Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Dorset
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Christmas at Russell Cotes
1st November-4th January 2026
Venue: Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum
Website: www.russellcotes.com
Christmas themed event with Trail and the opportunity to find out more about Christmas traditions and collection items linked to this time of year
Christmas in Bournemouth
13th November-4th January 2026
Venue: Bournemouth
Website: www.christmasinbournemouth.co.uk
See the website for details
Bournemouth Christmas Market
14th November-31st December 2025
Venue: Bournemouth
Website: https://www.christmasinbournemouth.co.uk/
Wide array of handmade and traditional Christmas gifts
Skate Bournemouth
15th November-4th January 2026
Venue: Bournemouth Lower Gardens, Bournemouth
Website: www.iceskatebournemouth.co.uk
Spacious, real ice rink - books sessions online
The Great Christmas Pudding Hunt
15th November-31st December 2025
Venue: Dorset Museum
Website: www.dorsetmuseum.org
Wander through the galleries and see how many Christmas Puddings you can spot
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Experience
15th November-31st December 2025
Venue: Weymouth
Website: www.im-puzzled.com/products/the-wonderful-wizard-of-oz-experience-weymouth
Interactive themed adventure where particpants hunt for clues and solve puzzles
Pliosaur The Terrifying Sea Rex
17th November-1st January 2026
Venue: Museum of Jurassic Marine Life
Website: www.theetchescollection.org
See the Pliosaurus skull discovery and learn more about how it lived, hunted and died in the Jurassic seas of Kimmeridge
Christmas at the Russell Cotes
18th November-4th January 2026
Venue: Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum
Website: www.russellcotes.com
Christmas Trail and find out more about Christmas traditions and collection itmes linked to this magical time of the year amongst other activities
Christmas Afternoon Tea
19th November-23rd December 2025
Venue: Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum
Website: www.russellcotes.com
Christmas themed Afternoon teas
Kingston Lacy's magical Christmas ball
22nd November-4th January 2026
Venue: Kingston Lacy
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/kingston-lacy
Explore the house and gardens, decorated for a spectacular Christmas ball
Kingston Lacy’s Magical Christmas Ball
22nd November-4th January 2026
Venue: Kingston Lacy
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/kingston-lacy
Follow the story of a wondrous woodland ball in the house and gardens, with plenty of festive magic to discover
Christmas Lights and Reindeer Experience
28th November-30th December 2025
Venue: Nutley Farm
Website: https://nutleyevents.co.uk/
Selected dates. Popular festive event with light trail, glowing Christmas courtyard, traders, live music, nights and more
The Twelve Days of Christmas - Studland Style
29th November-4th January 2026
Venue: Studland Bay
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/studland-bay
Explore the beach to find the twelve Christmas trees and collect bespoke lyrics to complete a song and earn a sticker
Real Christmas Trees
29th November-19th December 2025
Venue: Moors Valley
Website: www.moors-valley.co.uk
Choose your tree in the spacious open-air Christmas Tree Shop and browse hundreds of spruces or firs
The Twelve Days of Christmas - Studland Style
29th November-4th January 2026
Venue: Studland Bay
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/studland-bay
Explore the beach to find the twelve Christmas trees and collect bespoke lyrics to complete a song and earn a sticker
Enchanted Gardens Light Trail
4th-6th December 2025
Venue: Careys Secret Garden
Website: www.careyssecretgarden.co.uk
Steampunk Weekend
5th-7th December 2026
Venue: Weymouth
Website: www.weareweymouth.co.uk
Music and acts, traders, Christmas trails and more
Broadstone Christmas Parade
6th-6th December 2025
Venue: Broadstone
Website: www.facebook.com/broadstonechristmasparade
See the website for details
Christmas Makers Market
6th-7th December 2025
Venue: Upton Country Park
Website: www.uptoncountrypark.com
See website for details
Crafty Christmas Weekend
6th-7th December 2025
Venue: Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum
Website: www.russellcotes.com/event/christmas
See the website for details
Dorset Team Christmas Fair
6th-7th December 2026
Venue: The Allendale
Website: www.theallendale.org
Explore over 60 stalls filled with handcrafted gifts, unique decorations and festive treats from talented local makers
Make a Christmas decoration
6th-6th December 2025
Venue: Shaftesbury Library
Website: www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/libraries-history-culture
Create a colourful decoration
St Aldhelm Christmas Tree Festivals
6th-8th December 2025
Venue: St George's Church, Langton Matravers
Website: www.swanage.events/st-aldhelm-christmas-tree-festival
Community decorated trees, each with an individual theme
Swanage Christmas market
6th-6th December 2025
Venue: Swanage
Website: www.rotari-ribi.org.uk
Fresh and locally sourced produce
Artisan Christmas
7th-7th December 2025
Venue: Shaftesbury
Website: www.gillingham-handmade.co.uk
Handmade products, from jewellwery, art, crochet, textiles and so much more
Christmas Arts and Crafts Fayre
7th-7th December 2025
Venue: Compton Acres
