Published on Wednesday 12 November 2025
We’ve curated a growing list of seasonal activities happening across BCP. We’re updating the list as more events are confirmed, so you can explore what’s on and choose the experiences that suit you best this Christmas season. Read our Christmas PR here for more information.
Bournemouth
Christmas in the Square
In Bournemouth soak up the festive glow of the revamped Christmas in Bournemouth, operated by Seventa Events and SKATE Bournemouth, sponsored by Bournemouth Town Centre BID and Bournemouth Coastal BID.
Discover the wonder of the largest-ever Christmas Market situated in the centre of Bournemouth town, play mini golf after dark at the brand new Glow Golf evenings in the Snow and Glow Gardens Mini Golf with glowing golf balls and sparkling lights, and unwind with a winter warmer at the cosy Alpine Lodge Bar.
As well as the newly themed Lower Gardens attractions, there are new and interactive installations in The Triangle, Westover Road, Beale Place, Horseshoe Common and Lansdowne. As with last year, the Town Centre BID is also funding the lamppost Christmas lights within the town centre.
Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf
Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf is set to light up Bournemouth’s seafront this festive season with a dazzling display of Christmas lights. The golf course will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland, creating an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.
Visitors can enjoy a round of adventure golf in the enchanting twilight hours as the course glows with festive sparkle. To make the celebration even more special, children can visit the Santa letter-writing station to share their Christmas wishes, and families can take part in an exciting festive competition for the chance to win fantastic prizes. Smugglers Cove will also be offering glitter tattoos over the holidays for a touch of seasonal shimmer. See the website for details on opening hours and to book here.
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Experience a traditional Victorian Christmas at the Russell-Cotes from 18 November-3 January. The historic house will be beautifully decorated, with festive trails, afternoon teas, and nostalgic traditions. Highlights include Father Christmas visits (29-30 November), Victorian Christmas tours on Tuesdays and Fridays, and Candlelight Nights on 11 and 18 December with live music and seasonal readings. For something different, enjoy The Art of Wine – an elegant evening of wine tasting and music on 22 November. Pre-booking via the Russell-Cotes website is strongly recommended.
Queen’s Park Golf Course 'Christmas' Day
Join the festive celebration at Woodpecker Café Bar on Sunday 21 December. Enjoy a big Christmas roast from 11am with 1, 2, or 3 courses from £17pp (booking essential). Later, test your knowledge in the Christmas Quiz at 5pm for teams of up to 8. Book via queenspark@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or in person or call 01202 126888.
Christchurch
Highcliffe Castle
The popular Christmas Market returns 22-23 November with over 40 local traders, festive treats, and decorated State Rooms. From 5-23 December, enjoy the Christmas Tree Festival (10am-4pm) or book an exclusive evening viewing (5pm-8pm) with live music and refreshments. Children can follow ‘T’was the Night Before Christmas’, a festive trail featuring a curious Christmas mouse. Find out more and book tickets online here.
Christchurch Town Centre
Christchurch town centre will sparkle with Christmas lights from late November through January, with a switch-on celebration on 22 November featuring family-friendly activities and opportunities for volunteers to get involved, supported by Christchurch BID.
Christchurch Living Advent Calendar
Christchurch Living Advent Calendar is back for the 4th year running and brings pop up performers at different venues across the town each night. For more information about this fun, free charity event, visit 2025 Home - Christchurch Living Advent Calendar
Poole
Poole Museum
Families are invited to make magical memories and start new traditions at Poole Museum - meet Santa who's making a very special stop at the newly renovated Scaplen’s Court, join an enchanting one-hour storytelling experience filled with festive crafts, cheerful helpers, and a heartwarming seasonal tale from Santa himself. Children will receive a special gift and have the chance to capture a magical photo with the big man in red. This charming event is perfect for children aged 4-11, but all ages are welcome!
Make the most of the day with a FREE visit to Poole Museum afterwards and keep the children entertained for hours! Find out more and book your tickets at Buy Storytelling with Santa at Scaplen's Court Tickets online - Poole Museum
Upton Country Park
This festive season, Upton Country Park returns with the ever-popular Santa Paws, the chance for your furry four-legged friend to meet the big man in red for a doggy treat! Families can also explore the wonder of the Park This festive season, explore the wonder of the Park while helping the Ice Queen and her Snowman companion with Upton’s Ice and Snow Trail which runs daily from 19-24 December.
Immerse yourself in festive spirit while finding the perfect gift from an array of local craft makers and artisans in the beautiful setting of Upton House at our Christmas Market. The free entry market is back with Christmas choirs bringing the festive cheer while you browse the stalls on 6-7 December.
Get Christmas-creative with rustic wreath making while enjoying mince pies and mulled wine in Upton House on 12-13 December or bring your family for a traditional afternoon tea with a festive twist on 13-14 December.
