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Festivals

With a reputation as an eventful destination, we’re very proud of what we’ve got going on in and around Bournemouth.

It’s our festivals that set us apart from other British seaside towns and it’s what keeps families and enthusiasts coming back to the destination year after year.

Our major festivals take place throughout the year, kicking off with the Bournemouth Bay Run in the spring. Offering a variety of distances, whether you’re a competitive athlete or a fun runner, there’s no better place to work up a sweat than beside the seaside along the Bournemouth coastline.

The summer sun brings with it a host of the world’s most impressive planes as the Bournemouth Air Festival swoops into town. With four days of fun on land, at sea and in the skies, it’s the perfect family festival. The well-loved Red Arrows Display Team and a selection of Britain’s Armed Forces dazzle crowds along our award-winning seafront and best of all, it’s free! Although there are usually pop concerts and rides which are ticketed, it’s perfectly possible to enjoy the festival without paying a penny.

In the autumn, we turn our minds and eyes to culture with Bournemouth’s Arts by the Sea Festival. This multi disciplinary event showcases a packed programme of art, dance, music and theatre, stretching across a number of days and into venues at the heart of Bournemouth as well as further out into our coastal villages. We also have great Halloween events in October until the beginning of November!

With acts that appeal to all ages, it’s a great way to learn and discover more about art and culture against a breathtaking coastal backdrop.

From the 16th November and into the New Year, Christmas Tree Wonderland comes to town. The festival is complete with a traditional alpine market, ice rink and illuminations in our historic, grade II listed gardens. There are usually a few other surprises throughout the destination, including chances to meet Father Christmas and a star studded pantomime for little ones and big kids alike!

We also host a variety of smaller and specialist festivals throughout the year. From food and drink to jazz, as well as introductions to other countries and cultures, there’s always a reason to celebrate in Bournemouth.

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Bournemouth is well known for its great variety of hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and self catering options situated along our stunning coastline. You’ll find luxury international hotel groups, national chains, beautiful boutique hotels, independent and family friendly hotels and guest houses, budget friendly hotels, a great choice of self catering options and caravan and camping parks along our neighbouring coastline and countryside.

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Number of results: 22

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Featured Events

Camp Bestival

East Lulworth

Welcome to the wonderful world of Camp Bestival a multi-award winning festival that combines an all-encompassing family festival experience with an action packed camping holiday; something that we like to call a Festi-Holiday!

Dates

From:

25 July 2019to28 July 2019
Great Dorset Steam Fair

Blandford

If you are looking for an excellent fun and action packed day out for all the family, you’ll love the Great Dorset Steam Fair!

Dates

From:

22 Aug 2019to26 Aug 2019
Bournemouth Air Festival

Bournemouth

Get set for the UK's biggest free air festival. 4 award-winning days of action and entertainment in the air, on land and at sea!

Dates

From:
29 Aug 2019Open 10:00 - 22:00
From:
30 Aug 2019Open 10:00 - 22:00
From:
31 Aug 2019Open 10:00 - 22:00
From:
1 Sept 2019Open 10:00 - 18:00
Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland

Bournemouth

Spectacular Christmas tree trail, enchanting illuminations and seasonal family fun! Experience the magical spectacle of hundreds of glittering trees from around the world!

Dates

From:

15 Nov 2019to3 Jan 2020

Events

Light Up Poole: A Festival of Light

Poole

As daylight fades, Poole will provide a dramatic backdrop to series of interactive digital Light Art installations designed to inspire, delight and enchant residents & visitors.

Dates

From:

21 Feb 2019to23 Feb 2019Open 18:00 - 21:00
Coppicing

Muscliff, Bournemouth

Coppicing, Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre, a free monthly event in which you will learn all about the practice of Coppicing. No need to book.

Dates

From:
26 Feb 2019Open 09:30 - 13:00
From:
5 Mar 2019Open 09:30 - 13:00
From:
19 Mar 2019Open 09:30 - 13:00
Willow Weaving

Muscliff, Bournemouth

Willow Weaving, Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre- Learn how to weave willow using traditional methods.

Dates

From:
4 Mar 2019Open 10:00 - 13:30
The Circus of Horrors

Bournemouth

Imagine a brilliant rock show combined with amazing, bizarre & dare devil Circus acts, a stellar light show and all performed with a forked tongue firmly in each cheek.

Dates

From:
5 Mar 2019Open 19:30 -
Health-on-Line Bournemouth Bay Run

Bournemouth

Whatever your running ability – fun or competitive, there’s a race for you. Set against the backdrop of Bournemouth’s famous seven-mile stretch of golden sand choose from a variety of distances and enjoy the fantastic views as you walk, jog or run...

Dates

From:
7 Apr 2019
The 10th Annual Big Bournemouth Beer Festival

Bournemouth

Now in its 10th year, the hugely popular Big Bournemouth Beer Festival returns to the Bournemouth International Centre.

Dates

From:
19 Apr 2019Open 18:30 -
From:
20 Apr 2019Open 12:00 -
From:
20 Apr 2019Open 18:30 -
Artist Susan Cunningham on sit; Bournemouth Emerging Arts Fringe festival

Bournemouth

As part of the Bournemouth Emerging Arts Fringe festival artist Susan Cunningham will be drawing and painting in the museum's garden.Susan will be drawing and painting trees and referencing the art of artist JD Harding, who wrote On Drawing Trees...

Venue

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Bournemouth

Dates

From:
4 May 2019Open 10:00 - 17:00
Bournemouth 7s Festival

East Parley, Christchurch

Renowned as the Sporting Glastonbury, Bournemouth 7s has established a formidable reputation amongst sportspeople and festival-goers alike!

Dates

From:

24 May 2019to26 May 2019Various Opening Times
The Original Shake & Stir Vintage Festival

Southbourne

Time to jump, jive and swing…The award-winning Shake and Stir Vintage Festival returns to Southbourne!

Dates

From:

29 June 2019to30 June 2019
Bourne Free 2019 - Bournemouth's Pride Festival

Bournemouth

Bournemouth Pride Festival - Bourne Free. We invite you to join us for a weekend of fun and frolics, good music, great entertainment and of course the famous Parade.

Dates

From:

12 July 2019to14 July 2019
Poole Goes Vintage

Poole

Celebrate all things retro on the Quay as Poole goes Vintage returns to town each summer! This celebration of 1940s-60s music, fashion, memorabilia, entertainment and transport is a feel-good festival the whole family will enjoy.

Dates

From:
14 July 2019Open 11:00 - 19:00
SandFest

Poole

For the 3rd year running 5000 sun soaked, music and fun loving Sandfesters will gather on the spectacular blue flag Sandbanks beach to enjoy world class DJs and acts

Dates

From:
14 July 2019Open 12:00 - 22:00
Rockley's Summer Spectacular with Fireworks on Poole Quay

Poole

Get your groove on for Rockley's Summer Spectacular as fabulous FREE live music, entertainment and fireworks on Poole Quay.

Dates

From:

25 July 2019to29 Aug 2019Various Opening Times
Beer and Bluegrass Festival

Poole

World class music and beer festival featuring bands from the USA plus the chance to sample real ales, ciders and home-cooked food.

Dates

From:

26 July 2019to27 July 2019Various Opening Times

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