Published on Thursday 29 September 2022
‘Tis almost the season to be jolly with the opening of Bournemouth’s Christmas Tree Wonderland less than eight weeks away!
Now in its fifth year, this free attraction runs from Friday 18 November – Monday 2 January 2023. It promises to dazzle and delight all once again with its iconic 60-foot walk through Christmas tree with light shows set to music, as well as a whole host of other light installations.
From the family favourite Santa in Beale Place to the giant reindeer and polar bears in the Lower Gardens, and the opportunity for a selfie in the walk-through bauble on the seafront, these festive installations are part of the Christmas Tree Wonderland trail that runs throughout the town centre, including the Triangle, Beale Place, Horseshoe Common, down to the Lower Gardens and then the seafront.
Refreshed trees for 2022 with new themes include the Kyiv Christmas Tree in Pier Approach and, with its vibrant, sparkling lights, the Lucerne Tree in the Gardens will be in recognition of Bournemouth’s twinning with this Swiss town.
Also making a welcome return this year are the Christmas market, Alpine Bar and Skate ice-rink, with the exciting new addition of a LED stepping zone trail as part of Picnic on the Piste in the Lower Gardens off Westover Road. Why not pop down to Bournemouth Pier and post your letter to Santa amongst the 60 glistening trees that are new there this year, or you can even enjoy breakfast with Santa at Key West on the 10 and 17 December, and just a short walk from Pier Approach at the Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, you can step back in time and enjoy the magic of a traditional Victorian Christmas and follow their festive trail.
Councillor Beverley Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places said:
"Christmas Tree Wonderland is one of our most exciting and much-loved attractions. This free Christmas event – together with the new Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival – will delight and entertain our residents, whilst encouraging visitors to stay for longer to see these illuminations, giving an important boost to our tourism and hospitality sectors.
"The popularity of our free summer programme that included Festival Coast Live!, highlights the significance in providing free events like these, and we’re looking forward to celebrating the festive season, once again, creating a real sense of community across our three towns."
This year in a bid to reduce the carbon footprint of Christmas Tree Wonderland the lights used in the festive installations have the lowest level of energy consumption, with BCP Council currently working with the lighting contractors to look at the ways they can reduce consumption further.
The main sponsors of the 2022 Christmas Tree Wonderland have been confirmed as Town Centre BID and Coastal BID with further support from South Western Railway.
Chairman of Bournemouth Town Centre BID, Martin Davies, said:
"Christmas Tree Wonderland is one of the undoubted highlights of the annual calendar in Bournemouth, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors."I would encourage as many people as possible to experience everything else our vibrant and diverse town centre has to offer while they are here, including our great retail and hospitality."Christmas Tree Wonderland is always a fantastic experience but also an opportunity to showcase what a superb place Bournemouth is."
Fiona McArthur, Operations Manager, Bournemouth Coastal BID said:
"Bournemouth Coastal BID are pleased to support Christmas Tree Wonderland in 2022. Not only does the event provide a spectacle for the many thousands of locals and visitors who come to enjoy the festivities, our hotels on the East and the West Cliff report increased numbers of staying visitors as a result.
"Signature events such as this are vital not just in promoting Bournemouth as a destination, but also to those businesses who support them."
Richard Barker, Partnerships and Events Manager for South Western Railway, said:
"We are extremely excited to be working with BCP Council and very much look forward to seeing you all at both Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland and the new Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival."
With so much going on, Bournemouth really is the place to be this Christmas!
Find out more about Christmas Tree Wonderland here.