See “The Arts Diary – January 2026 on” to see what’s scheduled for the next few months and more.
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Updated – Sunday 14 December, 7.48pm
Monday 15 December
BATH, Theatre Royal, Peter Pan – The Return of Captain Hook, with Jon Monie and Tristan Gemmill, to 11 January 2026, various days and times: Ustinov Studio, The Last Five Years, to 3 January, various dates and times: The Egg, Snow Mice, to 11 January 2026, various days and times.
Rondo, Finding Gaffney in The Naughty List, a Christmas tale, to 24 Dec, various times.
BOURNEMOUTH, Pavilion, Cinderella, by Jon Monie, with Olivia Birchenough, Melanie Walters, Noel Brodie, and Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph as the Fabulous Sisters, to 4 Jan.
BRIDGWATER, McMillan Theatre, Cinderella, to 30 Dec, various dates and times.
BRIDPORT, Electric Palace, Bridport Young Performers in Beauty and the Beast, to Thurs, 7.30.
BRISTOL, Old Vic, Treasure Island, a new musical adventure, to 10 Jan, various dates and times: Weston Studio, Little Bulb in Antarctica, to 10 Jan, various day times.
Hippodrome, Jack and the Beanstalk with Will Young, Charlie Books, Richard Cadell and Sooty and Andy Ford, to 4 Jan.
Tobacco Factory, Rapunzel: a Hairy Tale, to 17 Jan, various dates and times: Spielman Studio, Little Angel Theatre in Scruff’s Christmas Adventure, to 4 Jan, various dates and times: Gurt Haunted: Miracle on North Street, A participatory paranormal parody, to 3 Jan.
Redgrave Theatre, Polka Dot Pantomimes in Sleeping Beauty, to 4 Jan, various dates and times.
Beacon, Clutch, 7pm.
St George’s, Fitzhardinge Consort, Carols by Candlelight, 7.30.
Thekla, Duckwrth, All American Freakshow Tour.
BRUTON, St Mary’s Church, Bruton Choral Society with St Mary’s Children’s Choir and Bruton Primary School Singers, cond Barbara Jenkinson, Christmas concert, 7.30.
CHRISTCHURCH, Regent Centre, Beauty and the Beast, pantomime, to 28 Dec, various dates and times: The Nutcracker from the Royal Ballet, 2pm and Tues 7.15: Merry Christmas, Andre Rieu’s 2025 Christmas Concert on screen, 7.30.
CIRENCESTER, Barn Theatre, A Christmas Carol, to 4 Jan 2026.
EXETER, Northcott Theatre, Jack and the Beanstalk, to 4 January, various dates and times: Moonstone Theatre in Murder Mystery Dining: A Shocking Christmas, 6.30.
Corn Exchange, The Wizard of Oz, to 1 Jan, various dates and times.
FROME, The Lucky Chance, Emma Rice Company in A Child’s Christmas in Wales, to 21 Dec, various times. [SOLD OUT]
ILMINSTER, Arts Centre, Tone Big Band, 7.30.
IWERNE MINSTER, Clayesmore School, Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir, cond David Gostick, Noel, Noel, 7.30.
PLYMOUTH, Theatre Royal, Shane Richie in Dick Whittington, to 10 Jan, various dates and times: Drum Studio, Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas, to 28 Dec, various times: The Lab, The Star Who Danced, Christmas show for toddlers and their parents, to 24 Dec.
POOLE, Lighthouse, Dick Whittington, with Sarah Louise Young and Chris Jarvis, to 4th Jan, various dates and times.
SALISBURY, Playhouse, Jack and the Beanstalk, various dates and times to 11 Jan.
SOUTHAMPTON, Mayflower, The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan with Alexandra Burke, Dr Ranj and Max Fulham, to 4 Jan.
MAST, Counting Down to Christmas, a show for very young audiences, to 24 Dec various day times.
TAUNTON, Brewhouse, The Nutcracker, Christmas family show to 28 Dec, various times and dates: Storytime with the Sugar Plum Fairy and Father Christmas, to Thurs, various day times: Christmas Quest, family fun, to 23 Dec, daytimes.
Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Jack and the Beanstalk, family panto, to 21 Dec, various dates and times.
WARMINSTER, Athenaeum, Oddity Theatre, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, to 24 Dec, various dates and times.
WELLS, Little Theatre, Sleeping Beauty, to 20 Dec.
