Wonderland Experience
Christmas Tree Wonderland 2024 Trail
Why not start your adventure from Bournemouth Seafront where you can take in the delights on Bournemouth Pier. Pop into Smugglers Cove for a festive game of mini-golf or enjoy Christmas from the air with a ride on the Big Wheel. Take your seasonal family-friendly challenge to the next level at Pier Amusements then before you leave Pier Approach make sure you take a quick selfie under the Giant Bauble or Giant Bow Arch!
As you make your way towards Bournemouth’s beautiful Victorian Lower Gardens you will find yourself stepping into a fairy tale world past the majestic golden Reindeer inviting you further into this festive experience.
Continue through the Gardens making sure you look out for the beautiful shimmering Lucerne Tree. Making your way past the Pavilion Theatre, the Grade II listed Rockery has been transformed with stunning streams of light which appear to be cascading down the rocks like a gentle ‘waterfall’.
There is so much to see as you make your way towards the Square, including our glittering Bethlehem Tree.
An alternative route, bearing right past the Rockery, will lead you uphill – and it’s well worth the short walk. A quick detour and you will find yourself within the magnificently themed Picnic on the Piste, complete with a golden 3D lantern.
At the heart of the trail is the awesome, 3D walk-through Tree which towers over the gardens at an impressive 60ft and is dressed with warm twinkle lights.
Discover more trees and illuminations including the KyivTree and Seattle Tree, or plan your own walk, using the trail map below!
Once you have taken hundreds of photos (and tagged us on your favourite social channel!) there is still plenty to explore around Christmas Tree Wonderland, but make sure you’ve got enough storage in your phone’s memory! For the energetic there is the SKATE Ice Rink with its Moguls Bar and in the Town Square you will find plenty of ideas for Christmas presents amongst the Alpine Christmas Market stalls, as well as the opportunity to relax and enjoy a festive tipple in the Alpine Lodge bar.
For our smaller guests, enjoy a ride on the Santa Express in the Lower Gardens during Christmas Tree Wonderland. Situated near the bandstand, this attraction will delight families and little ones as the train rumbles in a loop around the giant lit-up bears.
To round off your visit be sure to drop into one of the multitude of cafes, restaurants, bars and hotels across the town to sample their festive fare and take what, by then, will be a well-earned rest!
Christmas in the Villages
Our coastal villages are interesting places with eclectic shops to find gifts, cosy coffee shops to enjoy passing time and a chat with friends and to marvel at the lights.
There are also these special festive events, thanks to Bournemouth Coastal BID.
For family fun, the Grotto at Boscombe is open to welcome you from 30 November until 23 December at the Sovereign Centre. There's also entertainment and singing on opening day!
Head to Southbourne on 14 December for Christmas on the Green. Meet Santa and share your wishes with him and the elves! What will you find? Choirs, including fro the local guides, a ukulele band, donkeys, goats, and the big man - so busy...Santa and his Grotto!
30 November is the Christmas Tree Light Switch on in Westbourne, with the lovely Jeff Mostyn (of AFC Bournemouth fame!) and The Rock Choir ( as featured on Decca Records and the largest choir in the world.)
Then on 7 December Westbourne Christmas Festival comes to Westbourne. What will you see? Well they have Santa of course but also, goats, donkeys, Snow Queens, elves, jugglers, and choirs and singers all day from 10am- 4pm. It's a positive fiesta of a Christmas and a day not to miss! There will also be music on the mornings of 14 and 21 December.
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