Santa’s reindeer finally landed on Swanage Pier in Dorset at the second attempt – and proved a stomping success!
Reindeer had been due to pay a flying visit to Swanage in December 2024 to team up with Santa, but there was an outbreak of blue tongue virus in Hampshire, where they were staying at the time.
George couldn’t wait to meet the children when he arrived at Swanage Pier
And Prancer very quickly made friends with the elves
Festive entertainment and magic
Quarantine laws meant they couldn’t travel to Dorset if they were to be fit and well to pull Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve, so they had to miss their trip to the seaside.
But on Sunday 21st December 2025, Prancer and George finally arrived at the pier as the highlight of a whole month of Christmas fun, and proved to be an instant success with children and adults alike.
Hundreds of visitors to the pier have enjoyed festive entertainment and Christmas magic, with the chance to meet Santa and pose for selfies with his elfies in the ever popular Marine Villas grotto.
The pier’s magical December started with the arrival of Father Christmas on Swanage’s all weather lifeboat on Saturday 6th December 2025
Enchanted children couldn’t wait for Santa to reach the pier
One of Santa’s first jobs was to light up Swanage Pier in a blaze of festive glory
The pier has been a beacon of joy in the lead up to Christmas
“They are such handsome creatures”
Amanda Bell, volunteer and activities co-ordinator for the Swanage Pier Trust, said:
“It is the first time we have had reindeer on the pier – I’ve never seen a reindeer in real life before, and they are amazing, such lovely handsome creatures and everyone loved seeing them. Some of the adults were more excited than the children!
“It was a lovely day with the kids enjoying time with Santa and it was really special to have the reindeer, too, they just added to the magical experience for everyone.
“We have had a lovely season, which has been very busy despite some interruptions from the weather – our light up was postponed from Friday 5th December thanks to the storm, but that actually worked out very well as it was a lovely evening the following day and very well attended.
“Having the RNLI’s involvement is brilliant, bringing Father Christmas to the pier, and Lighting Up Lives is now an essential part of the build up to Christmas for so many people, as well as being a good fundraiser for the Pier.”
Santa and his elves have been meeting children at the pier grotto throughout December
Kelly’s Donkeys made their appearance on the pier on Saturday 13th December 2025
The donkeys’ visit has become one of the pier’s most anticipated events in recent years
“A real tradition for so many families”
Amanda added:
“The Barnet Tree was once again a very popular feature – relatives of Jean Holmans, who loved Swanage Pier, donate the tree every year in remembrance of their mother.
“Jean was nicknamed Barnet because of her immaculate hair, and the tree has adopted a similar nickname, and has become quite a symbol for people to come and hang a bauble on to remember their own loved ones.
“We always get such lovely comments from people, it has become a real tradition for so many families, which is lovely.
“We’ve also had a welcome return from Kelly’s Donkeys, which so many people now look forward to, as well as a popup Christmas choir, our amazing entertainer Kevin Burke, and we always get such brilliant feedback about our grotto, everyone says how magical it is!”
Christmas carollers have been popping up at all times to keep festive spirits high
Swanage Pier’s penguin has really taken to his new December home
A ski lift has been added to the selfie stations this year
Every ticket supports vital work
Reindeers Prancer and George were looked after by their carers from N and G Heavy Horses in the New Forest, and made themselves very much at home on the pier, where Father Christmas has been meeting children in his grotto.
The grotto is open for the last day on Tuesday 23rd December 2025, although the pier is open throughout the holidays except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, while the 1859 Cafe is open every day apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Illuminations will remain on until Monday 5th January 2025, and the pier’s winter raffle will also remain open until then, with every ticket purchased supporting the work of the Swanage Pier Trust.
Entertainer Kevin Burke has been welcoming visitors to the pier throughout December
It will soon be time to say goodbye to the elves for another year
But the blaze of colour will be staying around until at least Monday 5th January 2026
Further information
- More events on Swanage Pier
