You’re sure to encounter plenty of Dorset’s festive spirit at these Christmas events. If you’re lucky you may even bump into Santa and his reindeer too!
Winter in Dorset - photography, things to do and walks to enjoy
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BEAMINSTER
5 December - Christmas Fair
Beaminster School Christmas Fair. Market in town starts 5pm. Parade with Father Christmas leaves fire station at 6.15pm followed by lighting of tree 7pm.
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BLANDFORD FORUM
6 December - Shillingstone Fayre
Over 40 stalls of local food and crafts at the Shillingstone Centre.
10 December - Yuletide Festival
Christmas stalls and the Anonymous Travelling Market feature at this event which starts 6pm, lantern parade 6.30pm, fireworks display 8.30pm.
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BOURNEMOUTH
Until 4 January - Christmas Festival
Town Square, surrounding streets and Lower Gardens are filled with Christmas ambience from roasting chestnuts and a Victorian carousel to an Alpine bar serving traditional gluhwein. Enjoy browsing stalls at the pretty Christmas Market.
6 December - Westbourne for Christmas
Musical entertainment including Mungo Jerry, Bournemouth University’s Big Band and The Liverpool Victoria Choir. Lights to be switched on by a VIP guest.
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BRIDPORT
3- 14 December - Christmas Tree Festival
Over 60 decorated and illuminated trees at Bridport United Church East Street.
3 December - Christmas Cheer
Late night shopping, roasted chestnuts, music, rides, food, farmers market plus Father Christmas. Craft Fairs in the Art Centre, Bridport Town Hall, and the Electric Palace.
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CHRISTCHURCH
13 December - Highcliffe Christmas Carnival
Gift fayre 11am, entertainments midday and Show Time themed carnival procession from Lymington Road 6pm. highcliffecarnival.org.uk
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DORCHESTER
4 December - Dorchester Christmas Cracker
Christmas stalls from 5.30pm - 9pm and Christmas Craft Fair in the Corn Exchange from 3pm. Lights switched on at 6.30pm. Father Christmas is dropping by too.
6 December - Christmas Food Fair
Seasonal treats from the Kingcombe Centre’s range of Dorset’s finest local produce, and art-inspired gifts by local artists.
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GILLINGHAM
5 December - Christmas Market
Late night shopping 5pm – 9pm, Anonymous Travelling Market and other stalls.
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LYME REGIS
5-7 December - Christmas Market
Browse local food, drink and crafts at this market in the Town Mill.
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POOLE
6 December - Broadstone Christmas Parade
Christmas-themed floats feature in this parade led by Father Christmas, starts at 1.30pm.
11 December - Children’s Lantern Procession
This magical procession leaves from outside the Dolphin Centre at 6pm and makes its way down the High Street to the Guildhall.
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SHAFTESBURY
1 December - Christmas Lights
Fashion icon Dame Zandra Rhodes switches on the Christmas Lights at 6pm.
14 December - Christmas Street Fair
Enjoy browsing stalls for local food and gifts and visiting the Anonymous Travelling Market at this atmospheric street fair in Shaftesbury High Street.
Runs 10am – 4pm.
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SHERBORNE
7 December - Festive Shopping Sunday
Love a Local Christmas event with street entertainers, festive food and drink, farmers’ market and Artisan Makers’ Market at Digby Memorial Hall. Culminates in festive lantern procession along Cheap Street, then lighting of the tree by Santa at 4.15pm.
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WAREHAM
6-7 December - Wartime Christmas Festival
Indoor market with over 50 stalls of local produce and crafts. Meet Father Christmas then sing along with the Land Girls at The Tank Museum, Bovington.
14 December - Christmas Celebration
Christmas Parade in Wareham Town Centre starts 4.30pm when Father Christmas arrives in his gold boots on the roof of the Red Lion before disappearing down its chimney. He then goes to his grotto in the town hall.
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WEYMOUTH
7 December - I’m Dreaming of a Wyke Christmas
Get into the festive spirit in Old Wyke Square, mulled wine under the Christmas Tree, children’s fancy dress and so much more. From midday onwards
5- 6 December - Weymouth Victorian Shownight
This year’s Victorian Shownight is spread over two days and launched with a spectacular children’s lantern procession from Hope Square with the theme of airborne Victorian Travelling Machines. Procession ends in New Bond Street for the switching on of the Christmas Lights. The following day Santa arrives on his sleigh pulled by reindeer and settles into his magical Grotto on the Green at St Marys Church.
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WIMBORNE
6 December - Christmas Handmade & Vintage Fair
Christmas Pop-Up shop at the Allendale Centre by the Dorset Etsy Team (Etsy.com). The perfect hunting ground for unusual gifts made in Dorset from handmade jewellery and textiles to vintage china and hand-bound notebooks.
6-7 December - Christmas Craft & Garden Fair
Exhibitions, demonstrations and sale of crafts and arts plus plants, shrubs, garden sculpture and ornaments. Kingston Lacy House and grounds from 10am.
13 December - Festival of Christmas
Save the Children Christmas Appeal Day in Wimborne, includes Grand Parade with Santa in the afternoon, carnival parade of floats starts at 2.30pm. Followed by street entertainment and Santa’s Grotto in the Square.
Until 31 December - Christmas Inspiration
Stuck for gift ideas? Christmas presents from fun stocking fillers to collector’s items feature at Walford Mill in Stone Lane which has work from over 300 talented makers all under one roof.
