Christmas in Swanage

Christmas Shopping

Whether it is strolling through the town’s main thoroughfare enjoying the Christmas Lights or meandering through the back lanes, Swanage is a treat for Christmas shoppers with its array of independent shops, where you can be sure to find the perfect unique gift for that special person.

Parking is just £4 per day throughout December at the Main Beach car park, North Beach car park and Broad Road car park.

Swanage is famous for it’s wide range of independent shops selling items you won’t find anywhere else. Why not make a day of it and sample one of our cafes, restaurants or pubs. Or maybe just have fish and chips with views of our award winning beach. Whatever you choose you can be assured that you’ll have a fantastic day out!

Don’t forget that Saturday 5 December 2026 is Small Business Saturday – so remember to support the small independant shops in Swanage and buy something unique that you won’t find in the chain stores.

Christmas Lights Switch On

Taking place this year on Saturday 28 November 2026. Come and join in the fun as we switch on our festive town lights.

Festive Events

Artisans On The Beach – visit the beach huts on the seafront for local unique hand-crafted gifts for sale every weekend between 21 November and 20 December 2026.

Swanage Railway this year is featuring the unique Yuletide Express train ride! Booking essential. Tickets available on selected dates from 28 November to 24 December 2026.

There’s lots of Christmassy shows and performances at the Mowlem Theatre during December including a Christmas Singalong with Bournemouth Concert Brass, a stage show of all the time Christmas classic Scrooge, a streaming of André Rieu’s 2026 Christmas Concert and more.

Christmas events at Durlston Country Park include a Glass Engraving Workshop, a Children’s Activity Christmas Trail, Festive Park Run, Children’s Craft sessions and more.

Christmas Street Market – A traditional Christmas Market run by Swanage Rotary – Saturday 5 December 2026.

Lighting Up Lives Illuminations on Swanage Pier – Lighting Up Lives returns for 2026 on 5 December 2026, from 5:30pm.

Festive Fun days take place at Swanage Pier on the 12 December and 20 December 2026. Enjoy live music, entertainment, plus a chance to meet Father Christmas and real life donkeys and reindeer!

On selected dates between 13 and 23 December 2026, families can step into the Swanage Pier Winter Wonderland filled with twinkling lights, festive music and seasonal fun. Meet the friendly elves, enjoy festive photo opportunities, Christmas crafts, games and activities, post your Christmas wishes, and meet Father Christmas himself.

The annual Boxing Day Swim takes place on 26 December raising money for charity – brave the cold and take a dip!

If you love Pantomimes, book now for Robinson Crusoe at the Mowlem Theatre starting in the new year.

Festive Feasts

Choose from festive lunches, dinners, disco nights and even a Christmas Eve Brunch at the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club. Lunches are available from 1 to 23 December with festive dinner and disco nights on Friday and Saturday evenings. Small and large groups are catered for with panoramic views across Poole Harbour. Prices start at £32.50 per person.

Christmas and New Year Breaks

The Pines Hotel and the Grand Hotel Swanage offer Christmas and New Year breaks by the sea.

Escape from the Christmas Crowds

Marvel at the magnificent scenery of Swanage Bay with Old Harry Rocks to the North and Peveril Point & Durlston to the South. The Victorian pier is open for a leisurely walk for a small ‘strolling’ fee. You can imagine that you are one of the characters from E.M. Forster’s classic tale of drama and romance ‘Howards End’, which was filmed in Swanage for the BBC One TV mini-series!

Witness Christmas ‘of times gone by’ at a Christmassy Swanage Railway where you will also see the town’s huge community Christmas tree on display by the station.

No visit is complete without visiting Swanage Information Centre who sell locally sourced produce as, well as paintings of local landscapes by Purbeck artists. All of which would make great presents for any occasion!