24 Christmas Markets in Dorset for 2024

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‘Tis the season… for mulled wine, festive treats, and shopping for unique artisan gifts! The season for Christmas Markets – and there are plenty popping up across Dorset this year!

A Christmas market is always a great way to get yourself into the festive spirit…

Sip a steaming mug of mulled wine as you browse for unique gifts handmade by local artists and makers. And get ready for your Christmas parties by picking up some tasty locally made foodie treats! You can even stock up the drinks cupboard with Dorset-made beers, ciders, spirits, and wines.

I’ve divided this post into two sections. First up is a list of all the long-term Dorset Christmas Markets which will be running throughout the festive season. The second section is a list of one-off events: markets popping up for just one or two days, listed in order of when they’ll be happening.

If you know of any great Christmas Markets around Dorset that aren’t listed here, leave a comment at the end of this post or get in touch and I’ll add it in. Merry Christmas…

Update Nov 2024: We’ve now updated this post with all the 2024 event dates and details.

Map of all Dorset Christmas Markets

Long-Term Christmas Markets in Dorset

Alpine Market at Bournemouth’s Christmas Tree Wonderland

2024 Dates: 15 November – 31 December
Location: Town Square (for the Alpine Market) and the Lower Gardens
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The Alpine Market in Bournemouth is probably the biggest and best-known of the Dorset Christmas markets. Each year this takes over the Town Square as part of the huge Christmas Tree Wonderland event.

The Wonderland is a free trail of festive-themed illuminations throughout the Lower Gardens in the town centre. This year, the centrepiece will once again be the 60ft walk-through Bournemouth Wonderland Tree, situated in the centre of the Lower Gardens.

Amongst all these magical lights and decorations, there’s also a traditional Christmas market, the fantastic pop-up Alpine Lodge Bar, and an outdoor ice rink (one of two ice rinks heading to Bournemouth this Christmas).

Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival

2024 Dates: 23 November – 21 January 2025
Location: Poole Quay, High Street and Falkland Square
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Back for a second year, the Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival will be taking over the town centre with festive fun – including a fab Christmas Market, plus rides, food, and a flotilla of lights.

One-Off / Short-Term Dorset Christmas Markets

Longthorns Farm Christmas Market

2024 Dates: 9-10 November
Location: Longthorns Farm, Wareham
Price: FREE
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 A free two-day Christmas Market full of local small businesses selling amazing presents, decorations and more! Wareham town band and a local choir will also be performing, and the farm’s Alpacas will be present for a ‘meet and greet’!

Athelhampton Christmas Fair

2024 Dates: 9-10 November
Location: Athelhampton House, Puddletown
Tickets: from £5 (under 12’s free)
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Join Dorset Food & Drink at Athelhampton House for this popular Christmas Market. With 40+ stalls around the gardens selling locally made products, delicious food and drink, crafts, and hot food, there’s something for everyone.

Highlands End Christmas Makers’ Market

2024 Dates: 16 November
Location: Martin’s Bar & Restaurant, Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport
Price: £1
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The annual Maker’s Market held at Highlands End, near Bridport, is back, with all proceeds going to Julia’s House. There will be over 35 stalls of homemade crafts, art, jewellery and seasonal treats – as well as lots of great food and drink.

Handmade Wimborne Christmas

2024 Dates: 20 November – 22 December (wed-sun)
Location: Walford Mill, Wimborne
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Handmade Wimborne continues at Walford Mill Crafts for a Festive Craft Showcase in the run-up to Christmas. Each week, different crafters, makers and artists will host pop-up stalls inside the ancient Walford Mill building from a Wednesday to a Sunday.

Kingston Maurward Christmas Craft and Food Fair

2024 Dates: 23-24 November
Location: Kingston Maurward House, Dorchester

The annual Christmas Craft and Food Fair at Kingston Maurward House, with almost 100 stands selling beautiful crafts and delicious food produce.

Festive Fair Compton Acres

2024 Dates: 23-24 November
Location: Italian Villa, Compton Acres, Poole
Price: Free
More info

A festive fair, full of unique and beautiful handmade gifts at the beautiful Italian Villa, Compton Acres in Poole. A host of talented local suppliers will be exhibiting across the floors of this distinctive building, selling a variety of wonderful Christmas gifts.

Mapperton House Christmas Market

2024 Dates: 23-24 November
Location: Mapperton House, Beaminster 
Tickets: £5 per person including FREE garden entry. Under 12’s free.
More Info

Enjoy the magic of Mapperton Estate at Christmas with lots of fantastic stalls focusing on local products and delicious food and drink. You can also explore the Mapperton Gardens in winter!

READ MORE: Best Dorset Stately Homes to Visit

Shire Hall Christmas Market

2024 Dates: 23 – 24 November
Location: Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, Dorchester
Price: FREE
More Info

Head to the Shire Hall in Dorchester for the annual Christmas Markets. Free to enter, the market will host over 30 businesses, selling everything from food and drink to jewellery and photography.

Magic of Christmas Food and Drink Market, Gillingham

2024 Dates: 24 November
Location: Riversmeet Leisure Centre, Gillingham
Price: Free
More Info

Over in North Dorset, Gillingham Crafts are hosting a fab Christmas market at Riversmeet Leisure Centre. There’ll be over 70 stalls, all handmade, offering a mixture of food and craft. They’ll also have choirs, a children’s play area, and Father Christmas! Keep an eye on the Facebook Page for more info!