WESTON SUPER MARE, Playhouse, Cinderella, with Gareth Gates, to 31 Dec, various dates and times.
WIMBORNE, Tivoli, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, to 4 Jan.
YEOVIL, Westlands, Beauty and the Beast, to 4 Jan, various dates and times.
Tuesday 16 December
BATH, Komedia, Harry Christmas, poetry slam.
BLANDFORD, Corn Exchange, BSO Brass Octet, Winter Fanfare, 7.30. AR
BOURNEMOUTH, BIC, Madness and Squeeze.
BRISTOL, Beacon, Home Alone, film, with live music from Welsh National Opera Orchestra and Chorus, 7.30.
St George’s, A Funky Soulful Christmas with Mwenso and the Shakes, 7.30.
EXETER, Cathedral, Lunchtime Carols, to Thurs, 1pm FREE: Exeter Philharmonic Choir, cond Howard Ionascu, Carols in the Cathedral, and Wed, 7.30.
Barnfield, PaddleBoat Theatre in The Jolly Christmas Postman, to Sun, various day times.
POOLE, Lighthouse, Moscow Drug Club, Balkan cabaret, 8pm: Cinema, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, 11am.
SHERBORNE, Abbey, Christmas concert, carols and music, cond James Henderson, free, 7.30.
SOUTHAMPTON, Turner Sims, Connaught Brass at Christmas, 7.30.
SOUTH PETHERTON, David Hall, Phoenix Brass Christmas Concert, 7.30.
WELLS, Cathedral, Opus Anglicanum, Medieval Carols and Figgy Pudding, 7.30.
Wednesday 17 December
BATH, Forum, Swing Into Christmas with the Down for the Count swing orchestra, 7.30.
Chapel Arts, A Winter Union, Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts and Hannah Sanders and Ben Savage, and Jade Rhiannon from The Willows.
BRADFORD ON AVON, Wiltshire Music Centre, Nathan Amaral, violin, Mozart, Mignone, Elgar, 1pm.
BRISTOL, Beacon, Kate Rusby, Christmas is Merry, 7pm: Lantern, Today’s the Day Community Band winter gig, 7.30.
St George’s, Bristol Ensemble, dir Roger Huckle, and the City of Bristol Choir, cond David Ogden, Christmas Spectacular, 7.30: Victoria Klewin and the Adam Stokes Trio, tribute to Billie Holiday, 7.30.
EXETER, Barnfield, Guy Masterson in A Christmas Carol, 7.45.
FORDINGBRIDGE, Town Hall, Bumblefly and Forest Forge in Pinocchio, 7pm.
FROME, Merlin Theatre, New Old Friends in Crimes Against Christmas, to 28 Dec, (not Christmas Day) various times.
HARNHAM, nr Salisbury, Sports and Social Club, The Ballad of Wallis Island. MOVIOLA
POOLE, Lighthouse, BSO and Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, cond David Bates, Anna Dennis, soprano, Frances Gregory, mezzo, Anthony Gregory, tenor, William Thomas, bass, Handel’s Messiah, 7.30: Nunkie Theatre in Not Truly Dead: Three Ghost Stories by MR James, solo show with RM Lloyd Parry, and Thurs, 8pm: Cinema, The Nutcracker, encore from the Royal Ballet 11.30am: The Shining, 45th anniversary screening, 7.30: Nuremberg, and 18 Dec, various times.
SHAFTESBURY, Arts Centre, Wessex Baroque Collective, Christmas Baroque, 11.30am.
STURMINSTER NEWTON, The Exchange, Christmas Memories with the Neil Sands Company, 2pm.
SWANAGE, Mowlem Theatre, Comedy Club, 7.30.
WINCHESTER, Theatre Royal, GreenMatthews’ Midwinter Revels.
WINFRITH NEWBURGH, Village Hall, BSO Brass Octet, Winter Fanfare, 7.30. AR
Thursday 18 December
BATH, Chapel Arts, Miranda Sykes and Jim Causley, Mid Winter folk music.
Forum, Step into Christmas, concert, 7.30.
Chapel Arts, Miranda Sykes and Jim Causley, midwinter tour, folk.
BRADFORD ON AVON, Wiltshire Music Centre, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, A Celebration of Christmas, 7.30pm.
BRIDGWATER, Arts Centre, Mad Dog Mcrea, 7pm.
BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, The Mellstock Band, The Christmas Hearth, seasonal music, 7.30.
BRISTOL, Beacon, Bootleg Beatles, 7.30.
St George’s, Bristol Ensemble, dir Roger Huckle, Choir of Royal Holloway, cond Rupert Gough, Handel’s Messiah by Candlelight, 7pm.
DORCHESTER, St Mary’s Church, Opus Anglicanum, medieval carols inc Machaut, Perotin, Josquin des Pres and Ockeghem, 7pm.
EXETER, Cygnet Theatre, Blue Vanguard Jazz Club with Enrico Tomasso, trumpet, 7.30.
FROME, Cheese and Grain, Cara Dillon, Upon a Winter’s Night, 7pm.
HONITON, Beehive, Andre Chenier, from the Metropolitan Opera, 7pm.
MINEHEAD, Regal Theatre, Minehead Panto People in Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, to Sat, various times.
NEW MILTON,Forest Arts, New Forest Big Band with singer Angela Jackson, Christmas Cracker, 7.30.
POOLE, Lighthouse, Cinema, Miracle on 34th Street (1994), dementia friendly screening, 2pm.
SALISBURY, Arts Centre, Elvis Lesley’s Jingle Bell Bingo Bash!, 7pm.
SHERBORNE, Leweston School Theatre, B-Scene Theatre in Cinderella, and Fri 7pm, Sat 1.30 and 6pm.
STREET, Strode Theatre, Bugonia, film, and Fri, 7.30.
STURMINSTER NEWTON, The Exchange, Last Christmas, film, 7pm.
SWANAGE, Mowlem Theatre, OperaGlass Works in La Traviata, film, 7pm.
Friday 19 December
BATH, Forum, Simon Amstell, Phil Wang, Maisie Adam and Mike Wozniak, comedy, 7.30.
Chapel Arts, Peter Gill’s Rockin’ and Swingin’ Christmas Evening.
BOURNEMOUTH, BIC, Elf – The Musical, 7pm, and Sat 1 and 6pm.
BRADFORD ON AVON, Wiltshire Music Centre, The CK Gospel Choir, blues, soul and gospel, 7.30.
BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Mary Woodvine, Craig Johnson and Jenny Beare in The Cratchits’ Christmas Cracker, seasonal silliness and Yuletide foolery, 7.30.
BRISTOL, St George’s, Bristol Ensemble and Exultate Singers, cond David Ogden, Christmas Spectacular, 7.30.
BROADCHALKE, Village Hall, Bumblefly and Forest Forge in Pinocchio, 6pm.
CHEDDON AND WEST MONKTON, Village Hall, The Salt Path. MOVIOLA
CORSHAM, Pound Arts, Avalon Comedy Network with Stuart Goldsmith, Bella Hull, Katie Norris and Ben Treloar, 7.30.
DITCHEAT, Village Hall, Briget Jones: Mad About the Boy. MOVIOLA
DORCHESTER, Corn Exchange, Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir, cond David Gostick, Noel Noel, 7.30.
EXETER, University Great Hall, BSO, cond Pete Harrison, Jenna Lee-James, singer, Last Night of the Christmas Proms, 7.30.
Cathedral, London Concertante, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, 5.30: London Concertante, Christmas Movies by Candlelight, 7.30.
Corn Exchange, Exeter Comedy Club’s Christmas Special.
Cygnet Theatre, The Orchard Cafe Christmas Concert, festive carols, jazz and film music, 7.30.
FROME, Tree House, The Phogues, and Sat.
HONITON, Beehive, DS:UK, Dire Straits tribute, 7.30.
LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, Gilroy Theatre Christmas show, It’s a Wonderful Life, to 22 Dec, matinees and evenings.
POOLE, Lighthouse, Nunkie Theatre in RM Lloyd Parry Oh, Whistle, two MR James ghost stories, 8pm.
SALISBURY, Cathedral, The Snowman, film, with live orchestra, 2, 4 and 7pm.
Arts Centre, Barnstormers Comedy Club, 8pm.
SHAFTESBURY, Arts Centre, Fargo, 1996 Cohen Brothers film, 7.30.
SOUTHAMPTON, Turner Sims, Cara Dillon and band, folk, Upon a Winter’s Night, 8pm.
SOUTH PETHERTON, David Hall, Black Water County, A Chance to Dance, folk punk, 8pm.
