Welcome to The Festive Trail

This Christmas, Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens are transformed into a magical Festive Trail, filled with sparkling lights, illuminated displays and festive experiences for the whole family.

Free to explore, wander through the gardens beneath thousands of twinkling lights, take in the sights and sounds of Christmas and discover something magical around every corner.

Along the way, hop aboard Santa’s Express, find your way through the Christmas Tree Maze and step inside Santa’s Workshop, before taking in the spectacular Big Wheel lighting up the Bournemouth skyline.

Whether it’s a family day out, a festive date night or an evening with friends, The Festive Trail is at the heart of Christmas in Bournemouth.

Wrap up warm and come experience the magic.

Your Free Entry Festive Trail…

Bournemouth’s iconic Festive Trail returns this Christmas, transforming the Lower Gardens into a sparkling festive experience for everyone to enjoy — completely FREE to enter!

This year, the trail is more interactive than ever, with beautifully illuminated displays, animated installations, festive photo opportunities and Christmas experiences waiting to be discovered throughout the gardens.

Wander beneath thousands of twinkling lights, stroll through our real Christmas Tree Walkway and discover something magical around every corner.

Discover along the way...

Christmas Tree Maze - Get lost amongst 300 illuminated Christmas trees in our magical festive maze.

Festive Mini Golf - Take on our Christmas-themed mini golf course — festive fun for the whole family.

The Ice Rink - Get your skates on and experience the UK’s longest ice rink, surrounded by lights, music and Christmas atmosphere.

Santa’s Workshop - Step inside Santa’s magical Alpine Workshop and book a cosy Story Time with Santa.

Santa’s Express - All aboard! Take a festive journey through the Lower Gardens on our Christmas train.

The Big Wheel - See Christmas in Bournemouth from above, with spectacular views across the gardens and town.

Bournemouth Christmas Market - Explore traditional Christmas chalets packed with gifts, festive food, sweet treats and seasonal drinks.

The Alpine Lodge - Cosy Christmas downstairs. Après party upstairs. Grab a mulled wine or stein, book a booth or simply walk in and join the fun.

Christmas starts here. Whether you’re planning a family day out, a festive date night, Christmas drinks with friends or simply a winter walk beneath the lights, The Festive Trail is at the heart of Christmas in Bournemouth.

The Festive Trail is FREE to enter.

Tickets are only required for selected attractions and experiences.

A group of six people, including children and adults, standing in front of a large illuminated sign that says 'BVLGARI LUX' outdoors during sunset, with a building and trees in the background.

A young girl in a red jacket and white pants holding a stuffed toy, standing inside a red phone booth next to a decorated Christmas tree with silver and gold ornaments, during nighttime.

A Ferris wheel and a decorated Christmas tree at an amusement park during evening.

A Ferris wheel and a colorful carnival ride with illuminated signs at dusk or nighttime.

A Ferris wheel illuminated at night with colorful large decorative blocks in the foreground spelling out "FESTIVAL".

Children on a slide attached to a truck with Christmas themed advertisement for Santa's Magical Sleigh Ride, featuring Santa's sleigh, snow-covered trees, and festive houses at dusk.

Nighttime scene at a carnival with illuminated rides, a carousel, and a Christmas tree

Festive outdoor Christmas display at night with large illuminated sign reading 'BMH XMAS', colorful lights, and holiday decorations.

A young girl in a pink jacket jumping on a trampoline at an outdoor night event with colorful neon lights, trees, and other people in the background.

A large Santa Claus figure with a cheerful face and rosy cheeks, holding golf balls, illuminated at night. There is a neon sign that reads 'Christmas Golf.' String lights are overhead, and trees are visible in the background.

Nighttime outdoor festive event with decorated golf cart, string lights, colorful illuminated trees, and a crowd gathered in the background.

A young girl playing mini golf at night with colorful illuminated trees in the background.

