CHRISTMAS is now less than 50 days away.
Light switch-ons, craft fairs and running events are set to ramp up over the coming weeks as we head closer to Christmas.
Grab those diaries as here are five festive events not to miss this month.
1. Ringwood Winter Wanderland
Ringwood’s big Winter Wanderland is back for 2022 with a Christmas light switch-on taking place on Sunday, November 27.
The free event, which takes place in the town centre, will include a market featuring more than 60 stalls selling arts and crafts, produce, gifts and more, plus hot food and drink including mulled wine, hog roast, fish and chips, bratwurst and stone baked pizza.
There will also be not one but two Santa parades with the first setting off at 11.30am, followed by an evening event at 5.45pm.
There will also be a Santa’s Grotto and reindeer, small fairground in the Market Place and street entertainment throughout the afternoon. Santa will switch on the lights at 6pm.
2. Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival
Poole's new Christmas Maritime Light Festival launches on Saturday, November 19.
The free trail in the town centre will feature a host of light installations, including a 5-metre tall ship, a giant anchor and a 120-metre 'under the sea' curtain of lights.
It will include a total of 23 highlights to look out for.
The six-week event runs until Monday, January 2.
Read more: Sparkling illusions, boat tours, and more planned for Poole's Christmas festival
3. RNLI Reindeer Run
Grab those antlers for the popular RNLI Reindeer Run at Moors Valley on Sunday, November 27.
Participants can choose from between a 10K, 5K or 1K Santa Saunter and help raise vital funds for the RNLI.
All participants will receive a Reindeer Run medal on completion of their run and prizes will be given to the first male and female in the 5K and 10K runs.
To sign up, visit rnli.org.
4. Yuletide Festival
Christchurch will be holding a Yuletide Festival on Saturday, November 26, to kick off their Christmas celebrations.
The festival will begin in Saxon Square at 11am, before crowds are treated to a festive Carol Service outside the Christchurch Baptist Church at 3pm.
Then, at 5pm, a theatrical procession will take off from Church Lane and travel down the high street, before the Christmas lights are turned on.
There will also be a Yuletide Market on the High Street with a stage for music and entertainment, as well as workshops to make Yule headdresses, and stalls for storytelling and face painting.
Read more: Christchurch set to 'do things differently' this festive season
5. Christmas Tree Wonderland
Bournemouth's free Christmas Tree Wonderland spectacle returns on Friday, November 18.
The town centre, gardens and seafront will once again be illuminated with lights, Christmas trees and more.
The main event will be a 60-ft walk-through tree in the Lower Gardens.
There will be some new trees and features as part of this year's event.
There will also be a Christmas market, Alpine bar and ice rink to enjoy.
It will run until Monday, January 2.
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