South’s largest free Christmas light festival set to dazzle
4th November 2022
Christmas is looking bright across the south coast this winter when the UK’s largest light festival illuminates three beautiful coastal towns.
From mid-November, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will come alive with a dazzling display of light installations, trees, illuminations and projections.
Festival director Jon Weaver said: “With the recent challenges, we know many people will be thrilled to be cheered up with some free beautiful light displays in what is one of the best places in the country to live.”
In Bournemouth town centre from 18 November 2022 until 2 January 2023 visitors are in for a magical Christmas adventure as they walk through the iconic Christmas Tree Wonderland, where over 100 glittering trees and illuminations light up the path from the Market all the way down to the seafront where the brand new Kyiv Tree will be taking pride of place.
There will be other surprises to see around the town in Horseshoe Common and Lansdowne Roundabout and new features in the Triangle namely the Grand Vega tree and Romance Arch and Swirl. Santa will be larger than life in Beales place, and regular visitors to the event will spot new for 2022 the Liberty tree, Lucerne Tree and the captivating Teddy Tree.
Merrymakers can then get their skates on, wander through the famous Bournemouth Christmas Market or enjoy a mulled wine in the two-storey Alpine Lodge.
Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival is the brand-new free attraction which celebrates Poole’s rich nautical heritage and features a spectacular trail of maritime-themed lights that will see the gateways to Poole including The Twin Sails Bridge and The Lighthouse, lit up, welcoming people to the town centre.
Open throughout the season from 19 November 2022 - 2 January 2023, highlights of the new enchanting trail feature a number of impressive light installations, including a five-metre tall ship, a giant anchor, an impressive 120-metre maritime curtain of lights to give you a bespoke ‘under the sea’ experience, several lit-up Christmas trees ranging in size between eight and 11 metres, a couple of walk-through structures, light projections and glistening overhangs, taking visitors on a spellbinding journey from Falkland Square, through the High Street and onto Poole Quay culminating in the glistening lit-up harbour.
New this year to Christchurch is the Yuletide Festival, starting Friday 25 November- 24 December in Saxon Square where there will be Christmas Alpine style chalets selling a range of arts, crafts, artisan food and drink gifts. A wrought iron effect marquee with a clear roof will fill the central area of Saxon Square to provide cover from the weather and will be a great place to enjoy music, entertainment, and the Rotary Living Advent Calendar, throughout the lead up to Christmas.
In the coastal villages of Westbourne, Southbourne and Boscombe festive lighting has been created to reflect the area’s individual personalities. Promising to be refreshing and creative with an uplifting theme there will be a festive installation in Westbourne, a Christmas projection made especially for Boscombe and a Christmas tree in both Boscombe and Westbourne. Southbourne will be launching their new bespoke, sparkly lights with entertainment involving the independent traders on 18, 19 and 20 November.
Across the region, traditional events, such as pantomimes, and themed grottoes where you can meet Santa, will sure to be a big hit for families. With the addition of Festive cruises, Christmas trails and even a Living Advent Calendar in Christchurch, there are plenty of events and activities to please everyone across the region this Christmas time.
Pantomimes this year include Beauty and the Beast at Bournemouth Pavilion Family Friendly Panto | Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, Cinderella at the Lighthouse, Poole Cinderella · Lighthouse (lighthousepoole.co.uk) and the Regents Centre has their Christmas Spectacular running again this year: Events | Regent Christchurch (theregent.co.uk)
For a warm welcome, and a chance to step back in time to a more traditional Christmas, then Christmas at the Russell-Cotes is the perfect place to visit. The halls of the historic house are decked with boughs of holly and other truly Victorian decorative delights.
At Highcliffe Castle there are many Christmas events happening including the much anticipated craft market at the end of November. A Creative Christmas at the Castle is perfectly timed to enable a plentiful Christmas gift shopping expedition!
At Upton Country Park , a Christmas Woodland Trail takes place on 17 December - 24 December and 27 December – 1 Jan 2023. This immersive trail will take you on a winter wander along an accessible route, whilst searching for the winter woodland animals to earn a Christmas present. Discover festive scenes and listen for musical moments amongst the trees.
Craig Mathie, Chair of the Destination Management Board, said,
“There are so many fabulous events and attractions for every visitor to enjoy across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in the lead up to Christmas this year.
There will be tough choices to be made as we all have to balance fuel bills, food costs and luxury occasions this year but with all the pocket friendly events happening it will still be possible to have a spectacular magical Christmas experience when you visit our Coast with the Most!”
