In true We Are Weymouth (BID) style, the 2022 Christmas season is jam-packed with activities, events, workshops and performances for all ages – turning the town of Weymouth into nothing short of the North Pole itself!
Building on the 4 weekends of Christmas from 2021, We Are Weymouth is replicating the schedule this year, only going bigger and better across the board.
Saturday 26th November sees the start of the Christmas season and the light illumination in Weymouth Town Centre. This year, the celebration begins at 10am with a screening of Arthur Christmas in Cineworld and an Elf Trail throughout the town. The Elf World Record Attempt is back, We Are Weymouth is hoping that over 2,000 ‘elves’ will gather and be counted in New Bond Street to beat the current record of 1,762. To help get everyone into the elf spirit there are elf workshops taking place across the town from bauble decorating to elf hat making and much more. Local businesses will be dressing up as elves, helping to turn Weymouth into an elf extravaganza for the day.
If that’s not enough, there’s a full schedule of local bands and performers on stage in New Bond Street throughout the day, all culminating in the official light switch-on and Animated Christmas Light Show on The Range at 5.15pm – something not to be missed. After this there will be late night shopping, entertainment until 8pm and even an Elf night at Weymouth’s famous night club ‘The Closet’. Visitors and locals are invited to dress up as elves and join in the fun!
Next comes the magical Steampunk Christmas Weekend 2nd to 4th December – filled with mechanical, mystical creations. Steampunkers from across the country will descend on Weymouth, bringing a touch of fantasy to the Christmas season. Friday 2nd December, The Royal Hotel hosts a Steampunk Gala where students from Weymouth College have been working on Steampunk Costumes to exhibit. This event is ticketed and all proceeds go to local charity Weldmar Hospice. Locals and visitors are encouraged to come together to support this brilliant charity and have a glimpse into the world of Steampunk.
Saturday 3rd December the Nothe Fort plays host to the Steampunk Bazaar, from 10am to 4pm an array of Steampunk stalls will be selling the most unique Christmas gifts imaginable. Alongside visitors can expect mulled wine, the Wessex Brass Band and much more!
That evening is The Dolmen Yuletide Ball at Weymouth’s Centenary Club – Steampunkers, Pirates, Celts and more! All are invited.
Finally, a refreshing promenade on the morning of Sunday 4th December will see Steampunkers in all their finery – a great opportunity for pictures on the seafront.
The Nativity Trail returns, taking place in 6 venues throughout the town on Saturday 10th December. Join us to follow the Christmas story, finishing in Hope Square with carols, mulled wine and mince pies, the Salvation Army Band and a spectacular Christmas Animated Light Show.
On Sunday 11th December there is a Farmers and Makers Market in New Bond Street, another fantastic opportunity to pick up unique Christmas gifts.
The last weekend of the We Are Celebrating season is the 17th and 18th December – Santa Filled Fun! Over the past 3 weeks children have been busy writing their letters to Santa and this weekend the man himself is coming to collect the letters and take them to the North Pole! The Elf trail continues throughout the town and Santa will be in his Grotto in Cineworld for the whole weekend.
On Sunday 18th December there’s the annual Pudding Run and Chase the Elf on Weymouth Beach – the perfect conclusion to the Weymouth Christmas season.
