Wednesday, December 3
Mapperton House, nr Beaminster (DT8 3NR) is holding Christmas wreath making workshops today 6pm-9pm and tomorrow 11am-2pm. Create your own wreath with seasonal foliage and natural decorations, guided by a florist. mapperton.com/events
It’s Bridport Christmas Cheer day! Shops will be open late, there will be stalls offering a cornucopia of gifts, food etc and there will be the lights switch-on too, along with live music. Bridport United Church will be open 10am-1pm and 3pm-7pm for the first day of their Christmas Tree Festival.
Live Laugh Love Ladies Club Poundbury/Dorchester meet at Crossroads, 1 Crown Square, Poundbury, 7pm-9pm. Speaker Grace Lovelass, opera singer and triathlete will bring her show Glitz, Glamour & Blowing Raspberries – festive edition! Call Sally on 07703 171545, email sallyannchildsslade@gmail.com or livelaughloveladies.club/sallycs
Thursday, December 4
Sherborne Historical Society is holding a members’ Christmas evening at 8pm at Digby Hall, Hound Street. Charles Hind will speak on Sir Edwyn Lutyens, Society and Politics: the making of a great British architect. Visitors £5. sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk
Explore Antelope Walk in Dorchester for a late night Christmas shopping experience 6pm-9pm. Enjoy a glass of mulled wine while you shop!
A community coffee morning will be held 9.30am-11.15am at St Swithun’s Church Hall, Allington, Bridport DT6 5DU. Free fresh coffee, cakes and bacon butties. All welcome. Contact 07741 457505.
Friday, December 5
Netherbury Nature Group will hear from John Wright on The Observant Walker at the hall, 7pm.
Portland Town Council will be hosting the Christmas Sparkle at Easton Gardens from 4pm – festive music, activities, craft stalls, tombola and more. To book a stall, email: office@portlandtowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01035 821638.
TV chef Radhika Howarth presents recipes from her debut cookbook, Radikal Kitchen: Flavours without Borders at Castle Gardens in Sherborne at 6.30pm. Tickets £5 from Winstone’s Books on Cheap Street, or at winstonebooks.co.uk. Free refreshments.
Stanchester Quire presents a Christmas concert by candlelight at Holnest Church nr Sherborne DT9 5PU at 7pm. Mulled wine & mince pies. Tickets from Graham 07974 329508. Booking advised. Proceeds to the choir & church. stanchesterquire.org friendsofholnest@gmail.com
Symondsbury Mummers will be at Symondsbury Christmas Fair at 5pm. The fair runs 4pm-8pm.
Festive classics with DJ Steve Duke’s Christmas Cracker at Viking Village in Bridport 8pm-11pm (free entry).
Saturday, December 6
3 Churches Christmas coffee morning at the Comrades Hall, Broadwindsor 10am-12.30pm. Cakes, Christmas stall, tombola, bric-a-brac, books, festive treats & raffle. Admission £2 inc coffee and mince pie.
Symondsbury Mummers will be at White Horse, Litton Cheney at 5pm.
Indoor market, Digby Hall, Hound St, Sherborne DT9 3AA. 10am-3pm. Antiques, arts, crafts & more – free entry, café.
The Friends of Weymouth Library meet at 10.30am in the library to hear art expert David Brindley on how the Christmas story has inspired art more than any other subject. Tickets from the library £3 for non-members. All welcome. 01305 762410.
Free parking will be available today in Dorset Council town centre car parks in Weymouth.
One Voice Weymouth presents Sing Out for Christmas at 7pm in Sydling St Nicholas Village Hall. Celebrate the festive season with a programme that weaves together timeless carols, festive classics, and inspired arrangements. From the jubilant Rejoice! Christ Is Born to the sparkle of Merry Christmas, Mozart and the charm of Nutcracker Jingles, this concert offers festive music supported by a super piano quartet. Tickets £10 from Sydling Post Office, Chris Legg 07895 701718, or cash/card on the door (U16s free). A cash/card bar will be available.
Bingo at Maiden Newton village hall, 2pm, eyes down 2.30pm.