Littledown Christmas Market

2024 Dates: 24 November
Time: 11am-4pm
Location: Littledown Centre, Chaseside, Bournemouth BH7 7DX
Tickets: £1 for adults, £0.50 for children (5 – 15), under 5’s free.
More Info

This annual event at the Littledown Centre in Bournemouth is one of Dorset’s largest indoor Christmas markets.

“There is a wide range of stalls selling Christmas gifts including handmade artisan gifts made by talented crafters, jewellery, fused glass, local preserves, chutneys, award-winning fudge, seasonal cakes, chestnuts, cheeses and much more.

“As well as Christmas decorations, Christmas cards, wrapping paper, wreaths, artisan food and hampers. Plus art from local artists and photographers.”

Poole Grammar School Christmas Fayre

2024 Dates: 30 November
Location: New Sports Hall, Gravel Hill, Broadstone
Price: £1 for adults
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Back after a successful first run last year, Poole Grammar School are holding a Christmas Fayre in the new multi-million-pound community sports hall. There will be over 90 stalls with handmade crafts, local sellers, and Christmas gifts, as well as live music, food, face painting, a climbing wall, and much more!

Upton House Christmas Craft Fair

2024 Dates: 30 November – 1 December
Location: Upton Country Park, Poole
Price: Free
More Info

Get started on your Christmas shopping with a rare chance to explore the ground floor of the 200-year-old Upton House. Soak up the festive atmosphere with performances from local choirs throughout the two-day event.

Christmassy Mind Body Spirit Fayre, Sherborne

2024 Dates: 30 November
Location: Digby Hall Hound Street, Sherborne, DT9 3AA
Tickets: from £1 (children free)

Expect psychic mediums, beauty therapists, tarot, reiki, reflexology, massage, and more at this spiritual festive fayre in Sherborne. The perfect place to pick up artisanal and spiritual gifts such as handicrafts, candles, crystals, and jewellery.

Poundbury Independent Christmas Market

2024 Dates: 30 November
Location: Buttermarket, Poundbury, ​DT1 3DS
Price: FREE
More Info

This small independent Christmas market in Poundbury takes place in Crown Square. Full of local independent businesses from across Dorset. In 2024, the market will be bigger than ever – with around 100 stalls! And this year, you can even meet Father Christmas at Boo’s Toy Shop (10am till 3.45pm).

Sherborne Festive Shopping Day

2024 Dates: 1 December
Location: Cheap Street, Sherborne
Price: FREE
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This fun festive market takes over the main shopping centre in Sherbourne. Cheap Street is closed to traffic for a farmer’s market – with live music, choir performances and street entertainers. You’ll also have the chance to see Santa in his grotto, and browse Sherborne’s great range of independent shops.

Symondsbury Estate Christmas Market

2024 Dates: 6-8 December
Location: Symondsbury Estate Bridport, DT6 6HG
Tickets: Free (parking £3)
More Info

Symondsbury Estate Christmas Market is back and even better than before! So much so, they’ve now made it a three-day event!

“We have a wide range of local businesses selling handcrafted food, drink and gifts, together with our independent shops, offering luxury giftware, festive decorations, homeware and artisan food and drink.”

Swanage Christmas Market

2024 Dates: 7 December
Location: Station Road, Swanage
Price: FREE
More Info

The Swanage Christmas Market will once again be taking place this December. There will be a wide variety of gifts, crafts, food and drink available – as well as rides and performances throughout the day. Oh, and Father Christmas will also be in town!

Cerne Abbas Christmas Street Fayre

2024 Dates: 7 December
Location: Long Street, Cerne Abbas
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Long Street is transformed into a picturesque seasonal scene with a wonderful array of stalls selling locally produced foods, Christmas gifts and crafts and hot food and drink.

Nothe Fort Steampunk Christmas Market

2024 Dates: 7-8 December
Location: Nothe Fort, Weymouth
Price: Requires entry ticket to the Nothe Fort.
More Info

Join the Ministry of Steampunk for another year of Steampunk-themed festivities at the Nothe Fort, including a number of exhibits, a steampunk market, fort tours and carolling.

Shaftesbury Christmas Fair

2024 Dates: 8 December
Location: High Street, Shaftesbury
More Info

Last up comes the famous Shaftesbury Christmas Fair, celebrating all that is best about Christmas on the “High Point of Dorset”. Shaftesbury is one of the prettiest villages in Dorset, and makes an idyllic winter setting for a Christmas market!

Winter Market at The Oaks, Highcliffe 

2024 Dates: 14 December
Location: The Oaks, 189 Lymington Road, Highcliffe, Christchurch
More Info

Head to The Oaks gastro-pub in Highcliffe (just down the road from Highcliffe Castle) for a festive market with live music and an Alpine-themed tent. Explore a variety of local stalls and enjoy carol singers, a visit from Father Christmas and plenty of mulled wine! 

Dorchester Christmas Cracker

2024 Dates: 15 December
Location: High Street, Dorchester and inside the Corn Exchange
Time: 11am-4pm
Price: Free
More Info

An all-day Christmas celebration in the Dorset county town, with a Christmas Market on Dorchester High Street and a craft fair in the Corn Exchange.

Read More

The Ultimate Guide to Christmas in Dorset!

Dorset Festival Dates for your Diary

9 Christmas markets and Events in Bournemouth

Ice Rinks in Bournemouth & Dorset

Locally Made Foodie Gifts in Dorset

If I’ve missed any fab Dorset Christmas markets from this list, please leave a comment below and I’ll be sure to add it. Have a great Christmas everyone!