Website: www.comptonacres.co.uk
Annual craft fair and Christmas trees available to purchase from the garden centre
Christmas Carols in the Engine Room
7th-7th December 2025
Venue: Poundbury Gardens
Website: www.lovepoundbury.org
Special gathering with much-loved carols - registration is essential
Home Educators Self led sessions
8th-8th December 2025
Venue: Studland Bay
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/studland-bay
Outdoor meet up with other home educators at Studland
Carols on the Bandstand
10th-10th December 2025
Venue: Swanage Bandstand
Website: www.swanage.events
Festive evening with Swanage Town Band
Enchanted Gardens Light Trail
11th-13th December 2025
Venue: Careys Secret Garden
Website: www.careyssecretgarden.co.uk
Late Night Shopping - Shaftesbury
11th-11th December 2025
Venue: Shaftesbury
Website: www.shaftesburychamber.co.uk
See the website for details
Purbeck Christmas Tree Festival
11th December-11th January 1900
Venue: Emmanuel Baptist Chuch
Website: www.swanage.events
Evening of steam, song and seasonal cheer
Christmas Tree Festival at the Baptist Church
12th-14th December 2025
Venue: Lyme Regis
Website: www.lymeregiscarnival.co.uk
Forest of trees, beautifully decorated by local groups
Santa's Morning Groove
12th-12th December 2025
Venue: Lemur Landings
Website: www.lemurlandings.co.uk
Magical morning of disco fun with music, dancing, soft play and festive fun
A Traditional Christmas
13th-14th December 2025
Venue: Nothe Fort
Website: www.nothefort.org.uk
Meet Victorian Father Christmas, join in festive crafts, take part in the Christmas Mouse Hunt, winter treats in the Fort View Café
Best dressed Christmas window competitoin
13th-14th December 2025
Venue: Lyme Regis
Website: www.lovelymeregis.co.uk
See Lyme Regis's local businesses transform their shop windows into enchanting displays, capturing the magic of Christmas
Christmas Afternoon Tea
13th-14th December 2025
Venue: Upton House
Website: www.uptoncountrypark.com
See the website for details
Christmas with Elsa
13th-13th December 2025
Venue: Peekaboo and Brew
Website: www.peekabooandbrew.com
Festive experience with 1 hour 45 minutes of frosty fun, photo opportunities, festive buffet and more
Festive Fun Days
13th-13th December 2025
Venue: Swanage Pier
Website: www.swanagepier.com/events
Meet Father Christmas's reindeer, say hello to some family entertainment on Swanage Pier
Make a Christmas Card
13th-13th December 2025
Venue: Shaftesbury Museum
Website: www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/libraries-history-culture
Use your imagination to design and create your very Christmas card for a friend or loved one
Seasonal Sparkle - Festive Arts and Crafts Weekend
13th-13th December 2025
Venue: Dorset Museum
Website: www.dorsetmuseum.org
Make your own seasonal themed arts and crafts to take home
The Big Christmas Weekend in Lyme Regis
13th-14th December 2025
Venue: The Big Christmas Weekend in Lyme Regis
Website: www.lovelymeregis.co.uk
Christmas Tree Festival, Santa's Grotto, makers market, best dressed window competition and Big Christmas Weekend deals
The Crick Crack Club Christmas Carols Show - For Families
13th-13th December 2025
Venue: Cranborne Earthouse
Website: www.crickcrackclub.com
See the website for details
Winter Lights
13th-13th December 2025
Venue: Corfe Castle
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle
Explore Corfe Castle at night under the stars and gather around the fire pit to toast marshmallows
Enchanted Gardens with Extra Special Guest
18th-23rd December 2025
Venue: Careys Secret Garden
Website: www.careyssecretgarden.co.uk
Magical wonderland with twinkling lights, enchanting trails and a very special visitor
Christmas Drop N' Go
19th-19th December 2025
Venue: Rock Reef
Website: www.rockreef.co.uk
Special 3 hour sessions to enable parents/carers to go Christmas shopping - see the website for details and to book
Christmas with Elsa
19th-19th December 2025
Venue: Peekaboo and Brew
Website: www.peekabooandbrew.com
Festive experience with 1 hour 45 minutes of frosty fun, photo opportunities, festive buffet and more
Winter Lights
19th-19th December 2025
Venue: Corfe Castle
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle
Explore Corfe Castle at night under the stars and gather around the fire pit to toast marshmallows
Creative Festive Fun
20th-20th December 2025
Venue: Dorchester Town Hall (upstairs at the Corn Exchange)
Website: https://www.dorchesterarts.org.uk/2025/10/15/sat-20-december-creative-festive-fun/
Step into a world of festive fun and Christmas magic! Join us for The Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmassy Christmassy-ness from Squashbox Theatre – a wonderfully silly, joy-filled performance bursting...
Christmas Drop N' Go
22nd-22nd December 2025
Venue: Rock Reef
Website: www.rockreef.co.uk
Special 3 hour sessions to enable parents/carers to go Christmas shopping – see the website for details and to book
Christmas Drop N' Go
2nd-2nd January 2026
Venue: Rock Reef
Website: www.rockreef.co.uk
Special 3 hour sessions to enable parents/carers to go Christmas shopping – see the website for details and to book
Uks Largest Elf Gathering and World Record Attempt plus light switch on
Venue: Weymouth
Website: www.weareweymouth.co.uk
World record count, parade with Santa and lots of music and acts throughout the day, elf workshops, Santa Letter writing, ELF trail and more