Plan your holiday season with our itinerary guide for Bournemouth. Discover all the top festive events.
The enchanting Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland turns the town into a winter wonderland with dazzling decorations and twinkling lights. Another highlight is the Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival, featuring a spectacular display of maritime-themed lights illuminating the waterfront. And the Christchurch Christmas Festival is something you definitely don’t want to miss with its unique blend of traditional market stalls and live entertainment. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Bournemouth
- Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland
- Bournemouth Christmas Market
- Snow on the Square
- Santa's Grotto at Castlepoint
- Festive Afternoon Tea at The Russell-Cotes
- Pantomime at Bournemouth Pavilion
- Christmas in Southbourne
Bournemouth Holiday Light Displays
Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland
What to Expect:
Trail of over 100 illuminated trees from around the world
Description:
Bournemouth's seafront transforms into a global celebration of light and culture. Over 100 illuminated trees from different countries line a trail through the town, each telling a unique story. Visitors can embark on a self-guided tour, learning about international holiday traditions. The event pays homage to Bournemouth's history as a health resort, offering a refreshing winter walk. Twinkling lights reflect off the nearby sea, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere. You'll discover how diverse cultures celebrate the season through their distinctive tree decorations.
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Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland
Bournemouth Holiday Markets and Shopping
Bournemouth Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Alpine-style market with focus on local artisans and producers
Description:
Bournemouth's town square transforms into an Alpine village, showcasing the best of local craftsmanship. Wooden chalets house artisans and producers from across Dorset, offering unique, handcrafted gifts. The market emphasizes sustainability, with many eco-friendly and upcycled products available. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafts like glassblowing and woodcarving. This event celebrates Bournemouth's creative community, which has flourished since the town's establishment in the 19th century. You'll discover one-of-a-kind treasures while supporting local businesses.
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Bournemouth Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Pantomime at Bournemouth Pavilion
What to Expect:
Interactive pantomime with local history twist
Description:
Bournemouth Pavilion presents a pantomime that weaves local history into a classic tale. The show incorporates references to Bournemouth's development from a small village to a popular seaside resort. Audience participation is encouraged, with opportunities to influence the story's direction. Visitors can enjoy pre-show workshops to learn about the art of pantomime. The theater, built in the 1920s, provides a grand setting for this quintessentially British holiday tradition. You'll laugh, cheer, and boo along with a performance that celebrates both timeless stories and local heritage.
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Pantomime at Bournemouth Pavilion
Bournemouth Other Holiday Activities
Snow on the Square
What to Expect:
Daily artificial snowfall in town square
Description:
Bournemouth's town square experiences a daily snowfall, regardless of the weather. This unique event brings a touch of winter wonder to the mild coastal climate. The artificial snow is environmentally friendly and creates a picturesque scene against the backdrop of Victorian architecture. Visitors can join in snowman-building competitions or impromptu snowball fights. The event pays homage to Bournemouth's history as a winter health resort, attracting visitors seeking a brisk, invigorating atmosphere. You'll experience a white Christmas in this charming seaside town.
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Santa's Grotto at Castlepoint
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa's workshop experience
Description:
Castlepoint Shopping Centre transforms into Santa's bustling workshop. Children become "Santa's helpers," participating in toy-making activities before meeting Father Christmas. The grotto incorporates elements of Bournemouth's local history, with displays showcasing how holiday celebrations have evolved in the area. Visitors can create personalized gifts to take home or donate to local charities. The sound of jingling bells and whirring toy machines fills the air, immersing you in the North Pole atmosphere. This interactive experience brings the spirit of giving to life.
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Festive Afternoon Tea at The Russell-Cotes
What to Expect:
Victorian-inspired afternoon tea in historic art museum
Description:
The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum hosts a Victorian-inspired festive afternoon tea. Guests dine amidst the eclectic art collection of this former seaside villa, built in 1901. The menu features traditional treats with a modern twist, inspired by the museum's global artifacts. Visitors can explore the lavishly decorated rooms, adorned with period-appropriate holiday decor. This event offers a glimpse into how Bournemouth's wealthy residents celebrated the season during the town's heyday as a fashionable resort. You'll savor delectable bites while surrounded by world-class art and architecture.
