Bournemouth Christmas Market to be best ever

You may think it’s a bit early to mention the ‘c’ word, but Christmas is just 12 weeks away and the good news is that the Bournemouth Christmas Market is back, promising to be bigger and better than ever.

Offering fantastic gift ideas and a range of scrumptious food and drink stalls, the traditional Alpine market and two-storey Alpine Lodge Bar will once again brighten Bournemouth Square and bring the magic of Christmas to the town.

Opening on Friday, 18th November until 2nd January, the market will include over 40 Alpine-style chalets, including South Coast Makers Market, where traders will offer a range of goods from handmade gifts - such as personalised Christmas decorations - and local crafts to a specially branded Bournemouth Christmas Market mulled wine cup. Local artist and illustrator, Lobi Creative, won the design competition run earlier this year.

Food-wise, we’ll be spoilt for choice from hog roast to chocolate churros and melted cheese raclette, as well as the ever-popular Yorkshire pudding wrap stall. In addition to the old favourites, there will be some new faces, including vegan trader Mighty Wieners.

And there will also be a new area this year, The Après Terrace, on the front terrace of the Pavilion, where there will be igloo domes, games and more food stalls.

Director of Bournemouth Christmas Market, Simon Brooks, said, “As a town, our Christmas offering has really grown over the last four years, and as a free-to-attend event, we look forward to seeing some Christmas cheer… we look forward to welcoming visitors to the Christmas in Bournemouth experience.”

Bookings for the Alpine Lodge will soon go live and can be made at www.christmasinbournemouth.co.uk

Beautiful Christmas Tree Wonderland is back too, with hundreds of enchanting, glittering Christmas trees from around the world creating an illuminating trail through the town. The trail runs from the seafront, through the Square, the Triangle and Beale Place, up to Horseshoe Common all the way to Lansdowne roundabout. Once again, the star of the show will be a 60ft walk-through Christmas tree in the Lower Gardens. 

While you’re in the Lower Gardens, why not skate under the stars in the outdoor real ice rink? Or keep cosy with a steaming hot chocolate or a warming mulled wine as you watch the skaters at Moguls Alpine Bar, where you will find VIP booths, cosy seating and weekend DJs. On Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm the bar becomes an over-18s party place. Pre-booking is essential - visit
www.iceskatebournemouth.co.uk 

Another festive event taking place in Bournemouth to get you in the mood is ‘Christmas at the Movies by Candlelight’, where you can enjoy all your Christmas film music favourites from Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually, Harry Potter, Frozen and The Polar Express, to name just a few, in twinkling candlelight. The classics will be performed by London Film Music Orchestra at St Peter’s Church on 16th December.

Roll on Christmas!