There are so many great events (and local Christmas fairs) happening in November and December you can keep track of it in our Events Calendar to see whats happening day by day in BC
Date: 16 November – 21 December 2024 Time: 10-11.30am
Creative Kids are hosting free family ukulele taster sessions every Saturday. We have 30 ukuleles for our families to try out however you are welcome to bring your own. 21st Dec there will be a Ukulele Concert.
1 child (6-13yrs) per adult. For bookings text with the title “Ukulele” to 07932772905.
Date: 18 December 2024 Time: 10am-4pm
FREE Christmas Event at Colin’s Nest Cafe with a magical Christmas Grotto visit Santa, Giggles & Dizzy the Elves plus free Soft Play.
Date: Friday 20th December 2024 Time: 3.15pm
Join us for our 4th annual Christmas celebration with Claire Pemberton! Come sing your heart out, indulge in sweets, and spread holiday cheer. Don’t forget to invite your friends and family!
Date: 29th December 2024, 19th January & 16th February 2025
FREE Family Film Club – more info here.
FRI 20TH & SAT 21ST DEC & MONDAY 23RD- 11.30AM / 14.30PM / 16.00PM
SUN 22ND DEC – 10.30AM / 14.30PM / 16.00PM
TUES 24TH DEC – 11.30AM / 14.30PM
A magical experience with Santa, take photos, share your Christmas wishes and enjoy a special treat.
FREE EVENT. Head to The Park Facebook page and click shop now to book your free ticket.
Date: 30th November & 1st, 5th, 7th, 8th, 12th, 14th, 15th + 19th- 23rd December 2024 Time: 11am-4pm
Santa is bringing his Bavarian cuckoo clock to The Dolphin come and join the Cuckoo Clock Elves for games, fun, and some Christmas crafting & a picture with Santa.
FREE Event (first come first serve) and first session ion the day is reserved for SEN children.
Date: 30th November – 23 December 2024
For family fun, the Grotto at Boscombe is open to welcome you at the Sovereign Centre. There’s also entertainment and singing on opening day!
Date: 7th December 2024 Time: 11am-2pm
Come along for a festive afternoon of music and local craft stalls plus join Santa in his Grotto.
Date: 14th December 2024 Time: 1-3pm
Refreshments, Crafts and Father Christmas come along!
Free Entry.
FRI 20TH & SAT 21ST DEC & MONDAY 23RD- 11.30AM / 14.30PM / 16.00PM
SUN 22ND DEC – 10.30AM / 14.30PM / 16.00PM
TUES 24TH DEC – 11.30AM / 14.30PM
A magical experience with Santa, take photos, share your Christmas wishes and enjoy a special treat.
FREE EVENT. Head to The Park Facebook page and click shop now to book your free ticket.
Cineworld Cinemas are showing Chrismas Movies for £5 plus booking fee throughout December.
Mumbler Top Tip – anyone with Tesco Clubcard vouchers can exchange these for Cineworld vouchers & they’re worth double the value.
Write a letter to Santa and post by latest 9th December 2024 to:
Santa/Father Christmas
Santa’s Grotto
Reindeerland
XM4 5HQ
Make sure to put a 1st or 2nd class stamp on the envelope so it gets to Santa and include your full name and address in your letter so you can get a reply from him!
Santa will start replying from 18th November (expect a wait of around 10 days).
The postbox is located in the Julia’s House Children’s Hospice shop located 139 High Street from 23rd November to 4th December.
The elves are busy making toys. The reindeer are practising their sleigh runs and Santa is busy preparing his list of who’s been naughty and nice.
Write Santa’s address carefully on the envelope…Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ. Include your full name, contact number and address in the letter.
One letter will be picked at random and win £25 to spend in town.
Dale Close, Oakdale, Poole.
Starting 6 December 2024
Monday to Wednesday 6.15pm to 8pm
Thursday 5.30pm to 8.30pm
Please do not drive up this road it’s a tight road for cars up and down.
NOTE: The lights will be flashing fast on some bit off a sequence.
162 Wareham road, Lytchett Matravers.
Starting 29th November 2024
15 minute shows 6 & 7 pm Monday – Thursday
6, 7 & 8pm Friday and 6-8pm weekends
Donation box will be out or QR code available, all donations this year are split between Parkinson’s UK and the SSAFA armed forces charity.
Byron Road, New Milton.
