Christmas & New Year Events in Dorset

Christmas in Christchurch returns on Saturday 28 November 2026 with a festive town-centre celebration and the official Christmas lights switch-on. The full programme is still to be announced, but local artisan traders are being recruited for the event and visitors can expect seasonal shopping, food, entertainment and activities for families. We will update this guide with confirmed times, performers and attractions as soon as the organisers release further information.

Stewarts Santa’s Winter Wonderland returns to Christchurch and Broomhill from 21 November to 24 December 2026. Tickets cost £19.95 for children aged seven months to 12 years, including a present, while babies and adults cost £3.95 each. Find booking information, locations, SEN session dates and what families can expect from this popular Dorset Christmas experience.

Start 2027 with one of Poole’s quirkiest annual traditions as the New Year’s Day Bath Tub Race returns to Poole Quay. Teams take to the harbour in homemade bathtub-inspired vessels, racing along the waterfront while crowds cheer them on from the quayside. Expect creative crafts, splashes, plenty of competitive spirit and a lively atmosphere, all while raising money for charity. The event is free to watch and has become a memorable way to welcome the New Year in Poole.