A Christmas fair will be held at the Public Hall, Beaminster BT8 3EF 10am-1pm. Entry £2. Raffle, coffee, cake. Stalls inc pottery, crafts, cards, clothes and more in aid of West Dorset Arthritis.
Cantamus presents Magnificat, a concert of beautiful choral music for Advent. St Mary’s Church, Netherbury DT6 5LR at 3.30pm. Tickets £12 on the door. Refreshments available. cantamus-dorset.org
Christmas coffee morning at Beaminster Museum. Cakes, mince pies. 10am-noon, entry £3. Whitcombe Road, DT8 3NB. beaminstermuseum.co.uk
Rock covers with Compass at Viking Village in Bridport 8pm-10.30pm free entry.
Tudor House Christmas Event, 3 Trinity Street, Weymouth 11am.
Carols by the Coast at 5pm in Millennium Square, New Bond Street, Weymouth.
Sunday, December 7
The Cheerful Choir will be in concert at St Mary’s Church in South St, Bridport (DT6 3NW) at 4pm. £12/£6 Book at ridgewaysingersandband.org or 01305 262159
Briantspuddle’s Christmas fair will be held at the hall 11am-3pm, with stalls, mulled wine, turkey rolls and mince pies.
Lyme Bay Chorale’s Christmas Concert including excerpts from JS Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and carols for choir and audience. Lyme Regis Parish Church 4pm. Wine/soft drinks and mince pies. Tickets £16 at tickettailor.com/ events/lymebaychorale or £18 on the door. U18s free.
The George Albert Hotel at Clay Pigeon on the A37 is offering breakfasts and carveries with Santa today, and on Sundays, December 14 and 21. Breakfast 9.30am-11.30am, carvery noon-3pm. Call 01935 483485 or email enquiries@gahotel.co.uk to book
Monday, December 8
A Christmas band concert will be held 7.30pm-9pm, with Christmas Music, carols and mince pies at St Swithun’s Church, Allington, Bridport DT6 5DU. Contact 07741 457505.
West Dorset Flower Club are holding a demonstration by Denise Jones entitled Artful Flowers at the WI Hall, North Street, Bridport, at 2.30pm. Non-members £6. 01308 456339.
Weldmar Light up a Life service at Weymouth Pavilion, 6.30pm.
Tuesday, December 9
There’ll be Christmas Lunches at Mapperton today, Thursday, December 11 and Tuesday, December 16. A festive lunch with delicious produce from the Estate. Bookings 12pm-2pm – email Holly@mapperton.com or call 01308 863348. mapperton.com/events
Beaminster Museum winter talk: Racing From Beaminster. Brian Earl shares the fascinating history of West Dorset’s 19th century racecourse. Tickets £5 on the door. Whitcombe Road, DT8 3NB. beaminstermuseum.co.uk
Wednesday, December 10
Stanchester Quire, a 30-year-old community choir based in Leigh, near Sherborne, will be performing a Christmas carol concert at Cheap Street Methodist Church, Sherborne at 7pm. All the old carols and songs are from, or written about, the south west of England. Admission by donation.
Thursday, December 11
Free food glut stall plus distribution of children’s toys 9.30am-10am at St Swithun’s Church Hall, Allington, Bridport DT6 5DU. All welcome. Contact 07778 159826.
Wild and Messy Church at St Swithun’s Church Hall, Allington, Bridport DT6 5DU 3.30pm-5.30pm. Children and their carers are welcome for an afternoon of fun activities and tea. Contact 07704 959426.
Sherborne & District Gardeners’ Association meets at Digby Hall, Hound Street for a Christmas party and quiz at 2.30pm. Non-members £3. For info Richard Newcombe 01935 389375.
The Cheerful Choir concert at The Exchange in Sturminster Newton at 7.30pm. £12/£6 Book at ridgwaysingersandband.org or 01305 262159.
Symondsbury Mummers will be at Shipton Gorge Church 5pm.
Shanties and songs of the sea from Bridport Broadsides at Viking Village in Bridport 8pm-10.30pm (free entry).
