Free Family Fun for Christmas in Christchurch

A special thank you to Christchurch BID for organising and supporting some of the wonderful festive activities taking place across Christchurch this Christmas, helping to bring the town centre to life and spread festive cheer throughout the community.

Christmas outings can soon add up, so having a few budget friendly dates in the diary makes festive planning much easier. Christchurch’s Christmas 2026 programme brings together lights, street entertainment, an elf trail, carols and community traditions, with two free parking Saturdays to help make a visit easier.

Whether you’re planning an afternoon with the children or soaking up the atmosphere while browsing local shops, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season together. Here’s how to make the most of the town’s free festive programme.

Start the season at Christchurch Priory

Saturday 28 November offers a full day of festive activity, beginning with the Christchurch Priory Parish Christmas Fayre & Craft Market from 10.30am. Held at Christchurch Priory, the fayre brings together craft stalls, handmade gifts and local treats, making it a lovely first stop before the afternoon’s celebrations. Take a look around, gather a little Christmas inspiration and leave time to explore the town centre afterwards.

Image: ChristchurchPriory

Stay for the lights and a laser show finale

Christchurch Town Council’s Christmas Lights Switch On event runs from 2.30pm to 6.30pm on Saturday 28 November, with the High Street pedestrianised for the celebrations. Live music, street performers, an artisan market, food pop ups, fairground rides and Father Christmas all feature in the programme, giving families plenty to enjoy as the afternoon unfolds. The key time for your diary is 5.45pm, when the Christmas lights officially switch on, followed by a musical laser light show finale. Head towards the main stage before the countdown if that’s the moment your family wants to catch, and allow separately for any rides, food or purchases.

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Image: CTC

Discover a different Advent surprise each evening

Organised by the Rotary Club of Christchurch, the Christmas Living Advent Calendar runs from Tuesday 1 to Saturday 19 December, with a “door” opening at 6pm each evening. This real life Advent calendar reveals a free live performance at a pop up venue around town, with each event lasting around 50 minutes. The programme ranges from choirs and brass bands to dance and theatrical performances, bringing a different surprise to each evening. With locations forming part of the reveal, check the daily announcements before heading out to find that day’s door.

Image: Facebook

Send little explorers on an elf hunt

The Christchurch BID Elf Hunt runs from Saturday 5 to Saturday 19 December, giving younger visitors a festive mission while the family explores the shops. Ten elves are hidden in town centre shop windows, each holding a letter that helps spell out a secret Christmas phrase. The launch takes place in Saxon Square on Saturday 5 December from noon to 2pm, when families can pick up a free trail map and enjoy music, games and sweet treats. Once you’ve tracked down the elves and solved the puzzle, submit your completed form for a chance to win a festive prize bundle. It’s a handy way to turn Christmas browsing into a shared adventure.

Image: Facebook

Give your Christmas jumper an outing

Pull on your brightest festive knit for Christmas Jumper Day with Pro2col on Thursday 10 December. Taking place in Saxon Square from 11am to 1pm, the charity gathering includes live carol singing from Pro2col and BID Business Elf Games involving local business teams. Whether your jumper is quietly festive or covered in reindeer, it’s an opportunity to join the Christmas atmosphere during a morning in town.

Image: Facebook

Wrap up for carols in Saxon Square

Christchurch BID’s Carols in the Square takes place on Saturday 12 December from 4.30pm to 5.30pm, with Christchurch Baptist Church’s live band leading an open air community singalong in Saxon Square. Wrap up warmly and make time for some familiar Christmas songs together. As the Elf Hunt is also running that day, families can spend the afternoon solving the trail before gathering for carols as daylight fades.

Images: Facebook

Make the most of two free parking Saturdays

Christchurch Town Council and Christchurch Chamber of Trade are supporting 24 hours of free parking from 8am on Saturday 28 November and Saturday 5 December, with each period ending at 8am the following Sunday. The offer covers participating council run surface car parks, including Saxon Square, Wick Lane, Bank Close and Bypass. Private car parks, including supermarket parking, are excluded, so check the signs and conditions at your chosen car park. The first Saturday fits neatly with the Priory fayre and lights celebrations, while the second coincides with the Elf Hunt launch.

Choose the outing that suits your family

For a full day of festive atmosphere, Saturday 28 November brings the fayre, street entertainment and lights together. Saturday 5 December is a useful choice for families keen to join the Elf Hunt launch, while Saturday 12 December pairs an afternoon on the trail with carols. The free programme makes it possible to plan a Christmas outing around your own budget, with refreshments, shopping and optional paid activities added as you choose. Follow @ChristchurchBID for programme announcements and weather updates, and check the Living Advent Calendar’s daily venue announcements before setting off.

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