Dr Chris Wood, Senior Lecturer in Heritage Conservation at Bournemouth University, will give a lecture titled “World Heritage Volcanoes: the best of the best?” at Dorset County Museum on Wednesday 14th January.

Topics covered include spectacular eruptions, dramatic lava tunnels and how volcanoes grow.

Dorset County Museum: Wed 14 Jan •  6.30pm

Enjoy a day’s walk looking at wintering birds around the spectacular Arne area on Sunday 11th January .

The walk starts in the morning at Arne, where Spoonbills often winter and Dartford Warblers appear on the heath.

After lunch at a nearby pub the walk will commence from Middlebere to look over tidal inlets of Poole Harbour. Avocets are usually feeding here and sometimes Hen Harriers fly over the reeds.

Book in advance by contacting Project Fred on 01425 673321 or by emailing project.fred@virgin.net.

Project Fred: Sun 11 Jan • £15

Gain an insight in to how Studland Beach is managed with a guided walk by its Visitor Services & Enterprise Manager.

Meet at Visitor Centre, Knoll Beach at 2pm - price includes a cream tea after the walk.

National Trust: £4.50 • Tel: 01929 450259

The Mowlem Theatre in Swanage presents Aladdin from Wednesday 7th to Saturday 10th January.

Performances start at 7.30pm every day with an additional Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

The Mowlem: £7 Adults, £5 Children • Box Office 01929 422239

Clear away the Christmas cobwebs and enjoy a healthy hike around Durlston Country Park on Sunday 4th January.

Join a ranger to explore Durlston’s history, landscape and geology.

Durlston: 2nd January 10.30am: £3

Get your winter skates on as Ice Skating returns to the BIC and runs right though until 22nd February.

This year’s rink is bigger and better than before and will be will be the UK’s largest indoor temporary event. It will feature a separate toddler area for smaller children and their parents together with an adjacent beginner’s area ‘Ice & Easy’ for those who haven’t skated before.

Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

BIC: Tickets £7.50 • 0844 576 3000

If it’s pantomime fun you are looking for this Christmas then get along to see Dick Whittington & His Cat at Poole’s Lighthouse, which runs until 4th January.

Follow Dick through his many adventures to defeat the evil King Rat and become Mayor of London. Laughter, fun, music and mayhem are guaranteed.

Starring Jack Ryder as Dick Whittington, Adele Silva (Emmerdale) as Alice Fitzwarren, Ed ‘Stewpot’ Stewart as Alderman Fitzwarren and Martyn Read (Captain Birdseye!) as Captain Cuttle.

Lighthouse: 15 Dec-4 Jan • 0844 406 8666 Tickets

Join a Ranger for a guided clifftop walk around Durlston and hear the fascinating tales of pirates and the many ships wrecked along the Dorset Coast on Sunday 21st December.

Meet at the Visitor Centre for a 2pm start. £3 adults, £2 children is made

Durlston: Sun 21 Dec • 2pm

The Barcodes play Dorchester Arts Centre as part of the Bluesnights series on Saturday 13th December.

The Barcodesare ex-Yardbird Alan Glen (guitar and harmonica), Bob Haddrell (keyboards) and Dino Coccia (drums). All veterans of the UK and international scene, their take on the blues embraces a wide range of material, much of which is self-penned. 

Dorchester Arts Centre: Sat 13 Dec 8pm • £10.50adv £11.50 door

For those of you early birds there is the chance to watch the sunrise on one of the shortest days of the year in the unique setting of Corfe Castle on Sunday 21 December. 

Meet at 7.15am and enjoy a warming drink and breakfast roll afterwards. Booking Essential 01929 481294.

Alternatively, enjoy the stunning views from Studland and watch the sunrise over Old Harry Rocks. Meet at Knoll Beach car park at 7.15am and after the sunrise enjoy a hearty breakfast at the beach cafe. Booking Essential 01929 450259.

Experience an invigorating and educational 2 hour bird walk on Studland beach and nature reserve on Wednesday 17th December.

Titled ‘Turkeys are not the only birds’ and led by a nature expert, the walk is followed by a 2 course lunch at Knoll Beach Cafe.

For tickets (£12 per person) contact Emma Wright at the National Trust on 01929 450259 or email emma.wright@nationaltrust.org.uk

The Poetry Cafe celebrates the work of the late Jim Kimmis at Dorchester Arts Centre on 5th December.

Jim Kimmis was a fine poet with a rare talent who spent his last years in Dorchester. Finally, after his early death, his work is published. 

Local writers are invited to read a poem on the theme ‘The mapmakers are silent’ (words from Jim’s poem Asylum).

Poetry Café offers food, drink and live literature in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Dorchester Arts Centre • 8pm (Doors and bar 7.30pm) • Tickets £6 / £4 unwaged • Food £3

Winter Wonderland commences in Corfe Castle on Saturday 29th November with the switch on of the famous Christmas Lights in the Square at 4.30pm.

The “Casterbridge Christmas Cracker”, Dorchester’s annual celebration of the beginning of the festive season is on Wednesday 3rd December.

The late night evening shopping starts at 5.30pm and there will be live music, festive stalls, roast chestnuts and mulled wine.

The procession begins at 6.50pm, with this year’s lights being switched on at 7pm by TV celebrity, Jennifer Biddle (Jessica Harris in Hollyoaks).

Dress to impress with this year’s theme being “The Twelve Days of Christmas” with prizes for the best outfits.

The Mojo Theatre Company present Harold Pinter’s “The Dumb Waiter” and other sketches at Swanage Mowlem Theatre from Thursday 4th to Sunday 6th December.

Starring Danny Seldon and Grant Jones and directed by Jolyon Coy, the Dumb Waiter has been described by The Times as “Tarantino meets Tony Hancock in this groundbreaking Modern Classic”.

Mowlem: 4th-6th Dec • 8pm • £8