Starting on the 1st December 2024 5pm.
The lights will be on daily from 4.30pm to 8.30pm every day until the new year.
All money raised this year will be donated to Oakhaven Hospice.
Date: 30 November 2024
1pm Entertainment from local schools & Choirs on stage at the square
4.30pm Christmas Lights’ Switch-On
5pm Militia firing on Minster Green & local band the Breakfast Club performing at the market in the High Street car park
Until 7pm Late night shopping
Date: 30th November 2024
4:30pm at M&S Join us for the Christmas Tree Light Switch-On and Christmas singing with the brilliant Rock Choir.
Date: 6th December 2024 Time: 4.45pm-8pm
Neighbourhood Centre Lights from 4.45pm, Torchlight parade to Adastral Square Lights at 6pm.
With Carol Singing, Poole Rotary Train, Poole Borough Band, Stalls, Face Painting, Glitter Tattoos, DJ, Hot Chocolate and more…
FREE Santa Grotto in the Community Centre 6-6.45pm 7.15-8pm
SEN – Quiet Santa 5.15-6pm
Poole High Street, Falkland Square & Poole Quay.
Date: 23 November 2024 – 1 January 2025 Times: 12pm-11pm
The Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival which celebrates Poole’s rich nautical heritage, features a spectacular trail of maritime-themed lights that will see the gateways to Poole including Hunger Hill and Lighthouse, lit up, welcoming people to the town centre.
An enchanting light trail will continue in Falkland Square, down the High Street and onto Poole Quay, bringing plenty of festive cheer to everyone.
See here for more info.Inside the former Millets store at 22 Kingland Crescent.
Date: 25th November – 23rd December 2024 Time: 10am-4pm
Discover the best locally produced gifts at Kingland Christmas Market. Brand new for 2024, Kingland Christmas Market will offer visitors a selection of handmade and locally produced gifts, sweet treats, and more.
Join us on Thursday evenings from 4pm til 7pm on the run-up to Christmas for choirs, brass bands, walkabout acts and festive activities & Santa and his Elves. Click on more info to see the full program.
· Thu 21 Nov at Horseshoe Common – more info here.
· Thu 28 Nov in Beale Place – more info here.
· Thu 5 Dec on Westover Road – more info here.
· Thu 12 Dec on Commercial Road – more info here.
· Thu 19 Dec in The Triangle – more info here.
FREE family fun for everyone.
Lower Gardens Bournemouth, BH1 2AQ.
Date: 14th November 2024 – 1st January 2025
Spectacular free Christmas tree trail, enchanting illuminations and seasonal family fun.
Experience the magical, mystical and memorable spectacle of over 100 glittering trees and illuminations. Explore the Alpine Market and skate in the enchanting Victorian Lower Gardens. Enjoy live music, entertainment and magical illuminations across the town plus NEW for 2023 the Santa Express Train in front of the band stand (charges apply).
MUMBLER TIP: Pack some biscuits, marshmallows and a flask full of hot chocolate to enjoy after your walk through the trail in the car!
Date: Until 29th November 2024
If you are heading down to Bournemouth Square anyway there is a dedicated post box direct to the North Pole where kids can drop of their special letter to Santa.
Date: 16th November – 30th December 2024
The Elves, Fairies and the enchanted Elsa are making their way around the market!
16th November | Jamie Jigsaw (Magician) | 11am-12:30pm
23rd November | Elsa & Anna (Frozen) | 3:15pm – 4pm
7th December | Christmas Fairy & Elves | 2pm-2:45pm
7th December | Elsa & Anna (Frozen) | 3:15pm – 4pm
14th December | Christmas Fairy & Elves | 2pm-2:45pm
14th December | Elsa & Anna (Frozen) | 3:15pm – 4pm
22nd December | Christmas Fairy & Elves + Elsa & Anna (Frozen) | 2pm-4pm
Join us every Sunday in the Alpine Lodge for free face painting, courtesy of Pixie Paint!
You can find her downstairs in the Alpine Lodge between 11am – 1pm. Please note, this is for children on a first come first serve basis, there may be a wait time.
Outside The Real Greek
Date: 15th November – 1st January 2025
If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, then come down to Bh2 Leisure and witness snow falling every day. Each snowfall will last for 4 minutes. Plus some surprise guests.
