Simon L
28 November 2017
With there being so many top events taking place this New Year's Eve in Dorset it be can difficult to decide where to be as the chimes ring out for the New Year. Here is our rundown of the top places to go in Dorset for New Year's Eve, plus a couple of extra things to see and do to entertain the whole family.
Weymouth Fancy Dress Party
With more than 20,000 participants, Weymouth's New Year's Eve celebrations are one of the biggest fancy dress parties in the UK. This crazily colourful shindig happens throughout the central streets right down to the harbourside, while pubs and bars in Weymouth also put on their own special New Year's Eve events and menus for the big occasion. In the town centre, you'll find music, food and beer tents, and it's where everyone congregates for the countdown to midnight.
There are no start times or official timescale, but in the past people have gathered in the square from 7pm.
Bridport New Year's Eve Street Party
Just down the road from Weymouth is Bridport which is enjoying a growing reputation for its New Year's Eve celebrations. The party happens around town and everyone joins at the town hall to listen to the clock strike twelve. After the traditional midnight sing-along, the crowd heads to The Stable, where people dance long into the night.
Again, there are no set timescales, with events gaining momentum when the sun goes down.
Bournemouth Pavilion Ballroom
Celebrate New Year's Eve in style at the Bournemouth Pavilion Ballroom with a night to remember complemented by a beautiful meal, during which Scarlett Fever Saxophone Quartet will play in the background and then you can dance the night away to Bourne to Swing Dance Band.
The package includes a reception drink, five-course gala dinner and a glass of bubbly at midnight for £75 per person.
The Garden of Lights
Why not do something slightly different with the family on New Year's Eve in Dorset? This winter period the Bournemouth Lower Gardens become an illuminated spectacle with festive lights and decorations giving a special Christmassy feel to the gardens. These immersive light experiences, featuring a variety of dazzling interior concepts are beautiful, fun and completely free to enjoy and explore. You can also enjoy ice skating, be entertained by live music and stroll around the Alpine Market. This is the perfect place to spend quiet family time before heading to elsewhere for midnight.
Until 10pm, every day until 2nd January.
The Lyme Lunge
What better way to wake up the senses after the celebrations than jumping into the waters off the Lyme Regis sandy beach? Organised by the Rotary Club, every year a crowd of people run into the water in their fancy dress at 1pm on New Year's Day to support a chosen charity with large crowds gathering to cheer the participants on.
READ NEXT: Feeling festive? Why not check out our blog detailing the best Christmas events in and around Dorset?
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.