Two Christmas tree festivals, the first in Langton Matravers and the second in Swanage, Dorset, have attracted hundreds of visitors to see the twinkling decorations, while raising much needed funds for the local charities taking part.
St Aldhelm’s Christmas Tree Festival was held at St George’s Church at Langton Matravers from Saturday 6th December to Monday 8th December 2025, while The Purbeck Christmas Tree Festival at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Swanage runs from Thursday 11th to Saturday 13th December 2025.
Children and toddlers from Swanage schools and nurseries loved the brightly decorated trees at the Emmanuel Baptist Church
Purbeck Christmas Tree Festival in Swanage
Organisers chose Christmas Around the World as the theme for the tenth annual three-day Purbeck Christmas Tree Festival at the Emmanuel Baptist Church.
It was set up to bring the community together and this year 42 charities, schools and groups around Swanage and Purbeck have come together to sponsor trees and decorate them as creatively as possible.
Entry to the festival, which ends on Saturday 13th December 2025, is free, but donations and proceeds from refreshments will be given to two local charities.
This year, the church has chosen Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance, which has just launched an appeal to buy a second air ambulance for the area, and Julia’s House, a children’s hospice based in Corfe Mullen.
Stories and songs among the trees were held for Swanage preschool groups, and David Grant’s acclaimed film Seasons of Purbeck was screened for festival crowds to enjoy.
Festival organisers Judy Forgan (left) and Janet Norley (right) with some of the trees at the Emmanuel Baptist Church
Harmony Rocks Choir was among a dozen groups providing festive entertainment at the festival
Full programme of entertainment
More than a dozen local musical groups and performers took part in a full festival programme of entertainment, including Harmony Rocks Choir, the Purbeck Youth Festival Woodwind ensemble, St Mary’s School Choir, St Mark’s Junior Singing Club and Wareham Handbells.
The Belvedere Singers, Karen Grant, Zephyrae, Singing for Pleasure Choir, Paul Hutton Cornish, Chris Edward and duo Anne and Sandra also took part, while Saturday’s entertainers include Local Vocals, the Allsort’d Singers and Alisa with songs from Ukraine.
The festival officially ends at 6 pm on Saturday 13th December 2025, but one of the church’s best loved services, Lights of Love, will be held at 4 pm on Sunday 14th December 2025 – a quiet, reflective service for those who have lost friends and family during the year.
The Russian Christmas legend of Babushka was told through hand made decorations
The Nutty Knitters chose a Scandinavian theme for their knitted reindeer
Swanage Carnival had winter birds looking forward to next summer’s celebrations
“There is always a warm welcome here”
Emmanuel Baptist Church trustee Pete Collins said:
“The Christmas trees have been sponsored by many local groups – our fame is spreading, I think! The trees are supplied by Home for Gardens, we set up the white lights early in the week, then the groups which take part pay for their own trees and decorate them.
“Last year we had around 2,000 people come to see the festival, and this year we have 42 trees on display, which is about the maximum we can fit in while still giving enough space for people to look around and also sit down and listen to the entertainment.
“There is always a warm welcome here and visitors can wander through the trees, listen to talented local musicians and singers, and enjoy seasonal refreshments.
“We have also had activities for children of all ages and stories in the stable for younger children, plus a tree of remembrance outside the church on which people can put named ribbons for loved ones they want to keep in their hearts this Christmas.”
Purbeck WI knitted Santa, his sleigh and reindeer about to take off on a journey around the world
Tools With a Mission reflected Christmas in Ethiopia, while Swanage Fish Festival revealed its dates for 2026
Swanage RNLI had its own mascot on top of the Christmas tree
St Aldhelm’s festival grows
The earlier event, the St Aldhelm’s Christmas Tree Festival, was held at St George’s Church, Langton Matravers, from Saturday 6th December to Monday 8th December, 2025.
From humble beginnings with just 17 trees on display and prerecorded festive music in 2017, the St Aldhelm’s Christmas Tree Festival has grown year on year, raising more than £10,000 in total for a range of charities and now showcases live local musical talent.
The festival drew in hundreds of visitors each day to admire the trees, all of which were sponsored and decorated by local schools, businesses and organisations.
The St Aldhelm’s Christmas Tree Festival continues to grow
Swanage National Coastwatch Institution’s teddy kept watch over the festival
Langton Matravers Brownies and Rainbows had decorated their tree in yellow and red
A prayer tree collected the names of loved ones lost in recent months
St George’s Church was filled with brightly decorated trees for the weekend
All proceeds given to local charities
Local musicians provided entertainment throughout the weekend, which included wassailing with Frable, carols with Purbeck Village Quire, Alisa Khrypkova performing songs from Ukraine, and Purbeck Youth Music.
Purbeck Sounds presenter Paul Hutton Cornish, debut singer Eliana Hobbs, the Purbeck Recorder Ensemble and Langton Matravers choir The Mayday Singers also took part.
Refreshments were available throughout the festival opening hours, and all proceeds raised from the event will be given to local charities, which this year have been named as Swanage RNLI and Purbeck Youth Music.
More photos from the Purbeck Christmas Tree Festival
Swanage Badminton Club turned shuttlecocks into Christmas bells
Swanage Bible Society included a traditional Nativity scene from Bethlehem
Swanage Defib decorated its tree with hearts and defibrillator pads
One of this year’s chosen charities, Julia’s House joined the festival with its own tree
Suttles Stone Quarries decided that dinosaurs shouldn’t miss out on Christmas
Ringing the changes, a top hat tree topper from the Clifftop Care Home
Further information
- More about the Emmanuel Baptist Church
- More about St George’s Church
