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Events and Festivals in Bournemouth

Bournemouth boasts a year-round calendar of over 500 events, so whatever time of year you visit and whatever your interests, there’s always something for the whole family to enjoy.

Bournemouth International Centre is the largest concert venue in Dorset and hosts events throughout the year. From music and west-end productions to comedians, sports and food festivals, it all happens here. 

The Pavilion Theatre is located next to the beautiful lower gardens. Book tickets for dancing, music shows, tribute acts, comedy clubs and not forgetting the annual Christmas pantomime.

Bournemouth Festivals

The Shake and Stir Vintage Music Festival in June takes place in Southbourne. It has become renowned locally and across the south of England, for its incredible vintage-themed live entertainment and music along with local food & drink, trade stalls, vintage and classic cars, mods and rockers, and classic bikes.

The award winning Bournemouth Air Festival is the highlight of the August event calendar offering three days and nights of awesome entertainment and breath-taking air displays by the world’s greatest teams and pilots.

In October, time your visit to enjoy the Arts by the Sea Festival which is a rich mix of some of the best regional and national and international arts across dance, film, theatre, performance, visual arts, spoken word, literature and music.

Bournemouth's music concerts

Bournemouth has plenty for culture lovers with some of the best entertainment venues around – the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), the Pavilion Theatre and O2 Academy offer live entertainment all year round.

You’ll find everything from big named acts to tribute bands and up and coming stars. So whether you like rock, pop, indie or classical music, you won’t fail to be entertained in Bournemouth.

Theatres and shows in Bournemouth

If you’re a fan of musicals, plays, ballet and opera you will love visiting the Art Deco Pavilion Theatre in the centre of Bournemouth. They have a year round programme of shows for all the family to enjoy. Next door to the Pavilion Theatre is Pavilion Dance South West who host their own live and on-screen dance performances, outdoor events and also give the audience the chance to get involved and take part.

Look out for musical performances produced by Bournemouth University – you are sure to be amazed.

If you’re looking for a comedy show or open-mic night, you will lots of them all across Bournemouth and the surrounding towns. Plenty of side-splitting fun for everyone!

Looking to stay overnight in Bournemouth?

Bournemouth is well known for its huge variety of hotels, B&Bs and self catering options situated along the stunning coastline. So whatever you're choice of accommodation, you'll be assured of a great nights rest in Bournemouth.

Events coming soon

Postgraduate Winter Show 2024 Jan 15

Postgraduate Winter Show 2024

Arts University Bournemouth's Graduate School, in collaboration with TheGallery, is proud to present the Postgraduate Winter Show 2024. This year, the show is curated by Violet M. McClean,...

LOL Comedy Club Jan 24

LOL Comedy Club

We'll be bringing you comedians off the telly from such shows as BBC2's Mock The Week, Channel 4's 8 Out of 10 Cats, BBC1's Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, Have I Got News For...

Abba's Angels on Bournemouth Pier Jan 25

Abba's Angels on Bournemouth Pier

A full night of ABBA's greatest hits comes to Key West! One of the UK's premier Abba Tribute Bands have been established since 2000. On Saturday 25th January 2025, ABBA Angels return to...

All Access AUB: World In Motion Jan 29

All Access AUB: World In Motion

Now in its fourth year, the All Access AUB programme welcomed a group of Year 12 students over the summer to give them a taste of what it's like to be a student and study a creative course at AUB....

Wet Wet Wet Jan 30

Wet Wet Wet

They will also perform the ubiquitous hit "Love Is All Around", their cover of The Troggs' 1960s song, which this May, celebrates 30 years since it became the soundtrack to the summer of...

The Rocky Horror Show Feb 03

The Rocky Horror Show

The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and his fiancée Janet. When by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to...

Design; Disruption; Divergence Feb 14

Design; Disruption; Divergence

Three exhibitions of student, staff and graduate artwork from Arts University Bournemouth and British University Vietnam, in three locations: one in the UK, one in Vietnam, and one in the virtual...

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