Two children smiling through cutout boards of snowmen dressed as nutcrackers, in front of a Christmas tree decorated with red bows, flanked by two large nutcracker statues, inside a room with wooden walls and ceiling.

Children and women gathered around a table decorating cookies in a cozy room with wooden walls.

A young girl with blonde hair, dressed in pink pants and a red jacket, stands inside a red British-style telephone booth at night. She is holding a stuffed animal, and a decorated Christmas tree with ornaments and red ribbon is visible outside the bo

A teenage boy in a black Adidas hoodie with white stripes on the sleeves tattoos on his hand, and a silver chain is sitting at a wooden table. He is smiling slightly while looking at a redheaded girl next to him, who is also smiling. In the backgroun

A young child with curly blonde hair drinking from a mug at a wooden table, with a ginger-haired person in the foreground and a woman standing nearby, inside a cozy wooden room, possibly celebrating a holiday.

A reindeer with antlers inside a cozy wooden cabin decorates for Christmas, looking out a window at a festive outdoor scene with string lights, a group of people, and a decorated yard.

A red British telephone booth beside a decorated Christmas tree with silver and red ornaments, set in an outdoor area at night.

A young boy reaching out to touch a reindeer with large antlers at an indoor Christmas event, with festive decorations and a crowd in the background.

Santa Claus in a red suit sitting in a decorated sleigh surrounded by glowing lights, greeting children and adults gathered nearby. There is a sign that reads 'Santa's Workshop' and a wooden building in the background.

People at a Christmas-themed outdoor event at night, with a decorated wooden building, festive lights, and a Santa Claus figure with a sleigh for photo opportunities.

A woman sitting on a vintage armchair in front of a decorated Christmas tree inside a wooden cabin.

A family of four celebrating Christmas indoors. Two young boys sit on a cozy chair, wearing red jackets and smiling. Two women, possibly the boys' mother and grandmother, stand beside them, smiling and dressed warmly. A decorated Christmas tree with

Santa Claus sitting in a decorated sleigh with three children, while a woman takes a photo nearby at a festive outdoor Christmas event at night with many people, colorful lights, and Christmas decorations.

Two children, a girl and a boy, sitting on a brown armchair in front of a decorated Christmas tree, wearing matching red jackets, in a cozy, wooden interior.

Illuminated sign reading 'RIDE XMAS' at an amusement park during evening with people walking nearby.

A young boy in red shoes and a brown vest prepares to putt a golf ball on an outdoor mini-golf course at night. A family, including a woman and a man, watches him near a white duffel bag. The background features colorful illuminated trees and other p

Miniature glowing golf ball on a green surface with a hole, with a putter behind it in a dimly lit setting.

A man and two children, a boy and a girl, standing in a Christmas tree lot at night, surrounded by illuminated Christmas trees, with a city building in the background.

Night scene of a Christmas tree lot with string lights, decorated Christmas trees, and people shopping among the trees. Trees in the background are illuminated with colorful lights.

Night scene of a garden illuminated with red, green, and orange lights highlighting trees and bushes, with a dark sky and buildings in the background.

Nighttime scene of a decorated Christmas tree in a public outdoor space, lit with yellow lights, with people walking and gathering nearby.

Crowd of people walking at night near large, decorated Christmas trees with yellow lights, festive string lights overhead, and a covered structure in the background.

Nighttime scene of a crowded outdoor event with decorated Christmas trees illuminated with string lights, and a stage in the background. People are gathered, enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Book Attractions

Whilst the majority of Christmas in Bournemouth is free to enjoy, some of our most popular attractions offer bookable experiences to make your visit even more special.

Beat the festive rush and secure your favourite activities in advance, from booking your spot in the Alpine Lodge to a magical visit with Santa. Book ahead to guarantee your spot and make the most of your Christmas in Bournemouth experience!

So…what’s going on?

Explore Christmas in Bournemouth and discover the best Christmas experiences in Bournemouth, from Ice Skating and the Tree Maze to the Market, Alpine Lodge, Santa’s Workshop, festive street food and more.