Although Santa was blown somewhat off course by Storm Darragh at the start of December, he’s now returned to take up residence at Swanage Pier in Dorset until Christmas Eve – and he’ll be bringing two of his reindeer with him!
Prancer and Jingles, and their elves, will be at Swanage Pier on Saturday 21st December 2024 for a day of magical entertainment before they head back to the North Pole for Christmas Eve to help deliver presents around the world.
Prancer, Jingles and elves will be first time visitors to Swanage Pier on Saturday 21st December 2024
Jingles is a rare all white reindeer who is looking forward to visiting Swanage
Visiting festive events
When they’re not on delivery duties for Father Christmas, Prancer and Jingles live at the N and J Heavy Horse Centre in the New Forest, Hampshire, and spend six weeks every November and December visiting care homes, primary schools and lots of festive events.
Neil and Julia Kitchen run Burley Wagon Rides in the New Forest, where their ten Shire horses, Percheron and Clydesdales give unforgettable journeys through the countryside, but they have also taken on mini Mediterranean donkeys and two reindeer.
Julia Kitchen said:
“Prancer, who’s 11 years old, was a rescue from Alaska, but four year old Jingles was born and bred here, he’s a white reindeer and very rare.
“There are people who have reindeer out in Alaska who will get rid of any that are not perfect, if they have bad eyesight or are a bit lame. Fortunately, a wildlife conservation group ships them over here to be looked after by care homes.
Santa arriving on the Swanage Lifeboat to begin his annual stay on Swanage Pier
Hundreds of people gathered on the pier to welcome Santa back
Looking forward to their seaside outing
Julia added:
“Prancer doesn’t have great eyesight and her feet aren’t 100 percent, but I fell in love with her as soon as I set eyes on her, and she has a wonderful life with my heavy horses.
“We have been running for 20 years, bought the wagon ride business in 2019, and we are helping to keep the Shire horse breed alive. It’s a wonderful job, though it can be a bit cold in winter.
“From the middle of November until Christmas Eve we are out with the reindeer visiting Christmas fairs, care homes, street markets and even Christmas light switch ons. They love meeting people, are very calm and chilled and are looking forward to their trip to the seaside!”
Barney, Samson and Flash felt right at home on the pier – it’s their third visit, and they love it!
The donkeys have an exciting 2025 in store – their sanctuary, near Frome, has just been granted charitable status
Santa arrived by lifeboat
Santa’s donkeys returned to Swanage Pier for the third year on Saturday 14th December 2024. The four legged friends from Kelly’s Donkey Sanctuary in Somerset have been so popular in the past they were invited back to spend another day with Father Christmas as the Pier went into full festive mode.
Samson, Flash and Barney proved a huge success on the pier as they spread the good news that their sanctuary has just been granted charitable status, so can increase the amount of outreach work they do at hospitals, hospices and care homes along the South coast.
After Santa’s annual arrival on the pier was delayed for a week by Storm Darragh, which brought wind gusts of up to 60 miles an hour, his visit was rearranged for Friday 13th December 2024- and fortunately there was no associated bad luck which accompanied him!
Purbeck sea shanty group Kelp! and the AllSort’d choir provided musical entertainment before the big man arrived by lifeboat and performed the official switch on for Swanage Pier’s annual Light Up Lives event.
Santa took time to admire the Barnet tree when he arrived for Christmas
Visitors to the pier will be able to meet Santa in his grotto until Monday 23rd December 2024
Brightening up the pier with lights
Amanda Bowden, events co-ordinator at Swanage Pier, said:
“For the past four years, this enchanting celebration at Swanage Pier has allowed hundreds of people to cherish the memories of loved ones and celebrate the special people in their lives.
“It is a wonderful way to honour those who have meant and continue to mean so much to us, while brightening up the pier with colourful lights.
“The Barnet Christmas tree is also back for the fourth year, donated by Julie and Natalie Terry and Joanne Avery, in memory of their mum and grandmother, Jean Holman.
“Jean, whose nickname was Barnet because she always had immaculate hair, sadly passed away suddenly at Christmas, a time of year she loved so much.
“The family found Christmas especially hard without her and when they noticed the pier did not have a Christmas tree a few years ago, they decided to donate a tree and make it a memory tree, for people to come along and hang a bauble on.
“This is now an annual tradition and a beautiful way to pay tribute to those who meant, and still mean so much to us. Every year we love seeing how full the tree gets with so many different baubles from Swanage families.”
There were unexpected showers of snow on the pier as its festive season began
Rudolph greeted the crowds in front of the Winter Wonderland marquee
There are also other reindeer to be spotted along the pier if you keep your eyes peeled
Launch of big winter raffle
A Winter Wonderland marquee now has pride of place on the pier and Santa can be visited in his grotto on selected dates up until Monday 23rd December 2024, with tickets bookable online.
On Saturday 21st December 2024, along with Santa’s reindeer, Swanage favourite Karen Grant will be singing Christmas tunes to help everyone get into the festive spirit, and children’s entertainer Kevin Burke will be meeting visitors and amazing them with his magic.
A big winter raffle has also been launched to raise funds towards the ongoing maintenance of Swanage Pier and tickets priced at £1 each can be bought from the gate, the pier shop or online.
Prizes have been donated by businesses including the Waverley Paddle Steamer, Swanage Railway, Pierhead Restaurant, John Toy Land, Corfe Bears, Jurassic Outdoor, Gee Whites and many more, and the draw will take place on Sunday 5th January 2025.
Santa and his elves enjoyed the entertainment laid on for his arrival
The AllSort’d choir had everyone joining in their Christmas songs
A splash of colour shows off Swanage Pier in a whole new light
Further information
- Details of Christmas celebrations at Swanage Pier are available on its website
- Find out about N and J Heavy Horses
- Kelly’s Donkeys would love more visits to its website