Friday, December 12
Local author Paul Lashmar will launch his book about the Drax family (the ancestors of former South Dorset MP Richard) in discussion with Alan Smith, First Estates Commissioner of the Church and the person behind between the £100m reparations package. David Olusoga will be chairing the Bridport Literary Festival Bookend event, fresh from Celebrity Traitors. Tickets at the Bridport TIC on 01308 424901, or boxoffice@electricpalace.org.uk
Beaminster Museum hosts Parnham Voices for an evening of festive music. Tickets, which include drinks and mince pies, £8 via brianearl53@btinternet.com 7.30pm, Whitcombe Road, DT8 3NB. beaminstermuseum.co.uk
Portland’s St George’s Church (DT5 2JP) is holding its Christmas tree festival today noon-4.30pm, tomorrow noon-7pm and Sunday noon-4.30pm. Expect lots of creativity from local clubs, businesses, charities and schools. Free entry, festive refreshments available.
Classic rock tunes from Onyx at Viking Village in Bridport 8.30pm-10.30pm (free entry).
Saturday, December 13
Repair Cafe Weymouth at Southill Community Centre, 137, Radipole Lane, Weymouth, DT4 9SS, 10am-12.30pm. Bring items for repair by specialist volunteers for optional donation. Electrical, clocks, jewellery, sewing and leather repairs, mechanical, sewing machines etc. Every 2nd Saturday. repaircafeweymouth.org
A third toy collectors’ fair is being held in Sherborne – and potential stallholders are being invited to sign up. Oliver Chisholm, a dealer in toys for decades who owns the town’s Pastimes shop, is holding the event from 10.30am-2pm at Digby Memorial Hall Digby Road DT9 3NL. £3 on the door. Book a stall on 07736 666414 or info@pastimes-toys.co.uk
Sherborne & District Gardeners’ Association meets at the Main Digby Hall, Hound Street to hear from Castle Gardens on container gardening at 2.30pm. Non-members £3. For info Richard Newcombe 01935 389375.
St Peter’s Church Dorchester (DT1 1XA) hosts a free lunchtime concert 12.30-1pm, Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols performed by vocal consort and harpist. Admission free. musicatstpetersdorchester.org
Wyke Regis Horticultural Society will open for the last time this year, 9.30am-12.30pm at The Trading Post in Rylands Lane. There will be a Christmas raffle for a hamper of goodies, plus cake and mince pies! They reopen on January 10, 2026 and then meet on Wednesdays 2pm-4pm. Membership is £10 per year. Join in January and get three months’ free membership! Email enquiries@wrhs.org.uk or call 01305 602137.
Cantamus presents Magnificat, a concert of beautiful choral music for Advent. St Mary’s Church, South Street, Bridport, at 7pm. £12 on the door. Refreshments available. cantamus-dorset.org
Old-skool rock and indie covers from Vinyl Monkeys at Viking Village in Bridport 8.30pm-11pm (free entry).
Sunday, December 14
St Peter’s Church Dorchester (DT1 1XA), Choral Eucharist with music by Weir, Schubert & Stopford at 10.30am. Free. musicatstpetersdorchester.org
A statue of writer Sylvia Townsend Warner will be unveiled at 1pm outside of Goulds Fashion Department Store in Dorchester, by author Tracy Chevalier.
One Voice Weymouth presents Sing Out for Christmas at 3pm in Weymouth Bay Methodist Church, Melcombe Avenue, DT4 7TH. Timeless carols, festive classics, and inspired arrangements. Supported by a wonderful piano quartet. Tickets, inc refreshments, £10 U16s free, from John Ellis (07779 772264), cash on the door, or via ticketsource.co.uk/one-voice-choir
A carol service will be held 3.30pm-5pm at St Swithun’s Church, Allington, Bridport DT6 5DU. Lessons and carols with St Mary and St. Catherine’s Catholic Church followed by mince pies and hot drinks. 07967 205302.
Monday, December 15
A Christmas evening of jazz at 8pm with The Kate Mullins Trio at Winyards Gap Inn, near Beaminster. Book on 01935 891244 or go to winyardsgap.com
7pm, Wimborne Methodist Church, King Street, BH21 1DY, Carols at Christmas with Dorset Chamber Choir. On Christmas Night by Bob Chilcott. Refreshments. £10 U18 free from choir members or at the door or on dorsetchamberchoir.com
Tuesday, December 16
Acoustic/folk session at The Old Ship Upwey, 7.30-10.30pm.
