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Best Christmas Markets in Dorset 2024

Get ready for the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas may feel like a long time away but as we all know, it will be here in no time! As the holiday season approaches, the charming towns and villages of Dorset will come alive with twinkling lights, the smell of mulled wine in the air, and a festive selection of market stalls to help with your Christmas shopping.

Whether you’re looking for unique handmade gifts, delicious seasonal treats, or simply want to soak up the magic of Christmas, Dorset’s markets offer a perfect winter escape to get you in the festive spirit. Join us as we explore some of the most enchanting markets across this coastal county and when they will take place, allowing you to plan for the Christmas season!

Bournemouth Christmas Market and Christmas Tree Wonderland

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people flock to Bournemouth Square for the coastal town’s Christmas Market. There will be a selection of tasty treats available, from bratwurst sausages to every flavour of fudge you can think of! Many of the food stalls will be tailored to dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Bournemouth at Christmas is known for its Alpine Lodge Bar – snuggle up in the cosy lodge setting and enjoy a warm cup of mulled wine, mulled cider, a Stein of beer, or a hot chocolate!

Looking to do a spot of Christmas shopping? There will be a wide range of retail outlets set up in alpine huts, offering everything from jewellery, cheese, personalised decorations, and brownies!

Bournemouth Gardens will be illuminated for its Christmas Tree Wonderland, showcasing huge Christmas displays made up of fairy lights! In the gardens, you can also take to the ice and visit Skate Bournemouth. Swap your cosy boots for skates and feel the magic on the outdoor skating rink made of real ice!

Dates: From 11am on Friday 15th November 2024 to Wednesday 1st January 2025.

RNLI College Christmas Market – Poole

RNLI College will be hosting its free-to-attend annual Christmas market! Explore 40 exhibitors, all offering a range of incredible gifts, including jewellery, homemade arts and crafts, tasty chutneys, sweet treats and much more! Pop down for some last-minute Christmas shopping, or treat yourself to a lovely handmade festive treat.

Not only that but there will be a special visit from Father Christmas himself, who will be arriving via Lifeboat! The RNLI Team will also host RNLI Water Safety workshops to help you and your family stay safe at the beach and in the sea.

Donations towards the college are welcomed and all money raised will go towards supporting the RNLI and the lifesaving work they do.

Date and Timings: 10am to 4pm on Sunday 8th December 2024.

Swanage Christmas Market

Swanage is known for its stunning sandy beaches that tourists flock to during the summer months. But the seaside town also hosts an incredible annual Christmas Market in and around Station Road. The community comes together to celebrate all things Christmas, with stalls offering festive goods such as handmade decorations, tasty cakes and enough olives to fill you and the family up on Boxing Day!

There will also be some attractions and rides for younger children, including the merry-go-round and a chance to visit Santa’s Grotto! Whilst the kids are occupied, why not treat yourself to a delicious mulled wine to warm your hands?

At the market, you can find a variety of food stalls that offer tasty treats from flavoursome hot dogs at the Salt Pig to locally produced festive bakes such as mince pie slices!

Date and Timings: 10am to 4pm on Saturday 7th December 2024.

Shire Hall Christmas Market – Dorchester

Shire Hall is an 18th-century courthouse that can be found in Dorchester. Since 2018, the hall has opened as a museum and also hosts its Christmas Market! This November, explore over 30 stalls offering a range of Christmas gifts, from food and drink to jewellery and photography. The market is free to enter and can be found on High W Street in Dorchester.

The market stalls will be dotted around Shire Hall, from the cafe and exhibition rooms to the historic courthouse and cells.

The museum won’t be open for visitors during the Christmas market weekend, however, you will still be able to look around the Grade I listed building.

Dates: 10am to 4pm on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th November 2024.

Poundbury Christmas Market

The Poundbury Christmas market, which relocated in 2022, can now be found at Crown Square. The market aims to support small local businesses in Dorset, Somerset and Hampshire, and all money raised through pitch fees will be invested back into the market. Since 2015, the market has been on the first Saturday of December, which marks ‘Small Business Saturday’ – a campaign in the UK that aims to support small businesses through self-promotion and working with other companies in the community.

There will be approximately 100 stalls, each with their unique gifts perfect for loved ones at Christmas. There will also be a chance for little ones to meet Father Christmas at Boo’s Toy Shop from 10am to 3:45pm. This will cost £10 per child, with no booking required. Simply visit the Head Elf Station located outside the Toyshop on the day of the market.

Date: 10am to 4pm on Saturday 30th November.

Compton Acres – Christmas Arts & Crafts Fayre

Compton Acres based in Canford Cliffs, Poole is recognised as one of the most important ornamental gardens in England. Not only does it make the perfect wedding or event venue, but it will also be hosting its Christmas Arts & Crafts Fayre!

Celebrate the start of the festive period and discover various handmade gifts from local exhibitors. There is also the chance for you to pick up your Christmas tree from the Plant Centre!

Whilst you’re there, why not explore the five main themed gardens, from the Rock & Water Gardens to the Japanese Garden, or discover the Compton Acres Gift Shop, Café and Tearooms?

Dates: 10:30am to 4pm on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th November.

Looking for a place to stay during the festive period?

At Quay Holidays, we have over 120 stunning properties for you to choose from in Poole and the surrounding area. Whether you’re looking for a cosy one-bedroom apartment or a spacious five-bedroom house for the whole family, we’ve got you covered! Below we have highlighted a selection of our properties that are currently available during December 2024. If you would like to explore our whole range, visit our Under the Mistletoe collection on the Quay Holidays website which will show you all of our properties available during the festive period.

Water’s Edge – Poole

Recently added to the Quay Holidays portfolio, Water’s Edge is a prestigious front-line apartment in Dolphin Quays, right on Poole Quay. Experience incredible sea views from the property’s two feature balconies, one of which can be fully kitted out with a range of outside furniture. Both bedrooms benefit from a 5ft kingsize double bed and each bathroom, one of which is an en-suite in the master bedroom, has a bath and shower option. Explore Poole Quay with its vast range of seafood eateries, traditional pubs and charming independent shops. Book your getaway at Water’s Edge now by visiting the Quay Holidays website.

Dennetts House – Poole

Tucked away in Poole Old Town, this stunning three-bedroom home sleeps 6 guests and is just a stone’s throw from Poole Quay and Poole High Street. The cosy living area leads out to a rear courtyard garden and patio, for you to make the most of the winter sunshine. The modern, open-plan kitchen and dining area is fully fitted with a hob, oven, integrated fridge/freezer, washer/dryers and microwave. There is also a BoschTassimo Coffee machine if you wish to bring some coffee pods. For convenience, the property comes with a parking permit for the nearby multi-storey car park. Discover more about Dennetts House by visiting the Quay Holidays website.

The Nook – Poole

Discover this spacious apartment in the heart of Poole Quay. Sleeping up to 7 guests, you and the family can make this your home-from-home and enjoy the cosy, open-plan living and dining space, kitted out with a pool table! Allow the kids to enjoy some time together, as the second bedroom benefits from two bunk beds, one with a double bed at the bottom. The master bedroom has a spacious 6ft super kingsize double bed and en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower. Visit the Quay Holidays website to secure your getaway today!

Haven’t found the home for you just yet?

Not to worry! To make your holiday search as simple and stress-free as possible, we have created our Collections pages. Here, we have selected specific holiday homes to suit your needs, whether you’re planning to bring your four-legged friend along, or would like an escape close to the sea – we’ve got the perfect holiday home for you!

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