With less than 2 months to go, the countdown to Christmas Day in 2024 is well and truly on! 

We’ve got some great festive events for the whole family to enjoy in the run up to 25 December. From meeting Father Christmas and going to see a Pantomime, to carol singing and following an illuminated light trail – there's something for all ages to take part in. 

Here’s our pick of the best 24 festive things to do before the big day. 

1. Visit one of Dorset’s festive Illuminated light trails at Minterne Gardens, Nutley Farm, Abbotsbury Gardens or Poole Maritime Light Trail. 

2. ​​Get your skates on and glide round one of the pop-up ice-rinks. There are two outdoor ice skating rinks in Bournemouth and Dorchester, and also an indoor ice-rink at Bournemouth International Centre. 

3. See our town centres sparkle as the Christmas lights get switched on Saturdays 23 and 30 November 2024. 

4. Book a delicious festive afternoon tea at Russell-Cotes in Bournemouth, The Eastbury in Sherborne, Summer Lodge Country House Hotel at Evershot or The Heights Hotel on Portland. 

5. Step aboard the Polar Express at Swanage Railway and journey to the North Pole! See all your favourite characters from the animated movie as they sing and dance through the carriages, and you'll even get a chance to meet Father Christmas too. Photo copyright: Andrew P.M. Wright

6. Book tickets to go and see a Christmas pantomime. Choose from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Wimborne Minster, Jack and the Beanstalk at Bournemouth, Peter Pan at Weymouth or Sleeping Beauty at Poole.

7. Get creative and make a Christmas wreath to decorate your front door at The Eastbury in Sherborne or Dorset Museum in Dorchester.

8. Visit Father Christmas in 2024. The man in red will be visiting lots of places across Dorset before returning to the North Pole for the big day. Book tickets to meet Santa at Russell-Cotes, Kingston Lacy, Farmer Palmers, Blue Pool, Tank Museum or Museum of East Dorset. 

9. Get your mates together for some festive food and drink at an Alpine Bar. Experience après ski in Dorset at the Alpine Bar in Bournemouth Square or the Northern Lights Bar at The Greyhound Inn Corfe Castle. 

10. Watch a Christmas show at one of Dorset’s theatres. See what’s on at Allendale Community Centre, The Regent Centre, The Exchange, The Marine Theatre or The Mowlem.

11. Get crafty and make a Christmas decoration at Walford Mill Crafts or Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne Minster. 

12. Buy gifts for loved ones at a Christmas market. There’s festive markets and shopping experiences taking place all over Dorset from early November.

13. Go to see a Christmas movie at Coade Hall in Blandford Forum or Poole Lighthouse.

14. Say hello to the Christmas donkeys at Swanage Pier on 14th December 2024. 

15. Join in the annual elf parade at Weymouth on 30 November 2024. There will be elf themed events all day, ending with the town Christmas lights being switched on at 5pm.

16. Take part in some traditional carol singing at Lyme Regis or Wimborne Minster. 

17. Watch The Nutcracker ballet on the big screen at The Rex Cinema, The Regent Centre, Poole Lighthouse, Coade Hall or Electric Palace. 

18. One of Dorset’s biggest festive events, Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland is a FREE event with illuminations stretching all the way from the town square down to the pier. There’s also ice-skating, food and drink and a Christmas market. 

19. Get ready, get steady to chase the pudding at Weymouth Beach on 22 December 2024.

20. Visit a Christmas Tree Festival at Sturminster Newton, Langton Matravers, Highcliffe Castle or Lyme Regis.  

21. Watch the annual Save the Children Christmas Parade through the streets of Wimborne Minster on 14 December 2024.

22. Indulge in a festive meal, a glass of mulled wine or delicious gingerbread latte. Find out where to eat and drink this Christmas. 

23. Meet real reindeer on Swanage Pier or at Nutley Farm. Photo credit: Nutley Farm

24. We hope that we’ve given you lots of ideas of how to spend a wonderful Christmas in Dorset. If you’re thinking about booking a Christmas break, take a look at our Christmas, Twixmas and New Year accommodation packages.