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info@towncentrebid.co.uk 
Bournemouth Town Centre will be full of lights and life in the run up to Christmas, as ‘Festive Streets’ brings sparkling entertainment and activities to town – all for free.
The family fun includes walkabout acts like an incredible animatronic polar bear, an ice dragon, a neon juggler, fire shows, Father Christmas and his elf handing out goodies, a festive ski lift selfie station, free arts and crafts workshops, live music, and performances from choirs and bands.
‘Festive Streets’ events, funded and organised by Bournemouth Town Centre BID (Business Improvement District) in partnership with BCP Council and the Town Centre Improvement Fund, kick off on November 21 and will take place every Thursday evening until Christmas from 4pm until 7pm in locations around the Town Centre.
In addition, town centre visitors can look out for Christmas Projections from November 21 to January 1, transforming iconic buildings on Commercial Road and Old Christchurch Road with Christmas scenes designed by students at AUB (Arts University Bournemouth.)
The Town Centre BID is also once again laying on Christmas street lights throughout the town centre, having stepped in last year after BCP Council announced it would no longer be funding them. From November 15 to January 1 visitors to the town will be able to enjoy traditional Christmas lights in Commercial Road, Poole Hill, Westover Road, the Lansdowne and Old Christchurch Road, including Beale Place.
Paul Kinvig, Chief Operating Officer of The Bournemouth Town Centre BID, said:
“This is such an important time of year, not only for traders and businesses, but for local families excited to get into the Christmas spirit, so we want to ensure Bournemouth is a vibrant, festive and fun place to be across this season.
“We’re thrilled to offer even more for everyone to enjoy in 2024 – traditional lights and Christmas projections, and a host of activities and entertainment, from Father Christmas spreading cheer to the awe-inspiring animatronic polar bear, live music to spectacular fire shows. There’s something for everyone in Bournemouth – and it’s all for free!
“We invite shoppers, visitors and anyone who is a fan of festive fun to come together, make memories, and enjoy the excitement of the season in our town centre.”
The timetable for the Festive Streets events is as follows:
Thursday November 21st at Horseshoe Common, from 4pm until 7pm: Meet Father Christmas and his elf giving out goodies, free eco arts & crafts with Outside-In, fire shows, a neon juggler and a festive ski lift selfie station.
Thursday November 28th in Beale Place, 4pm until 7pm: Meet Father Christmas and his elf giving out goodies, free eco arts & crafts with Outside-In, and take photos with the spectacular Ice Dragon, or in the festive ski lift selfie station. Enjoy live music from Relight My Choir at 4pm, Bournemouth Concert Brass at 5pm, and Sing People Sing at 6pm.
Thursday December 5th on Westover Road, 4pm until 7pm: Meet Father Christmas and his elf giving out goodies, free eco arts & crafts with Outside-In, and take photos with our animatronic Polar Bear or in the festive ski lift selfie station. Live music from Sound of Soul at 4pm, Bournemouth Concert Brass at 5pm, and Sing People Sing at 6pm.
Thursday December 12th on Commercial Road, 4pm until 7pm: Meet Father Christmas and his elf giving out goodies, free eco arts & crafts with Outside-In, and take photos with our spectacular Ice Dragon or in the festive ski lift selfie station. Live music from Relight My Choir at 4pm, Bournemouth Concert Brass at 5pm, and Sing People Sing at 6pm.
Thursday December 19th at The Triangle, 4pm until 7pm: Meet Father Christmas and his elf giving out goodies, free eco arts & crafts with Outside-In and take photos with our animatronic Polar Bear or in the festive ski lift selfie station. Enjoy live music from Funky Little Choir at 4pm, Bournemouth Concert Brass at 5pm, and Sing People Sing at 6pm.
Visitors to Bournemouth this Christmas can also enjoy more seasonal fun, including the Christmas Tree Wonderland from November 15 to December 31, which will see Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens filled with a fabulous display of twinkling trees and festive illuminations from Pier Approach to The Square.
The Skate Bournemouth ice rink will be back on Bournemouth’s Lower Garden from November 14 to January 5, and the Alpine Market & Lodge will be offering an array of festive food and local crafts from November 14 to January 1.
And, as ever, shoppers can take advantage of The Bournemouth Town Centre Gift Card, newly available as an e-gift card for the first time this year. Launched by the Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) five years ago, the gift card can now be spent in more than 90 businesses across all sectors, from food and drink to leisure and retail – making it the ideal Christmas gift too!
Food and drink will be available from local businesses for the Festive Streets events, and easy transport links are available including bus, train and ample parking.