Christmas Markets UKThe 2026 season, market by market

Bournemouth Christmas Market

Thursday 12 November – Thursday 31 December 2026 Opens in 33 days

Festive Trail in the Lower Gardens runs 12 Nov 2026–3 Jan 2027

Daily from 11am; market stalls close 8pm (7pm Sundays); food stalls open until 10pm

The Square, Bournemouth town centre (with the Festive Trail in the Lower Gardens), Bournemouth, Dorset · South West England

Big cityFood & drinkIce rinkLight trailSanta’s grottoLate night Free entry, some paid attractions

Official website Add to calendar Stay near Bournemouth Ad
Crowds walking between lit wooden market chalets at night in Bournemouth, beneath cone-shaped Christmas light trees and a light-wrapped tower
Bournemouth Christmas Market in the town centre (photo 2019) — Photo: Menacinghat, CC BY-SA 4.0

An Alpine-themed Christmas market of chalets in Bournemouth Square, at the top of the town's illuminated Christmas trail through the Lower Gardens.

Bournemouth's Christmas market fills The Square in the town centre with Alpine-style chalets selling handmade and traditional gifts, plus food stalls (hog roast, bratwurst, hot chocolate) and an Alpine Lodge bar. It is the starting point of the free Festive Trail (formerly Christmas Tree Wonderland), which winds through the Lower Gardens to the seafront.

Along the trail there is a Christmas tree maze, a Santa's Express train, Santa's Workshop, a big wheel, festive mini golf and an outdoor ice rink billed as the UK's longest. The trail itself is free to explore; check individual attractions, such as the ice rink, for prices.

The market traders finish on 31 December, while the wider festivities continue into early January. Evenings are lively, with food stalls open until 10pm.

Dates by season

SeasonDatesStatus
2026–27 Thu 12 Nov – Thu 31 Dec 2026Festive Trail in the Lower Gardens runs 12 Nov 2026–3 Jan 2027 Coming up
Add to calendar (Thu 12 Nov – Thu 31 Dec 2026)
2025–26 Thu 13 Nov – Wed 31 Dec 2025Wider Christmas in Bournemouth festivities ran 13 Nov 2025–4 Jan 2026 Held

Dates are taken from the market’s own website or official announcements and were last checked on 6 October 2026. Plans can change, so please check with the organiser before you travel. Spotted a change? Tell us.

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