Thursday, December 18
Symondsbury Mummers will be at White Lion, Broadwindsor at 7pm.
Free food glut stall plus distribution of children’s toys, 9.30am-10am at St Swithun’s Church Hall, Allington, Bridport DT6 5DU. 07778 159826.
Carols in Dorchester’s Borough Gardens organised by the Friends of the Borough Gardens and the Town Council with the support of Keep 106. Join in with music from Durnovaria Silver Band, accompanied by the Encore Singers. The music starts at 6.30pm and goes on for about an hour – and it’s free! Add to the atmosphere by bringing your own home-made lantern. Carol books will be provided. Arrive from 6pm for a hot drink and some delicious baked goods from Bees Knees Bakes. In case of very bad weather the event may be cancelled – see Borough Gardens Facebook page for information.
A new dog-friendly café opens at Animal House in Bridport (DT6 at 10am. More details on P53.
A festive afternoon tea & guided tour will be held at Athelhampton House today, Friday and Saturday (Dec 18-20).
Friday, December 19
The Cheerful Choir are in concert at the Dorford Centre Dorchester at 7.30pm. £12/£6 ridgewaysingersandband.org or 01305 262159.
A community breakfast club is held every third Sunday at Cherries Abbey Farm, Abbotsbury (DT3 4JJ) from 9.30am. £10 with £1 from every breakfast going to local charities. This one will feature a festive quiz.
St Mary’s Church, Weymouth, DT4 8PU, half-hour carol concert by Wacapella at 11am followed by refreshments. Music then a sociable time and mince pies. What could be better? Free, but donations welcome.
Music and carols for Christmas with Weymouth Concert Brass at All Saints Church, Wyke Regis 7.30pm. Free concert! Come and listen to some lovely Christmas brass music and also sing some of your favourite carols. Bring your friends and families too. Cash bar and retiring collection for All Saints’ Windows Appeal.
More festive classics with DJ Steve Duke’s Christmas Cracker 2 at Viking Village in Bridport 8pm-11pm (free entry).
An evening guided tour with mince pies and mulled wine will be held in the Great Hall at Athelhampton House.
An RNLI carol service at the Lifeboat Station, Nothe Parade, Weymouth 7.30pm.
Saturday, December 20
Journey to the stable, an interactive experience explaining the true meaning of Christmas at the United Church, South Street, Dorchester, 11am-2pm. Six stations focusing on a person or a part of the Christmas story with readings and reflections. At each there is a small activity or object for you to take away, so you leave with a bag of reflections and goodies. Open today and tomorrow 11am-2pm, Fri 12th 11-1.30pm. Today there’s also a Christmas Family Fun Day at the church 10am-noon where there will be refreshments, crafts, biscuit icing and “Getting in the Picture” an opportunity for a photo in a nativity setting.
Christmas coffee morning at All Saints church, Wyke Regis. 10am to midday.
All are welcome to join us for coffee, tea, cakes, Fairtrade, books, Christmas music, chat, catch up with old friends and make new ones.
St Peter’s Church Dorchester (DT1 1XA). Nine Lessons & Carols at 4.30pm. Free. musicatstpetersdorchester.org
The Quangle Wangle Choir welcome you to a merry afternoon of carols at St Nicholas’ Church Broadwey. DT3 5DN at 3pm. Tickets £10 from susanamalik@yahoo.com, 07944 617553, or on the door. See also quanglewanglechoir.co.uk
Christmas Party with Shelby’s Elbows at Viking Village in Bridport from 8pm ’til late (£5 tickets).
Sunday, December 21
The Hardy Society host festive fun at Hardy’s Oxwell Hall between 2pm and 5pm at Poxwell Manor, DT2 8ND. Tickets £30 non-members.
Monday, December 22
Free parking will be available today in Dorset Council town centre car parks in Weymouth.
