At the weekend, myself and my daughter went to Bournemouth for a look around the shops before hitting the gardens to check out the 2025 Christmas lights.  I must say I have very mixed emotions about this years event as it's quite different to previous years and even my daughter agreed she preferred it before. 

Everywhere looks super Christmassy and there's few big Christmas trees offering a brief walkway in the gardens but one side didn’t have the lights on so that could just be early glitches.  We spotted some big buttons to control the tree lights but us and other families had a go and we couldn’t see any lights change so maybe we were looking in the wrong direction haha!

There’s a few other light installations further down the gardens but I definitely missed seeing the huge walk-through tree.  We saw the Christmas Tree Maze but that was £4pp (under 3's free) and the Christmas Train was also £4pp.  There’s stands to win cuddly toys, plus Festive Mini Golf and the Helter Skelter although I didn’t look to see how much they were.

Santa's Workshop looks nice and bookable activities include biscuit and bauble decorating, and storytelling with Santa.  The Ice Rink this year looks huge but the actual rink isn’t visible from the gardens (from what I could see) which is a shame because I always enjoyed watching the skaters.

If you head towards the Pier then you can go on The Big Wheel which offers great views of the town or have a round of golf at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf as they are offering twilight putting sessions and I noticed lots of festive lights on the course.

The Market and Alpine Bar looked really lovely and festive but it was very busy so we moved through pretty quickly.  I did however spot some nice gift ideas and delicious food and treat options like hog roast, pasta, loaded fries, roast dinner in a Yorkshire pudding and churros.

We ended the day at Picnic Park Deli and my daughter chose a S'mores Hot Chocolate which was insanely good.  It's lovely and festive there and although it’s still in the gardens, it’s nice to get away from the crowds.

It’s definitely worth visiting central Bournemouth this Christmas but in my opinion it’s not as good as it has been in previous years.  Some advice, the weekends will be busy and you need to be prepared to part with money if you want to do any of the activities.

There’s lots of festive events planned there over the coming weeks which includes character walkabouts, carols and live music in The Square.

For more details about bookable activities, please visit Christmas in Bournemouth.

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 Monster Town Council

 

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

 

NEW MILTON CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL & PARADE

Date: Saturday 29th November 2025
Location: New Milton Town Centre
Website: New Milton Lions

 

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