Are you wondering what’s on in Dorset in December? With Christmas just around the corner, there are lots of exciting festive events happening. Maybe you’ll be planning visiting a pantomime, or picking your own real Christmas tree. You’ll also find great theatres, family friendly attractions and festivals all waiting to offer things to do. Check out things to do in Dorset in December.
Swanage Railway Christmas Yuletide Express
Dates: 28th November – 24th December 2026
Step into a world of twinkling lights, festive cheer and timeless Christmas traditions. The Yuletide Express is more than a train ride- it’s a heart-warming journey into the magic of the season.
What to expect
Your festive adventure begins at Swanage Station. As the scent of mince pies fills the air and carols drift from the platform, you’re welcomed into a cosy, nostalgic celebration.
- All aboard! Settle into your seat for a one-hour return journey through the stunning Purbeck countryside, where wintry views and festive spirit go hand-in-hand.
- Be greeted by the Magic Ticket Collector, who’ll make sure your family is ready for the enchantment ahead.
- The cheerful Christmas Elves will lead songs, spread joy, and bring smiles to little faces.
- Then, a moment to remember – Father Christmas himself will make his way through the train, meeting each family and delighting every child with a festive gift:
- A quality Christmas present
- A traditional candy cane
- And of course – a satsuma, just like the ones tucked into stockings long ago
- Children can also visit the Christmas Wishing Tree to write and hang up their wishes.
Related Post – A trip on the Swanage steam railway
Illuminate Poole
Upton Country Park, Dorset
Dates: 20th November 2026 – 3rd January 2027
NEW for 2026, visit Illuminate Poole at Upton Country House. Experience the 60-80 minute trail around the grounds of Upton Country Park.
Santa Special At Moors Valley Railway
Dates: 29th, 30th November, 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st December 2025
On selected dates in November and December, you can meet Santa at Moors Valley Railway. Enjoy your own carriage on your journey to see Santa with mince pies and refreshments.
Santa At The Blue Pool
Dates: 6th, 7th, 13th – 23rd December 2025
The Blue Pool will be home to an enchanted winter wonderland setting this Christmas. Why not book your tickets for a perfect Christmas experience in Dorset. We hear Santa will also be making an appearance.
Storytelling With Santa At Kingston Lacy
Dates: 28th November – 23rd December 2026 (selected dates)
Santa is stopping at Kingston Lacy this festive season! Make memories, start traditions and come on a fantastical journey with his musical helpers to find his storybook nook, before settling in for a festive tale, an early Christmas gift and a chance to take a picture together with Santa!
Kingston Lacy’s A Starlit Christmas Ball
Dates: 21st November 2026 – 3rd January 2027
Explore the house and gardens, decorated for a spectacular Christmas ball. You’ll follow the story as you move through the rooms, and see glorious costumes and twinkling decorations inspired by the night sky and Christmas magic.
Meet Santa At Brewery Square
Dates: 2025 TBC
Santa’s Grotto will be at Brewery Square in Dorchester. Meet Santa and his friendly elf in his grotto and receive a gift.
Upton House Christmas Market
Date: 2025 TBC
Free entry to all the wonderful local artisans’ craft stalls and pop-up Tea Rooms.
Soak up the festive atmosphere with performances from local choirs throughout the two-day event.
Christmas At Corfe Castle
Dates: December 2025
The Corfe Castle village Christmas lights will be switched on the first weekend of December. The Castle is usually illuminated during December and early January and open for a few hours in the evening for you to enjoy the lights.
Walled Garden Moreton Christmas Market
Date: 7th December 2025
There will be lots of stalls, music and local treats at the festive Christmas Market at the Walled Garden, Moreton this year.
Brewery Square Skating In The Square
Date: 23rd November 2024 – 3rd January 2025
The outside ice rink at Brewery Square in Dorchester is back in November for some outside festive skating.
Blandford Yuletide Festival
Date: 5th December 2025
You can enjoy this FREE Christmas event in Blandford with a lantern parade through the town and a visit from Santa. The Christmas tree will also be lit in town.
Symondsbury Estate Christmas Market
Date: 6th – 8th December 2024
With over 50 local businesses bringing a wonderful variety of handcrafted and high-quality products to the Market, there will be a great selection of unique gifts, with something for everyone. Admission is free and car parking is £3.
