If you're looking to attend a Christmas Light Switch On event then you'll find plenty coming up soon which include kids entertainment, live music, parades, Father Christmas appearances and much more!

 

 

BOURNEMOUTH CHRISTMAS TREE WONDERLAND SWITCH ON

Info: Christmas Tree Wonderland returns for its biggest year yet. Wander through a dazzling display of light-up trees, hop aboard Santa’s Express, and take on the Christmas Tree Maze. With the iconic Big Wheel lighting up the skyline, this magical trail is a must-visit part of Christmas in Bournemouth.

Date: Thursday 13th November 2025
Location: Bournemouth Lower Gardens
Website: Christmas Tree Wonderland

 

CHRISTCHURCH LIGHT SWITCH ON

Date: Saturday 22nd November 2025
Location: Christchurch Town Centre
Website: Christchurch Town Council

 

LYME REGIS LIGHT SWITCH ON & PARADE

Info: Take part in the Christmas lantern making workshop at Lyme Regis Baptist Church Hall from 2pm until 3.30pm or make a lantern at home. This is a free activity with all materials provided. With your lanterns, parade down Broad Street at 5pm as part of the procession before this year's fantastic Christmas lights are switched on at 5pm. Santa will be arriving on his sleigh to turn on the lights and after the switch on, the fabulous Blackdown Samba will be performing by the tree.

Date: Saturday 22nd November 2025
Location: Lyme Regis Town Centre
Facebook: Lyme Christmas Lights

 

POOLE LIGHT SWITCH ON & SANTA PARADE

Date: Saturday 22nd November 2025
Location: Poole High Street & Quay
Website: Discover Poole

 

SHAFTESBURY LIGHT SWITCH ON

Date: Monday 24th November 2025
Location: Shaftesbury Town Hall
Website: Shaftesbury Chamber

 

WIMBORNE LIGHT SWITCH ON & MARKET

Date: Saturday 29th November 2025
Location: Wimborne Minster Town Square
Website: Wimborne Minster Town Council

 

WESTBOURNE LIGHTS SWITCH ON

Date: Saturday 29th November 2025
Location: M&S Westbourne, Bournemouth, Dorset
Facebook: Love Westbourne

 

FERNDOWN LIGHT SWITCH ON

Info: Christmas in Ferndown is a free public event with entertainment for all the family - market stalls, food stalls, Santa’s Grotto, music, entertainment and the switching-on of the Ferndown Christmas tree lights at 5pm.

Date: Saturday 29th November 2025
Location: Penny's Lodge Car Park, Ferndown
Website: Ferndown & Parley Rotary

 

VERWOOD LIGHT SWITCH ON & MARKET

Info: There will be Carol singing around the tree, Santa appearing, face painting, Mr Pop's Balloons, and Christmas stalls in the Memorial Hall, plus activities in the United Reformed Church. Food and hot drinks will be available to purchase on Ferrett Green before the lights are switched on.

Date: Saturday 29th November 2025
Locations: Ferett Green, Memorial Hall & United Reformed Church, Verwood
Facebook: Verwood Town Council

 

MAKE STUR SPARKLE & LIGHT SWITCH ON

Date: Saturday 29th November 2025
Location: Sturminster Newton Town Centre
Website: Make Stur Sparkle

 

SWANAGE LIGHT SWITCH ON

Info: There’ll be live entertainment, a formal countdown, and as always Father Christmas will be arriving on his sleigh to join the festivities.

Date: Saturday 29th November 2025
Location: Swanage Town Centre
Website: Swanage Events

 

BREWERY SQUARE LIGHT SWITCH ON

Info: The Brewery Square Christmas Lights Switch On returns bigger, brighter and more dazzling than ever from 5:30pm until 7pm! Expect to see Gliding Fairies twirling through the Square, a live choir and say hello to Santa and his friends. Take part in exciting Christmas games, keep your eyes peeled for special guests and capture magical moments with the glittering new displays that will light up Brewery Square.

Date: Saturday 29th November 2025
Location: Brewery Square, Dorchester
Website: Brewery Square

 

WEYMOUTH ELF PARADE & LIGHT SWITCH ON

Info: In the morning, Elf workshops will be taking place which includes making hats, ears, collars and face painting. Anyone wishing to be counted for the Elf world record attempt should register at Weymouth Pavilion from 12pm – 1pm and then the giant Elf Parade will take place throughout the streets, all led by a marching band and Santa in his sleigh. The main stage on New Bond Street will feature entertainment throughout the afternoon and at 5pm, families are invited to gather around the Christmas Tree in New Bond Street to see the town’s Christmas lights switched on.

