Christmas carol concerts and services happening in Dorset this year
PUBLISHED: 11:57 15 November 2018 | UPDATED: 12:33 15 November 2018

Christmas carols by candlelight. Photo credit: Ian Dyball, Getty Images/iStockphoto
@Ian Dyball - All Rights Reserved (@Ian Dyball - All Rights Reserved (Photographer) - [None]
From carols by candlelight to carols in a castle, there are many places to sing festive tunes in Dorset this Christmas
Julia’s House Carols by Candlelight
3 & 5 December
Martin Clunes and Debra Stephenson lead the line-up on 3 December at St James Church, Poole, and Valerie Singleton and Johnnie Walker are at St James’ Church, Shaftesbury on 5 December. Starts at 7pm
Visit: juliashouse.prg/carols18
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A Christmas Carol
5 – 8 December
Local theatrical group the Marine Players perform Dickens’ memorable festive tale at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis.
Box office 01297 442138
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Partridge Pie
6 December
Pianist David Pratley plays Richard Rodney Bennett’s suite inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas. 1.05pm, Sherling Studio at Lighthouse Poole.
Box office 01202 280000
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A Christmas Night at the Opera
7 – 8 December
London Festival Opera perform well known arias, ensembles and carols at The Exchange, Sturminster Newton.
Box office 01258 475137
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West Gallery Carols
7, 9, 14 & 16 December
Inspired by local folk songs and West Gallery carols, the Ridgeway Singers and Band [resent a joyous celebration of a Dorset Christmas past and present.
7 December: 7.30pm at St John’s Church, West Bay
9 December: 4pm at Holy Trinity Church, West Lulworth
14 December: 7.30pm at St Nicholas Church, Winterborne Kingston
16 December: 4pm at Herrison Hall, Charlton Down
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Lyme Bay Chorale Christmas Concert
9 December
Featuring Poulenc’s Gloria, contemporary works by Cecilia McDowall and Paul Halley and traditional carols.
Starts 4pm, St Michael’s Church, Lyme Regis
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Carols in the Castle
9 December
Step inside the ruins of Corfe Castle and join in with Christmas songs old and new, from 5pm.
Visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle
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Music for Christmastide
13 December
Cantamus perform sacred, secular and consort music for Advent in the glorious surroundings of Milton Abbey. Starts at 7.30pm.
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Candlelit Christmas Celebration
15 December
St Ambrose Church in West Cliff Road, Bournemouth is illuminated by candles as the ethereal voices of La Nova Singers perform festive tunes and carols. Starts at 7.30pm.
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Purbeck Village Quire
16 December
Listen to Christmas songs from Dorset, including carols sung by the quarry workers of Worth Matravers, in the Georgian courtroom of Shire Hall in Dorchester.
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Canzonetta at Christmas
16 December
The classical singing group perform songs and readings for the festive season at the St Martin’s-on-the-Walls, Wareham at 3pm.
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Noel! Noel!
17-18 December
Enjoy uplifting Christmas songs and carols with the Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir at 8pm.
17 December: Canford School, Wimborne
18 December: Herrison Hall, Charlton Down
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Last Night of the Christmas Proms
22 December
Immerse yourself in festive musical magic from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in this family concert featuring seasonal classics old and new.
Lighthouse Poole 01202 280000
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Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Carols
23 December
Enjoy singing some of your favourite carols accompanied by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir at Lighthouse, Poole.