Any date · All of Dorset
Festivals and shows
A community celebration in Swanage marking the start of the countdown to Christmas, with the town's Christmas lights switched on for the season.
Festivals and shows
Late night Christmas shopping at Compton Acres in Canford Cliffs, with the Plant Centre, shops and Café open until 8pm. A chance to choose a Christmas tree, browse gifts and enjoy a festive bite, with no tickets required.
Outdoor activities
An evening cruise around Poole Harbour with a festive theme, including mulled wine on boarding and a two-course Christmas buffet. Guests can dance to music from an onboard DJ. It runs on Friday and Saturday nights through December.
Festivals and shows
An artisan and makers market held at Down Barn Dairy, Tarrant Rawston, near Blandford. Visitors can browse over 60 stalls of local crafts and gifts, enjoy mulled wine and street food, meet Santa and try wreath making, with live music throughout the day.
Festivals and shows
A Christmas-themed harbour cruise from Poole Quay where Santa joins passengers on board. The 75 minute sail passes Brownsea Island, Sandbanks Peninsula and Studland Bay, with mulled wine, carols and a present for every child.
Food and drink
A Christmas market at Bere Marsh Farm, Shillingstone, offering local produce and handmade crafts. Stalls include cheese, preserves, cider and gin alongside handbags, pottery, jewellery and children's toys, with refreshments from the Buzz Cafe and hot food from Dorset Lamb.
Arts and culture
A Christmas concert by classical choir La Nova Singers at St Peter's Church, Parkstone, featuring Benjamin Britten's 'A Ceremony of Carols' accompanied by harpist Rachel Masters. The programme includes festive classics and new arrangements of favourite carols performed by the choir's twelve female voices.
8 to 10 Dec
A festive wreath-making workshop held inside Brownsea Castle, reached by boat from Poole Harbour. Participants are guided through making their own wreath using provided materials, with carols playing in the decorated castle, followed by a two-course lunch.
Festivals and shows
A free community Christmas event in Bridport with a festive market, shopping, arts, crafts, music, dance and food. Father Christmas is also due to attend, and the evening is aimed at the whole family.
Arts and culture
A talk in Wimborne about engineer Nikola Tesla, presented by Richard Hutley as part of Wimborne U3A's programme. The session explores Tesla's achievements with alternating current and separates fact from later myths about his legacy.
Arts and culture
A festive workshop at the Wild Chesil Centre where visitors create a natural wreath using locally sourced, sustainably harvested materials. Suitable for adults and children aged 12 and over, with children required to be accompanied by an adult.
Outdoor activities
Starting near Chesil Beach, we'll follow a stretch of the South West Coast Path towards West Bexington before heading inland and climbing onto the South Dorset Ridgeway, then across to the beautiful St Catherine's Chapel. We'll then loop back to our starting point, enjoying a varied route combining coastal scenery, countryside trails, village charm and far-reaching views. Whether you enjoy discovering new walking routes or simply want to spend a morning exploring the Dorset landscape with like-minded people, this is a great opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy the company of fellow walkers.
Festivals and shows
A festive breakfast event at Key West Coastal Restaurant on Bournemouth Pier, where Santa visits children during a breakfast buffet. Children up to 12 receive a personalised present, and tables come with festive decorations and colouring books.
Arts and culture
A festive carol concert at the Compton Organ, with sing-along carols and entertainment accompanied by members of a local light opera choir. The event is free to attend and suits visitors looking for traditional Christmas entertainment.
Festivals and shows
A monthly artisan and crafts market at the Corn Exchange in Blandford, with quality traders selling a range of handmade products. Entry is free and traders are welcome to take part.
Arts and culture
A festive theatre show bringing classic Christmas songs, singalong hits and comedy performances to the Bournemouth International Centre. Described as a long-running touring Christmas show suited to the whole family.
Arts and culture
A festive variety show featuring Anton Du Beke, vocalist Lance Ellington, their band and a troupe of dancers. Expect Christmas music, dancing and festive cheer at the Bournemouth International Centre.
Festivals and shows
A wedding fair for people who don't usually enjoy wedding fairs. A balanced mix of Dorset suppliers, each one checked by a real person and asked to be open about pricing. No hard sell, and every kind of wedding welcome, 20 guests or 200. Timed entry, so you can take your time. Tickets £5 per wedding party, up to 4 adults, plus the Eventbrite booking fee. Under-16s free with a paying adult. Free parking.
Exhibitions and events that run for weeks or months.
Arts and culture
A three-hour guided retreat cruise around Poole Harbour, combining meditation and movement sessions with a ceremonial cacao ceremony. Light refreshments and water are included, offering a chance to relax while sailing through the harbour.
10 Jul to 3 Jan
A free exhibition at Poole Museum showcasing the vivid, fantastical artworks of Jason Wilsher-Mills, including sculptures, inflatables and digital pieces. It features mermaids, larger-than-life characters and unusual creatures, with newly commissioned works inspired by Poole's maritime heritage. Designed to appeal to visitors of all ages.
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