Events & 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 at Christmas

Bournemouth at Christmas is very special and full of atmosphere with twinkly lights, a Christmas market, indoor and outdoor ice rinks, the Alpine Bar, gorgeous decorations and festive events from mid November to the end of December.

New for 2018 is the Christmas Tree Wonderland – follow the trail around the town to see Christmas trees around the world. Not missing the huge tree in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens where you can watch the light show and listen to festive tunes.

The Bournemouth Big Wheel is located at Pier Approach and is a great way to view the Christmas Tree Wonderland from the sky.

Bournemouth Festivals

The Shake and Stir Vintage 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 four days and three 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 Bournemouth 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.

Summer-time fun

During August you can enjoy the free Friday night fireworks from Bournemouth Pier and Beach. Thousands of people watch the colourful displays each week, so if you want to eat out in a local restaurant beforehand, you better book a table in advance!

During the summer there are also lots of outdoor dance, theatre and music performances across Bournemouth and the surrounding coastal villages.

Music

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.

Theatre and shows

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 performances and events produced by the Arts University Bournemouth – you are sure to be amazed and intrigued.

Over in Boscombe, The Shelley Theatre stages a variety of entertainment for all tastes including comedy nights, film, live music, performance and dance.

If you’re looking for a comedy show or open-mic night, you will lots of them dotted 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.

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China: Through the Lens of John Thomson (1868 - 1872)

Type

Type:

Art

Bournemouth

From 1868 – 1872, legendary photographer, John Thomson (1835 -1921) travelled extensively through China and produced an extraordinary record of the country, its landscapes and its people.
The beauty and sensitivity of his work established him...

Venue

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Bournemouth

Dates

From:

2 November 2018to2 June 2019Various Opening Times

Price £4.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket
Skate Bournemouth Outdoor Ice Rink

Type

Type:

Christmas

Bournemouth

Whether you're a Dancing on Ice champion, a total newbie or just about anything in between, you can be sure to find some festive euphoria on the surface of the real, genuine ice.

Dates

From:

15 November 2018to6 January 2019Open 10:30 - 22:00
Moguls Bar - Ice Skate Bournemouth

Type

Type:

Christmas

Bournemouth

All that joyous energy got you tired? Or do you simply just want to kick back whilst overlooking the skaters? Our Moguls Bar will simmer you down with aromatic mulled wine or a steamy hot chocolate topped with creamy marshmallow. You'll still have...

Dates

From:

15 November 2018to6 January 2019Open 10:30 - 23:00
Gliders - Ice Skate Bournemouth

Type

Type:

Christmas

Bournemouth

If you like a little bit of competition, you’ll love Gliders. Think ten pin bowling meets curling on the UK's only gliders rink, with its very own under cover bar and waiter service. Challenge your friends, take on your work colleagues, maybe even...

Dates

From:

15 November 2018to6 January 2019Open 17:00 - 22:00
Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland

Type

Type:

Christmas

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:

16 November 2018to2 January 2019
Victorian Christmas

Type

Type:

Event

Bournemouth

Join Russell-Cotes on the weekend of 15th and 16th December to step back in time and rediscover the magic of a traditional Victorian Christmas.

Dates

From:

20 November 2018to6 January 2019Open 10:00 - 17:00

From:

15 December 2018to16 December 2018Open 10:00 - 17:00

Price £4.00 Per person per day to £7.50 Per Ticket
Christmas and New Year in Christchurch

Type

Type:

New Year

Christchurch

Christmas and New Year in Christchurch is a magical time of year. Enjoy Christmas Markets, festive shows, live music, delicious food and drink and of course the chance to meet Father Christmas and his helpful elves.

Dates

From:

24 November 2018to1 January 2019
Wild! Christmas Wonderland

Type

Type:

Christmas

HURN

Give the family a flying start to Christmas with a magic carpet trip to multi-award-winning theme park, Adventure Wonderland. Santa and his helpers will be dropping in to their cosy log cabin to give the kids a fantastic present plus the unmissable...

