Christmas Light Trails Dorset 2024 | Light Trails in Dorset

Enchanted Night Garden at Minterne House

Where: Minterne House and Gardens

About: Enjoy the beautiful garden as you have never seen it before. The fairies and their friends have retuned bringing a sparkle to this wonderful place. The Trail will take you passed the lakes, through the gardens and in front of the impressive house lit in all its splendour. Come and see these wonderful grounds and see what surprise awaits you round every corner.

Dates: 6th December 2024 to 4th January 2025

Price: Adults £17.00 children (2-16) £8.50

How to book: Book here

City Lights Cruise with City Cruises Poole

Where: Poole Harbour

About: Join City Cruises Poole as they celebrate the Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival on the water. Throughout this magical Christmas festival City Cruises Poole will be running daily 30 minute long boat trips every evening upon their magical lit up boats.

Dates: From 28th November - 28th December. Thursdays - Saturdays.

Price: From £6

Longleat's Festival of Light

Where: Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW

About: Longleat's Festival of Light is returning for 2023-24, where families can immerse themselves in a magical Christmas event! This Festival of Light is biggest and better than before, featuring a Winter Safari, featuring lifesized lanterns inspired by many exciting stories; including Wizard of Oz, Cinderella & The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. 

This light trail includes a 15-metre Enchanted Christmas Tree Show, a Santa Train and a fountain display.

Dates: 9 November 2024 to 5 January 2025

Price: Prices start from £18.70, with a variety of ticket types. View here. 

How to book: Book here. 

Illuminate at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

Where: Bullers Wy, Abbotsbury, Weymouth DT3 4LA

About: The Gardens will be transformed into a captivating outdoor winter lights display. Vibrant lights will illuminate the 18th-century subtropical landscape, creating a magical winter trail through the darkness. This year’s new route takes visitors on a journey through the heart of the Gardens, for you to experience the rare plants and trees in spectacular colour which highlights the forms, shapes and textures. Alongside this, the striking Illuminate display adds a dazzling touch near the Gift Shop, Plant Centre, and Tea House.

Visitors are invited to enjoy the seasonal beauty of the Gardens with family and friends. The attraction is also dog-friendly, welcoming pets on a short, non-extendable lead.

Dates: Various dates from 22nd November 2024 to 4th January 2025

Price: Adults £15, Kids £8.50

How to book: Booking available shortly

Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland

Where: All over Bournemouth, best address for sat-nav: Gervis Pl, Bournemouth BH1 2AF

About: Bournemouth’s free festive Christmas light trail is bringing festive joy to Bournemouth in 2024. Lighting up Bournemouth with over 100 festive-themed illuminations, 60ft light tunnel, a giant tree of light, a waterfall, reindeer, and more Christmas decorations, this is a great place to get into the spirit of Xmas.

Starting at Lansdowne Precinct, this winter wonderland is under a 20-minute drive from Poole and boats an outstanding Christmas tree and light trail featuring over 100 trees and thousands of lights. The trail is free to explore however charges are incurred for some activities.

Dates: 16th November 2024 - January 2025

Price: Free but some activities require payment.

How to book: Find out more HERE.

Nutley Farm Christmas Lights and Reindeer Experience

Where: Nutley Farm, Dorchester DT2 8DT

About: Wander along the magical, illuminated 600m route, enjoy their dazzling new lighting structures and giant lit-up reindeer, pass through glittering archways, and gaze at the twinkling trees and light installations. Nutley Farm's christmas trail has lighting spectacles, projections and surprises around each corner. Don't forget the Elf hunt; take a map to help find all the naughty elves as you enjoy the illuminated walk.

Be sure to visit their resident reindeer, Ruldolph, Prancer, Sprout & Parsnip, in their stable. Father Christmas will also return to his Nutley Farm grotto, nestled majestically amongst a Christmas wonderland. The festive barn allows visitors to enjoy a selection of Christmas food and drink while soaking up the festive atmosphere.

Dates: Various dates from 29th November - 29th December 2024

Price: £11 per adult and £6 per child, children under 2  go free! (please note father chrsitmas visits are extra). 

How to book: To see all optons you can book Online here.

Runton Road Christmas Lights

Where: Runton Road, Poole, Dorset, BH12 1NX

About: Runton Road has been wowing residents of Poole with mesmerising Christmas lights for over 20 years, and this year the residents of Runton are once again putting on a magical Christmas light show. Runton Road residents light up their houses and gardens with magical Christmas lights for you to walk past and explore, making this one of the most easily accessible and uplifting Christmas light trail in Poole. Christmas lights are turned on between 5pm and 6pm and turned off at 10pm.

Dates: 2024 Dates TBA. Information based on 2023 event.

Price: Free

How to book: No requirement to book

Winter Lights at Corfe Castle

Where: Corfe Castle, Wareham

About: For a single evening venture into the illuminated ruins of Corfe Castle, admiring the warm glow of lights while the starry sky stretches above you.

As you walk along, don't forget to make a special Christmas wish at the wishing bridge. Later, come together around a cozy fire pit to roast marshmallows, all the while cherishing quality time with your friends and family.

To guide your way, braziers and festoon lights will line the paths, but it's a good idea to take a flashlight to safely navigate from the car park and to identify any uneven terrain amidst the ancient ruins.

This magical event will coincide with the Corfe Castle Village light switch-on, set to take place at 17:00.

Dates: Friday 13 and Saturday 14 December | 4pm - 8pm

Price: Free event, but normal admissions apply! View admission prices here.

How to book: Either on the doors, or book here.