CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Info: Head out on a Crazy Christmas Trail or take part in a festive workshop or guided walk.

Dates: Saturday 13th December 2025 – Wednesday 7th January 2026

Address: Durlston Country Park, Lighthouse Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2JL

Website: Durlston Country Park

Info: Search for the festive scenes and find out what other National Trust properties Monty & Matilda have visited this year.

Dates: Friday 5th December 2025 – Sunday 4th January 2026

Address: Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5EZ

Website: National Trust Corfe Castle

Info: Follow the snowflake trail to meet some clever creatures who know just how to stay warm during a chilly winter. No booking needed. Free trail however normal admission applies.

Dates: Tuesday 11th November 2025 – Sunday 25th January 2026

Address: Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 4EA

Website: National Trust Kingston Lacy

Info: Ranger the Elf has been up to mischief and stolen names from Santa’s Nice List. Can you help find them? Purchase your activity pack from the Visitor Centre and find the boards hidden around Moors Valley, solve riddles, complete challenges, and uncover the missing names to save Christmas.

Dates: Friday 28 November 2025 - Monday 5 January 2026

Address: Moors Valley Country Park, Horton Road, Ashley Heath, BH24 2ET

Website: Moors Valley Country Park

Info: The museum’s naughty elves return – and they’re causing merry mayhem in every corner. Families can explore the Elf on the Shelf trail, spotting cheeky elves hidden throughout the galleries. There are free festive crafts and a fancy dress box.

Dates: Monday 1st – Wednesday 24th December 2025

Address: Museum of East Dorset, 23-29 High St, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1HR

Website: Museum of East Dorset

Info: Starting at The Old Thatch, purchase your Christmas trail sheet and follow the directions that will take you on a Christmas Tree Trail along the historic Castleman's trail! Along the way keep an eye our for the markers and answer the questions on your trail sheet that match! Make sure you come back to the pub for your festive gift and certificate!

Dates: 23rd November 2025 - 1st January 2026

Address: The Old Thatch, 285 Wimborne Road West, Ferndown, Dorset, BH21 7NW

Website: The Old Thatch

Info: Explore the museum to see how many Gnome Homes you can find and answer the Gnomes' magical riddles.

Dates: Saturday 13th December 2025 – Sunday 4th January 2026

Address: Red House Museum, Quay Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1BU

Website: Red House Museum

Info: Join Snowy for a special artic Christmas adventure to learn about the amazing North Pole and the animals that live there. Snowy is inviting children and their families to take part in an interactive trail through the aquarium as you meet all the jaw-some creatures along the way.

Dates: Friday 28th November 2025 – Friday 2nd January 2026

Address: SEA LIFE, Lodmoor Country Park, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7SX

Website: SEA LIFE Weymouth

Info: Enjoy free Christmas colouring, Frank on a Tank Elf Trail, Christmas in the Trenches and more! Venture around the Museum to see a Christmas-themed 1940s House and take a photo with the festively lit up Challenger I.

Dates: Saturday 20th December 2025 – Sunday 4th January 2026

Address: Tank Museum, Linsay Road, Bovington, Dorset, BH20 6JG

Website: Tank Museum

Info: Pick up a free pocket map from the car park or Visitor Centre and follow the pink and blue waymarked routes through the woods. Along the way, look out for beautiful hand-painted wooden discs hanging in the trees, each one reveals fascinating facts about the animals and plants that call this place home over winter.

Dates: Thursday 18th December 2025 – Sunday 1st February 2026

Address: Thorncombe Woods, High Brockhampton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8QH

Facebook: Hardy’s Birthplace

Info: Trail maps are available to purchase from the Welcome Centre. Follow the clues around the Country Park to help the Ice Queen put her snowman companion back together! Complete the trail to receive a cuddly prize.

Dates: Saturday 20th December 2025 - Monday 5th January 2026

Address: Upton Country Park, Poole Road, Upton, Poole, Dorset, BH17 7BJ

Website: Upton Country Park

Info: An outdoor winter enchanted lights display will be held within the gardens. Colourful lights transform and illuminate the 18th century gardens and create a wonderful winters trail in the dark.

