26 Christmas Markets in Dorset for 2026

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

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 is a list of all the long-term Dorset Christmas Markets running throughout the festive season. The second section lists 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…

UPDATED Nov 2026: I’ve begun updating this post with all the latest event dates and details.

Long-Term Christmas Markets in Dorset

In a hurry? There’s a quicklist in date order at the bottom of this page, along with a map.

Christmas in Bournemouth Alpine Market

2026 Dates: 12 Nov 2026 – Jan 3 2027
Location: Bournemouth Town Square (for the Alpine Market) and the Lower Gardens
More Info

The Alpine Market in Bournemouth is probably the biggest and best-known Dorset Christmas market. Each year, this takes over the Town Square as part of the huge Christmas in Bournemouth event, alongside a Festive Trail and outdoor ice rink in the Lower Gardens (one of two ice rinks heading to Bournemouth this Christmas).

At the heart of the market is the fantastic pop-up Alpine Lodge, a two-storey bar with a cosy atmosphere downstairs and a livelier ‘après-ski’ vibe upstairs!

Poole Christmas Market

2026 Dates: TBC
Location: Poole Quay, High Street and Lighthouse
More Info

There are usually market stalls along the high street, but the details haven’t been announced yet. There’s also a Christmas Window Display Competition (5-21 December), where you can vote for your favourite festive shop window!

One-Off / Short-Term Dorset Christmas Markets

Longthorns Farm

2026 Dates: 7-8 November
Location: Longthorns Farm, Wareham
Price: FREE (£2 per car)
More Info

 A free two-day Christmas Market full of local small businesses selling amazing presents, decorations and more! Live music from Wareham Town Band and DJ Pegasus Disco, teacup rides & trampolines, and plenty of food and drink. Plus, meet the farm’s animals, including their gorgeous alpacas and the Highland cow!

Athelhampton Winter Food & Drink Fair

2026 Dates: 7-8 November
Location: Athelhampton House, Puddletown
Tickets: from £5 (under 12’s free)
More Info

The Dorset Winter Food & Drink Fair returns to Athelhampton House & Gardens this November. Discover over 60 stalls around the gardens selling locally made products, delicious food and drink, and crafts. There will also be hot food and live music throughout the weekend, with the stunning house as the perfect backdrop.

Highlands End Christmas Makers’ Market

2026 Dates: 14 November
Location: Martin’s Bar & Restaurant, Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport
Price: £1 (children free)
More Info

The annual Maker’s Market held at Highlands End, near Bridport, is back, with all proceeds going to the Julia’s House charity. There will be over 40 stalls selling homemade crafts, art, jewellery, and seasonal treats, as well as lots of great food and drink.

Mind Body Spirit Fayre, Sherborne

2026 Dates: 14 November
Location: Digby Hall Hound Street, Sherborne, DT9 3AA
Tickets: from £1 (children free)
More Info

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

A Dorset Christmas at the Tank Museum

2026 Dates: 14-15 November
Location: Tank Museum, Bovington 
Price: Included with Tank Museum ticket price
More Info

A Christmassy day out for all ages  – in partnership with Dorset Team, Makers and Creatives from across Dorset. Buy Christmas gifts from local crafters, watch live entertainment, and see Santa arrive in a tank ready for a meet-and-greet!

Kingston Maurward Christmas Craft and Food Fair

2026 Dates: TBC
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.

Shire Hall Christmas Market

NO LONGER RUNNING: The popular, long-running Christmas Market at the Shire Hall courtroom will not return this year, as the museum closed in October 2026.

Compton Acres Christmas Market

2026 Dates: 20-21 November
Location: Italian Villa, Compton Acres, Poole
Price: Free
More Info

A festive fair held in the beautiful Italian Villa at the heart of the Compton Acres gardens 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. Live choir performances will also take place.

Littledown Christmas Market

2026 Dates: 22 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. A wide range of stalls sell handmade artisan gifts from talented crafters, including jewellery, local preserves & chutneys, award-winning fudge, seasonal cakes, cheeses, and more.

Poundbury Independent Christmas Market

2026 Dates: 28 November
Location: Crown Square, Poundbury
Price: FREE
More Info

This fab independent Christmas market in Poundbury celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026. For one special, festive day, Crown Square is full of around 100 local independent businesses from across Dorset!

Mapperton House Christmas Market

2026 Dates: 28-29 November
Location: Mapperton House, Beaminster 
Tickets: £5 per person including FREE garden entry. Under 15’s free. Father Christmas visit: £5 per child.
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 beautiful Mapperton Gardens in winter!

READ MORE: Best Dorset Stately Homes to Visit

Magic of Christmas, Gillingham

2026 Dates: 29 November
Location: Riversmeet Leisure Centre, Gillingham
Price: Free
More Info

Gillingham Crafts is hosting a fab Christmas market at the Riversmeet Leisure Centre. There’ll be 65 stalls, all handmade, offering a mixture of food and craft. They’ll also have choirs and Father Christmas in his grotto.