Carols in Old Wyke Square at 7.15pm. Come and sing carols round the Christmas Tree accompanied by Weymouth Concert Brass and a glass of mulled wine. It’s just possible that Father Christmas will be there. Don’t forget a torch!
Tuesday, December 23
Carols round the Christmas Tree at 7pm, with The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis in Broad Street.
The Lyme Regis Town Band will play carols. The Mayor will be in attendance with the Town Crier as MC. Collection for the Children’s Hospice South West.
Christmas Eve
St Peter’s Church Dorchester (DT1 1XA) Choral Midnight Mass at 11.30pm, accompanied by instrumental ensemble, Music by Charpentier, Will Todd & Morten Lauridsen. Free. musicatstpetersdorchester.org
St Mary’s Church, Edward Road, Dorchester DT1 2HJ, service around the Christmas crib led by Rev Jimmy Holden with the participation of children of all ages at 3pm. Come dressed up.
1st Mass of Christmas at 6pm, mince pies and mulled wine, all welcome at St Swithun’s Church, Allington, Bridport DT6 5DU.
Christmas Day
Weymouth’s annual Christmas Day Harbour Swim will be held at 10.45am. Why not take a dip with hundreds of others and raise some fantastic funds for charity?
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Party with Galaxy Disco at Viking Village in Bridport 8pm ’til late (£10).
New Year’s Party at the George Albert Hotel at Clay Pigeon on the A37. £69.95 will get you live music, a three-course meal and a drink on arrival.
Thursday, January 1
Start the new year with a splash with The Lyme Lunge at 1pm on Sandy Beach. A fancy dress dip in the balmy waters of Lyme Bay is just the thing to lift your spirits the morning after. Organised by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis, the Lunge has raised more than £40,000 for local and national charities over the past 15 years. Swimmers will parade their costumes on the beach before a quick dash to the sea at 1pm sharp – get there in plenty of time! Funds to The Rainbow Trust and Well Child and Rotary Charities. Hot soup served for all Lungers. Details and sponsorship forms at lymeregisrotary.org
If you don’t fancy plunging into the sea, there’s Sturminster Newton’s New Year’s Day Vintage & Classic Vehicle Run – 11am departure from the Station Road car park, DT10 1BN. The run starts from Poet’s Corner and finishes at Henstridge Airfield. Enquiries to Clive Dodson on 07815 288074.
Symondsbury Mummers will be at Ilchester Arms, Symondsbury at 7pm.
Tuesday, January 6
Blackmore Vale U3A, Doors open 2.15pm, speaker 3pm at Henstridge Village Hall BA8 0QB. Speaker David Bailey, an award-winning wildlife photographer. Call 07580 127810 or 07919 585547 or visit blackmorevale.u3asite.uk
Harbour Poets meet on the first Tuesday of every month in The Palm House Cafe, Weymouth, 2pm-4pm. Come and read and discuss your own poems and/or those written by others. Refreshments available. Contact 01305 250645
Thursday, January 8
Sherborne Historical Society meets at 8pm to hear from Prof Jon Healey on Henry VI and the origins of the Wars of the Roses. How did Henry VI’s priorities as king diverge from what was expected of medieval monarchs? Digby Hall, Hound Street. Visitors £5. sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk
Friday, January 9
The Friends of Bridport Millennium Green are hosting The Alternative Twelfth Night at the town hall at 7.30pm, with Rough Assembly folk band. Music, words, poems and songs with Barry Bates and guest readers. Seasonal refreshments. Tickets £12 on the door (members £10). 01308 423078.
Saturday, January 10
10,000 Miles in a Rainbow Skort is the title of an event hosted by Tracey Hannam at Owermoigne Village Hall from 3pm-6pm. In July 2020, Tracey set off to walk the entire coastline of the UK, adding on The Republic of Ireland too. Five years later she is bringing her journey indoors for one special afternoon. £5 inc coffee and cake, with funds shared between the RNLI and her ongoing journey.
Repair Cafe Weymouth at Southill Community Centre, 137, Radipole Lane, Weymouth, DT4 9SS, 10am-12.30pm. repaircafeweymouth.org