Hello Poole!

It’s officially one of the busiest festive weeks of the year, and there’s a lot happening across town. From a brilliant Pier Journal event at St Peter’s this Saturday, to Christmas markets, carols, comedy and concerts, this week’s issue is packed with ways to get out and enjoy Poole. We’ve also got important updates on transport funding, roadworks, housing plans and more.

Pop the kettle on and have a scroll.

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✨ Pier Journal brings Winter magic to Ashley Cross this Saturday

If you’re looking for a proper festive kick-start this weekend, Winter at the Cross in Ashley Cross is shaping up to be something really special.

Taking place this Saturday at St Peter’s Church, Parkstone, the all-day event is a collaboration between Pier Journal and St Peter’s, bringing together an artisan market, live music, Santa’s Grotto, food, drink and a whole lot of community spirit.

If you’ve not come across Pier Journal before, it’s a beautifully put-together free, bi-annual printed magazine celebrating the people, places and stories that make Dorset such a great place to live. Launched in 2022, it now reaches over 15,000 readers across the county and regularly teams up with local venues for markets, gigs and creative events.

I was in one of our favourite cafes the other day, The Red Roaster in Ashley Cross, and picked up the latest edition. It’s such a good read. Full of inspiring local stories, thoughtful features and brilliant artwork, it’s well worth getting your hands on if you spot a copy.

From 10am, St Peter’s will be filled with 30+ stalls selling food, drink, jewellery, ceramics, art and handmade gifts, perfect for some last-minute Christmas shopping. Kids can meet Father Christmas, get creative with festive crafts and enjoy storytelling from local writers.

There’ll be live music throughout the day, with The Confessional Bar serving mulled wine, beer, cider and non-alcoholic drinks, plus hot food outside to keep everyone fuelled.

The market wraps up at 5pm with the much-loved Beer & Carols, before the festive fun spills into the evening with a self-guided Christmas pub trail around Ashley Cross.

Tickets are £5 per person, under 12s go free, and well-behaved dogs are welcome. Even better, £1 from every ticket goes towards supporting pastoral care and connection in Ashley Cross.

A brilliant celebration of local creativity, community and Christmas spirit, right in the heart of Poole.

Get tickets

🚧 Plans to reduce roadwork disruption across busy routes

BCP Council is consulting on plans to reduce roadwork disruption across the area’s busiest roads.

A proposed Lane Rental Scheme would encourage utility companies and contractors to complete work faster and at quieter times by charging daily fees on key routes.

Schemes like this have already been introduced elsewhere and have reduced congestion and shortened the length of roadworks. Any surplus income would be reinvested into further measures to cut disruption.

Residents can have their say before Sunday 1 February 2026, after which the council will decide whether to apply to the government to introduce the scheme.

🇮🇹 Poole gets its first Italian Christmas Market

Poole is getting a brand new Italian Christmas Market this December, organised by local businesses and sponsored by Poole BID.

Taking place Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December, 10am to 5pm, the market will be held outside Sainsbury’s in Pitwines Close, near Dogs Trust and Ashley Road.

Expect Italian gifts, festive treats and plenty of food to enjoy while you browse. On Saturday from 1pm, there’s also a special live performance from Coro Giovani Londra, a London-based Italian youth choir.

Come hungry, festive and ready to tick off some Christmas shopping.

🏠 Over 900 new council homes planned across BCP

More than 900 new council homes are planned across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole over the next decade.

Under long-term housing plans, 937 homes are proposed by 2034/35, including social rent and shared ownership properties. New homes will be energy efficient, with no gas supply and lower running costs for residents.

Some homes are already being delivered, with new properties recently completed in Poole. Councillors agreed the plans, highlighting the importance of sustainable housing and long-term investment.

🏬 New powers aim to bring empty shops back to life

BCP Council is set to trial new powers designed to bring long-term empty shops in Bournemouth back into use.

Under the High Street Rental Auction scheme, the council can step in when units have been empty for over a year and offer them up through a ‘right to rent’ auction for businesses and community groups.

The move follows a strong summer for Bournemouth town centre, with more than 10 million visits and several high-profile new openings. The proposals will be discussed by councillors on 17 December, with Bournemouth town centre proposed as the pilot area.

The aim is to keep high streets lively, support new businesses and build on the positive momentum already underway.

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🚴 Safer crossing and paths planned near Upton Country Park

Work is due to start in January on improvements to walking, wheeling and cycling routes near Upton Country Park, making the area safer and easier to access.

The scheme includes a new parallel crossing, wider footways, resurfacing and better links to existing traffic-free routes. The speed limit will also be reduced to 30mph.

