Wonderland Experience

Starting from Bournemouth Seafront a Christmas adventure full of delight awaits as Bournemouth’s Big Wheel becomes a spectacular illuminated beacon at the start of your captivating journey.

Next to the Big Wheel, the grandeur of the Moscow Tree conjures up mesmerising visions of the cityscapes and forests. As you make your way towards Bournemouth’s stunning Lower Gardens, step into a fairy tale and watch the entrancing Tree of Light, with its story book quality, light up the night sky inspiring a Christmas wish or two.

Let the captivating sight of the St Petersburg Tree shimmering with a blue glacial glow lead you into an enchanting walk through the Victorian gardens. Past Pavilion Dance and the Pavilion Theatre, follow the cluster of trees wrapped in glimmering lights that lead you to the Bethlehem Tree complete with its own nativity scene.

Catch if you can the illuminated gingerbread people amongst the trees as they take you to one of Bournemouth’s earliest garden features, the Grade II listed Rockery, transformed into a luminous midwinter spectacle with 40 miniature trees and a waterfall of light.

Up ahead you will see the replica of the spectacular Seattle Tree with its delicate bauble shapes which has delighted crowds across the world. Keeping to the right-hand path you can lose yourself in the Pine Tree Walk, as a canopy of cascading lights and the scent of Christmases past create a captivating walkway.

As you emerge from the Pine Tree Walk and bear left in the distance you will see the blushing pink of the Warsaw Tree and the chance to get a closer look at the iconic Seattle Tree.

After a visit to Santa’s Grotto make your way up towards the Town Centre taking in the traditional Oslo Tree surrounded by giant illuminated Christmas parcels. A real Norway Spruce, this tree is similar to the one donated to London every year by the city of Oslo and is decorated in the time honoured Norwegian style.

Up ahead you won’t be able to miss the thrilling spectacle of the Bournemouth Wonderland Tree towering over the gardens. This 60ft tree, with its 30,000 lights, will blaze into the night. Take time to stand and watch one of the spell-binding light shows, accompanied by Christmas music, before walking right through the centre of the tree and on towards the Ice Rink and the Town Centre.

From the Square, a walk up Commercial Road past the decorated shops to the Triangle where a giant teddy bear will light up or try a joyfully topsy turvey Christmas with the Upside-Down House.

Then back down to the Square, take a stroll up Old Christchurch Road past festive shop windows to Beale Place where a giant illuminated bauble, large enough to walk-through, waits for the perfect seasonal selfie.

Passing Horseshoe Common with its garlands of festoon lighting, continue up Old Christchurch Road- with its eclectic mix of shops and places to eat – to Lansdowne Roundabout where you’ll discover a Christmas tree, icicles and polar bears that shine and captivate visitors.