For the second time in two years, the Swanage Christmas Market has had to be postponed due to the forecast of bad weather.
The event organised by Swanage and Purbeck Rotary was to go ahead on Saturday 6th December 2025 but after an assessment of the windy weather forecast, the tough call was made to postpone the market by a week.
As Swanage Coastwatch is more than aware, wind gusts can cause havoc to gazebos!
Vulnerable to windy gusts
The popular Christmas event which sees rows of festive stalls and gazebos – which are particularly vulnerable to windy gusts – in Station Road and Institute Road, has now been rearranged for Saturday 13th December 2025, from 10 am to 4 pm.
It’s expected that the market on the new date will offer all the usual variety of goodies including festive food, handmade gifts, and Christmas decorations, along with a Santa’s grotto for children.
In December 2024, the Christmas Market had to be postponed due to Storm Darragh but was able to go ahead successfully a week later on the following Saturday.
Christmas market organisers Helen Hardy (left) and David Pike (right) pictured in happier times at a previous event
“We sincerely apologise to everyone affected”
Swanage and Purbeck Rotary Christmas Market organiser David Pike said:
“Due to the high winds forecast for Saturday 6th December, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the Swanage Rotary Christmas Market. It has been rescheduled for Saturday 13th December.
“The safety of visitors and of our stallholders and volunteers, must come first. We sincerely apologise to everyone affected, especially those who have travelled to Swanage for the event.
“We are acutely aware of all the work, effort and investment that stallholders put into the planning of any event. We looked at a number of options in order for the event to go ahead, but sadly the conditions were forecast to be just too extreme.
“If any of the stallholders are unable to make Saturday 13th please let us know and we will arrange a refund over the next few days.
“Thank you for your understanding and continued support.”
The Swanage Artisans on the Beach will be open as usual over the weekend of Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December 2026
Inside one of the beach huts, offering beautiful local unique hand-crafted gifts
Still plenty going on in Swanage
The good news for those who have travelled to Swanage for the Christmas market, is that there’s still plenty of events going ahead over the weekend.
The Swanage Artisans on the Beach will be selling local unique hand-crafted items at Shore Road beach huts as usual, along Swanage seafront.
With 25 beach huts from 29 different crafters, there will be plenty to browse in town, along with all the independent shops, cafes and restaurants, which have put on lovely Christmas shop window displays.
Stay in the warm and dry and visit The Mowlem
Swanage’s Christmas lights evoke a traditional festive feel
Saturday 6th December 2025
- Lighting up Lives on Swanage Pier (postponed from Friday 5th) – Live music from Kelp! plus Christmas entertainment from 5.30 pm and the arrival of Father Christmas to switch on the Swanage Pier illuminations at 6 pm. How to dedicate a light to someone special is on the Swanage Pier website. Normal admission charges apply
- Christmas Bazaar at Ranger School of Dance, from 12 noon at the Millpond Studio, Church Hill, Swanage
- A Christmas Singalong with Bournemouth Concert Brass, 2.30 pm at The Mowlem. Ticket prices £16. Booking required
- The Belvedere Singers Christmas concert, 7.30 pm at St Mary’s Church, Church Hill, Swanage. The annual Christmas concert featuring a mixture of traditional and newer carols and Christmas songs. Tickets £9 available on the door, under 18s free
- Swanage Railway Christmas Belle service, champagne and canapes in the Pullman Observation carriage. Selected dates until Sunday 21st December. Ticket prices £69 including chocolate gift from Chococo. Booking required
- Swanage Railway Father Christmas Yuletide Express. Selected dates and times until Monday 24th December. Ticket prices from £24.95
- St Aldhelm Benefice Christmas tree festival at St George’s Church in Langton Matravers until Monday 8th December
- Santa’s Grotto at Blue Pool, Furzebrook Road near Wareham, selected dates until Tuesday 23rd December. Price per child £15 plus booking fee (includes entry to The Blue Pool and a gift). Booking required
Sunday 7th
- Santa and The Pirates (That Don’t Want Christmas!), 2 pm to 4.30 pm at The Mowlem. Family show for children aged 2 and over. Ticket price £11, booking required
Further information
- More about Swanage and Purbeck Rotary