Museum Of East Dorset Santa’s Grotto
Dates: 7th December 2024
When you arrive, you’ll be given a ‘Golden Ticket’ to see Santa. Firstly, the family can enjoy 45 minutes exploring the museum, where there will be a festive trail and the opportunity to make Christmas crafts and write a letter to Santa.
After 45 minutes, the elves will lead you from the museum kitchen down the garden to our Garden Room, where Santa will tell an interactive story to the group and give each child a wrapped, age-appropriate gift to take home with them.
Weymouth’s Steampunk Christmas Weekend
Dates: 6th – 8th December 2024
You can expect activities including a fashion show, variety performance, market and more happening across the Steampunk Christmas weekend in Weymouth.
Broadstone Christmas Parade
Date: 7th December 2024
Visit Broadstone between 10am and 3pm on 7th December for lots of festive fun. The parade will leave Story Lane around 1.30pm
Saving Santa’s Magic Escape Room
Dates: 2024 TBC
At The Great Big Escape rooms in Dorchester, you can take part in the Christmas themed escape game. Saving Santa’s Magic is suitable for 2-6 participants. Can you and your team save Christmas in time?
Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland
Dates: 13th November 2025 – 4th January 2026
Visit Bournemouth through December for a great festive day and evening out. You can enjoy the thousands of illuminations in the Lower Gardens, as well as the open air ice rink, Alpine Christmas market, and plenty of festive fun.
Illuminate At Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Buller’s Way, Abbotsbury, Dorset, DT3 4LA
Dates: 20th November – 31st December 2026 (selected dates)
ILLUMINATE. ‘OT Event Technicians’ will be Illuminating the Gardens in the lead up to Christmas this year. The event will run daily 4.30pm to 8.00pm from the 20th November until 31st December with last entries between 7.00pm and 7.15pm.
Christmas At Farmer Palmers
Dates: 6th – 23rd December 2025
The ‘Meet Farmer Christmas Experience’ in the enchanted barn will be running in December. There are also the twilight Christmas experience on selected dates in December.
Nutley Farm Christmas Lights & Reindeer Experience
Nr Dorchester, DT2 8DT
Dates: 27th November – 30th December 2026
Wander along the magical illuminated 600m walkway, pass through glittering archways, twinkling trees and light installations. Suitable for all ages and the perfect way to get into the festive spirit with your family.
Read our full review of Christmas at Nutley Farm
There’s also the chance to meet the friendly reindeer, and take part in the Elf hunt along the illuminated walk.
Poole’s Maritime Christmas
Dates: 2025 TBC
Christmas in Poole is set to be very special with this six weeks festival for 2024. There will be pop up events and plenty of Christmas lights. The Maritime Festival will showcase illuminations from Poole Town Centre to Falkland Square and onwards to Poole Quay. Attractions will include a Christmas market, festive food and attractions.
Poundbury Christmas Market
DT1 3AZ
Date: 2025 TBC
The Christmas Market always falls on Small Business Saturday, the first Saturday in December.
Broadstone Christmas Musical Market
Date: 2025 TBC
There’s FREE entry to the musical market on Broadstone high street this December. The dog friendly Christmas market will have live music and plenty of bespoke gifts to choose from.
Bournemouth Pavilion Pantomime – Aladdin
Dates: Sat 5th December 2026 – Sun 3rd January 2027
The Bournemouth pantomime for 2026 is Aladdin.
Starring Noel Brodie
The Enchanted Night Garden At Minterne House
Dates: 2025 TBC
The magical Enchanted Night Garden comes to Minterne House and Gardens this Christmas. See the beautiful stately home lit like you have never seen it before.
The gardens will come alive with stunning woodland creatures, fairies, sprites and dragons which are dotted around the stunning light displays.
Allendale Christmas Food Fair
Date: 2025 TBC
Free entry between 10am – 4pm on 7th December for the Allendale Christmas food fair in Wimborne.
Poole Lighthouse Pantomime – Jack & The Beanstalk
Jack & The Beanstalk Pantomime
Dates: 10th December 2026 – 3rd January 2027
CBeebies and Lighthouse favourite Chris Jarvis is back as our loveable Dame Trott, with Sarah Louise Young (Sleeping Beauty 2024, Dick Whittington 2025, An Evening Without Kate Bush), revelling in your boos and hisses as the wicked Flesh Creep.
