Celebrate the festive season in Dorset
Celebrate the festive season in Dorset
The festive season is fast approaching, and it’ll soon be time to deck the halls!
Dorset has an absolutely packed Christmas events calendar this year and with tickets selling in advance, we thought we’d let you know what’s coming up so you can get dates in the diary and get booking!
From light trails to an elf world record attempt, we’ve found magical events across the county, so you can join in the fun in your local area.
Weymouth
Were you in Weymouth last Christmas and wondered why there were so many elves around? Over 1000 people dressed up as elves to attempt a world record. They were unfortunately not successful, but will they beat it this year? Dress up with the family and head to the town centre on 26th November to take part in the Weymouth Elf World Record Attempt – you might even be on TV!
From 25th November – 23rd December, rare plants and trees at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens will be awash in a kaleidoscope of colours for their Christmas Illuminate event.
Dorchester
There’ll be plenty of festive entertainment at Brewery Square from 26th November this year, with the annual Christmas light switch on, the return of the outdoor ice rink, live music and displays.
Have you ever seen a reindeer in real life? Well now’s your chance! From 25th November - 29th December at Nutley Farm near Dorchester, you can meet and feed the reindeer, wander along the illuminated walkway and even take part in an elf hunt! There’ll be seasonal food, mulled wine and cider in the festive barn and Santa will visit on certain dates.
Sherborne
Get your Christmas shopping done and dusted at Sherborne’s Festive Shopping Day on Sunday 4th December from 10am-4pm.
As well as festive stalls and a farmers market, the whole family can get into the spirit with entertainment to include church services in the Abbey, Santa’s grotto, live music, Christmas tree festival, parade and tree lighting, all raising awareness for local charities.
Shaftesbury
For your last bits of Christmas shopping, head to Shaftesbury Christmas Market on 18th December.
With up to 100 stalls, there’ll be a great mix of artisan food, crafts, plants and clothing items to purchase as gifts for loved ones (or a treat for yourself)!
The event will take place on the High Street, which will be closed to traffic for the day. Whilst you’re there, take the opportunity to wander up the famous ‘Gold Hill’.
Blandford
Blandford will be hosting a free Yuletide Festival on 2nd December, with a lantern parade through the town, a visit from Santa and a light show in the evening.
Wimborne
Christmas is a great time of year to visit the grand stately home, Kingston Lacy, and explore the beautiful parkland. During the day, you can see the house traditionally decorated with Christmas trees, garlanded fireplaces and a dining room set for a Christmas feast.
At night, the estate will burst into festive colour and you can wander through sparkling tunnels of light, under giant baubles and beneath illuminated trees, humming along to a soundtrack of Christmas classics. The Christmas Light Trail will be open from 2nd – 4th December and 7th – 24th December.
Bournemouth
One of the most well-known and anticipated Christmas events, Bournemouth’s annual Christmas Tree Wonderland, is back in town from 18th November – 2nd January.
You can follow the trail of over 100 glittering trees from the Lansdowne roundabout along to the Square, up to the Triangle and down to the seafront. Towering over Bournemouth Gardens, the 60ft tree with 30,000 individually programmable LED lights will also make its return.
Warm your cockles at the Alpine Lodge bar, give ice skating a go on the outdoor rink and get your Christmas shopping at the traditional market.
There’ll also be a giant snow globe travelling around the centre that you can climb inside and take lots of festive snaps!
Feel free to share our mini Christmas events guide and we hope you have a very merry festive season! If you’re looking for even more to do in Dorset this Christmas, check out this handy blog post.
Image credit: Kingston Lacy
Added: 31st October 2022