Handmade Wimborne Christmas

2026 Dates: 4-5 December
Location: Allendale House, Wimborne
Price: FREE
More Info

Handmade Wimborne returns to Allendale House for a Festive Craft Showcase, with a shopping night (complete with cocktails) on Friday followed by a full day of shopping on Saturday.

Swanage Christmas Market

2026 Dates: 5 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 a small stage with festive entertainment. Oh, and Father Christmas will also be in town!

Cerne Abbas Christmas Street Fayre

2026 Dates: 5 December
Location: Long Street, Cerne Abbas
More Info

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.

Upton House Christmas Craft Fair

2026 Dates: 5-6 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. Discover unique Christmas gifts and handmade treasures from a wonderful range of local makers, artisans and craftspeople.

Poole Grammar School Christmas Fayre

2026 Dates: TBC
Location: Poole Grammar School, Gravel Hill, Broadstone
Price: £1 for adults
More Info

Poole Grammar School hold an annual Christmas Fayre in the new multi-million-pound community sports hall. There are usually over 100 local traders selling handmade crafts, local sellers, and Christmas gifts, as well as live music, food, face painting, a climbing wall, and much more!

Symondsbury Estate Christmas Market

2026 Dates: 5-6 December
Location: Symondsbury Estate Bridport, DT6 6HG
Tickets: Free (parking £3)
More Info

Set within the historic Tithe Barne and Manor Yard, the Christmas Market at Symonsbury Estate brings together beautifully curated stalls, seasonal food and drink, live music, family activities, and plenty of Christmas cheer.

Dorset Team Christmas Fair, Wimborne

2026 Dates: 5-6 December (10am-4pm)
Location: Allendale Centre, Hanham Road, Wimborne BH21 1AS
Tickets: Free
More Info

The Dorset Team Christmas Fair brings together a curated mix of independent makers and small business for a festive weekend of Christmas shopping in Wimborne. You’ll find 60 stalls across two rooms, with a wide range of crafts and products available.

Sherborne Festive Shopping Day

2026 Dates: 6 December
Location: Cheap Street, Sherborne
Price: FREE
More Info

This fun festive market takes over the main shopping centre in Sherbourne. Cheap Street is closed to traffic for a 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. The day culminates in a parade and the lighting of the Christmas Tree at 4pm.

Traditional Christmas Weekend, Weymouth

2026 Dates: 12-13 December
Location: Hope Square, Weymouth
Price: Free
More Info

Sticks and Bones hosts an artisan market of local crafters and artists in Hope Square, complete with a fully working Bavarian bar. There’s traditional dancing and live music on both days: the Rock Choir sings at 4pm on Saturday, and the Salvation Army leads carols at 4pm on Sunday. St Mary’s Church hosts a live Nativity and Christmas crafts from 12pm to 3pm on Saturday.

Christmas Market at The Walled Garden, Moreton

2026 Dates: TBC
Location: The Walled Garden, Moreton
Tickets: Free
More Info

A fantastic market amongst the picturesque gardens, with a host of stalls, bratwurst, mince pies, and mulled wine & cider – all accompanied by festive tunes and carolling from local carol singers!

Shaftesbury Christmas Market

2026 Dates: 13 December
Location: Park Walk, Shaftesbury
More Info

Shaftesbury is one of the prettiest villages in Dorset, and makes an idyllic winter setting for a Christmas market! The annual market features dozens of local vendors, plus Santa, live music, and a raffle.  

Dorchester Christmas Cracker

2026 Dates: 13 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.

Christmas Markets Map & Quicklist of Dates

• Christmas in Bournemouth Alpine Market: 12 Nov 2026 – Jan 3 2027
• Poole Christmas Light Festival: TBC
• Longthorns Farm: 7-8 November
• Athelhampton Christmas Fair: 7-8 November
• Highlands End Christmas Makers’ Market: 14 November
• Mind Body Spirit Fayre, Sherborne: 14 November
• A Dorset Christmas Fair at The Tank Museum, Bovington: 14-15 November
• Kingston Maurward Christmas Craft and Food Fair: TBC
• Shire Hall Christmas Market, Dorchester: CLOSED
• Compton Acres Christmas Market: 20-21 November
• Littledown Christmas Market, Bournemouth: 22 November
• Poundbury Independent Christmas Market: 28 November
• Mapperton House Christmas Market: 28-29 November
• Magic of Christmas Food and Drink Market, Gillingham: 29 November
• Handmade Wimborne Christmas: 4-5 December
• Swanage Christmas Market: 5 December
• Cerne Abbas Christmas Street Fayre: 5 December
• Upton House Christmas Craft Fair, nr Poole: 5-6 December
• Poole Grammar School Christmas Fayre: TBC
• Symondsbury Estate Christmas Market: 5-6 December
• Dorset Team Christmas Fair, Wimborne: 5-6 December
• Sherborne Festive Shopping Day: 6 December
• Traditional Christmas Weekend, Weymouth: 12-13 December
• Christmas Market at The Walled Garden, Moreton: TBC
• Shaftesbury Christmas Market: 13 December
• Dorchester Christmas Cracker: 13 December

Read More

The Ultimate Guide to Christmas in Dorset!

Dorset Christmas Lights Switch-On Events for 2026

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!