1. A CELEBRATION of all things beer takes place at the Winter Lodge at Mai Tai in Ashley Cross this weekend. There will be a broad selection of beers plus live music on Friday and Saturday night.

2. Castlepoint’s Christmas celebrations start with a lights switch on event tomorrow from 5-7pm with an evening of family-friendly, fun festive entertainment – plus a few surprises!

3. A memory walk to celebrate the lives of loved ones who received care at Forest Holme Hospice takes place from Poole Park Cricket Ground at 5.45pm tonight. Although the event is sold out, there will be a Light Up A Life Service at 6.30pm to 8pm at the Civic Centre.

4. Sing People Sing will be performing again with the Tenors Unlimited at Lighthouse Poole tonight. This new festive show features a selection of Yuletide songs.

5. See Poole High Street and Quay spring to life with its twinkling Christmas lights and Christmas trees on Saturday at 5.45pm by Harry Redknapp. There will also be children’s entertainers, face painters and a snow machine from 12 noon in Falkland Square. Everyone is also invited to join the Santa Parade on Sunday starting from Poole Quay to Falkland Square at 11.30am. There will be plenty of entertainment and activities throughout the day to make it a proper family day out.

6.You can also join Santa’s Magical Parade in Hawkwood Road Boscombe on Saturday at 11.45am as Blitzen, Dasher and Rudolph make their way to Santa’s Grotto at the Sovereign Shopping Centre. There will also be Christmas workshops and the carnival band.

7. There will be plenty of free fun at the Christmas Activity Festival at Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Centre in Bransgore on Sunday from 10am to 3pm. There will be festive games, crafts, face painting, tasty treats and an opportunity to write a letter to Santa. There is no entry fee, but there is a small cost for the Santa activity trail and colour run.

8. Take your four-legged friend for a free guided walk of Upton Country Park on Saturday from 11am to around 12.30pm. Meet at the far end of the car park.

9. Lymington High Street will host various Christmas stalls and the switching on of the Christmas lights tomorrow. The lights will be switched on by the mayor at 6.15pm, shortly followed by Father Christmas’ arrival.

10. The New Milton Christmas Festival is taking place on November 30 on Station Road. There will be entertainment, rides, French market, stalls and of course the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights. The festival will take place from 11am to 5.30pm.

11. Ferndown Christmas Lights Switch On and market will take place on Saturday at 5pm under the clock tower. As well as the light switch on, from 1pm in Penny’s Walk Ferndown there will be market stalls, music, bands, an appearance by Santa, a raffle, nativity scene, games, rides and more.

12. The Christmas in Ringwood event marks the beginning of the Christmas season for the town. On Sunday there will be a variety of entertainment, a Christmas market full of homemade goods and of course the turning on of the lights in the town. Santa himself will be turning on the new lights at around 5.30pm.