Date: Saturday 29th November 2025
Location: Weymouth Town Centre
Website: Weymouth Town Council

 

WEST BAY LIGHTING UP THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Date: Sunday 30th November 2025
Location: On the Green, West Bay
Website: West Bay

 

RINGWOOD WINTER WANDERLAND & LIGHT SWITCH ON

Date: Sunday 30th November 2025
Location: Ringwood Town Centre
Website: Ringwood Town Council

 

CANFORD HEATH LIGHT SWITCH ON & SANTA’S GROTTO

Date: Friday 5th December 2025
Location: Canford Heath, Poole
Facebook: AR Canford Heath

 

BLANDFORD FORUM YULETIDE FESTIVAL & LIGHT SWITCH ON

Info: This event provides festive fun for everyone as well as encouraging local shopping with late-night opening. Highlights are the children’s lantern parade and community carol singing in the Market Place, market stalls in the streets, Santa’s Grotto in the Corn Exchange, live entertainment and the Christmas tree light switch on at 6pm.

Date: Friday 5th December 2025
Location: Blandford Forum Town Centre
Website: Blandford Yuletide Festival

 

SHERBORNE FESTIVE SHOPPING DAY & LIGHT SWITCH ON

Info: The annual festive shopping day gets bigger and better every year with free entertainment for all the family, a Christmas procession at 4pm and the Christmas light switch on at dark.

Date: Sunday 7th December 2025
Location: Sherborne Town Centre
Website: Sherborne Chamber

 

If you know of any more Light Switch On events coming up soon then please do Contact Us.

 

Need more winter ideas for the family?

Santa's Grotto's & Christmas Experiences

Christmas Shows & Pantos

What's On in November

Attractions & Places to Visit

Soft Plays & Play Cafes

The Moors Valley Halloween Trail is back and if you think it’s the same as last year then I’ll let you know it’s not!  There’s just as many spooky animations and features to see but pretty much everything is different which is great for those who would like to do it again.

We started the trail at 5pm (after the clocks had changed) so the first part of the trail was already quite moody and grey but it didn’t take long before the forest became mega eerie.

Everyone on the trail was excited to see what would be coming up next and the kids all looked super cute in their fancy dress costumes, we even saw an adorable little dog in a Stitch costume with a knitted pumpkin on it’s head!

As we wandered through the trail we saw hundreds of gravestones, coffins, bats, spiders, skulls, crows and pumpkins, to name but a few.  Strange sounds can be heard deep in the forest and illuminated skeletons flicker on and off, plus there’s a giant spider tunnel and an eerily possessed pumpkin farm.

We stopped briefly to say hello to Dracula but my daughter wasn’t keen and hid behind me so we bid farewell and continued our journey through the woods.

After the half way point, we came to a seated area and here you can purchase marshmallows with melted chocolate and toppings or seasonal drinks which include boozy hot chocolates, spiced apple toddy, cold brews, soft drinks and hot drinks.

Walking on we saw a sinister Plague Doctor and then came to an area which the children loved the most. Within the trees was glow in the dark mushrooms, skeletons coming out the ground, big spider webs and smoke filled bubbles which came out of the undergrowth. They were thoroughly satisfying when popped and every child that walked past couldn’t resist.

The last part of the trail, we saw a pumpkin forest and a creepy and slightly possessed Scarecrow character who liked to jump around when new people walked by.

We spent approximately 90 mins walking round the trail but I’d say the average would be 1 hour.  We only took longer because I have a bad habit of petting cute dogs and we spent a long time popping the smoke bubbles.

I’ve deliberately not mentioned everything you’ll see because no one likes spoiler alerts! I will say though that it’s brilliant experience and thoroughly recommended by all our family.

If you’re peckish before or after then you’ll find several catering options located at the start of trail. We spotted burgers, loaded fries and carvery - there’s even a Churros and Bar Bus!

The spooky illuminated trail is open from Friday 24th October until Sunday 2nd November 2025.  For more information and to book your tickets, please visit Forestry England.

Good to know:

• The trail opens at 4pm, last entry at 9pm, with the journey through the woods getting scarier as the darkness of night sets in.

• Toilets are located near the food area however I have also been told that the visitor centre toilets will also remain open later than normal. There are no toilets on the trail so make sure you visit the facilities before starting, especially if you have little one’s with you.

• There’s plenty of undercover seating located near the food and toilets area.

• The pathway is flat and suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs however it will be a little bumpy in areas.

Top Tips:

• Take your time, there’s so much to see and so many fun surprises lurking, you don’t want to miss them.

• Sturdy footwear and warm clothing is recommended.

Dorsetmums was invited to the Moors Valley Halloween Trail for the purpose of a review however all words are my own.