That weird gap between Christmas and New Year needn’t be spent on the sofa in your pyjamas (unless you want to of course). There’s plenty on in Dorset to keep the whole family entertained during the Christmas holidays

Buckland Newton Wheelbarrow Race

26 December

Could you be the Wheelbarrow Race Champions of 2018? Head to The Gaggle of Geese Pub on Boxing Day to find out. Teams of two only (you must be over 18 years old to enter). Entry costs £10 per team with all funds raised going to the local village school. Whether you’re taking part of cheering from the sidelines, it’s set to be a great day out!

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The Greyhound Lifeline Boxing Day walk

26 December

Work off those Christmas lunches with a gentle stroll along Sandbanks Beach to raise money for the Greyhound Lifeline. All breeds and their humans welcome (even non dog owners).

Please meet by the toilets in Sandbanks car park for 10.45am. The walk will start at 11am.

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Bournemouth Beach Race

30 December

The Winter Edition of Bournemouth Beach Race will take place this Twixmas. Start and finish on the west side of the pier and run along the shoreline of Bournemouth Beach towards Sandbanks and back.

The run starts at 9am and you can enter either a 5km or 10km race. Register your spot here: http://www.beachrace.co.uk/

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Sponsored Sea Splash at Lyme Regis Bay

30 December

Brave the icy cold waves of Lyme Regis Bay with this sponsored swim to help raise money for the Secret World Wildlife Rescue. Swimmers need to get to the beach for 10.30am and they will be heading into the waters at 12pm.

If you’re feeling brave enough to take part, minimum sponsorship is £50. Spectators are welcome to come down and show their support too.

Click here for your sponsorship form: https://www.secretworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-SWWR-Sponsorship-Form.pdf

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Pantomime:

Dick Whittington

Runs until 31 December

Join Dick and his acrobatic cat as they journey from Lighthouse Poole to Olde London Town seeking fame and fortune.

Box office 01202 280000

Sleeping Beauty

Runs until 6 January

Who will wake the enchanted princess with true love’s kiss at Bournemouth Pavilion.

Box office 0844 576 3000

Dick Wittington

Runs until 30 December

Can Sarah the Cook fit through the door of Weymouth Pavilion in her outrageous frocks?

Box office 01305 785225

Cinderella

Runs until 6 January

Will Cinders meet her Prince Charming at the Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne Minster?

Box office 01202 885566

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Christmas markets and events:

Christmas Tree Wonderland, Bournemouth

Runs until 2 January

The magnificent festive trail features glittering trees and enchanting illuminations, turning Bournemouth into a winter wonderland. An illuminated big wheel on the resort’s award-winning seafront marks the start of this unique free festival trail. The centrepiece of the brand new attraction is the Bournemouth Wonderland Tree – a 60ft LED spectacle comprising 30,000 individual lights programmed for regular sound and light shows.

Read all about it here: https://www.dorsetmagazine.co.uk/home/christmas/christmas-tree-wonderland-in-bournemouth-1-5804092

Bournemouth Christmas Market

Runs until 2 January

As you’d expect from any great Christmas market or festival, Bournemouth’s will include lively entertainment, unique gift ideas and some tasty cuisine. Inspired by the traditional German markets, you can cosy up in the two-storey Alpine Lodge, meet Santa in the North Pole Grotto and test your skating expertise on the ice rink. The event runs for almost two months, closing in the New Year, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy the celebrations.

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Alternatively, you can spend the holidays getting out and about in the fresh air with one of these Dorset winter walks.