Christmas in Poole

Christmas in Poole centres around the beautiful and historic Poole Quay, the winding and eclectic High Street with its mix of shops and cafes and right up to Falkland Square and into the Dolphin Centre. Let's also not forget the wonderful cultural centre which is Lighthouse and always brings a festive cheer with Christmas entertainment.

At Christmas the streets will be filled with the sounds of music and choirs from pop up events, and the twinkling of Christmas lights throughout the town will cast a magical glow. The elves say that 2022 will be a fantastic year to visit Poole! Poole was made for Christmas and the lights provide the boutiques, coffee shops, pubs and cafes with a distinctly Dickensian feel.

Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival

The Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival takes place from Saturday 19 November 2022 – Monday 2 January 2023. It features dazzling illuminations that weave through Poole Town Centre from the Lighthouse to Falkland Square, along the High Street and down to Poole Quay. There’ll also be a Christmas market, festive food and attractions, a spectacular flotilla of lights and much more, so step back in time and celebrate Poole’s maritime history with a modern twist!

The event is supported by Poole BID. Find out more about Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival.

Events and attractions

There's always something to see or do, with Lighthouse, Poole playing host to live events including a fairytale family pantomine - in 2022 it's going to be the magical Cinderella - oh yes it is! Expect entertainment in the High Street for all the family, with plans for regular live music and a festive market all being finalised.

Poole’s Choirs at Christmas 2022 sponsored by Poole BID and Absolute Music returns this year. Music will fill the air on the streets of Poole during the festive season as local choirs will be performing each weekend.

Thanks to Poole BID and our partners for working with us ensuring Poole comes alive with festivities in 2022.

Shopping

Poole High Street plays host to many interesting local and independant shops and a weekly market, including the fabulous Truly Scrumptious sweet shop and Lush; bath and body treats which are locally made in Poole. The indoor Dolphin shopping centre is home to high street brands including Primark, Boots, New Look, HMV and Wilko. On Thursday 1st December Mrs Claus’ Kitchen opens with a programme of seasonal family-friendly events and activities, available throughout December (1st floor near Wilko). Dolphin Centre retailers will be open until 8pm every Thursday in the lead up to Christmas, and until 6pm on Christmas Eve.

City Cruises Poole

From Poole Quay you can enjoy a Sail with Santa on a City Cruise in Poole Harbour. The big man in red is taking a break from all his hard work in the North Pole this winter to join us for this very special treat!

You can also dance the night away on a Christmas Party Cruise which starts with a mulled wine and a 2-course meal, or for those of us who like something tamer, why not take a leisurely Harbour and Island Cruise and enjoy a mince pie while you imagine you’re on a superyacht somewhere exotic, although with breath-taking sights across Poole Harbour, that won’t be hard to imagine!

Celebrate New Year - Poole's Charity Bath Tub Race

If you're stuffed from all the turkey and mince pies, enjoy the New Year craziness that is Poole's Charity Bath Tub Race! Yes, we're looking forward to sharing details of this annual popular crazy event! There's no stopping them!

Let's go outside!

Upton Country Park are a great day out and in 2021 hosted Santa’s Woodland Grotto. They also hold craft events during November. Events at Upton Country Park are popular so pre booking is advisable. We'll bring you details of their Christmas 2022 programme as soon as we have it.

Group Travel

Poole holds a Coach Friendly Status award which makes it a great place to visit as a group, especially at Christmas time! We have put together a group friendly Christmas itinerary which will help you navigate Poole's festive offerings this year.

Festive for 2022 across the conurbation

For a magical Christmas experience, just along the coast, visit Bournemouth’s Christmas Tree Wonderland. An atmosphere of good cheer is all around with a range of entertainment, dazzling light displays, sweet treats and so much more from 18 November 2022 – 2 January 2023, there'll be fun for all the family.

Gift Vouchers

Why not get ahead with your festive shopping and treat your loved one to a gift voucher for a local attraction, theatre, restaurant or even a weekend away in one of our fabulous hotels.

City Cruises Poole offer gift vouchers on a large selection of their cruise programme and make a thoughtful gift!

Compton Acres in Canford Cliffs, vouchers are an ideal Christmas gift for a keen gardener.

For a unique one-off gift why not adopt a monkey from Monkey World or a Heavy Horse from the Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park.

Special Offers

Head to our special offers pages for some great deals.

Transport and Christmas Parking Information

Christmas Sustainable Transport Offers

In the festive season we like to spread the cheer with travel and public transport offers.

Bargain Fares by Bus- 5 for a Fiver Group Ticket

Morebus are offering a special £5 group ticket for up to five people (adults and children) when travelling together. This gives you the freedom to hop on and off buses as you please in the Zone A area (including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole town centres).

The £5 ticket can be bought from the driver of the first bus you board. It’s available anytime on Saturdays and Sundays in December before Xmas (3,4,10,11,17,18,24 Dec), plus after 6pm on Thursday late night shopping nights (1,8,15,22 Dec).

Bargain Fares by Beryl Bike – 50% off

Beryl are offering half price pedal bike hire to and from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole town centres on the run up to Christmas. The discount will be available to and from bays within the town centre areas- please check the Beryl App for more information. The 50% off will be available anytime on Saturdays and Sundays in December before Christmas (3,4,10,11,17,18,24 Dec), plus after 5pm on Thursday late night shopping nights (1,8,15,22 Dec).

For more information about car parks please visit the find a car park page on the BCP council website.

Whether you’re visiting for the day, on a Christmas mini break or live in the area, there’s so much to discover and enjoy this year in Poole and we’ll be delighted to welcome you!

Merry Christmas
from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Tourism!

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Choirs at Christmas in Poole

A fantastic line up of great music including many Christmas classics to sing along to.

