The Blackmore Vale is full of delightful market towns, each with their festive celebrations. With indie shops, craft markets, Christmas lights and visits from Santa, North Dorset celebrates in style. Take a look at why the Blackmore Vale is the place to come for your Christmas shopping.

Make Stur Sparkle 2025

There’s A LOT going on in Sturminster Newton during the festive season but the big day is Saturday 29 November. Car parking is free for the day so there’s lots of time to check out the Christmas Market, meet Santa in his grotto, admire the Christmas tree festival in the church, sing carols, try Bulgarian dancing and check out the lantern parade and Christmas lights switch on. Finally, there’s an illuminated tractor parade in the evening. There are other events in town over the festive season listed on the town website.

Blandford Forum's Festive Season

It’s all happening in Blandford Forum with a Christmas Light up at Woodhouse Gardens Blandford from the beginning of December. Join us for a free magical walk through the gardens beautifully lit up for all of December.

• Yuletide Festival – Friday 5 December from 5pm. Christmas Tree Lighting, Lantern Parade, Father Christmas Grotto, Entertainment, Stalls and Late-night shopping.
   
• Christmas Cheer – Friday 19 December from 10am until 12 noon. Join Councillors and staff at Blandford Forum Corn Exchange for free hot drinks and festive treats kindly provided by Tidy Gardens Blandford and the Town Council.
   
• Christmas concert with the Blandford Stour Valley Band – Friday 19 December from 7.30pm. Join us in the Grade I Listed Corn Exchange Blandford Forum for a great evening of entertainment provided by The Blandford Stour Valley Band! Tickets are £5 each. There will be a paid bar, with profits going to the Mayor's Charities.
   
• Mr Merlin & Okey Dokey the Dragon - free festive family entertainment in Blandford Forum Corn Exchange on Monday 22 December from 10.30am. Book tickets online for either 10:30am-11:15am OR 11:45am-12:30pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the 45min show. Refreshments will be available. Blandford sweetshop - DK Sweets - will also be joining us with a fantastic selection of sweets!

Shopping in Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury is a brilliant place to go for late night shopping. On Thursday 11 December the High Street will be closed to traffic from 4pm until 8pm and there’s a wonderful Christmassy atmosphere in the town.

If you like Christmas markets - Shaftesbury has a large market on Sunday 7 December all along the High Street from 10am until 3pm.

Gillingham Christmas Spectacular 2025

Everything happens on Town Meadow in Gillingham and the Christmas Spectacular on Saturday 6 December is no exception. From 5pm -8pm come and get into the festive mood. There’s live music throughout, Father Christmas, food, drink, activities and fairground rides. There will also be a Christmas illuminated tractor parade that will go through the high street and directly past the Town Meadow at about 6pm.

Several shops and cafes will open late with various activities taking place for the public to enjoy on 6 December. There will also be free parking at The New Car Park (at the Old Rose's Yard opposite the train station), who are officially opening earlier in the day around 12.30pm.

Don’t forget to check out the Christmas Shop Window Competition with a festive theme. Judging for this will take place on the evening of Thursday 4 December and the winner will receive their prize up on stage at the Christmas Spectacular.

Sherborne at Christmas

Sherborne looks magical at Christmas with Cheap Street beautifully decorated.

Sherborne's annual Festive Shopping Day takes place on Sunday 7 December 2025 where this historic town will once again light up for Christmas with a free-entry event from 10am until 4pm.

There are carol services at Sherborne Abbey and a wonderful Christmas Tree Festival at Cheap Street Church, Sherborne Christmas Artisan Market on Sunday 21 December is the ideal place to find last minute gifts and festive food, and each year the Christmas display at Castle Garden Centre continues to wow with the decorations.

There is also free parking on Sunday 7 December and Wednesday 10 December.

Find out more about Christmas in Sherborne.