Dates: Friday 21st November – Wednesday 31st December 2025

Address: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Buller's Way, Abbotsbury, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4LA

Website: Abbotsbury Gardens

Info: Nutley Farm will be bursting with Christmas magic for you all to enjoy. This year’s trail features many new light installations, enhanced magical interactions, and fabulous higher-quality projections with sound and surprises around every corner. Meeting Nutley Farm’s real-life magical reindeer, Rudolph, Prancer, Sprout and Parsnip and head to the barn for some hot food and treats.

Dates: Friday 28th November – Tuesday 30th December 2025

Address: Nutley Farm, Winfrith Newburgh, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8DT

Website: Nutley Farm

Info: Wander through a dazzling display of light-up trees, hop aboard Santa’s Express, and take on the Christmas Tree Maze before heading to a festive workshop. With the iconic Big Wheel lighting up the skyline, this magical trail is a must-visit part of Christmas in Bournemouth. And that’s not all, families can also enjoy the Christmas Market, Alpine Lodge Bar and Skate Ice Rink in the gardens.

Dates: Thursday 13th November 2025 – Sunday 4th January 2026

Location: Bournemouth Town & Gardens

Website: Christmas in Bournemouth

Info: Follow the magical light trail from the Lighthouse Poole, through the High Street, and down to Poole Quay, as the streets shine with festive cheer. Explore a range of impressive light installations including a glistening ceiling of lights, a light fountain, stunning Christmas tree displays, including the spectacular 14-metre tree in Falkland Square.

Dates: Saturday 22nd November 2025 – Thursday 1st January 2026

Location: Poole Town & Quay

Website: Poole Tourism

Info: Cool Coast Ice Rink is the largest seasonal indoor ice skating rink on the South Coast. All sessions provide 15 mins to put your skates on, 60 mins on the ice, and 15 mins at the end to take your skates off.

Dates: Saturday 13th December 2025 - Sunday 22nd February 2026

Address: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5BH

Website: Cool Coast Ice Rink

Info: Glide under the twinkling lights, enjoy the sparkle of the Christmas Lights and soak up the atmosphere. Polar Bear support aids are available free of charge to aid stability for younger children.

Dates: Saturday 29th November 2025 – Saturday 3rd January 2026

Address: Brewery Square, Copper Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1GH

Website: Brewery Square

Info: A unique festive experience on board a closed-top festive decorate single-decker bus soaking in the sights and sounds of Christmas.

Dates: Thursday 4th – Wednesday 31st December 2025

Location: Bournemouth

Website: Magical Tour

Info: The decorated trees will take pride of place throughout the Castle. Younger visitors can enjoy a festive story trail which will incorporate the trees contributed by local businesses, charities and individuals to create a delightful experience for all.

Dates: Friday 5th – Tuesday 23rd December 2025

Address: Highcliffe Castle, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Dorset, BH23 4LE

Website: Highcliffe Castle

Info: Find the naughty elves in the animal park and gardens, and solve the festive riddles.

Dates: Monday 1st – Tuesday 23rd December 2025

Address: Kingston Maurward, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8PX

Website: Kingston Maurward

Info: FREE festive fun for all the family! Join Santa at the Penguin's Playground, meet the elves and penguins, take part in snow challenges, games and enjoy exciting performances.

Dates: Selected dates from Saturday 29th November - Tuesday 23rd December 2025

Address: Dolphin Shopping Centre, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1SZ

Website: Dolphin Shopping Centre

Info: The top floor of the Mill will be transformed into Santa’s Workshop, where many toys and presents will be stored ready for Santa to deliver. Using the ancient sack hoist, children can help the presents up to the workshop in time for delivery on Christmas Eve! Additional activities will include Christmas colouring in and activity sheets. Entry is free but donations are always welcome.

Dates: Monday 22nd – Wednesday 24th December 2025

Address: The Town Mill, Mill Lane, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3PU

Website: The Town Mill

Info: Get ready for a high-energy Phaser Night in the epic space station-themed play zone. Packed with six thrilling phaser tag games, a go on the climbing and digiwall, plus glowing disco lights.

Date: Monday 29th December 2025

Address: Lemur Landings, Tower Retail Park, Yarrow Road, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4NY

Website: Lemur Landings