If you’re looking for a family friendly event to attend on New Year's Eve then please see our list of events below.

 

NIKKI’S LITTLE PLAY CAFÉ NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY

Info: The New Year's Eve party will give young children time to burn off all their energy in the soft play, plus there's face painting, delicious snacks and treats, music and dancing.

Address: Nikki’s Little Play Café, 4 Pope Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1GW

Website: Nikki’s Little Play Café

 

ITSY BITSYCCHINO NOON YEAR'S EVE PARTY

Info: When the clock strikes noon, the magic begins!  Enjoy music, party games, dancing, role play fun, plus special guest appearance from the Glass Slipper Princess and afternoon tea for every Prince and Princess.

Address: Itsy Bitsycchino, Westover Retail Park, Wimborne Road, Castle Lane West, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH9 3JS

Website: Itsy Bitsycchino

 

THE FACTORY SPACE NEW YEAR'S CHILDREN’S PARTIES

Address: The Factory Space, 1172-1180 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH7 6DY

Website: The Factory Space

 

CANFORD HEATH COMMUNITY CENTRE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

Address: Canford Heath Community Centre, 7 Mitchell Road, Poole, Dorset, BH17 8UE

Facebook: Canford Heath Community Centre

 

THE NEWTOWN FAMILY NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY

Address: The Newtown, 374 Ringwood Road, Poole, Dorset, BH12 3LT

Website: The Newtown 

 

PARKSTONE TRADES & LABOUR CLUB FAMILY PARTY & DISCO

Address: Parkstone Trades & Labour Club, 485 Ashley Road, Poole, Dorset, BH14 0BB

Facebook: Parkstone Trades & Labour Club

 

THE BIG NYE FAMILY PARTY

Address: Colehill Village Hall, Cannon Hill Road, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 2LR

Website: The Elf Team

 

LITTLE BEAR WOODS NEW YEAR'S EVE SPECIAL

Info: Bring your torches and enjoy a countdown surprise, make home-made candles, apple bobbin’ boats and marshmallows on the campfire, plus party games and treats.

Address: Little Bear Woods, Wattons Lane, Ringwood, Dorset, BH24 2DG

Website: Little Bear Woods

 

THE LOUNGES NEW YEAR'S EVE FAMILY PARTIES

Info: Join the team with family friendly activities and a special countdown for the little ones.  Dress to impress, engage in games and activities and take part in the countdown to the New Year.  Times and entertainment varies at venues.

Address: Delfino Lounge, 8-9 Falkland Square, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1ER
Address: Conto Lounge, 418 Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH9 2HB
Address: Ludo Lounge, 34 Southbourne Grove, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH6 3RA
Address: Arcado Lounge, 71 High Street, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1AS
Address: Piazzo Lounge, 4-5 The Square, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 1JE
Address: Vivo Lounge, 23 Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1QR
Address: Nautico Lounge, 66 St Thomas Street, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8EL

Website: The Lounges

 

THE ALLENDALE FREE FAMILY FILM CLUB

Address: The Allendale Centre, Hanham Road, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 1AS

Website: The Allendale Centre

 

WOOL RBL KIDS NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY

Address: Wool Royal British Legion, Collier's Lane, Wool, Dorset, BH20 6DJ

Facebook: Wool Royal British Legion

 

THE OLD POWERHOUSE NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY

Address: The Old Powerhouse, Hillside, Bryanston, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0PR

Website: The Old Powerhouse

 

THE THREE CHIMNEYS NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

Address: The Three Chimneys, 143-145 Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7NN

Website: The Three Chimneys

 

THE CLOSET LITTLE CLUBBERS NYE PARTY

Address: The Closet, 23 St Edmund Street, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8AS

Website: Closet Weymouth

 

HIGHCLIFFE CLUB NEW YEARS EVE PARTY

Address: Highcliffe Club, 387 Lymington Road, Highcliffe, Dorset, BH23 5EG

Facebook: Highcliffe Sports & Social Club

 

Need more ideas for things to do during the Christmas Holidays?

Dorset Attractions

Santa’s Grotto’s & Christmas Experiences

Christmas Shows & Pantos

Soft Plays & Play Cafes

Sport & Leisure Centres

Rainy Day Ideas

 

If you know of any more family friendly New Year’s Eve events then please do Contact Us.

Cinderella has everything you’d expect to see in a 5-Star Panto – stunning set designs, sparkly costumes, outrageous dames, flawless choreography, beautiful vocals, and of course plenty of audience participation.

The cast is brilliant but Buttons, played by Noel Brodie is our favourite, he always steals the show with his incredible wit and ability to improvise and captivate the audience.  The Fairy Godmother is played by Melanie Walters (Gwen from Gavin & Stacey), Cinderella is played by Olivia Birchenough (Milkshake presenter), West End leading man Jack Wilcox stars as the dashing Prince Charming, David Zachary is Dandini and Craig Berry is Baron Hard-Up.  Adding to the chaos are the talented Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph, two of the country’s most experienced and funny dames.  All of the cast were captivating and the dancers were perfect, especially the younger ones who didn’t miss a single step.

The story begins with kind and caring Cinderella who discovers that her father has attended ‘impulsive classes’ and remarried which results in her being stuck with 2 cruel stepsisters.  Cinderella unknowingly meets the Prince who then holds a ball at the Palace to find his Princess but the stepsisters decide she is not worthy of attending and make Cinderella her rip up her invite.

Everything changes when her glittering Fairy Godmother appears and with a wave of her wand she magically brings a sparkly carriage drawn by 2 miniature horses to life on stage.  With Cinderella now in her stunning gown she attends the ball to dance with the Prince, but the clock ticking and at midnight she needs to run!  Does the Prince find the owner of the glass slipper?  Of course he does, and it’s a joyful ending for everyone.

We had so many favourite scenes but I loved the night of the ball where they quickly switched between songs to speed up the night, and the dames costumes were just bonkers!  Any parent will have heard the words 6 – 7 and the kids went crazy when Buttons said it every time.  My daughter however nearly died with embarrassment when we all had to sing the Italian Brainrot song haha.  She knew every word but hid in her jumper because it's 'so cringe' haha.

Cinderella was brilliant from start to finish and the theatre is super sparkly to get you in the mood.  We had such a lovely afternoon, I can’t recommend it enough.

Cinderella is on at the Bournemouth Pavilion from Saturday 6th December 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026.  A relaxed performance will be held on Tuesday 16th December 2025.  This is open to everyone and great for those who prefer a gentler panto experience.

For more information and tickets, please visit the Bournemouth Pavilion.

Dorsetmums was invited to attend the opening of Cinderella with the purpose of writing a review however all words are my own.