Grotto (additional charge). 10am – 5pm.

2 December

Byron Road Christmas Lights Switch On Byron Road, New Milton BH25 7NX

Come and support one of Britain’s best residential street Christmas light displays which has raised over £70,000 for various charities. There’s plenty of live entertainment and a special celebrity guest appearance for the big switch on. Santa will be visiting and giving out presents to children aged 8 & under. 4 – 7pm.

Christmas Lights Switch On Event and Christmas Market Town Centre, Ringwood BH24

This fabulous Christmas Lights Switch On event has a festive market with local traders, Santa’s Grotto, entertainment and the official turning on of the Christmas Lights led by Santa in his horse drawn carriage. 10am – 7.30pm.

5 December

Bridport Christmas Cheer Town Centre, Bridport DT6

Late night opening for shops and businesses, shopping, lantern parade, arts & craft stalls, farmers market, fun fair, Father Christmas & more! 4 – 8pm.

6 December

Dorchester Christmas Cracker High Street, Dorchester DT1 1UJ

A festive celebration with late night shop opening, Christmas street stalls, live music, arts, festive foods, and see the town Christmas lights switched on. From 4pm.

8 December

Swanage Christmas Market Station Road & Commercial Road, Swanage BH19 1DF

Enjoy browsing the many and varied stalls of fresh and locally sourced produce in this Christmas Market and see Father Christmas in his sleigh. 10am – 5pm.

Verwood Christmas Extravaganza Ferrett Green, Verwood BH31 6HF

Father Christmas will be visiting plus there’s the lighting of the Christmas tree, carol singing, band music, food and drinks stalls and small rides for the children. 5 - 8pm.

12 December

Blandford Yuletide Event & Lights Switch On 2018 Town Centre, Blandford DT11 7DZ

The Yuletide Festival kicks off at 5pm and will include a whole host of activities including a lantern parade, carol singing, fireworks and artisan market. You might even catch a glimpse of Father Christmas too. 5 – 8pm.

13 – 20 December

Illuminated Trail Forde Abbey, Chard TA20 4LU

Share in the wonder of the season with an enchanting, sparkling trail around the gardens. Inside there’s carol singing and seasonal treats, plus Father Christmas is here 15 - 16 December. 3.30 – 6.30pm. Meet Santa £2.50 extra.

16 December

Christmas Market High Street, Shaftesbury SP7

Filling the streets from one end of the town to the other, this is probably the biggest, and the busiest Christmas market in Dorset, complete with Christmas parade & lights switch on. 10am – 4pm.

Pick up your perfect Christmas gifts

Salisbury-based The Anonymous Travelling Market are hosting markets at a number of special Christmas events in Dorset and beyond this season. Their markets are a unique combination of artisan, street food and produce, selling many of locally-made goods in the county.

Some of these events include Gillingham Lights Parade on 30 November, Sturminster Newton Producers Market on 1 December, Dorchester Christmas Cracker on 6

December, Blandford Yuletide Festival on 12 December and Shaftesbury Christmas Market on 16 December with others in locations just outside the county borders.