Little Robin Red Vest
until Sunday 14 December, 11am, 2pm (Sat, Sun only), except 11.15am, 2.15pm (Sat 13, Sun 14 only), The Sherling Studio
Based on the timeless Christmas classic by best-selling, award-winning author, Jan Fearnley. Join us for this brand-new adaptation aimed at children aged 2-6 and their families. Using original songs, puppetry and integrated Makaton, our playful performers will share this heart-warming tale of friendship, generosity, and the joy of giving.
The Wintering
until Saturday 3 January, from 10am, Main Gallery
Boscombe-based Carmel De’Lisser, aka Cathartic Brush, is a self-taught intuitive artist who has transformed the Gallery into an organic woodland themed installation, creating a denlike structure within the space as well as a space for workshops. It’s perfect for mindful moments and interaction, creating a space where people come to exhale
NT Live: The Fifth Step
Tuesday 2 December, 5pm, Cinema
Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Dunkirk) is joined by Emmy and BAFTA-winner Martin Freeman (The Hobbit, The Responder) in the critically acclaimed and subversively funny new play by David Ireland. Sold out.
Wicked: For Good (PG)
Tuesday 2 – Thursday 11 December (not Mon 8), various times, Cinema
Last year’s global cinematic sensation, which became the most successful Broadway film adaptation of all time, now reaches its epic, electrifying, emotional conclusion in Wicked: For Good. Directed once again by award-winning director Jon M Chu and starring the spectacular returning cast, led by Academy Award® nominated superstars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the final chapter of the untold story of the witches of Oz begins with Elphaba and Glinda estranged and living with the consequences of their choices.
Silver Screen: Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (PG)
Wednesday 3, Friday 12, Tuesday 16 December, 11am, Cinema
The Grand Finale, the cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra: A Fine Romance
Wednesday 3 December, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
Enyi Okpara conducts music by Dvořák, Bruch, Humperdinck and Tchaikovsky.
Lunchtime Recital: Jesper Svedberg & Hugo Svedberg
Thursday 4 December, 1.05pm, The Sherling Studio
The BSO’s Principal Cellist Jesper Svedberg performs with his music scholar son (and fellow cellist) Hugo.
The Wintering – Dementia Friendly Cake Concert
Thursday 4 December, 2pm, Gallery
The BSO’s Teatime Trio, an ensemble of flute, harp and cello, provide classical and popular repertoire, and a chance to share tunes, cake and company to leave you feeling warm and renewed.
The Holiday In Concert (12A)
Thursday 4 December, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
The much-cherished Christmas romcom presented with its enchanting score performed by a complete concert orchestra live to screen.
Nuremberg (15)
Friday 5, Sunday 7, Tuesday 9, Thursday 11, Wednesday 17, Thursday 18 December, 3.30pm (Fri), 11am (Sun), 11.30am (Tue), 7.30pm (Thu 11), 3.30pm (Wed), 7pm (Thu 18), Cinema
A psychiatrist evaluates Nazi leaders before the Nuremberg trials, growing increasingly obsessed with understanding evil as he forms a disturbing bond with Hermann Göring. Russell Crowe stars.
The Illegal Eagles
Friday 5 December, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
The Illegal Eagles make a welcome return to Poole with a brand new production, promising more of their trademark musical prowess, acute attention to detail and incredible showmanship.
Cabaret With Claus
Friday 5 December, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
Glad Tidings abound as Charlie Bicknell and Louise Innes return with their Christmas show, an evening of shamelessly festive insanity with angels, shepherds, scented candles and a glitterball rocket ship, a man formerly known as Tiny Tim and a goose. Maybe.
The Muppet Christmas Carol Live to Film
Saturday 6 December, 7pm, Concert Hall
Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol presented live in concert, featuring a screening of the complete film with its musical score performed live by orchestra. Age guidance: 3+
Andre Rieu’s 2025 Christmas Concert: Merry Christmas (PG)
Saturday 6, Wednesday 10 December, 7pm (Sat), 3.30pm (Wed), Cinema
With joyful carols, beautiful waltzes, and plenty of surprises, it’s the ultimate Christmas cinema event, as Andre and his fabulous Johann Strauss Orchestra are joined by special guests including the sensational Emma Kok.
Wessex Winterfest
Sunday 7 December, 3pm, Concert Hall
A festive winter celebration, brought to you by some of the area’s most talented young musicians with performances by the Wessex Youth Symphony Orchestra, YMWes Ensembles and guests.
The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker
Wednesday 10 December, 7.15pm, Cinema
Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker has enchanted audiences since its 1984 premiere featuring Tchaikovsky’s most familiar melodies and brought to life by Julia Trevelyan Oman’s exquisite designs.
Encore: Wednesday 17 December, 11.30am, Cinema
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra: Monumental Brahms
Wednesday 10 December, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
Chief Conductor Mark Wigglesworth conducts music by Kernis, Mozart and Brahms.
Dick Whittington
Thursday 11 December – Sunday 4 January, various times, Theatre
Prepare yourself for a feline-good adventure paved with gold this Christmas as our traditional family pantomime returns with Dick Whittington. Written and directed by CBeebies and pantomime legend Chris Jarvis, with production design by James Smith, Poole-born West End star Bernadette Bangura features as Fairy Bowbelles with last year’s fiendish villain Sarah-Louise Young coming back as King Rat and our very own Corben Heward-Mills makes the leap from ensemble to principal cast as Tommy the Cat.
