The Festive Trail lights up Bournemouth's Lower Gardens from 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. It is free to walk, with the Christmas Tree Maze, Santa's Workshop, Santa's Express, Glow Golf, the Big Wheel and SKATE Bournemouth along the way, plus the Christmas Market in the Square.
Please complete the contact form below for more information.
Thursday 12th November 2026 - Sunday 3rd January 2027
The Festive Trail lights up Bournemouth's Lower Gardens from Thursday 12 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, and it is free to walk.
Part of Christmas in Bournemouth, the trail links the Christmas Market in the Square with the gardens and the seafront, with Santa's Workshop, the Christmas Tree Maze, the Big Wheel and the SKATE Bournemouth ice rink along the way. Here is what's on, what needs booking and how to make a full evening of it.
The Festive Trail is the light trail at the heart of Christmas in Bournemouth, which brings the Bournemouth Christmas Market, The Festive Trail and SKATE Bournemouth together in the town centre.
It runs from Thursday 12 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 in the Lower Gardens (BH2 5AY), winding between the town centre and the seafront beneath thousands of twinkling lights, illuminated displays and festive photo spots.
The trail is free to enter. In the organisers' words, "Tickets are only required for selected attractions and experiences."
The organisers have reimagined the trail for 2026 and describe it as more interactive than ever, with beautifully illuminated displays, animated installations and plenty of festive photo opportunities.
Christmas in Bournemouth as a whole returns bigger and brighter, with what the organisers call their largest-ever Christmas Market alongside the revamped Festive Trail.
They also promise more surprises to be revealed through the season, so keep an eye on @thefestivetrailbmth for announcements.
Stroll the real Christmas Tree Walkway, then get lost in the Christmas Tree Maze, made from 300 illuminated Christmas trees. The maze is one of the ticketed attractions, so it is worth booking ahead for busy evenings.
Time your walk for a snowfall from the giant trees: 5pm Monday to Thursday, and 4pm, 6pm and 8pm Friday to Sunday. Snow also falls outside the Alpine Lodge in the Square at 5pm Monday to Thursday, and 2pm, 5pm and 7pm Friday to Sunday, with more times to be announced.
Along the way there are rides and games for little ones and big kids alike: try your luck at the classic Christmas prize stalls, explore Santa's Sleigh Park, take to the skies on Santa's Sleigh Ride Simulator and have a go at Control The Lights. The organisers say no pre-booking is needed for these.
Younger visitors can also look out for Christmas characters and the Great Festive Kids Trail.
Santa's Workshop sits in the Lower Gardens beside Santa's Express, overlooking the historic Bournemouth Bandstand. Inside the Alpine Workshop, surrounded by toys and presents, Santa shares a festive story in 30-minute Story Time with Santa sessions designed for the whole family.
Spaces are limited, so the organisers recommend booking in advance through the Christmas in Bournemouth website.
Then climb aboard Santa's Express, the trail's Christmas train, for a festive journey through the Lower Gardens.
SKATE Bournemouth returns to the Lower Gardens from 12 November to 3 January, with an open-air rink beneath twinkling lights and festive canopies that the organisers bill as the South Coast's largest outdoor ice rink.
Sessions range from toddler and family times to student nights and weekend DJs, and Moguls Bar sits right next to the ice for a warm-up afterwards. Skating is ticketed, and weekends and school holidays fill up fast.
The festive mini golf course has 18 Christmas-themed holes, with giant gingerbread men and twinkling candy canes. Play before 5pm for a family round, or come after dark for Glow Golf, with glowing golf balls and sparkling lights, until 24 December. Then see the gardens and the town from above on the Big Wheel.
Up in Bournemouth Square, the Bournemouth Christmas Market runs from 12 November to 31 December, with more than 40 traders selling gifts, festive food, sweet treats and winter warmers from traditional Christmas chalets.
The two-storey Alpine Lodge is the natural place to meet friends. Downstairs is cosy, with a fire and ski gondolas to sit in; upstairs goes full après, with DJs, live music, quizzes, karaoke and bingo. Walk in, or book a booth ahead.
Choirs, carols and live entertainment in the Square add to the atmosphere through the season.
The trail itself is free. Skating, Story Time with Santa, Glow Golf, the Christmas Tree Maze and Alpine Lodge booths can be booked ahead through the Christmas in Bournemouth website, which links to the organisers' booking page.
For a full evening out, start at the market in the Square, follow the lights down through the Lower Gardens towards the seafront, skate or play a round of Glow Golf, and catch a snowfall on the way.
Before you go, check The Festive Trail page and the official Bournemouth listing for the latest, and follow @thefestivetrailbmth, @bournemouthchristmasmarket and @skate_bournemouth for new announcements. Christmas in Bournemouth is delivered by Seventa Events.
Dates: Thursday 12 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. The Christmas Market runs until 31 December and Glow Golf until 24 December.
Location: Bournemouth Lower Gardens, Bournemouth BH2 5AY, with the Christmas Market in Bournemouth Square.
Entry: Free. Tickets are only required for selected attractions and experiences.
Booking: Book attractions and ice skating through Christmas in Bournemouth.
Website: christmasinbournemouth.co.uk/festivetrail
Instagram: @thefestivetrailbmth, @bournemouthchristmasmarket, @skate_bournemouth
Please complete this form to request more information.
Spanish
Chinese (simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Norwegian
Polish
Romanian
Russian
