Find fun-filled activities and events for the whole family to enjoy in and around Swanage, from free festivals & outdoor nature trails, to creative craft workshops and seasonal fetes & fairs.
You’ll find a busy programme of cinema, theatre shows and regular weekly & monthly family days out to be had all year round.
Keep an eye out for one-off entertainment too, such as when the circus or touring performers visit town, or when the Swanage Railway has special visitors.
🗓️ Saturday 8th November 2025 Join Swanage Drama Company and friends at their annual autumn fundraising evening of entertainment at The Mowlem. The variety evening showcases local singers, performers and comedy acts for a fun, feel-good show all in the name of charity. This year the event will be raising money for All Sort’d and […]
🗓️ Sunday 9th November 2025 Come and grab a bargain at Purbeck Little Monkey Mart’s next baby & children’s sale. There’ll be plenty of pre-loved items to browse including clothes, toys, accessories and maternity wear. And if you need a clear-out and would like to have a table, they are £10 – find out more […]
🗓️ Sunday 9th November 2025 Join Swanage in remembering the services of the Armed Forces and their families at the town’s annual church service and parade. Timings (Timings TBC)
🗓️ Saturday 15th November 2025 Lewis Manning Hospice Care’s Candles by the Sea returns to Swanage this year, at the new venue of St Mary’s Church. Join the local community in remembrance of loved ones in this special display of candlelight. As a donation to Lewis Manning, you can dedicate a candle in memory of […]
🗓️ Saturday 15th November 2025 Browse locally-made crafts and home produce at Langton Matravers’ annual festive fair. Find a range of unique Christmas gifts and enjoy festive refreshments and mince pies.
🗓️ Saturday 15th November 2025 Join the Swans for a festive day of fun and shopping as Swanage & Wareham RFC’s Christmas market returns for another year. The rugby club will be taken over for the day by a range of stalls, family entertainment and food & drink, including bratwurst and loaded fries. There’ll be […]
🗓️ Saturday 22nd November 2025 Meet Mrs Holly Frost – and her friend goose! – as they keep an eye on the world below in this heartwarming live action/puppetry performance at The Mowlem. The show explores intergenerational friendship, the changing seasons and the power of kindness against a backdrop of illustrated paper theatre, giant pop-up […]
🗓️ Saturday 22nd November 2025 Come along to the annual Christmas Fayre at Holy Spirit & St Edward Church today. There’ll be lots of stalls to start your Christmas shopping early, including children’s toys & games, jewellery & accessories, homemade preserves, books and more. Plus, there’ll be a tombola with great prizes and a Grand […]
🗓️ Thursday 27th – Saturday 29th November 2025 Come and see Double Act’s latest pantomime Alice in Cuckoo Land at Corfe Castle village hall this November. The classic Lewis Carroll story is given a fun, panto twist in this adaptation for the whole family. Alice Wobbly follows her hapless cat Chester down the rabbit hole, […]
🗓️ Saturday 29th November 2025 Back by popular demand, performer and singing teacher James B Partridge returns to The Mowlem this November as he brings his UK tour of The Big Christmas Assembly back to Swanage. It promises to be a fun-filled evening of nostalgic Christmas songs, magical mash-ups and other festive surprises. Fun for […]
🗓️ Saturday 29th November 2025 Get the date in your diary for this year’s Christmas lights switch-on in Swanage. Grab a mulled wine, join in with some festive songs and get ready for the countdown before the town sparkles with the magic of Christmas once more. There’ll be live entertainment, a formal countdown, and as always […]
🗓️ Saturday 29th – Sunday 30th November 2025 RSPB Arne’s much-loved Christmas tradition, Pull a Pine, is back this festive season. Each year, the nature reserve invites members of the public to ‘pull a pine’ as part of one of the biggest conservation events in the country. And in return for your help in clearing the […]
🗓️ Saturday 29th November – Wednesday 24th December 2025 (Selected Dates) Get the date in your diary for this exciting new Christmas event on the Swanage Railway. The “nostalgic, festive adventure” on the Yuletide Express will take you from Swanage Station, which will be decorated for the season, on a one-hour return journey during which […]
🗓️ Saturday 29th November 2025 – Sunday 4th January 2026 Join a fun, festive walk at Studland Bay this Christmas – explore the beach and dunes to locate 12 Christmas trees along a circular route, rich with yellow gorse and winter birds. At each tree you’ll collect Christmas song lyrics to add to your trail […]
🗓️ Wednesday 3rd December 2025 Come along to Swanage Methodist Church this evening for Swanage Town Band’s annual Christmas Concert. You can also join in a festive singalong with the band at Carols on the Bandstand on Wednesday 10th December.