Works begin Monday 12 January and are expected to last around 12 weeks, with temporary traffic signals and some diversions in place. Upton Country Park will remain open throughout.

3 Local stories you might have missed

1. New cliff top shelter opens in Poole – Bournemouth One 

2. Harbour boat policy moves consultation – Bournemouth One 

3. Steam loco makes debut at Shillingstone after 10-year restoration - BBC News 

🏠 Over 900 new council homes planned across BCP

More than 900 new council homes are planned across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole over the next decade.

Under long-term housing plans, 937 homes are proposed by 2034/35, including social rent and shared ownership properties. New homes will be energy efficient, with no gas supply and lower running costs for residents.

Some homes are already being delivered, with new properties recently completed in Poole. Councillors agreed the plans, highlighting the importance of sustainable housing and long-term investment.

👨‍🏫 Year 11 GCSE Help

Just received your teen's GCSE mock results? A couple of week’s ago we did an interview with Andy Hoyland, the local educator who gets it.

Level-Up Online Tutoring combines expert teaching across all core subjects with mental health support – because stressed teens can't learn effectively.

With live lessons, video courses you can rewatch anytime, and a supportive teen community, students are already seeing real results.

And in exclusive news for PooleNow readers, there’s currently 20% off the normal price if you sign up before Friday 19th December. This is your final chance to sign up at the reduced rate!

Learn more and sign up at https://level-uponlinetutoring.info/

🎶 Beth Orton announced for Warm In The Nave at St Peter’s

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Beth Orton has been announced as the first Warm In The Nave show of 2026, performing at St Peter’s Church, Poole on Saturday 14 February.

A Mercury Prize nominee and BRIT Award winner, Beth Orton is known for blending folk and electronic sounds. She’ll be joined by special guest Sam Amidon, an innovative American folk musician now based in London.

Doors open at 7pm, and tickets are on sale now. 

What’s on this week in (and around) Poole

Multiple Days

Italian Christmas Market Poole, Outside Sainsbury’s, Pitwines Close, Poole
Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 December, 10am–5pm
Poole’s brand new Italian Christmas Market, organised by local businesses and sponsored by Poole BID. Expect Italian gifts, festive food and treats, plus a special performance by Coro Giovani Londra, London’s Italian youth choir, on Saturday from 1pm.

Snow and Ice Family Trail, Upton Country Park, Poole
Friday 19 December – Monday 5 January, 10am–3pm (excluding Christmas Day)
Follow festive clues around the park to help the Ice Queen rebuild her snowman companion. Trail maps available from the Welcome Centre. £4.50 per trail sheet, including a cuddly prize.
Pixie Paint face painting also available in the Welcome Centre, Monday to Wednesday, 22–24 December, 11am–3pm.

Dick Whittington (Panto), Lighthouse Poole, various times
Thu 11 December – Sun 4 January
From £15
CBeebies favourite Chris Jarvis returns as Dame Dolly Doughnuts for a sparkling, family-friendly panto filled with magic, music and mischievous fun. With West End star Bernadette Bangura as Fairy Bowbelles and jaw-dropping tricks from Corben Heward-Mills, it’s a festive treat for all ages.

Tuesday

The Good Quiz, The Goods Yard
Put on your thinking caps, gather your teammates and take part in the no pen, no paper, NO CHEATING, speed quiz!

Moscow Drug Club
Lighthouse, Poole, 8pm
An intoxicating mix of Berlin cabaret, French musette, Latin rhythms and storytelling, with music inspired by Tom Waits, Jacques Brel and Leonard Cohen.
Tickets from £18.50.

The Chicken Soup Choir: Songs to Celebrate Christmas
St Peter’s Church, Poole, doors 7pm
An evening of festive favourites from the much-loved Chicken Soup Choir, raising funds for the Children’s Development Centre Music Therapy Service at Poole Hospital.

Poole Plugged and Unplugged with Rich & Rich
The Portsmouth Hoy, Poole Quay, 8pm
An open mic night welcoming acoustic and electric performers. Free drink for performers and the chance of a future gig at The Hoy.

Wednesday

Festive Beginner Bird Watching with Birds of BARI
Upton Country Park, 12pm–1.30pm
Meet at the Welcome Centre and join a guided walk along the coast path, learning how to identify wading birds in Poole Harbour. Binoculars provided if needed. Suitable for older children and adults. Christmas jumpers encouraged.
Free booking via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/festive-beginner-bird-watching

BSO: Messiah
Lighthouse, Poole, 7.30pm
Handel’s timeless oratorio performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. A festive classic packed with powerful choruses and beautiful arias.
Tickets from £20.90.