Friday 15th November – Thursday 19th December:
Monday to Thursday: 5pm, 6pm, 7pm
Friday: 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm
Saturday & Sunday: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm
Friday 20th December – Monday 1st January:
Monday to Sunday: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm
November
16th | Relight My Choir | 6-7pm | Guggee 2000 | 7-8pm
17th | Lottie-Marie | 3-4pm
21st | Relight My Choir | 6 – 7pm
22nd | Lottie – Marie | 3-4pm
23rd | Salvation Army | 11-1pm | Sounds Like Fun | 2-3pm | Southern Ska Collective | 3:30-5:30pm | Breathless Singers | 6-7pm
24th | The Evolution Choir | 2-3pm
28th | Love Soul Choir | 6:15-7pm
29th | Bell Street Singers | 5:30-6:30pm | Rock Choir | 7-8pm
30th | Salvation Army | 11-1pm | Love Church | 6-7pm
December
7th | Relight My Choir | 12-1pm | Bournemouth Youth Marching Band | 1:15-3pm | Bournemouth Marching Band | 3-4pm | Resonate Choir | 4-5pm
8th | Samaba Panashe | 6-7pm
14th | Bournemouth Youth Marching Band | 2-4pm | Southern Ska Collective | 4:30-5:30pm | Bournemouth Marching Band | 6-7pm
20th | Lottie – Marie | 3-4pm | Samaba Panashe | 6-7pm
21st | Bell Street Singers | 1-2pm | Sound of Soul | 3-4pm | The Evolution Choir | 4-5pm
22nd | Breathless Singers | 6-7pm
Date: 20th December 2024 Time: 6pm
The music will be provided by the Broadstone Community Concert Band and the singing will be accompanied by Choristers from Wimborne Minster. We would love for people to bring along lanterns.
Get in the Christmas spirit with FREE festive performances from local choirs and bands!
Falkland Square
23/11, 4.25pm – 5.05pm: Citrus Singers
01/12, 12pm – 2pm: Christmas Brass Band
Inside The Dolphin, on the Amphitheatre beside Beales Department Store
05/12, 1pm & 2pm: Frayed Strings Ukulele
07/12, 1pm & 2pm: Forest Holme Hospice Charity Choir
12/12, 1pm & 2pm: Julia’s House Children’s Hospice Charity Choir
14/12, 1pm & 2pm: The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory
17/12, 1pm & 2pm: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
19/12, 1pm & 2pm: Canford Cliffs Community Choir
21/12, 1pm & 2pm: Bournemouth & District Concert Band
Kingland Crescent
22/12, 12pm – 2pm: Christmas Brass Band
Date: 14 December 2024 Time: 4.30 pm – 5.30 pm
With a live band leading the carols, this event is set to be a wonderful festive affair for all to join in with.
There will be mince pies and mulled wine for sale, along with plenty of singing and merriment!
Date: 2nd – 23rd December 2023 Time: 6 – 8pm
Monday 02-Dec LONGFLEET & HECKFORD
Tuesday 03-Dec UPPER PARKSTONE – North of Ashley Road
Wednesday 04-Dec CANFORD HEATH -Verity Crescent & Closes off
Thursday 05-Dec CREEKMOOR
Monday 9-Dec STANLEY GREEN
Tuesday 10-Dec UPPER PARKSTONE – South of Ashley Road
Wednesday 11-Dec HAMWORTHY – East of Blandford Road
Thursday 12-Dec OAKDALE – North of Pound Road
Monday 16-Dec TALBOT VILLAGE
Tuesday 17-Dec UPTON – West of Blandford Road
Wednesday 18-Dec UPTON – East of Blandford Road
Friday 20-Dec HAMWORTHY – West of Blandford Road
Monday 23-Dec LOWER PARKSTONE – Conifers , Pottery Rd
Check out route maps and more info here.
Daytime Locations at Tesco, Branksome
Monday 16th & Tuesday 17th December 9am – 4.30pm
Santa’s Sleigh with Ringwood & District Round Table
4th Fordingbridge around 6pm
4th Alderholt around 7pm
5th Ashley Heath, St Leonard’s & St Ives around 6pm
6th Verwood around 6pm
11th Burley around 6pm
11th Bransgore around 6.45pm
12th Trickets Cross around 6pm
12th Ferndwon around 6.45pm
13th Ringwood & Poulner around 6pm
Check their FB page for Live Santa Tracker link here.