SWANAGE, Mowlem Theatre, Wicked: For Good, film, to 31 Dec (not 25th/26th), various times.
WELLS, Cathedral, Cathedral Choir, Carols by Candlelight, to Sun, 7pm.
Cedars Hall, A Swinging Christmas with the Swing Machine Jazz Orchestra and singers Heather Wensley and Marvin Muoneke, 7.30.
WEST CAMEL, Davis Hall, The Ballad of Wallis Island. MOVIOLA
WEYMOUTH, Pavilion, Jack and the Beanstalk, to 3 Jan, various dates and times.
YEOVIL, Westlands, Back to the 80s Christmas Party, 7.30.
Saturday 20 December
BATH, Forum, The Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines, Christmas Spectacular, 7.30.
Chapel Arts, The Foxes, A Cool Yule, swing, blues, rock and festive favourites.
Komedia, Krater Comedy Club Christmas special.
BOURNEMOUTH, Pavilion Dance, Festive Ceilidh with Banter and caller Tim Walker, 6pm.
BRIDGWATER, Arts Centre, The Jamestown Brothers, indie folk, 7.30.
BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Ancient Hauntings, Kate Innes talks about her latest novel for children, 11am.
Electric Palace, Santa Live!, to 23 Dec, various times.
BRISTOL, Beacon, Bristol Choral Society, Handel’s Messiah, 7.30: Lantern, family Christmas gig, 10.30am.
St George’s, City of Bristol Choir and Bristol Ensemble, cond David Ogden and Roger Huckle, Festive Music and Carols, with audience participation, 7.30.
CORSHAM, Pound Arts, Elf, film, 11.30am: The Wilderness Yet, folk trio, 7.30.
DORCHESTER, Corn Exchange, Squash Box Theatre in The Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmassy Christmasness, 11.30am.
EXETER, Cathedral, Exeter Chamber Choir, Christmas by Candlelight, 7.30.
FROME, Merlin Theatre, Frome Town Band, A Grand Day Out, with screening of Aardman film, 7pm.
Cheese and Grain, Foo Fakers, Blink 182 and Warning, tribute to Green Day.
HONITON, Beehive, Soul Traders, soul and funk classics, 7.30.
NEW MILTON, Forest Arts, The Hundred Watt Club, 1930s Berlin-style cabaret, 7.30.
NORTH PETHERTON, Village Hall, Elf, Christmas film. MOVIOLA
POOLE, Lighthouse, BSO, Last Night of the Christmas Proms, cond Pete Harrison, 7.30: Coastal Comedy with Shazia Mirza, Luke Honnoraty and Russell Arathoon, 8pm: Cinema, Polar Express, (2004), 11.30am.
SALISBURY, Arts Centre, From Gold to Rio, the greatest hits of Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran, 7.30
SHAFTESBURY, Arts Centre, The Fifth Step, NT Screening, 7pm.
SOUTHAMPTON, Turner Sims, Down for the Count Orchestra, Swing Into Christmas, 2.30 and 7.30.
STREET, Strode Theatre, The Choral, film, 3pm and Mon/Tues 7pm.
STURMINSTER NEWTON, The Exchange, Good Times Christmas Party, The Music of Nile Rodgers, 7.30.
WELLS, Cedars Hall, The Priddy Singers, Festive Favourites, 4pm.
WINCHESTER, The Arc, Bumblefly and Forest Forge in Pinocchio, 2.30 and 7pm.
Sunday 21 December
BATH, Komedia, Elvis Lesley’s Jingle Bell Bingo Bash.
BOURNEMOUTH, BIC, That’ll Be Christmas, 7pm.
BRADFORD ON AVON, Wiltshire Music Centre, The GBH Big Band Christmas Cracker, inc Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite, 7.30.
BRISTOL, Beacon, Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, with Imelda May and other guests, 7.30.
St George’s, Bristol Ensemble, cond Roger Huckle, Kat Kleve, singer, Children’s Christmas Carnival inc The Snowman, 2 and 4pm: Bristol Ensemble, cond Roger Huckle, A Baroque Christmas by Candlelight, 7.30pm.
EXETER, University Great Hall, Step Into Christmas, festive favourites, 7.30.
MARNHULL, St Gregory’s Church, village carol service with Marnhull Community Choir, 6pm.
POOLE, Lighthouse, Armonico Consort, Carols by Candlelight, 4pm.