The Shining (45th Anniversary 4K Restoration, Cert 18)
Lighthouse, Poole, 7.30pm
Celebrate 45 years of Stanley Kubrick’s iconic horror film, shown in stunning 4K restoration.
Tickets from £8.75.

Zoe Schwarz Bluez Party
The Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross, 8.30pm–10.30pm
A night of blues-infused live music at one of Ashley Cross’s favourite pubs.

Poole Symphonic Christmas Concert
St Peter’s Church, Poole, doors 7pm
A candlelit evening of festive music and carols, featuring Christmas film favourites and modern classics, with plenty of opportunities to sing along.

Thursday

The Wintering: Organic Wreath Making Workshop
Lighthouse, Poole, 1pm
A two-hour workshop led by artist Carmel De’Lisser, using sustainable and locally sourced materials to create a winter wreath. Includes a complimentary winter warmer.
Tickets from £35.

Skinny Malinkys Taco Thursday
The Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross, from 5pm
Fresh tacos served until they sell out, paired with Mexican lager, cider, margaritas and tequila.

Friday

Totog
The Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross, 9pm–11pm
Live music to kick-start the weekend.

Absolute Block – Rock Covers
The Tap & Grape, Broadstone, 8pm
A Christmas jumper-friendly night of rock covers.

Saturday

Pier Presents: Winter at the Cross
St Peter’s Church, Poole, from 10am
An all-day festive celebration with artisan stalls, live music, Santa’s Grotto, carols, food and drink, finishing with Beer & Carols and a Christmas pub trail.
Entry £5, under 12s free, dogs welcome.

Watersports Academy Christmas Market
Harbour Heights Hotel, Poole, 11am–3pm
A local makers market filled with handmade gifts, perfect for last-minute Christmas shopping.

Santa Experience Afloat
Coastal Cruises, Poole Harbour
A magical festive harbour cruise with mulled wine, music and Santa on board, with a gift for every child.
Advance booking recommended.

BSO: Last Night of the Christmas Proms
Lighthouse, Poole, 7.30pm
A festive family favourite packed with Christmas classics and seasonal showstoppers.

Coastal Comedy: Christmas Special
Lighthouse, Poole, 8pm
A festive night of stand-up comedy, headlined by Shazia Mirza.
Tickets from £19.49.

Bone Idol
The Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross, 9pm–11pm
Live music at The BT for your Saturday night.

Xmas at The Bricklayers
The Bricklayers, Ashley Cross, 8pm
BH Rock return for a high-energy Christmas gig to kick off the festive break.

The King Charles Christmas Party
The King Charles, 9pm
Live music from Curveball for the pub’s Christmas party.

Choirs at Christma
Outside Poole Museum
11am Bovington Military Wives Choir
12noon The Ska Contingent

Sunday

Yule Solstice Sunrise Beach Dance
Branksome Chine Beach, 7.45am–9.45am
Welcome the Winter Solstice with a sunrise beach dance celebrating the return of the light.
Book via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/yule-solstice-sunrise-beach-dance-tickets-1732672743819

Armonico Consort: Carols by Candlelight
Lighthouse, Poole, 4pm
A candlelit concert of traditional and newly discovered carols in a beautifully atmospheric setting.
Tickets from £20.90.

Rockwater Quiz Night
Rockwater, Branksome Seafront, doors 6.30pm, quiz 7pm
An entertaining quiz night with prizes and a limited pizza menu.

Isabel’s Christmas Special
Isabel’s Brasserie, Penn Hill, 1.45pm
Paul Walker Sings, festive food and a warm Christmas atmosphere.
Book by calling 01202 757885.

Hoy Session: Hugh Budden and Ed Fox
The Portsmouth Hoy, Poole Quay, music from 4.30pm
An afternoon of blues, soul and country. Book for Sunday roast from 12pm.
Booking advised: 01202 673517.

LIVE MUSIC: Outlandish
The Tap & Grape, Broadstone, 6pm
An uplifting evening of folk, world and funk-inspired original music.

Brass Band Festive Performance
Poole Town Centre, 12pm–2pm
The Fish Shambles provide festive brass music for shoppers.

Monday

Bublé Christmas by Candlelight
Lighthouse, Poole, 7.30pm
A feel-good Christmas concert featuring a live big band and Michael Bublé tribute.
Tickets from £24.20.

Pub Quiz Night – Bermuda Triangle Pub, 7.30–10.30pm
£3 entry includes quiz and bar snacks. Friendly fun to start the week.

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That’s it! See you next week!