BOURNEMOUTH – The festive season is most definitely underway. Christmas in Bournemouth has transformed the resort into a dazzling winter wonderland from 13 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, offering visitors a completely reimagined experience!
This year, the resort’s iconic festive offering - Christmas Tree Wonderland—returns under the new banner of ‘Christmas in Bournemouth’. The free event promises to be more interactive than ever, featuring a brand-new lights trail that winds through the historic Lower Gardens, from the town centre down to the seafront.
A Trail of Wonder (Free): At the heart of the celebrations is the spectacular lights trail, which remains free to explore. Visitors can wander through the "enchanting Christmas Tree Maze" and marvel at the "real Christmas Tree walkway". New for 2025, the trail features a Santa’s Workshop experience and a Santa Sleigh simulator ride, adding immersive fun for families alongside the traditional animated light installations and photo opportunities.
The skyline will once again be illuminated by the iconic Big Wheel, while a traditional Helter Skelter offers nostalgic thrills with stunning sea views.
Festive Shopping and Alpine Delights: From 13 November to 31 December 2025, The Square hosts the Bournemouth Christmas Market. This Alpine-themed village is the perfect pitstop for festive shopping, featuring outlet market stalls selling handmade and traditional gifts.
Visitors can indulge in seasonal treats from a plethora of food stalls, including the famous Hog Roast, award-winning Bratwurst sausages, and luxury hot chocolates. The Alpine Lodge Bar also returns, offering a cosy retreat for a mulled wine in the heart of the town.
Get Your Skates On: For active festive fun, SKATE Bournemouth brings the UK’s longest real ice rink at 70m back to the Lower Gardens. Open daily from 10:30 am, the rink is set within the illuminated tree canopies, providing a magical backdrop for skaters of all abilities. Afterward, guests can warm up in the Moguls Alpine Bar, which serves festive drinks and street food, transforming into an 18+ venue with DJs on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Alternatively, for a weather-proof glide, the Cool Coast Ice Rink returns to the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) from 13 December 2025 to 22 February 2026. As the South Coast’s largest indoor rink, located just a five-minute walk from the gardens in Purbeck Hall, it offers a fantastic indoor option for friends and family to enjoy regardless of the forecast.
World-Class Entertainment: The festive calendar is packed with entertainment, headlined by this year’s pantomime, Cinderella, at the Pavilion Theatre (6 December – 4 January). Starring local favourite Noel Brodie, the show promises to be a ball for the whole family.
Coastal Villages - Festive Fun Beyond the Town Centre: The magic spreads beyond the gardens this year, with Bournemouth’s vibrant coastal villages hosting their own distinctive celebrations. In Westbourne, the season begins with the Christmas Tree Light Switch On (29 November) as well as the Artisan Christmas Market that same day, followed by the traditional "Christmas Comes to Westbourne" celebration on 6 December, featuring live choirs, real donkeys, and Santa arriving in the Arcade. Southbourne takes centre stage on 13 December with festivities on the Green, including the Gugge 2000 band and face painting, while Boscombe offers a classic Santa’s Grotto experience on selected dates between 6 and 23 December at the Sovereign Shopping Centre thanks to the local rotary club, ensuring the festive cheer reaches every corner of the coast.
Make a Night of It and Book Your Stay: With so much to see and do, visitors are encouraged to extend their visit into a festive short break. Bournemouth offers a vast array of accommodation options to Check In and Chill Out, from hotels such as the centrally located Holiday Inn Bournemouth & the Marsham Court Hotel with panoramic sea views to cosy boutique guesthouses in the coastal villages.
Dine Out in Style: The resort’s culinary scene is ready to host your Christmas gatherings. Whether you crave fresh local seafood with a sea view, authentic Italian, or a vibrant Asian cuisine at restaurants such as KIKI on the Cliff, Bournemouth’s diverse restaurants offer the perfect setting to relax after a day exploring the lights.
Make the Magic Last: Don't miss a moment of the festivities. Book your overnight festive stay and reserve your table at Bournemouth’s top restaurants today to secure your perfect winter getaway.
For full event listings, accommodation, and to plan your itinerary, visit bournemouth.co.uk
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