Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Dorset
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Pliosaur the Terrifying Sea Rex
1st-2nd January 2026
Venue: Museum of Jurassic Marine Life - The Etches Collection
Website: www.theetchescollection.org/giant-sea-monster
See the amazing Pliosaur skull discovery and learn more aobut how it lived, hunted and died in the Jurassic seas of Kimmeridge
Bournemouth Christmas Market
14th November-1st January 2025
Venue: Bournemouth
Website: www.christmasinbournemouth.co.uk
Festive stalls open daily
Skate Bournemouth
14th November-4th January 2025
Venue: Lower Gardens in Bournemouth
Website: www.iceskatebournemouth.co.uk
Real ice rink and refreshments
Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland
15th November-31st December 2024
Venue: Bournemouth
Website: www.christmastreewonderland.co.uk
Trees and illuminations event - free to visit
Christmas Afternoon Tea
19th November-31st December 2024
Venue: Russell Cotes
Website: www.russellcotes.com
Festive Afternoon Tea - booking required
Poole Christmas Maritime Light Trail
23rd November-1st January 2025
Venue: Poole
Website: www.poole-christmas-maritime-light-trail.co.uk
Magical maritime christmas as you follow the light trail from falkland Square, through the High Street and onto Poole Quay
Illuminate 2024
29th November-4th January 2025
Venue: Abbotsbury subtropical Gardens
Website: www.abbotsburytickets.co.uk
Outdoor winter enchanted lights display within the gardens. New route for 2024
Lighting Up Lives
6th December-6th January 2025
Venue: Swanage Pier
Website: www.swanagepiertrust.com/events
Dedicate a light to someone special or a group you appreciate and let it shine brightly along the Pier as part of a beautiful installation on the Pier. Your tribute will be featured on the online 'Lighting...
The Enchanted Night Garden
6th December-4th January 2025
Venue: Minterne Gardens
Website: www.minterne.co.uk
See the stately home lit like have never seen it before. See the gardens come alive with woodland creatures, fairies,spiders and the odd dragon dotted around the light displays
Monty and Matilda's Castle Christmas - family quest
7th December-12th January 2025
Venue: Corfe Castle
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle
Hunt around the castle ruins to discover the festive cabins and see what Monty and Matilda are buying for their friends. Complete the quest to earn your festive siege coin
Wartime Winter
21st December-5th January 2025
Venue: The Tank Museum
Website: www.tankmuseum.org
Free Christmas card colouring, Frank on a tank Elf Trail, special talks from the Guide team and a Christmas-theme 1940s House and Shop, free kids trails and more
Frozen Queens Brunch and Disco
28th-28th December 2024
Venue: Upwey Wishing Well
Website: www.upweywishingwell.co.uk
Dance and sing along with Elsa, Olaf and Anna including brunch, an activity sheet, photo opportunities and a special treat
Poole's New Years Day Bath Race and Classic Cars on the Quay
1st-1st January 2025
Venue: Poole Quay
Website: www.bournemouth.co.uk
Annual charity day of fundraising
Gladiators of Britain
25th January-11th May 2025
Venue: Dorset Museum
Website: www.dorsetmuseum.org.uk
A British Museum Partnership exhibition with Colchester and Ipswich Museums delving into the lesser-known history of gladiatorial contests in Roman Britain
Free event at Colins Nest Café
29th-29th January 2025
Venue: Colins Nest Café
Website: www.facebook.com/colinsnestcafe
2 hours fun and games including soft play
Park to Pier Walk
9th-9th February 2025
Venue: Durlston Country park
Website: www.swanagepiertrust.com
Stroll from the Country Park down to the Pier on the way discovering the history, wildlife and geology of the bay
Protest
5th-9th March 2024
Venue: Theatre Royal Plymouth
Website: https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/protest/
For ages 7+. Running is Alice’s happy place – you might even say it’s in her DNA. She’s the best runner at her school but is struggling to prove her worth. Jade is slowly coming to realise that...
30% off Oceanarium memberships
Venue: Oceanarium
Address: Bournemouth
Website: www.oceanarium.co.uk
See the website for details
Attenborough's Giant Sea Monster - Sea Rex
Venue: The Etches Collection
Website: www.theetchescollection.org/giant-sea-monster
Pliosaur Skull Discovery - see the amazing creature and learn more about how it lived, hunted and died in the Jurassic seas of Kimmeridge 150 years ago
Beautiful Bournemouth Mini Exhibition
Venue: Russell Cotes Museum
Website: www.russellcotes.com
Discover the evolution of Bournemouth through this display in the Print Room
Easter Hunt at Moors Valley Country Park
Venue: Moors Valley Country Park
Website: www.moors-valley.co.uk/easter
Find the hidden giant Easter egg shapes around Moors Valley - solve the riddles, spot the eggs and write down the letters to work out the hidden answer
Fantazy
Venue: Babbacombe Theatre
Website: www.babbacombe-theatre.com
Variety show with comedy, illusion, vocalists and dance
Pieces of our Past
Venue: Highcliffe Castle
Website: www.highcliffecastle.co.uk
Experience the history of the Castle with never before seen photographs and artefacts
Rebellion and Revolt
Venue: Museum of East Dorset
Website: www.museumofeastdorset.co.uk
Thought provoking exhibit delving into two pivotal national struggles that profoundly impacted Dorset: the English Civil War of the 1640s and the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685. Themed trail around the Museum,...
West Bay In The War
Venue: West Bay Discovery Centre
Website: www.westbaydiscoverycentre.org.uk
Discover what happened locally in WW2. Find out about local memories, coast defences and more