SOUTHAMPTON, MAST, A Christmas Carol, musical, to 31 Dec, various times.
STREET, Strode Theatre, The Wizard of Oz, to Wed and 27-31 Dec, various times: Wicked: For Good, film, 7 and Mon/Tues 2.30.
TAUNTON, Brewhouse, A Winter’s Tail, a solstice celebration for early years, and Mon, 11am and 3pm.
Monday 22 December
ALDERHOLT, Village Hall, Bumblefly and Forest Forge in Pinocchio, 2.30pm.
BATH, Komedia, James Phelan, The Man Who Was Magic.
BRISTOL, St George’s, Roderick Williams, baritone, and Bristol Ensemble, cond Roger Huckle, Christmas favourites inc Corelli, Caccini and Vivaldi with seasonal readers, and Tues, 7.30.
Beacon, The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child, with the Mozart Symphony Orchestra and narrator, and The Snowman, film, with orchestra, 1.30pm.
CORSHAM, Pound Arts, Rock the Tots Christmas Party, 11am and 1.45pm: Meet Me in St Louis, 1944 Judy Garland film, 7.30.
DORCHESTER, Thomas Hardye School, The Albion Band Christmas show, folk, 7.30.
EXMOUTH, Pavilion, Jack and the Beanstalk, to 1 Jan, various dates and times.
HONITON, Beehive, Elf , 2003 film, 11am: Andre Rieu’s Christmas concert on screen, 2pm.
POOLE, Lighthouse, Buble Christmas by Candlelight, festive tribute, 7.30: Cinema, ELF. 2.30 and Tues 11.30am.
PORTSMOUTH, Guildhall, BSO, cond Pete Harrison, Jenna Lee-James, singer, Last Night of the Christmas Proms, 7.30.
SALISBURY, Cathedral, Carols by Candlelight, and Tues, 7pm.
TAUNTON, Minster Church, GreenMatthews’ Gaudete.
Tuesday 23 December
CORSHAM, Pound Arts, Half a String Theatre in Under the Frozen Moon, and Wed, 11am and 2pm.
EXETER, Cathedral, Service of Lessons and Carols beginning with 14th C Bishop John de Grandisson Christmas Service, and Wed, 6pm.
MOTTISFONT, Village Hall, Bumblefly and Forest Forge in Pinocchio, 6pm.
POOLE, Lighthouse, BSO and Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and Youth Chorus, cond Gavin Carr, celebration of Christmas carols with singalong, 3 and 7pm.
Wednesday 24 December
POOLE, Lighthouse, Cinema, It’s a Wonderful Life, [1946], 2pm.
SALISBURY, Cathedral, Choral Evensong for Christmas Eve, 5.30: Midnight Mass, 11pm.
STREET, Strode Theatre, It’s a Wonderful Life, 1946 film, 11am.
WEST TYTHERLEY, King Edward’s Hall, Bumblefly and Forest Forge in Pinocchio, 1.30pm.
Thursday 25 December
SALISBURY, Cathedral, Christmas Day Eucharist, 10.30am: Festal Evensong, 3pm.
Saturday 27 December
SIDMOUTH, Manor Pavilion, SADS in Mother Goose, to 3 Jan, various times.
Sunday 28 December
FROME, Memorial Theatre, Frome Musical Theatre Company in Jack and the Beanstalk, to 3 Jan, various times.
STREET, Strode Theatre, Blue Moon, film, 4.30 and Mon/Tues 7pm.
Monday 29 December
BATH, Komedia, The Electric Comedy Club with Paul Hilleard, MC.
Tuesday 30 December
EXETER, Barnfield, Wonder Pantomimes in Robin Hood, 2 and 6pm,. and Wed 11am and 3pm.
STREET, Strode Theatre, Merrily We Roll Along, film, 11am and 17 Jan, 7pm.
Wednesday 31 December
BATH, Komedia, Krater Comedy Club New Year’s Eve special.
CHRISTCHURCH, Regent Centre, Mamma Mia New Year extravaganza with film, 9.45pm.
LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, The 1960s New Years Eve Party with The Zoots and DJ John Bongo.
SALISBURY, Arts Centre, Misters Discos New Year’s Countdown, from 9pm.
SOUTH PETHERTON, David Hall, Crooked Furrow, New Year’s Ceilidh, 8 to midnight.