Dorset Cottage Holidays | A cosy, autumn outdoor seating area at a Dorset Holiday Cottage in Sandford.
What's on in Dorset

December 2024

Which Trusted Trader
Celebrate the festive season

exciting things to do in December in Dorset

Take a moment to explore what’s on in Dorset in December. As winter settles over our coastal landscapes and countryside, Dorset transforms into a festive wonderland filled with holiday charm. Whether you’re planning a holiday escape or a cozy weekend, there’s an abundance of seasonal events and activities to make your December unforgettable. From enchanting Christmas markets and light displays to frosty beach walks and festive concerts, Dorset has everything you need to embrace the magic of the season. Start planning your memorable December in Dorset today!

Christmas Lights at Kingston Lacey

Festive fun at Kingston Lacy, where the fabulously decorated house and gardens –  showcasing Christmas traditions from around the world. Bring everyone together during the day and create magical memories whether you join a craft workshop, meet a friend for a warming hot chocolate with friends or just admire the seasonal sparkle throughout the property.

Beautifully lit gardens to get you in the festive mood.  Book early to avoid disappointment.

Bournemouth Ice Rink

Visitors to Bournemouth can skate on real ice under the trees in the resort’s historic Lower Gardens. For an extra treat, the town centre businesses have also clubbed together to bring a giant snow globe to four locations across two weeks from 23 November – 6 December. Visitors will be able to climb in for a photograph which will be printed and available to take away the same day.

Farmer Palmers Farm Park Visit Santa

Visit Father Christmas in his traditional, Winter cabin in the Little Farmer’s Fun Barn. What’s at the top of your Christmas list? Our clever Elves use a time-slot system so no long queues for you! Yay! We don’t charge you for taking photos either; you’re welcome to take lots of your own photos and there’s sure to be lots of giggles too! The Farm Park gets a full festive makeover and there’ll be a cracking Christmas atmosphere all around! Simply purchase your Visit Santa tickets on the day of your visit from reception (Groups need to pre-book). Tickets are £6 in addition to normal admission.

Upton Country Park Christmas Grotto 

​The family-friendly adventure trail starts at the Welcome Centre; pick up your trail map (£6) and explore the formal pleasure grounds that surround Upton House. Look out for magical fairytale characters along the way! When you have completed your Christmas adventure, head to the Christmas Tree Finale near the Tea Rooms to claim your Christmas present prize and warm up by the fire, with hot drinks and marshmallows to toast.

Christmas at The Tank Museum

Enjoy a Christmassy day out for all ages at Bovington Tank Museum. Watch live entertainment and buy unique presents from local crafters. Plus, children can explore the “Frank on a Tank” elf trail. You can even see Santa arrive in a tank!

Dorchester Christmas Cracker- Let There Be Light! 

The town’s Christmas lights will be switched on. Cracker Night is also an opportunity to do some late night shopping, with a large number of the most popular shops and other businesses staying open into the evening for you to peruse at your leisure. Christmas stalls are a big part of the Cracker Night experience, creating an authentic Christmas market feel with everything from mulled wine to mince pies and hog roasts. Dorchester Cracker Night begins at 5.30pm until approx 9:30pm. Hopefully there will even be an appearance from Father Christmas himself, accompanied by one of two of his elves and reindeer!

Polar Express on Swanage Railway

All aboard for a trually magical Christmas adventure.  Join the characters from The Polar Express for a journey through the Purbeck countryside.

Santa visits Wareham

Following the wonderful Christmas parade. Father Christmas will be appearing on the roof of the Red Lion Hotel before disappearing down the 125ft chimney, ready to meet all the children in the grotto. How will he arrive this year?

Santa Pudding Run

Get yourself ready for the exciting 5k  at 11:00am on Weymouth Beach. Hundreds of Santa’s will be chasing the lonely Christmas pudding down the beach in what can only be described as ” The best thing YULE see this Christmas!” By taking part in this festive event you will be supporting The British Heart Foundation

Winter Solstice

Join the National Trust for a morning walk to view the sunrise from Old Harry Rocks on the shortest day of the year followed by a full English breakfast at Knoll Beach Café.

Breakfast menu Full English breakfast (sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, baked beans, tomato and toast) and choice of hot drink. Vegetarian and vegan alternative available. Please indicate at the time of booking.

Please note, we can only allow assistance dogs inside the café so if you plan on bringing your dog to breakfast you will be seated outside when you return from the walk.

Santa Visits Your Cottage!

Book a cottage with Dorset Cottage Holidays for Christmas, and receive a very special visit from Santa and his elves!

If you would like to visit Dorset in December why not check out our holiday cottages for Christmas and our holiday cottages for New Year

Keep up to date with Dorset

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Do you want to keep up-to-date with what’s on in December in Dorset this year and the next? Our email newsletter will keep you up-to-date with the ins and outs of our lovely coastal county, including upcoming events, our favourite attractions and landmarks, and our latest accommodation offers.

