Swanage town centre in Dorset was lit up for Christmas with sparkling baubles strung across the main shopping streets, along with a traditional twinkling tree outside the station.
A large gathering of locals, visitors, and families all clustered by The Mowlem on Saturday 29th November 2025, ready for the festive lights to be switched on.
The red Merry Christmas sign glows next to the multi coloured sparkles of the Christmas tree and the Swanage station platform
Music from Beauty and the Beast
To entertain the crowds there was music and singing including Christmas songs by Swing Easy led by Andrew Cannon.
This was followed by music from the musical Beauty and Beast sung by some of the cast from the forthcoming show at The Mowlem by the Swanage Musical Theatre Company.
Entertaining the crowds, Andrew Cannon and his band
Some of the stars of the forthcoming Swanage Musical Theatre Company’s production of Beauty and the Beast give the crowds a sneak preview
Lucky golden ticket
Children were each given a numbered golden ticket to be in with a chance of being chosen to press the button to turn on the lights.
The lucky number was selected and two sisters shared the opportunity to stand on the tinsel plinth with Swanage town mayor Mike Bonfield, to start the countdown, and press the on switch at 4.30 pm just as it started to get dark.
Swanage may be a small town but there was nothing low key about the festive display which went from the High Street, along Institute Road, and up Station Road where a huge Christmas tree glowed next to the steam from the Yuletide Express locomotive.
Santa turns up on his famous Rotary sleigh
The lucky children get ready to press the big button
“Lots going on in December”
Swanage town mayor Mike Bonfield said:
“Events during the winter are very important to the town – Swanage isn’t just about the summer – we have an increasing number of things going on all year round.
“In the run up to Christmas, we have events including Swanage Railway’s new Father Christmas Yuletide Express, the Artisan Beach Huts, the lighting up of Swanage Pier, Santa touring the streets on his sleigh, concerts at The Bandstand, Christmas tree festivals, and not to forget the Swanage Christmas Market on Saturday 6th December.
“There’s lots going on in December and we are also very lucky to have so many independent shops which are ideal for buying gifts. Our small businesses all need a good Christmas and hopefully that will happen if we try to shop locally.
“The Christmas lights switch-on is always such a happy event particularly for children and is just one of a number of events that are put on in town for free – which is always welcome especially at this time of year!”
Watch the big switch-on
More photos
Looking up Station Road
Looking down Station Road
No one was taking bets on the weather but it turned out to be dry in the end
The lights on Institute Road took a moment to come on but looked great when they eventually shone
Look up in the High Street – a helpful sign points in the right direction!
As the last of the crowd head home, Santa contemplates whether he’s got enough time for a quick drink in The Mowlem’s Showbar!
