Christmas in Poole

Page Last Updated 12th Novmber, 2025

Experience the Magic of Christmas in Poole

The Christmas season is a magical time of the year, and the Poole Christmas Light Trail is the perfect way to celebrate. The trail is full of festive cheer, featuring stunning light displays that will put you right into the spirit of the season. 

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. We also can't forget the wonderful cultural centre, Lighthouse, which always brings festive cheer with its Christmas entertainment.

At Christmas, the streets of Poole will be filled with the sounds of music and choirs from pop-up events, while the twinkling of Christmas lights throughout the town casts a magical glow. Poole was made for Christmas! The lights provide the boutiques, coffee shops, pubs, and cafes with a distinctly Dickensian feel.

With special thanks to Poole BID, the main sponsor of the town's magical light installations and funder of these wonderful events, the elves say that 2025 will be a fantastic year to visit!

Poole Christmas Light Trail

The Poole Christmas Light Trail takes place from 22 November 2025 – 1 January 2026.

Step into a world of Christmas magic with a free festive attraction for all the family. Follow the enchanting light trail as it begins at Lighthouse, Poole, weaves through the High Street, and leads you down to the iconic Poole Quay.

The streets will shine with festive cheer, featuring a range of impressive light installations:

• A glistening ceiling of lights
• A spectacular 14-metre Christmas tree in Falkland Square
• A magical light fountain
• Beautifully wrapped trees, garlands, and icicles
• The iconic illuminated POOLE letters

This enchanting trail is the perfect way to get you in the Christmas spirit and discover Poole with family and friends.

Events and attractions

The streets of Poole will be filled with music and magic! From the launch event to pop-up performances and surprise visits, here's what you can enjoy.

There's always something to see or do, with Lighthouse, Poole playing host to live events. This year Dick Whittington is the Lighthouse, Poole pantomime, running 11 December 2025- 4 January 2026 featuring some very well known names!

Discover Christmas in Poole: The Launch

Date: Saturday, 22nd November 2025, from 4pm Be there for the moment the festive season officially begins! The launch event will feature a Santa Parade making it's way from The Lighthouse all the way down to the Quay with a wonderful lineup of live choir performances and entertainment along the route to kick off the celebrations:

• 4:40pm: Citrus Singers (Falkland Square)
• 5:00pm: Julia’s House Choir (Amity Square)
• 5:20pm: Bitter Sweet Harmony (Orchard Plaza)
• 5:40pm: Rock Choir (The Quay)
• 5:40pm: Fire Performance Finale (The Quay)

Expect entertainment in the High Street for all the family, with plans for regular live music. Poole’s Choirs at Christmas sponsored by Poole BID 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.

Check out some of the area's Christmas themed event listings below to find out what else is on or visit our what's on pages for a more diverse range of events.

Christmas Window Display Competition

Visit Poole and vote for your favourite Christmas window display for the chance to win £100. Voting is open between the 5th and 21st December. 1 vote per person and voters must be over the age of 16.

The winner will be picked at random and announced on 22nd December. The winning window display also wins a special cash prize.

Thanks to Poole BID for working to ensure Poole comes alive with festivities in 2025.

Celebrate New Year - Poole's Charity Bath Tub Race

One of our most enjoyable annual events is the Bath Tube Race that occurs on New Year's Day. See creative crews take to the water in their home made crafts and race to the end with cheering crowds at 11am on New Year's Day.

This charity focussed event involves crews crafting unique vessels and racing them along the quay from The Customs House Steps to the Lord Nelson. Every year, rain or shine, crowds of hundreds turn up to cheer on crews as they race to raise money for a good cause. This whacky event is the perfect way to start the New Year as it is an event built on goodwill that isn't afraid to have a bit of fun. 

The event is organised by Poole Harbour Commissioners and BCP Council Events Team

Shopping

Poole High Street plays host to many interesting local and independant shops and a weekly market.

At the 'Old High Street', near Poole Quay, you'll find a great selection, including the fabulous Truly Scrumptious sweet shop. Do stop and go in, after you've gazed through the windows at the huge choice! Discover Lush; with a spa in the Poole shop, and selling bath and body treats which are all locally made in Poole. If you like your music, popular vinyl store Boiler Records - is also part of the Old High Street.

New for 2025! Get ready for Poole's brand new Italian Christmas Market located outside the Sainsbury's on Pitwines Close, that will feature a collective selection of Italian gifts and goodies.

Located outside the large Sainsbury's in Pitwines Close, Poole. (near Dogs Trust, Leightons, behind Rawlins Davy Reeves and The Lord Wimborne).

A collective selection of Italian gifts and goodies.

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Heading up towards The Dolphin, discover Kingland - this shopping experience is a delight. Expect pop up shops, and some that are now well established like Wild Roots, a fabulous oasis of greenery, ideal for Christmas gifts for the green fingered person in your life!

Let's go outside!

Upton Country Park are a great day out and we look forward to bringing you details of what they have in store for Christmas.

Festive for 2025 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 13th November 2025 - 4th January 2026, there'll be fun for all the family.

Christmas Travel Information

In the festive season travel efficiently and comfortably on public transport, find out more here.

If you're arriving by car, you'll want to find a convenient place to park. For more information about car parks please visit the find a car park page on the BCP council website.