If you’re staying at our Swanage Holiday Park over the Christmas or New Year period, why not take a look at our pick of the Christmas events taking place nearby. Whether you’re looking for a traditional carol service, a delicious sit-down meal or a family friendly activity, you’re guaranteed to enjoy some festive fun during your stay.
Ulwell Holiday Park is perfectly positioned to make the most of a range of award-winning activities and attractions, which host seasonal events at this special time of year. Spend the day soaking up the festive atmosphere before returning to the comfort of your warm and cosy caravan holiday home.
Here’s just some of the Christmas events taking place in Swanage in 2019.
Christmas Carols with the Swanage Town Band
Swanage Methodist Church
11th December 2019
Head to Swanage Methodist Church for an evening of seasonal music with Swanage Town Band. Join in your favourite Christmas carols and enjoy refreshments during the interval. Admission is free but donations are welcome in support of local charities, Julia’s House and Friends of Swanage Hospital.
Rotary Santa’s Sleigh
Swanage
12th December 2019
Santa will be travelling through the streets of Swanage on his sleigh this December to a soundtrack of Christmas tunes. Sweets will be handed out to children along the route and Santa’s elves will be collecting donations for local Rotary projects. You can track Santa’s progress live each night, so you’ll know exactly where and when he’ll be.
Picture credit: Swanage Rotary Club
Christmas Carols in the Castle
Corfe Castle
13th December 2019
Get in the Christmas spirit at Corfe Castle this winter during the annual choir service. Sing to your hearts content with local choir, Citrus Singers who will be performing a delightful programme of festive favourites throughout the evening. The castle ruins create a spectacular backdrop, for what is guaranteed to be a memorable event. The tea room and shop will be open until 5pm, so you can grab yourself a delicious treat or hot drink to stay warm.
Picture credit: Peter G Trimming, Flickr
Christmas Pudding Plod
Durlston Country Park
14th December 2019
Christmas is a time of over indulging and enjoying one too many tasty treats. Work up an appetite in preparation for the big day by completing the Christmas Pudding Plod. The charity fun has 2k and 5k routes through the beautiful Durlston Country Park grounds. By taking part you will help raise much needed funds for two deserving charities, Dementia friendly Swanage and Durlston Pleasure Grounds Project. The event organisers encourage participants to wear Christmas fancy dress! There will also be Christmas music and a cake sale if you need to refuel!
Help Santa Find his Elves
Swanage Pier
14th, 14th, 21st 22nd, 23rd, 24th December 2019
Take younger members of the family to Swanage Pier this Christmas. Santa’s naughty elves have escaped again and he needs help finding them!
Wrapping Up for Christmas
Durlston Country Park
15th December 2019
Add a personal touch to your Christmas presents this year by creating your own wrapping paper and gift tags. This fun craft workshop is great activity for the whole family to do together and excellent way of teaching younger members the value of home-made! Durlston Country Park is an idyllic setting to enjoy some festive fun with family and friends.
Boxing Day Dash
Swanage Beach
26th December
If you’re feeling brave why not participate in the local tradition of a boxing day swim. Join locals at the Mowlem slipway for a bracing dip in Swanage bay, that’ll set you up for the New Year. Please note this is an unsponsored event and caution should be taken if you decide to enter the water.
Winter Warm Up
Swanage Railway
28th December 2019
Take a break from the festivities to enjoy an action-packed day on Swanage Railway. The Winter Warm Up consists of a full day of steam and diesel locomotive travel aboard the passenger trains. The Birds Nest Buffet and Norden Kiosk will be serving delicious home-made cakes to enjoy on your journey and the Swanage Railway Museum at Corfe Castle Station will be open, with exciting exhibitions for rail enthusiasts to explore.
Dick Whittington Pantomime
Mowlem Theatre
Various dates throughout January 2020
Christmas is not complete without attending a pantomime at the Mowlem Theatre and this year Swanage Drama Company are celebrating their 20th pantomime with Dick Whittington! The family panto features a local cast and follows the traditional story with some wonderful twists and turns along the way.
Festive Food at the Village Inn
Don’t forget, our onsite bar and restaurant the Village Inn will be serving delicious food throughout the festive season. The bright and modern pub is a great place for families to meet and share a bite to eat, if you don’t feel like cooking over the Christmas period. On Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day our team of chefs have devised special seasonal menus.