To wrap up the seasonal offerings from Upton Country Park, we invite families with children to join the Park’s woodland animals in finding out who the mysterious visitor at Upton House is, with our Upton House Santa Experience 20-21 December only. Meet Santa himself and receive an early Christmas gift from the Christmas Fairy and Elf in the charming surroundings of Upton House. Booking is essential for some events, find out more here.
Poole Town Centre
Poole’s town centre and quay will be illuminated with Christmas installations from 22 November to 1 January, with the Santa Parade and Light Switch-on kicking off the season in style. Expect music, fire shows and live performances to delight visitors of all ages, supported by Poole BID and BCP Council.
Wendy King, Poole BID Operations & Communications Manager, said:
“This Christmas, we invite everyone to come and ‘Discover Christmas in Poole.’ From the moment the lights switch on at our spectacular launch event on Saturday 22 November, featuring a Santa Parade setting off from the Lighthouse Theatre at 4pm and finishing in dazzling style on Poole Quay with a fire eater performance, to the final twinkle of the trail on 1 January, Poole town will be shimmering with festive magic.
"With spectacular light installations, including the 14-metre tree, illuminated ‘POOLE’ letters and a ceiling of lights, plus live brass bands and choirs filling the streets every weekend, it’s a vibrant season of joy, music and community spirit.
"Add to that our Italian Christmas Market in Town Square, where visitors will find delicious Italian treats, festive handmade gifts and the warmth of a true market atmosphere the weekend before Christmas Day, and Poole becomes a destination not just for shopping and eating out, but for making memories and supporting local businesses.
"For families, there’s even more magic to discover. Children can post a letter to Santa at the newly re-opened Poole Museum for a chance to win a voucher if their name is drawn from Santa’s post box. Across the town, our Dick Whittington-themed window trail invites families to explore local shops and collect letters to complete a festive phrase linked to this year’s pantomime at the Lighthouse, while our window display competition gives everyone the chance to vote for their favourite festive shopfront.
"We’re proud to bring this celebration to life for families, friends and visitors alike, to walk the trails, browse the windows, take part in competitions and enjoy the weekend moments that make the season so special.”
And more:
Festive Theatre Magic
This Christmas, Bournemouth Pavilion and Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) are bursting with festive cheer, offering a dazzling programme of pantomimes and seasonal shows for all ages. At the Pavilion, audiences can enjoy the enchanting ballet ‘The Nutcracker’, the soulful ‘Overtones Christmas Party’, and the feel-good singalong ‘Big Christmas Assembly’, culminating in the glittering pantomime ‘Cinderella’ (6 December-4 January), starring Melanie Walters, Olivia Birchenough, Noel Brodie, and more. Over at the BIC, festive highlights include ‘A Fairytale for Christmas’, the spectacular ‘Elf The Musical’ (19-20 December), and the heartwarming ‘That’ll Be Christmas’. With the ‘Cool Coast Ice Rink’ also returning, Bournemouth’s venues promise unforgettable festive experiences for families, friends, and theatre lovers alike - check their websites or book in person for more information.
The Regent Centre in Christchurch presents Beauty and the Beast (13-28 December), a magical family pantomime packed with toe-tapping tunes, dazzling effects, and real panto pooches. Meanwhile, Lighthouse Poole brings the classic tale Dick Whittington (11 December-4 January) to life with West End sparkle, starring Chris Jarvis and Bernadette Bangura.
BCP Leisure Centre activities
Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre will be becoming festive this December. From 1 December-4 January the café and soft play will bring a little Christmas sparkle with decorations and festive café menu items on selected dates, Father Christmas will be paying a visit to the soft play in a Play and Meet Santa Session with a photo opportunity, a present and a festive treat. Tickets will be limited and will go on sale soon.
All our BCP Leisure Centres will be bringing a bit of Christmas cheer this December with decorations and festive fun happening around the centres. All centres will be promoting the 12 Days of Fitness Gym Challenge with prizes up for grabs. Keep an eye out for more information on our website.
Explore local trails
Discover a variety of scenic and interactive walking trails across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole on the Explore BCP website. From coastal strolls to heritage hunts, there’s a trail for every age and interest - perfect for a day out.
Discover More Family Fun
The BCP Family Information Directory lists a wide range of Christmas activities, many of which are free. Use the search filters to find events by age, location, and cost and explore the directory.
Spend Christmas on our high streets
This festive season, Bournemouth Coastal BID is bringing Christmas magic to the coast with a series of joyful community events. On 29 November, Westbourne will sparkle as the Christmas Tree Light Switch-On marks the start of the celebrations. From 6 December, Santa’s Grotto opens in Boscombe’s Sovereign Centre, delighting hundreds of children thanks to the Rotary Club. Then, on 13 December, Santa and his grotto head to Southbourne Green, joined by friendly donkeys and goats, with mulled wine for adults and mince pies for everyone. Set against the twinkle of hundreds of Bournemouth Coastal BID-funded Christmas lights across Westbourne, Boscombe, and Southbourne, this year’s celebrations promise to be truly unforgettable.