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Festive Afternoon Tea at The Russell-Cotes
Christmas in Southbourne
What to Expect:
Community-led decorations and performances
Description:
Southbourne's high street comes alive with community-created decorations and impromptu performances. Local residents and businesses collaborate to create unique window displays and street art. The event highlights Southbourne's development from a 19th-century health resort to a vibrant suburban community. Visitors can join pop-up choirs or participate in street theater performances. The sound of spontaneous caroling fills the air as you stroll down the festively adorned street. This grassroots celebration showcases the creativity and community spirit of Southbourne's residents.
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Nearby Events
Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival (Poole)
What to Expect:
Illuminated boats and maritime-themed light installations
Description:
Poole's harbor comes alive with a nautical-inspired light festival. Illuminated boats bob gently in the water, while maritime-themed light installations dot the shoreline. The event celebrates Poole's rich seafaring heritage, with displays depicting famous local legends and historical events. Visitors can take a guided harbor tour to learn about the town's maritime past. The gentle lapping of waves provides a soothing soundtrack to the vibrant visual spectacle. This unique celebration blends Poole's nautical identity with holiday cheer.
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Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival
Christchurch Christmas Festival (Christchurch)
What to Expect:
Medieval-themed Christmas market in historic town center
Description:
Christchurch's ancient Priory serves as a backdrop for a medieval-themed Christmas festival. Stallholders don period costumes, selling traditional crafts and seasonal delicacies. The event harks back to the town's 11th-century origins, with historical reenactments bringing the past to life. Visitors can try their hand at traditional crafts like candle-making or calligraphy. The aroma of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts wafts through the air, evoking centuries-old holiday traditions. You'll step back in time while experiencing the joys of the season.
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Christchurch Christmas Festival
New Forest Christmas Fair (Lyndhurst)
What to Expect:
Celebration of New Forest crafts and produce
Description:
The New Forest Christmas Fair showcases the unique crafts and produce of this ancient woodland. Local artisans demonstrate traditional forest crafts like hurdle-making and charcoal-burning. The event highlights the sustainable use of forest resources, a practice dating back to William the Conqueror's time. Visitors can sample New Forest delicacies, including venison and locally-brewed ales. The earthy scent of pine and wood smoke permeates the air, evoking the essence of the forest. You'll gain insight into the rich cultural heritage of this protected landscape.
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Christmas at Compton Acres (Poole)
What to Expect:
Illuminated walk through themed gardens
Description:
Compton Acres' historic gardens transform into a luminous winter landscape. Each of the seven themed gardens is uniquely illuminated, creating distinct atmospheres from around the world. The event celebrates the garden's 1920s origins, with Art Deco-inspired light installations. Visitors can embark on a global journey, from the serenity of the Japanese Garden to the grandeur of the Italian Garden. The gentle rustling of leaves accompanies your stroll through this illuminated horticultural wonderland. You'll experience the beauty of these meticulously crafted gardens in a whole new light.
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Santa Specials at Moors Valley (Ringwood)
What to Expect:
Forest train ride with conservation education
Description:
Moors Valley Country Park offers a unique Santa's train ride through ancient woodland. The journey combines holiday cheer with education about forest conservation and wildlife. Passengers learn about the park's history as a World War II training ground and its transformation into a nature reserve. Visitors can participate in eco-friendly craft activities using materials gathered from the forest. The crisp winter air carries the scent of pine as the train winds through the trees. You'll meet Santa while gaining a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
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Santa Specials at Moors Valley
Pudding Lane Festival (Wimborne)
What to Expect:
Food festival celebrating historic Christmas pudding recipe
Description:
Wimborne's Pudding Lane Festival revolves around a centuries-old Christmas pudding recipe discovered in local archives. Chefs compete to create innovative dishes inspired by this historic dessert. The event explores the evolution of holiday cuisine in Dorset, from medieval feasts to modern celebrations. Visitors can participate in pudding-making workshops using traditional methods. The air is filled with the rich aroma of spices and dried fruits, evoking memories of holidays past. You'll taste your way through history at this unique culinary celebration.
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Candlelight Nights at Kingston Lacy (Wimborne)
What to Expect:
Candlelit tours of historic mansion with live period music
Description:
Kingston Lacy opens its doors for intimate candlelit evening tours. Guests explore the 17th-century mansion by flickering candlelight, accompanied by live period music. The event offers insight into how the Bankes family, who owned the estate for over 300 years, celebrated the holidays. Visitors can try their hand at traditional parlor games popular in past centuries. The soft glow of candles illuminates the mansion's priceless art collection, creating an atmosphere of timeless elegance. You'll step back in time to experience a genteel holiday celebration from a bygone era.
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Candlelight Nights at Kingston Lacy