🗓️ Friday 5th December 2025 – Sunday 4th January 2026 Follow this festive family quest around Corfe Castle this Christmas and discover what Monty Mouse and his wife Matilda have been up to this year at other National Trust properties. Search for festive scenes as you explore the castle’s family-friendly Christmas trail. For more events […]
🗓️ Saturday 6th – Monday 8th December 2025 The annual Christmas tree festival in Langton Matravers is always a treat to get you into the festive spirit and a great way to support local charities. St George’s Church is taken over on the first weekend of December for the three-day festival by community-decorated trees, each […]
🗓️ Saturday 6th – Tuesday 23rd December 2025 (Selected dates) Visit Santa this festive period at the magical setting of The Blue Pool. Follow the enchanting trail that leads to Santa’s grotto and have your photo taken with him before receiving a special Christmas gift. Dates for Santa’s grotto Father Christmas will be at the […]
🗓️ Saturday 6th December 2025 One of Purbeck’s top winter attractions is the Swanage Christmas Market, where Dorset traders line the streets around Station Road. There’s always plenty of bargains to be had, as well the chance of finding a one-off handmade gift from one of the stalls. Younger children can enjoy merry-go-round rides and visit […]
🗓️ Saturday 6th December 2025 Get into the Christmas spirit with a brand new festive event at The Mowlem this afternoon. Bournemouth Concert Brass will lead a Christmas singalong featuring favourite Christmas songs and carols, with audience participation warmly encouraged. This family-friendly show is likely to be popular, so booking in advance is advised.
🗓️ Sunday 7th December 2025 Bring your family to watch or take part in Wareham’s annual Christmas Parade & Arrival of Santa. The town tradition, which has been going strong for over 60 years, is a festive community event that is free to attend. Children can also meet Father Christmas in his Santa’s Grotto and […]
🗓️ Sunday 7th December 2025 Santa has a pirate problem in this action-packed family Christmas show at The Mowlem today. They’ve robbed his reindeer, nicked his Naughty List and nabbed a very special red nose – is Christmas about to be cancelled? After the show, you’ll get the opportunity to post your Christmas wish list […]
🗓️ Wednesday 10th December 2025 Join Swanage Town Band for a celebration of Christmas at its annual Carols on the Bandstand concert. Wrap up warm, bring a torch and join in the singing at Swanage’s historic bandstand for a traditional festive evening. Song sheets will be provided. In case of rain, the concert will be […]
🗓️ Thursday 11th – Saturday 13th December 2025 Get into the festive spirit and help raise funds for charity at the annual Purbeck Christmas Tree Festival. Theme for 2025: Christmas Around the World. Held each year at Emmanuel Baptist Church, trees are decorated by individuals, groups and organisations in the community, with donations and sponsorship […]
🗓️ Thursday 11th & Thursday 18th December 2025 Join the Swanage Railway this December for its new Christmas Carol Train ride – a special festive journey from Swanage to Corfe Castle. The event will take place on a restored steam train and feature live music from six professional musicians led by local musical director, Angus […]
🗓️ Saturday 13th December 2025 Sandy Hill Arts’ festive Winter Wassail is back for a third year this December. Come along for an afternoon of entertainment and find unique handmade gifts from Sandy Hill’s resident artists. There’ll be family-friendly fun throughout the day including: Special note: Some activities may be outside, so please dress for […]
🗓️ Saturday 13th – Tuesday 23rd December 2025 (Selected dates) Step into Swanage Pier’s magical winter wonderland this Christmas. You’ll be warmly welcomed by the pier’s merry elves, before meeting Santa in his grotto for a family photo opportunity – either in Father Christmas’s sleigh or the pier’s snowy mountain cable car! Dates & Time […]
🗓️ Saturday 13th & Friday 19th December 2025 Experience the magic of Corfe Castle in winter at this special festive event. The castle will be illuminated with atmospheric lighting displays, warm festoon lights and braziers creating a beautiful glow about the ruin as you explore, from 4pm on the following dates: There’ll also be fire […]
🗓️ Saturday 13th & Sunday 21st December 2025 Meet Father Christmas’s reindeer, say hello to some friendly festive donkeys and enjoy magical family entertainment on Swanage Pier at these special Festive Fun Days. Festive Fun Days Line-Up Saturday 13th December Sunday 21st December Tickets for Santa’s grotto and Festive Fun Days will be released on […]
🗓️ Sunday 14th December 2025 Join in this special service of remembrance at Emmanuel Baptist Church and remember loved ones this Christmas. Come and light a candle during the traditional carol service, where you can take time to reflect and remember. The service will be followed by refreshments in the church café. There is also […]