Poole Schools’ Music Association Christmas Concert
Thursday 11 December, 7pm, Concert Hall
A magical evening as 16 Poole schools unite to celebrate the season through music.
Studio Jazz: Thokozile Collective + The Bossa Definitiva Trio
Friday 12 December, 7.45pm, The Sherling Studio
Thokozile’s joyous world jazz with a hint of Anid Jazz, is perfectly complemented by the Getz/Gilberto sounds of Bossa Definitiva, fronted by Paris born vocalist Véronique Joly.
Krampus (15)
Friday 12 December. 7.30pm, Cinema
Screams By The Sea Film Festival invite you to get in the Christmas mood the only way they know how – with an epic home invasion by the evil Santa!
Buttons & Bows Christmas Craft Fayre
Saturday 13 December, 10am, Function Rooms 1&2
Browse a huge selection of local handmade gifts or take part in a festive workshop, there is so much going on to really get you in that Christmas spirit! Free entry.
Family Cinema: Arthur Christmas (U)
Saturday 13 December, 11.30am, Cinema
Our specially curated programme of Family Cinema films includes a creative, film-themed workshop after each screening. This week, James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent and Bill Nighy top the voice cast for this animated story about Santa’s clumsy son Arthur on a mission with Grandsanta to give out a present they misplaced to a young girl in less than two hours.
Step Into Christmas
Saturday 13 December, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
Back by Popular Demand for 2025, the feel-good Christmas concert spectacular.
Coastal Comedy
Saturday 13 December, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
Markus Birdman, as seen on Britain’s Got Talent, appears with Ant Dawson and Ingrid Dahle in our monthly standup comedy club. Age guidance: 18+
Moscow Drug Club
Tuesday 16 December, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
Combining original material with songs by the likes of Jaques Brel, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen and Eartha Kitt, Moscow Drug Club deliver an intoxicating and intimate musical experience.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra: Messiah
Wednesday 17 December, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
Handel’s glorious oratorio is one of the most celebrated pieces in the classical canon.
The Shining (45th Anniversary 4k Restoration) (18)
Wednesday 17 December, 7.30pm, Cinema
Stanley Kubrick’s classic time warp of madness and murder stars Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall.
Not Truly Dead
Wednesday 17, Thursday 18 December, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
Three tales of the restless dead, by the master of the English ghost story, M R James, performed by R M Lloyd Parry. Age guidance: 12+
The Wintering – Wreath Making Workshop
Thursday 18 December, 1pm, Main Gallery
Guided by artist Carmel De’Lisser in our transformed Gallery space, participants will be greeted with a winter warmer on arrival before using sustainable practices and found materials from the local area to create custom organic wreaths to last throughout the winter months.
Dementia Friendly: Miracle on 34th Street (U)
Thursday 18 December, 2pm, Cinema
Christmas classic with Edmund Gwenn as the nice old man hired to play Santa Claus at Macy’s in New York… only to claim he’s the real deal.
Oh, Whistle
Friday 19 December, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad – a tale of nocturnal horror on the Suffolk coast – is considered by many to be M R James’s masterpiece. It is beautifully complemented here by The Ash Tree, a story of witchcraft and vengeance down the generations. Age guidance: 12+
Family Cinema: The Polar Express (U)
Saturday 20 December, 11.30am, Cinema
Our specially curated programme of Family Cinema films includes a creative, film-themed workshop after each screening. This week, Tom Hanks in Robert Zemeckis’ classic set on Christmas Eve when a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra: Last Night of the Christmas Proms
Saturday 20 December, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
Pete Harrison conducts the BSO in this family-friendly musical sleigh ride.
Coastal Comedy
Saturday 20 December, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
A Christmas special with Shazia Mirza, Luke Honnoraty and Russell Arathoon as our standup comedy club wraps up another year. Age guidance: 18+
Carols By Candelight
Sunday 21 December, 4pm, Concert Hall
Armonico Consort return and what better way to enjoy the warmth and joy of the Christmas season than in this sublime candlelit setting for a feast of carols, combining traditional favourites and newly discovered works?
Elf (PG)
Monday 22, Tuesday 23 December, 2.30pm (Mon), 11.30am (Wed), Cinema
Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father. Will Ferrell and James Caan star.
Bublé By Candelight
Monday 22 December, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
Featuring a live big band and one of the UK’s best Michael Bublé tribute acts, join us for an unforgettable evening of Christmas hits.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra: Celebration of Carols
Tuesday 23 December, 3pm, 7pm, Concert Hall
Experience the magic of Christmas with a concert devoted to the best traditional carols ever written and join in the singing with the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and Youth Chorus for a good, old-fashioned singalong.
It’s a Wonderful Life (U)
Wednesday 24 December, 2pm, Cinema
Frank Capra’s Christmas classic in which an angel sent from Heaven helps a desperate businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed. James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore star.
Tickets and information 01202 280000
www.lighthousepoole.co.uk