Poole’s New Year’s Day Bath Race & Classic Cars on the Quay

Clear the head at Poole's annual charity day of fundraising. See creative crews take to the water…

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Featured Events

Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival

POOLE

Enter a world of Christmas in Poole this year, with this brand-new FREE Christmas attraction!

Dates

From:

19 Nov 2022to2 Jan 2023
Cinderella

Poole

You shall go to the ball as the classic rags to riches fairy-tale comes to life.
Packed with traditional pantomime fun, Cinderella has plenty of songs, laughter and more magic and sparkle than you can shake a wand at. The clock has started ticking…

Dates

From:

8 Dec 2022to31 Dec 2022
Choirs at Christmas in Poole

Poole

A fantastic line up of great music including many Christmas classics to sing along to.

Dates

From:
10 Dec 2022
From:
17 Dec 2022
Poole’s New Year’s Day Bath Race & Classic Cars on the Quay

Poole

Clear the head at Poole's annual charity day of fundraising. See creative crews take to the water in their home made crafts and race to be end with cheering crowds. Expect thrills, spills and sabotage along the way.

Dates

From:
1 Jan 2023Open 10:00 -

Events

Festive Fun at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf

Bournemouth

Enjoy 18 magical holes as you play past shimmering lights, dazzling features, and Christmas cheer!

Dates

From:

18 Nov 2022to15 Dec 2022Various Opening Times

From:

16 Dec 2022to1 Jan 2023Various Opening Times
Mrs Claus' Kitchen

Poole

Mrs Claus is heading to The Dolphin Centre this Christmas, with her very own pop-up 'Mrs Claus Kitchen', opening its doors on selected dates from Thursday 1st to Saturday 24th December…

Dates

From:

1 Dec 2022to22 Dec 2022Various Opening Times

From:
23 Dec 2022Open 10:00 - 16:00
From:
24 Dec 2022Open 10:00 - 15:00
Christmas Wreath Making

Poole

Learn how to make and decorate your very own bespoke wreath to take away and admire for Christmas!
We have 2 options to choose from:
The Posh One - Afternoon Tea in The Italian Villa after an afternoon of creating a wreath £80
The Nature One -…

Venue

Compton Acres, Poole

Dates

From:
6 Dec 2022Open 10:00 - 12:30
From:
13 Dec 2022Open 10:00 - 12:30
Breakfast with Santa on Bournemouth Pier

Bournemouth

We've heard that Key West on Bournemouth Pier is having a special visit from Father Christmas this year!

Dates

From:

10 Dec 2022to17 Dec 2022Open 09:00 - 12:00
Sail With Santa

Poole

Santa has taken a break from all of his hard work in the North Pole this winter to join us on our Sail with Santa cruises around Poole Harbour.

Dates

From:

10 Dec 2022to11 Dec 2022

From:

17 Dec 2022to24 Dec 2022
Santa's Grotto in Boscombe

Boscombe, Bournemouth

Start your Christmas right with a trip to see Santa in his Grotto at the Sovereign Shopping Centre in Boscombe.

Dates

From:

10 Dec 2022to11 Dec 2022Open 10:00 - 17:00

From:

17 Dec 2022to23 Dec 2022Open 10:00 - 17:00
Brownsea wreath making workshop

Poole

Whisk yourself away from the madness on the mainland and enjoy a relaxed session of Christmas wreath making on Brownsea Island.

Dates

From:
13 Dec 2022Open 10:00 - 12:45
From:
15 Dec 2022Open 10:00 - 12:45
Christmas Woodland Adventure

Upton, Poole

Our immersive trail will take you winter wandering along an accessible route. Discover festive scenes and listen for musical moments amongst the trees.

Venue

Upton Country Park, Poole

Dates

From:

17 Dec 2022to24 Dec 2022Open 10:00 - 16:00

From:

27 Dec 2022to1 Jan 2023Open 10:00 - 16:00
Ho Ho Holidays at RockReef & PierZip

Bournemouth

The ho ho holidays have arrived at RockReef & Pierzip!

Dates

From:

17 Dec 2022to1 Jan 2023Open 10:00 - 15:30
La Nova Singers - A Christmas Celebration

Bournemouth

La Nova Singers return to the beautiful acoustic setting of St Ambrose with an ambitious concert of music to celebrate the glory of Christmas.

Dates

From:
17 Dec 2022Open 19:00 - 22:00
Santa Experience at Monkey World!

Wareham

Join us on Sunday 18th December when Santa will be landing at Monkey World! Santa will be taking residence in his grotto at the park, to tell the good girls and boys visiting the park a very special story!

Dates

From:
18 Dec 2022Open 10:00 - 17:00
That'll Be The Day - Christmas Show

Bournemouth

That’ll Be The Day is back with another timeless Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas Show, so get ready to kick off your festive season in the best possible way.

Dates

From:
18 Dec 2022Open 19:00 -
Bournemouth Alpine Bar

Bournemouth

Eat, drink and be merry in the traditional festive Alpine Bar located in Bournemouth's Town Centre.

Dates

From:

28 Nov 2021to2 Jan 2023Open 10:30 - 23:00
Christmas at the Russell-Cotes

Bournemouth

Step back in time and discover the magic of a traditional Victorian Christmas

Dates

From:

15 Nov 2022to2 Jan 2023

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Christmas in Poole

Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival

Events and attractions

Shopping

City Cruises Poole

Celebrate New Year - Poole's Charity Bath Tub Race

Let's go outside!

Group Travel

Festive for 2022 across the conurbation

Gift Vouchers

Special Offers

Transport and Christmas Parking Information

Merry Christmas from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Tourism!

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Merry Christmas
from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Tourism!