Find an inviting

Christmas cottage in Dorset

Compass Cottage
Swanage
4.9/5
4
2
1
1
2nd - 6th December  £397.80
7th - 17th December  £806.60
+205 more stays
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West Lodge
Church Knowle, Nr Corfe Castle
4.9/5
10
5
3
0
16th - 20th December  £895.55
16th - 22nd December  £1,395.10
+163 more stays
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Little Strouds
Sturminster Newton
5/5
2
1
1
2
6th - 13th December  £412.50
10th - 23rd December  £962.50
+176 more stays
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Saxon Mews
Wareham
5/5
4
2
2
0
19th - 29th December  £1,507.36
21st - 29th December  £1,436.00
+221 more stays
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Old Orchard House
Wareham
5/5
10
4
2
2
6th - 17th December  £1,643.11
1st - 10th December  £1,526.40
+185 more stays
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Angel Cottage
Swanage
4.7/5
2
1
1
2
22nd - 29th December  £681.60
9th - 13th December  £356.97
+202 more stays
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Rosemary Cottage
Nr Dorchester
5/5
4
2
1
0
4th - 8th December  £632.80
7th - 12th December  £672.35
+250 more stays
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Below Decks
Swanage
4.8/5
6
3
2
2
2nd - 9th December  £605.50
7th - 13th December  £605.50
+153 more stays
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Mimosa House
Sandford, Wareham
5/5
4
2
1
0
9th - 20th December  £1,079.55
4th - 12th December  £770.40
+202 more stays
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Heathlands
Studland
4.6/5
6
3
1
0
5th - 16th December  £1,033.80
10th - 16th December  £670.60
+178 more stays
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Lizards Rest
Swanage
4.7/5
9
4
2
0
18th - 21st December  £599.32
5th - 9th December  £476.58
+69 more stays
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Seacombe
Langton Matravers
4.9/5
8
4
3
2
12th - 15th December  £785.47
13th - 22nd December  £1,600.65
+87 more stays
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The Old Butcher’s Cottage
Corfe Castle
4.8/5
6
3
2
2
17th - 20th December  £525.40
15th - 19th December  £532.16
+31 more stays
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Sea Tower
Weymouth
4.8/5
6
3
2
0
4th - 8th December  £844.39
3rd - 9th December  £1,009.75
+185 more stays
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Leap House
Wareham
5/5
4
3
1
0
8th - 22nd December  £1,325.70
26th - 31st December  £989.80
+267 more stays
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Canaan
Worth Matravers
4.9/5
8
4
3
2
6th - 13th December  £1,275.40
6th - 20th December  £2,500.80
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Purbeck Escape
Swanage
4.8/5
6
3
2
0
14th - 20th December  £605.50
9th - 18th December  £778.50
+153 more stays
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Newton House
Swanage
4.6/5
6
3
2
0
11th - 18th December  £568.75
8th - 10th December  £457.15
+125 more stays
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Old Stone House
Swanage
4.8/5
7
3
2
2
12th - 13th December  £376.25
14th - 20th December  £627.50
+105 more stays
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Hill View
Weymouth
5/5
4
2
1
1
13th - 18th December  £490.00
13th - 20th December  £490.00
+201 more stays
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Brook Cottage
Corfe Castle
4.9/5
6
3
3
0
2nd - 4th December  £627.58
12th - 17th December  £854.35
+152 more stays
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Newton Manor Grange
Swanage
4.6/5
6
3
2
0
5th - 9th December  £504.82
3rd - 15th December  £1,008.00
+202 more stays
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Foxglove Cottage
Nr Dorchester
4.9/5
8
4
3
0
17th - 22nd December  £2,683.30
11th - 22nd December  £3,780.65
+107 more stays
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Cherry Lodge
Wareham
4.8/5
9
4
2
2
5th - 17th December  £1,560.00
11th - 12th December  £591.55
+180 more stays
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Wisteria Cottage
Dorchester
5/5
4
2
1
0
16th - 27th December  £1,900.00
4th - 11th December  £700.00
+217 more stays
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Seaspray
Swanage
4.9/5
5
3
2
0
8th - 11th December  £617.80
9th - 10th December  £617.80
+73 more stays
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The Wedge
Swanage
4.9/5
6
3
2
1
8th - 15th December  £854.35
7th - 14th December  £854.35
+187 more stays
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Malvern Apartment
Swanage
4.5/5
2
1
1
0
9th - 12th December  £344.25
7th - 15th December  £537.20
+141 more stays
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Save 20% on stays before 23rd January
Castle View House image
Castle View House
Corfe Castle
5/5
9
5
4
1
9th - 12th December  £1,477.50
10th - 13th December  £1,477.50
+164 more stays
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Ridgeview Cottage
Corfe Castle
4.7/5
6
3
2
0
11th - 13th December  £475.00
12th - 19th December  £553.00
+117 more stays
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The Lookout
Silverlake
5/5
10
4
4
0
7th - 11th December  £1,670.00