Cool Coast Ice Rink
Dates: 13th December 2025 – 22nd February 2026
The indoor ice rink in Bournemouth at the Bournemouth International Centre is on until Sunday 22nd February 2026. Ice skating session times run from 11:00am until 8:45pm.
Step Into Christmas Show At Poole Lighthouse
Date: 11th December 2026
“This Christmas feel-good show brings all the magic of the season to life, with all your favourite songs you will know and love.
Including – All I Want for Christmas Is You, Last Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, Stay Another Day, Let it Snow, White Christmas, Do They Know it’s Christmas, A Winter’s Tale, Merry Xmas Everybody, and many many more.
It’s the time when every Santa has a ball. Our amazing cast give you their hearts and do not take them away! in this warm-hearted family spectacular.
So, Step Into Christmas for the most wonderful show of the year, as we give you something special, full of festive cheer.”
Best Ever Christmas Panto
Dates: 11th – 24th December 2026
The Best Ever Christmas Panto at the Allendale in Wimborne is back for 2026 with a new adventure.
Lyme Regis Santa’s Grotto
Date: 2025 TBC
Santa will be visiting Lyme Regis and you can book a 5 minute slot to meet him in his grotto in the foyer of Pine Hall, Lyme Regis Baptist Church. The cost will be £5 per child which includes a small gift and certificate.
Brewery Square’s Christmas Market
Date: 2025 TBC
Visit Brewery Square for the Christmas market between 11am and 3pm on 10th December. There will be plenty of traders and not forgetting the surrounding shops for your Christmas shopping in Dorset.
The Town Mill Santa’s Helpers Experience
Dates: 2025 TBC
Santa needs your help at the Town Mill in Lyme Regis. Can you help get the sacks full of Christmas presents up to Santa’s workshop in time for Christmas Eve? There’s loads of festive fun and interactive activities for children this year at The Town Mill.
Weymouth Pavilion Pantomime – Cinderella
Dates: 19th December 2026 – 2nd January 2027
The Weymouth pantomime for 2026 is Cinderella. Join in the festive fun with the lovable Buttons, the handsome Prince Charming, the wicked Ugly Sisters, the magical Fairy Godmother and, of course, the beautiful Cinderella and make it a Christmas to remember in 2026.
Lyme Regis Christmas Tree Festival
Dates: 11th – 13th December 2026
Visit the Pine Hall at Lyme Regis Baptist Church to see plenty of glittering Christmas trees decorated by local groups and organisations. Wander through a mini forest of sparkling trees adorned with lights and creatively decorated to reflect the theme of the organisation.
The magical spectacle brings extra festive cheer to the town and is free to attend. With each tree there will usually be a collection pot so you can donate to any of the organisations taking part.
Dorchester Christmas Cracker
Dates: 2025 TBC
The day will be filled with stalls and entertainment for the whole family. High Street East/West will be closed for the market and the craft fair will be in the Corn Exchange.
Drive In Movies Christchurch
Matchams Leisure Park, BH24 2BT
Dates: 2025 TBC
2025 movies TBC
Films
A Fairytale Christmas At Upton Country Park
Dates: 2025 TBC
Visit Upton Country Park this festive season to enjoy the family-friendly adventure trail. Look out for magical fairytale characters along the way and when you have completed your Christmas adventure, head to the Christmas Tree Finale near the Tea Rooms.
Here you can claim your Christmas present prize and warm up by the fire, with hot drinks and marshmallows to toast.
Santa’s Christmas Wish, Swanage
Date: 2025 TBC
Santa’s Christmas Wish is a festive, song-filled, interactive family show particularly suitable for 2-8 year olds. It lasts 45 minutes and is followed by a special meet, greet and treat with Father Christmas himself!
Runton Road Christmas Lights
Dates: 2025 TBC
The Runton Road Christmas lights have been so popular in recent years, they even made the BBC news! The residents of Runton Road in Branksome have been displaying amazing Christmas lights for nearly 20 years now.
If you are visiting Runton Road this festive season, keep your eye on the Facebook page for all up to date information and please remember to be courteous of people’s driveways and parking.
Check out what’s on in Dorset in January and stay up to date with all the festivals and events through the year.