Weymouth is once again lining up four weekends of festive events this Christmas, starting with an Elf World Record attempt and the ‘Christmas Lights Switch On’ on Saturday 28th November and finishing with a Santa weekend on 19th and 20th December. In between, Steampunks, Victorians, Pirates and Faeries arrive for the Yuletide Weekend, and Hope Square hosts a Traditional Christmas Weekend in aid of Weymouth Foodbank.
The programme spreads across the town centre, from New Bond Street and the Esplanade to Hope Square and the harbourside, with parades, live music, markets, workshops and Santa visits. Local shops, pubs, eateries and charities are joining in throughout, giving visitors plenty of reasons to stay, shop and eat in town.
Christmas highlights include:
Elf World Record Attempt and Christmas Lights Switch On (Saturday 28th November)
Weymouth is going for the Elf World Record once again! The aim is always to make Weymouth the ELF capital of the UK.
● Workshops run from 9am-4pm, with face-painting and Christmas crafts for those who already have an outfit and hats and ears for those who don’t.
● Elves register at Weymouth Pavilion from 11am-1pm to get their wristband and be counted, with a photo op and filming at 1pm.
● Dorset’s Largest Elf Parade then sings its way through the streets from 1.15pm-2pm, led by a marching band and Santa in his sleigh.
● The main stage on New Bond Street hosts naughty elves, the Panto cast, local choirs, dance groups, bands, street performers, stilt walkers and buskers from 1pm-5pm.
● At 5pm the Mayor, the winner of the Primary Times competition and the Panto cast switch on the town’s Christmas lights, trees and Christmas Elf, followed by a Christmas sing-along with The Hooked. More details on Facebook.
Weymouth Yuletide Weekend (Friday 4th December, 7.30pm – Sunday 6th December, 4pm)
All crews. All worlds. Steampunks, Pirates, Elves, Faeries and Sci-fi fans bring the magical and mechanical back to Weymouth for a fantasy twist on Christmas.
● Friday night opens with a Steampunk Cabaret of fire, burlesque and more, led by Ana Defuego.
● Traders and unusual acts fill the town from 10am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday, with Steampunk fashion by Weymouth College students on display and two make-your-own workshops in the town centre.
● At 4pm on Saturday a promenade sets off from the Carousel and finishes at the town’s Christmas tree.
● Saturday and Sunday brings music, poetry and history together with international artists such as the Wight Hot Pipes, The Dolmen, The Lady Garden Ensemble, Dukebox, Ana Defuego, Major Blunder, The Antipoet and all weekend the nationally acclaimed Professor Elemental as well as much loved activities such as Cheese rolling and tea-duelling
Traditional Christmas Weekend (Saturday 12th December, 11am – Sunday 13th December, 8pm, Hope Square).
An artisan market of local crafters and artists hosted by Sticks and Bones, a fully functioning Bavarian bar, and mulled wine, mince pies and warming dishes at Pascals, The Red Lion, Sticks and Bones, Nosh, The Old Rooms and By the Quay.]
● There’s traditional dancing and live music across both days, with the Rock Choir at 4pm on Saturday and Salvation Army with carols at 4pm on Sunday
● St Mary’s Church hosts a LIVE Nativity and Christmas crafts on Saturday from 12pm-3pm (don’t forget a selfie by the stable).
● The weekend is in aid of Weymouth Foodbank. More details on Facebook.
Santa Weekend (Saturday 19th – Sunday 20th December)
All aboard the brand-new Elf Express, a ride with the Christmas elves full of lights, music and laughter, boarding at Hope Square or on the Esplanade opposite the Black Dog.
● It runs on Saturday only from 10am-4pm, with proceeds supporting the Will Mackaness Trust. Santa letter writing runs all day, and Santa makes appearances around town, with a light trail, gingerbread houses, marshmallows and Santa’s arrival at Sea Life from 4pm-8pm.
● Chase the Pudding on Sunday 21st December, also raising money for the Will Mackaness Trust. Wear a Santa suit and chase that pudding from Weymouth Pavillion to the stone groyne at Greenhill (5km). For the under 16s there is Chase The Elf, a 2km option, from the Pavilion end of the beach to the Pier Bandstand and back!
Shops are also being invited to take part in the Christmas Sparkle competition, with businesses competing to be crowned the best-dressed sparkling Christmas window.
Dawn Rondeau-Irvine, Chief Operations Officer at We Are Weymouth, said: “Christmas in Weymouth runs right through December and every year it gets bigger and better. You can be an elf one week and a steampunk the next, then pick up handmade presents in Hope Square or bring the kids to meet Santa. It’s about bringing people into the town centre and supporting the businesses that make it what it is, but it’s also about showing the spirit of Weymouth – look what we achieve when we all come together, it’s truly spectacular.
“A huge thank you to everyone getting involved, from the businesses dressing their windows to the performers, volunteers and charities. Come down, shop local and make a day of it.”
Elsewhere in the town centre, pubs, bars and businesses are also getting into the festive spirit, including:
● Plus lots of LIVE music in pubs and bars across the town every weekend, with some venues hosting Elf parties after the Lights Switch On.
● Weymouth Panto at the Pavilion is Cinderella and runs from Saturday, 19 December 2026 – Saturday, 2 January 2027, get your tickets here: https://weymouthpavilion.com/whats-on/christmas-pantomime-cinderella/
● [Other town-centre Christmas offers, e.g. Nothe Fort, Sea Life, Heritage Centre, late-night shopping – TBC]
We Are Weymouth continues to champion events that showcase the town’s unique blend of seaside charm, local history, and community spirit.
For full details of upcoming events visit our events guide at https://www.love-weymouth.co.uk/whats-on-weymouth/ and https://www.weareweymouth.co.uk
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