10th - 16th December  £1,670.00
+188 more stays
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Beach Approach
Swanage
4.8/5
4
2
1
0
2nd - 4th December  £374.20
5th - 14th December  £646.20
+161 more stays
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Bronte Cottage
Wareham
4.8/5
4
3
2
1
16th - 22nd December  £760.55
14th - 26th December  £1,406.70
+45 more stays
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Dorset Farmhouse
Portesham, Nr Abbotsbury
4.8/5
6
3
2
0
6th - 9th December  £441.00
9th - 14th December  £516.25
+102 more stays
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Juniper Cottage
West Lulworth
4.9/5
5
2
1
2
9th - 17th December  £744.00
5th - 11th December  £585.02
+184 more stays
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Lilac Cottage
Nr Dorchester
5/5
12
4
3
1
1st - 12th December  £3,300.00
5th - 17th December  £3,600.00
+120 more stays
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Save 10% on stays before 6th December
Piona Flat 12 The Gables Ph3 Web
Piona
Swanage
4.9/5
6
3
2
0
20th - 27th December  £957.75
13th - 27th December  £1,491.20
+2 more stays
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Froxfield Cottage
Langton Matravers
4.9/5
6
3
2
1
1st - 5th December  £645.94
13th - 15th December  £568.56
+24 more stays
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Daisy’s
Swanage
4.7/5
6
3
3
1
9th - 17th December  £702.00
5th - 15th December  £855.00
+161 more stays
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Sea Breeze
Swanage
5/5
4
2
2
0
17th - 29th December  £1,345.12
9th - 13th December  £387.80
+201 more stays
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Clover Cottage
Nr Dorchester
5/5
4
2
1
0
4th - 6th December  £553.70
10th - 22nd December  £1,646.57
+250 more stays
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Markham House
Weymouth
5/5
5
3
2
1
3rd - 8th December  £545.00
5th - 17th December  £1,065.00
+201 more stays
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Valley View
Swanage
4.7/5
8
4
3
2
6th - 12th December  £821.28
2nd - 3rd December  £580.00
+169 more stays
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Save 20% on stays before 6th December
Bucknowle Lodge image
Bucknowle Lodge
Church Knowle
4.7/5
8
4
3
2
4th - 10th December  £1,080.00 £1,014.00
12th - 19th December  £1,190.00
+101 more stays
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Owl Cottage
Wareham
5/5
4
2
1
1
13th - 14th December  £549.50
16th - 17th December  £549.50
+211 more stays
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Orchid House
Langton Matravers
4.9/5
8
4
3
2
11th - 17th December  £962.50
5th - 14th December  £1,237.50
+140 more stays
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Forget Me Not Cottage
Nr Dorchester
4.8/5
4
2
1
0
13th - 27th December  £2,486.00
12th - 20th December  £1,017.00
+250 more stays
View & Book
Save 10% on stays before 6th December
Capstone image
Capstone
Swanage
4.9/5
8
4
2
0
10th - 16th December  £700.00
15th - 21st December  £700.00
+127 more stays
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Save 20% on stays before 3rd January
Littlecot image
Littlecot
Weymouth
5/5
8
4
2
2
3rd - 5th December  £557.60 £515.00
3rd - 4th December  £557.60 £515.00
+22 more stays
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Denbur Cottage
Gaunts Common
4.8/5
4
2
2
0
5th - 15th December  £708.00
9th - 20th December  £769.80
+184 more stays
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Snowdrop Cottage
Nr Dorchester
5/5
8
4
3
1
16th - 19th December  £1,322.10
7th - 11th December  £1,525.50
+70 more stays
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Underhill
Nr Corfe Castle
5/5
7
4
3
3
1st - 2nd December  £720.20
4th - 8th December  £828.09
+197 more stays
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Billet Doux
Swanage
5/5
2
1
1
1
13th - 15th December  £292.50
13th - 14th December  £292.50
+6 more stays
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Bayview
Swanage
5/5
5
3
2
2
15th - 18th December  £448.75
19th - 20th December  £448.75
+15 more stays
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Heather Cottage
Higher Bockhampton
5/5
6
3
2
1
4th - 8th December  £904.00
3rd - 12th December  £1,452.85
+250 more stays
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Save 20% on stays before 6th December
IMG 1708 HDR Edit
The Lawns
Charlton Marshall, Nr Blandford
4.8/5
4
2
1
2
13th - 18th December  £460.05
18th - 23rd December  £710.16
+296 more stays
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Coastguard Cottage
Worth Matravers
4.6/5
8
4
3
0
12th - 22nd December  £984.30
12th - 21st December  £830.55
+1 more stays
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Lulwind
Lulworth Cove
4.8/5
5
3
2
2
14th - 20th December  £767.20
3rd - 11th December  £886.80
+140 more stays
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Bluebell Cottage
Dorchester
5/5
3
2
1
1
4th - 10th December  £571.50
13th - 24th December  £1,330.00
+250 more stays
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Jasmine Cottage
Dorchester
0/5
4
2
1
0
5th - 17th December  £1,356.00
23rd - 29th December  £1,525.50
+250 more stays
View & Book