The Milborne Players perform ‘Aladdin’ from February 5th-7th.

Written by John Cummings and Richard Grafton and directed by Jon Riddle, this is a traditional family pantomime which boasts a sound story of good triumphing over evil.

Widow Twankey has a full team of helpers in her laundry including a very washey Wishee Washee and two dizzy laundry maids who are always up to their elbows in something or other!

Panto has to have a baddie and Abanazar is one of the best baddies to hate and there has to be hero, which is of course, Aladdin himself. He just wants to follow his dreams, get rich quick and marry his true love, the Princess Baldroubadour. It’s an everyday tale of, well; thrills, spills and laundry!

Performances at 7.30 pm on Thursday 5th, Friday 6th and Saturday 7th February 2009 (with Sat. Matinee at 2.30 pm) Milborne St Andrew Village Hall.

Ticket Bookings:  Sid Coe (01258 837453)

Milborne Players: Thur 5-Sat 7 Feb • 7.30pm

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

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

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.

Wareham’s Christmas Procession takes place on Sunday 14th December.

As well as the lighting of the town tree, bell ringers and carol singers, Santa will be making a special appearance in the parade and in his grotto afterwards.

This special 50th Anniversary celebration starts from 4pm with the Parade commencing at 4.30pm.

Get into the spirit of Christmas and load up with festive goodies at Swanage Christmas Fair on Saturday 6th December.

This special Christmas Market will be selling fresh produce, Christmas trees, wreaths, hand crafted gifts and lots of lovely items.

As well as carol singing and bands to get you into festive cheer, Father Christmas will be making a special visit too.

Swanage Christmas Fair: Sat 6 Dec 10am-3.30pm

Father Christmas will be making some special trips on the Swanage Railway every weekend in December.

Meet Santa on the one hour trips from Swanage Station. There will be a gift and refreshments for every child and balloon magic and entertainment.

Booking is essential. Fares are reduced on 6th & 7th December.

Swanage Railway: 6&7, 14&15, 20&21 23&24 Dec • £10.50

Lulworth Castle will be spreading some Christmas Magic over the festive period.

Merlin the marvellous Magician will be on hand to enchant and charm you over the festive season and he will be conjuring up lots of mystical illusions and magical spells.

There will also be lots of merriment in the Castle as it comes alive with plenty of themed activities to keep those little faces glowing with festive cheer.

Enjoy Castle games, quizzes, ‘Hunt the Cracker’ and an activity table bursting with items to make and take home, whilst the Stable Café will offer a warming festive menu.

Lulworth Castle: 21 Dec-2 Jan (closed 24&25 Dec) Normal admission price

The fireworks and bonfire night at Kimmeridge last Saturday night was also postponed due to the bad weather and will take place again on Saturday 6th December (weather permitting)

• Huge Bonfire (even bigger now we have an extra month to add to it!)
• Fireworks Display
• Guy competition - 50p to enter
• BBQ, Hot Soup and Soft Drinks for sale

Gates open at 6.30pm, Fireworks at 7.30pm (ish!!!) Entrance £2 Please wear wellies as this event is at a working farm.

Swalland Farm, Kimmeridge. BH20 5PD Follow the signs to Kimmeridge from the Wareham Bypass. Enquiries: 01929 480525.

Due to another Saturday night of torrential rain, the fireworks display at Bere Regis school was postponed again and will now (fingers crossed!) take place this Saturday (15th November).

Refreshments will come in the form of a Bar and BBQ. Gates open 6pm, Fireworks 7pm, Field adjacent to school, Rye Hill, Bere Regis. Adult £5, Under 16s Free.

Step back in time to the 1960’s on the weekend of 29th-30th November as Swanage Railway celebrates the decade that marked the changeover from steam to diesel.

Frequent services will run all weekend with mixed traction on the Saturday and mainly diesel on the Sunday.  The Swanage Railway Grand Draw takes place at Swanage station on Sunday 30th.

Swanage Railway: 29th-30th November 2008

Fans of the Middle Ages will be pleased to hear of a new festival being held in the picturesque setting of Woodsford Castle on 18th-19th July 2009.

Dorset Medieval Festival will be a celebration of the colour and spectacle of the middle ages and planned activities will include jousting tournaments, mock battles and fighting skill displays, archery and traditonal craft skills such as rush-weaving, net-making and candle dipping.

Minstrels, jesters, storytellers and magicians will be entertaining the crowds around the castle and also in the tavern, where authentic ales, wines and meads will be available, as will a traditional hog-roast and other culinary delights. 

Dorset Medieval Festival: 18th-19th July 2009

The Fireworks season is almost upon us and there are plenty of opportunities to light up your life at displays in Purbeck and further afield.

Wednesday 5th November

Kingston Maurward Lakeside fireworks. Gates open at 6pm, display begins at 7.30pm. Entry price, adults and children (age over 5): £5.

2CR’s fireworks display at Canford Park, Magna Road, Poole. Fireworks, bonfire plus fairground and live music. Family tickets available through the BIC in advance only (not available on the night), two adults and two kids £15. Tickets on the night £5 per person.

Poole Quay Fireworks live music, steet performers, children’s entertainement from 4.30pm. Fireworks from 7.45pm. FREE 

Friday 7 November

Bonfire, Tank Display and Fireworks at Bovington Garrison. Gates open at 6pm and bonefire at 7pm, tanks at 7.30pm and fireworks at 7.45 (finish 9pm). £3 adults Children £1.50

Saturday 8th November

Bere Regis School is holding its annual bonfire and fireworks from 6.00pm. A bar and hot food are available on the night. Adults £5, Under 16s FREE. (rescheduled from 1 Nov due to bad weather).

Fireworks on Wareham Quay, organised by Wareham Round Table in conjunction with the Granary, The Quay Inn and La Trottolina. Music in the Quay Inn featuring Steve D Neil Diamond Tribute starts 7pm.

Fireworks at Kimmeridge. Gates open at 6.30pm with fireworks at 7.30pm

Bournemouth Fireworks at Littledown Centre. There is a family funfair and live music. Gates open at 5.30pm, with firework displays at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm. Adult £6, Child £3.

Southhill fireworks display in Weymouth, 7pm. BBQ, entertainment, Dorset Fire Service pump display. Free Entry .

Entry to Monkey World is free on 31 October for anyone dressed in a full Halloween outfit.

Not only will you save on the entrance fee but the apes will have a good laugh at your expense too!

You will also get the chance to see the recently erected bronze statue of the late Jim Cronin and Charlie, one of the first chimps he rescued and brought to the centre.

Monkey World: 31 Oct, Free Entry for Halloween Fancy Dressers