Venue

Adventure Wonderland, Christchurch

Dates

From:

24 November 2018to23 December 2018Open 10:00 - 17:30

Price £5.25 to £18.50 Per Ticket
Russell-Cotes Drop in tours: December

Type

Type:

Museum

Bournemouth

Discover more about the history of the Russell-Cotes family and their collections through our regular tours

Dates

From:

1 December 2018to31 December 2018Various Opening Times
Rotary's Renowned Santa's Grotto

Type

Type:

Christmas

Boscombe, Bournemouth

The Boscombe Grotto, located in the Sovereign Shopping Centre, features an exciting walk-through fantasy cavern.

Dates

From:

1 December 2018to22 December 2018

Price £5.00 Per Ticket
Boscombe's Continental Christmas

Type

Type:

Christmas

Bournemouth

This year Christmas in Boscombe will be celebrating its Bohemian community from Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Hungary.

Dates

From:

1 December 2018to20 December 2018
Sleeping Beauty - Pantomime

Type

Type:

Theatre

Bournemouth

The producers that brought you Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk are proud to announce one of the most traditional and popular pantomimes of all time, Sleeping Beauty.

Dates

From:

8 December 2018to6 January 2019

Price £19.50 to £22.50 Per Ticket
Cool Coast Ice Rink

Type

Type:

Family

Bournemouth

Ice skating is back at the Bournemouth International Centre this winter! The Cool Coast Ice Rink is the South Coast’s biggest indoor seasonal ice rink.

Dates

From:

14 December 2018to23 February 2019

Price £9.50 Per Ticket
Hands in Sourdough

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Bournemouth

Spend an unforgettable day in a professional kitchen with me, sourdough expert, author and chef, Sharon Roberts. 'Hands in Sourdough' is suitable for all abilities. If you're a complete beginner or want to improve your sourdough skills - join me! ...

Dates

From:
16 December 2018Open 10:00 - 19:00

Price £150.00 Per Ticket
Night Tree - by Second Hand Dance

Type

Type:

Seasonal

Bournemouth

Come into the woods to dance in the snow and bask in the glistening seasonal lights!

Dates

From:
19 December 2018Open 16:00 -
From:
20 December 2018Open 10:15 -
From:
20 December 2018Open 13:15 -
From:
22 December 2018Open 11:00 -
From:
23 December 2018Open 11:00 -
From:
24 December 2018Open 11:00 -

Price £8.00 to £14.00 Per person per day
Christmas Spectacular

Type

Type:

Christmas

Christchurch

Bursting with festive delights, this highly acclaimed company will create a magical Christmas treat for the whole family to enjoy.

Dates

From:

19 December 2018to24 December 2018Various Opening Times

Price £16.00 to £58.00 Per Ticket
Live Nativity Service

Type

Type:

Christmas

Southbourne, Bournemouth

Join us for the popular Christmas celebration of the Nativity in this lovely local church.

Dates

From:
22 December 2018Various Opening Times
Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club 2018 - 2019

Type

Type:

Comedy

Bournemouth

Bringing the best in live stand-up to Bournemouth. Every show comprises a different line up of four top professional comedians and all the nights are equally hilarious. Various dates.

Dates

From:
22 December 2018Open 20:00 -
From:
29 December 2018Open 20:00 -
From:
31 December 2018Open 19:00 -
From:
5 October 2019

Price £17.00 Per Ticket
Boxing Day Zip!

Type

Type:

Christmas

BOURNEMOUTH

Avoid the boredom and Christmas TV re-runs with a Boxing Day Zip for only £10! Inject some excitement into your Boxing Day this year with a single rider ticket for a tenner!
PierZip is open from 12pm – 3.30pm on Wednesday 26 December.
The...

Dates

From:
26 December 2018Open 12:00 - 16:00

Price £10.00 Per Ticket
The Coastal Comedy New Year Special with TV headliner Andy Askins!

Type

Type:

Comedy

Bournemouth

As seen on: The John Bishop Show! (BBC1)
Celebrate the new year with us and enjoy a top night of stand-up comedy in Bournemouth's favourite comedy club and finalist for the 'Best Night Out' in Bournemouth and Poole 2018.
Here's some blurb about our...

Dates

From:
28 December 2018Open 19:15 - 23:00

Price £15.00 Per Ticket

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Ice-skating in Bournemouth Lower Gardens

Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland

December and January is Panto time in Dorset

Events & Festivals in Bournemouth

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Bournemouth at Christmas

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