Page last updated December 20th 2022.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
RNLI College also offer gift vouchers, an ideal gift for those who want to stay in a stylish accommodation with beautiful views across the bay.
Head to our special offers pages for some great deals.
Christmas Sustainable Transport Offers
In the festive season we like to spread the cheer with travel and public transport offers.
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).
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!
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