If you are visiting Moors Valley Country Park and Forest check out all the fantastic free trails there are on offer from the popular Play Trail to the Music Trail or the high up Tree Top Trail or how about the brand new Zog – A Forest Adventure Trail there is something for everyone plus pop into the Ranger Den for FREE and check out what events they have running.
You can also see if you can spot the life-size sculptures of Gruffalo and all his friends. More info here.
Plus the much loved Christmas Quiz Trail is back. Running from 29 November to 6 January 2025 from 9am – 4.30pm. Pick up your quiz sheet from the Visitor Centre for £1.50.
And here are some other trails in the area:
Running from October to December 2024.
Explore Lulworth Cove this Autumn on our seasonal rhyming trail.
£1 for the activity sheet and map.
No need to book pop into the Visitor Centre BH20 5RQ between 10am-3pm.
Date: 14th November 2024 – 1st January 2025
Collect your FREE activity booklet from the Alpine Lodge until 6pm daily
Find our Christmas Trail map
Start exploring the Market, Wonderland and Skate to find your clues and letters
Find our Reindeer, fill out your answer in the squares provided, tear off and submit via the ‘Letters to Santa’ postbox located at the entrance to the market Old Christchurch Road (opposite WHSmiths).
Be in for a chance to win some great Christmas treats every Friday!
Date: 23rd November – 20th December 2024
We need your help to uncover the secret hideouts of these naughty little elves! If you happen to spot one of them in a Christchurch business, proudly waving a golden Christchurch BID flag, don’t be shy – approach them!
Ask for a golden ticket, fill in your details, and drop it in Santa’s postbox at the Regent Centre! By joining in on the hunt, you have the chance to 𝙒𝙄𝙉 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 £100 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙨, just in time for Christmas!
On Friday 1st of November, Mother Christmas gave Santa a shopping list and told him the 12 shops in Wimborne to visit. Being old and forgetful, poor old Santa left one item he will need for his trip on Christmas Eve at each shop. The shopkeepers are kindly displayed the item left in their shop window.
Pick up a trail sheet at the Museum of East Dorset to find the 12 items.
We put together a list of some more Winter & Christmas Trails for you to explore – click here.
If you want to save some money, but still want to enjoy eating out, we’ve listed all the places kids can eat for free or £1 (or with special discounted meals) until the end of the year locally in BCP & Nationwide just click here.
🍂✨☔️️Did you know that there are over 450 parks and open spaces in BCP? The Parks Foundation have a list of fun and FREE nature activities in a park near you!
Catch the last of the leaves and feel the first of the frosts with us in the parks, you’ll be sure of a warm welcome!
Check out the Autumn into Winter Program and book your place today – more info here.
Ideas for the Teenagers! 
BCP has plenty of Skate Parks where the youngsters could throw some shapes on their boards with their mates here are just a few of our favourite ones: Duck Lane, Slades Farm, Baiter Park, Friers Field in West Moors, Pottern Park in Verwood, Riverside, Corfe Mullen REC, Bourne Valley, Kings Park, St George’s Field in Ferndown, Cavers REC in Ringwood plus Fordingbridge.
Some are a bit more hidden:
There is a great skate park at the back of the car park (infront of the allotments) at Wimborne football club.
Near Tesco Blandford – past Homebase on the left Tesco on the right then follow the road past the Brewery Storage Gate thats where you find the skate park.
drive over the roundabout as you drive past homebase on your left.. and the Tesco on your right.
You can also check out some more ideas for teen days out on here.
Did you know BCP has over 24 libraries to explore? Plus at least 5 in the surrounding areas like Ringwood, Ferndown, Corfe Mullen etc…. You can find your nearest one in our brand new local library guide here.
Check out the full programme until the end of the year – Click here for Events in your local BCP Library.
The Marvellous Makers are back for another awesome reading challenge.
Join in from 1. December and read 3 or more books before the 20. February 2025 to unlock special rewards. Sign up HERE!
Just click here.
You can explore the Bournemouth Natural Science Society & Museum which is a natural history museum with fossils, minerals and an Egyptology collection and a large garden. Entry donations are welcome.
Christmas Opening Times TBC for 2024 – 10am-3.30pm Doors close at 4pm.
For more museums check this list out here.
We hope you enjoy some of these free & low cost things to do in BCP this Christmas & New Year and have lots of festive fun out and about! 