Page Last Updated December 4, 2024
Bournemouth is the perfect destination to visit, stay and get into the festive spirit. With it's popular Christmas Tree Trail, Alpine market, ice rink and events around the town, why not spend Christmas by the sea?
For a magical Christmas experience visit Bournemouth’s Christmas Tree Wonderland. Plan a day trip or treat yourself and stay for a short break in Bournemouth this winter as we delight and amaze with this Christmas spectacular!
An atmosphere of good cheer is all around with a range of entertainment, dazzling light displays, sweet treats and so much more from 15 November -31 December 2024.
Our top route is to follow the Christmas tree trail starting from the festive market in Bournemouth Square which opens on 14 November, into the Lower Gardens and down to the seafront!
The trail to view the beautiful trees is a free Christmas event for all the family to enjoy. Access the displays from various points throughout the gardens and there are no tickets to purchase to see the lights.
We guarantee that there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
In Bournemouth Square, we're welcoming back traders for the wonderful Christmas market and alpine bar for festive shopping and good cheer!
SKATE's ice rink is back in Bournemouths lower gardens, and ready for skaters of all ages and abilities to enjoy the Christmas festivities. You can also warm up and enjoy a festive tipple (or two!) whilst watching the skaters at Moguls Bar.
Did you know we have not one but two ice rinks! Cool Coast Ice Rink is the largest indoor ice skating rink on the South Coast, located seasonally in Bournemouth International Centre just 5 minutes walk from the lower gardens and Square.
New for 2024, we bring you Festive Streets, thanks to Bournemouth Town Centre BID!
Join us on Thursday evenings from 4pm til 7pm in the run-up to Christmas for choirs, brass bands, walkabout acts and festive activities. FREE family fun for everyone.
· Thu 21 Nov at Horseshoe Common
· Thu 28 Nov in Beale Place
· Thu 5 Dec on Westover Road
· Thu 12 Dec on Commercial Road
· Thu 19 Dec in The Triangle.
Every week is different, and you can view the programme for each Thursday here.
Away from the Christmas market and festivities, Bournemouth's shops are brimming with gift ideas. You will find plenty of mainstream shopping on the high street and a mixture of brillant independent shops found in town and in the surrounding coastal villages, such as Westbourne, Southbourne and Boscombe. Bobby's in the square plays host to a huge variety of local makers with a wonderful Christmas pop up offering creative and unusual goodies. Find them on the first floor.
Our coastal villages are interesting places with eclectic shops to find gifts, cosy coffee shops to enjoy passing time and a chat with friends and to marvel at the lights.
There are also these special festive events, thanks to Bournemouth Coastal BID.
Westbourne
30 November is the Christmas Tree Light Switch on in Westbourne, with the lovely Jeff Mostyn (of AFC Bournemouth fame!) and The Rock Choir ( as featured on Decca Records and the largest choir in the world.)
Then on 7 December Westbourne Christmas Festival comes to Westbourne. What will you see? Well they have Santa of course but also, goats, donkeys, Snow Queens, elves, jugglers, and choirs and singers all day from 10am- 4pm. It's a positive fiesta of a Christmas and a day not to miss! There will also be music on the mornings of 14 and 21 December,
Southbourne
Head to Southbourne on 14 December for Christmas on the Green. Meet Santa and share your wishes with him and the elves! What will you find? Choirs, including fro the local guides, a ukulele band, donkeys, goats, and the big man - so busy...Santa and his Grotto!
Boscombe
For family fun, the Grotto at Boscombe is open to welcome you from 30 November until 23 December at the Sovereign Centre. There's also entertainment and singing on opening day!
Why not get ahead and treat your loved one to a gift voucher for a local attraction, theatre, restaurant or even a weekend away in one of our fabulous hotels.
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the golfer in your life? Queen's Park Golf Club have a range of golfing vouchers available from their gift shop! For some family friendly competition how about a voucher for Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf.
In the festive season travel efficiently and comfortably on public transport:
Morebus continue to offer their single journeys for just £2, and expect this to continue until the end of December. So while you're out shopping or visiting Christmas Tree Wonderland, have that Christmas drink knowing you can ride home with Morebus.
These are a great way to beat the traffic and take a sustainable journey. Find a Beryl bike or scooter quickly near you.
Download the Beryl App now to access over 1000 bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters available at over 400 parking bays across the BCP area.
If you're arriving by car, you'll want to find a convenient place to park.For more information about car parks please visit the find a car park page on the BCP council website.
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