If you're looking for that festive base for a winter short break then look no further than Christchurch!
Christchurch High Street always looks splendid adorned with festive illuminations and a large tree brings Christmas cheer to the main shopping precinct. This quaint cobble-stoned town becomes ethereal as the night draws in: twinkling lights against the backdrop of rugged stone arches, black wooden beams and roaring hearths. The high street of boutique independent shops and snug, welcoming cafes is lined with stunning lights leading you deeper into the heart of the town.
Christchurch town is a wonderful place to get in the festive spirit.
Enjoy family-friendly entertainment, live music and festive shopping in Christchurch at the town council’s big Christmas lights ‘switch on’ event.
Organised by the Rotary Club of Christchurch, with 24 charities supported & 24 surprise performers. Join in and enjoy festivities at a different venue each night in December at 6pm – see their website for full details of the advent calendar.
New this year! Surprise Performers will be announced every morning on their social channels - via facebook and instagram.
Highcliffe Castle
Red House Museums and Gardens
Yuletide Family Fun Days return on Saturday 9 and Saturday 16 December, 11am - 3pm! Celebrate the festive Yuletide season there. Enjoy storytelling, face painting, craft activities and their popular Christmas Gnome Hunt, with prizes.
Professional storyteller, Dawn Nelson, will be there to welcome in the winter and celebrate the Yuletide season with tales of trolls, treasure and snow.
But that's not all, Poole Museum's 'Museum on the Move' outreach team will also be here with fun, exploratory activities, and you can find them in our Main Gallery.
There will be a small charge of £2.50 for face painting and £2 for the trail.
All other activities are free and donations welcome. Admission to the museum is free & no need to book ahead.
The Family Fun Day will be followed by Carols in the Courtyard at 3pm, with mince pies, mulled wine and hot chocolate.
Why not get ahead with the 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.
Highcliffe Castle gift vouchers could be a fantastic present this Christmas. Pop into or contact the Castle Shop to buy vouchers.
The Regent Centre also offer Christmas gift vouchers, a great gift for those wo enjoy live theatre performances.
Head to our special offers pages on our Bournemouth Tourism sister site for some great deals.
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 17 November 2023 – 1 January 2024.
In Poole, there is also a magical and free festive experience - Poole Christmas Maritime Light Trail. Featuring a number of impressive light installations, from the town to the quay, you'll find a picture perfect moment this winter in Poole. Find out for yourself this festive period!
At Christmas and in the lead up when many of us have family and friends close, it's great to wrap up and enjoy just being together for a walk in one of the many picture perfect parks and coastal locations in and around Christchurch.
Christchurch Quay or Avon Beach, there are so many beautiful open spaces, we are spoilt for choice. So if the weather's crisp and the outdoors is beckoning come out and play!
In the festive season we like to spread the cheer with travel and public transport offers:
Fiver for a Fiver Group Ticket (Save £9 on usual price of £14!)
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 anywhere in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole).
These reduced priced tickets are available via the morebus app. They can be used anytime on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 December to 24 December, as well as after 5.30pm on Thursday late night shopping nights on the 7, 14 and 21 December 2023.
For more details visit https://www.morebus.co.uk/5-go-ps5-christmas
There are two great offers available from Beryl this Christmas:-
Download the Beryl App now to access over 1000 bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters available at over 400 parking bays across the BCP area.
For more information about car parks please visit the find a car park page on the BCP council website.
Last updated: 24/11/23
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