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The festive season is upon us once again! And that means a whole host of Christmas markets and festive events in Bournemouth and the surrounding area.
Pick up unique gifts handmade by local artists and makers while you sip a steaming mug of mulled wine. Buy locally-made foodie treats for your Christmas parties – sampling everything as you go, of course! You could even stock up the drinks cupboard with Dorset-made beers, ciders, spirits and wines.
Below, you’ll find a list of all the Christmas markets in and near Bournemouth, as well as some fun local Christmas events to add to your calendar. I’ll try to keep the list up to date and add in any new markets that pop up. If you know of one I’ve missed, leave a comment at the end of the post or get in touch and I’ll be sure to add it.
Update Nov 2025: I’ve started updating this page with all the dates for this year’s events – some are TBC so I’ll keep adding as we go.
Merry Christmas!
Map of all Bournemouth Christmas Events
5 Christmas Markets in Bournemouth
Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland and Alpine Market
2025 Dates: 13 Nov 2025 – Jan 4 2026
Location: Lower Gardens and the Town Square (for the Alpine Market)
More Info
The biggest and best-known of the Christmas markets in Bournemouth is the Alpine Market, which takes over the Town Square as part of the huge Christmas Tree Wonderland event each year.
The Wonderland is a free trail of festive-themed illuminations throughout the Lower Gardens in the town centre. This year, the centrepiece will once again be the 60ft walk-through Bournemouth Wonderland Tree, situated in the centre of the Lower Gardens.
There’s also a traditional Christmas market, the fantastic pop-up Alpine Lodge Bar, an outdoor ice rink, Santa’s workshop, a Christmas tree maze, festive mini golf, and more!
Littledown Christmas Market
2025 Dates: 23 November
Time: 11am-4pm
Location: BH Live Active Littledown, Bournemouth BH7 7DX
Tickets: £1 for adults, £0.50 for children (5 – 15), under 5’s free.
More Info
The annual market event at the Littledown Centre in Bournemouth is one of Dorset’s largest indoor Christmas markets. You’ll find a wide range of stalls selling Christmas gifts, including handmade artisan gifts made by talented crafters, jewellery, local preserves & chutneys, award-winning fudge, seasonal cakes, cheeses and much more.
Upton House Christmas Craft Fair
2025 Dates: TBC
Location: Upton Country Park, Poole
Price: Free
More Info
Get started on your Christmas shopping with a rare chance to explore the ground floor of the 200-year-old Upton House. Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere with performances from local choirs throughout the two-day event.
Poole Christmas Light Trail
2025 Dates: 22 November – 1 January 2026
Location: Poole Quay, High Street and Falkland Square
More Info
The Poole Christmas Light Trail will be taking over the town centre with a range of impressive light installations, including a 14-metre tree in Falkland Square. The trail will run from the Lighthouse Poole, through the High Street, and down to Poole Quay. There are usually market stalls along the trail – and this year, there’s also a Christmas Window Display Competition, where you can vote for your favourite festive shop window!
Buttons and Bows Handmade Christmas Fairs (various locations)
2025 Dates: Various (see below)
Location: Various (see below)
Price: Free
More Info
Buttons and Bows are bringing their craft-tastic Handmade Christmas Fairs to a variety of locations this year:
- Handmade Country Christmas Fair: 22 November 2025, 10am-4pm, Honky Tonk Collective, Hamworthy
- Christmas Craft Point: 29 November 2025, 10am-4pm, Castlepoint Shopping Park
- Weymouth – The Craft Pavilion: 30 November 2025, 11am-4pm, Weymouth Pavilion
- Broadstone Handmade Christmas Fair: 7 December 2025, 10am – 3pm, The Courtyard Craft Centre, Lytchett Minster.
- Poole Christmas Craft Lighthouse: 13 December 2025, 10am-4pm, The Lighthouse Theatre.
Other Christmas Events in Bournemouth
SKATE Bournemouth
2025 Dates: 14 November – 5 January 2025
Location: Lower Gardens, BH2 5AH
Tickets: Adults £15, child £12.50, see website for full pricing
More Info
This year, SKATE is coming back to Bournemouth – bringing a huge real ice rink and Moguls Alpine Bar to the town’s Lower Gardens. And it’s all surrounded by the magical lights and decorations of the Christmas Tree Wonderland.
READ MORE: All ice rinks in Bournemouth and the rest of Dorset this Christmas
Cool Coast Ice Rink at the BIC
2025 Dates: 13 December – 22 February 2025
Location: Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), Exeter Road, BH2 5BH
Tickets: Adults £14, child £12.50, see website for full pricing
More Info
Cool Coast Ice Rink is the largest indoor ice skating rink on the South Coast, located seasonally in Bournemouth International Centre. This hugely popular seasonal ice rink is a great way to get active during the winter months – no matter what the Great British weather is like!
Panto at Bournemouth Pavillion
2025 Dates: 6 Dec – 4 Jan 2026
Location: Bournemouth Pavilion, BH1 2BU
More Info
Stepping into the iconic glass slippers this year is much-loved Milkshake! presenter Olivia Birchenough, sprinkling some festive fairy-tale magic as the Fairy Godmother is none other than Melanie Walters, star of Gavin and Stacey, and returning for his 11th year, Noel Brodie will once again take to the stage as the ever-lovable Buttons. This year, Bournemouth Pavilion welcomes the dynamic duo Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph as The Fabulous Sisters.
Candlelight Concert: Christmas Movie Soundtracks
2025 Dates: 20 Dec
Location: St Peter’s Church
More Info
This festive season, Candlelight®, the globally acclaimed series of live concerts presented by Fever, will transform St Peter’s Church with thousands of flickering candles to host an unforgettable performance featuring classic Christmas carols and festive holiday melodies, performed by a talented local string quartet.
Read More
25 Christmas Markets in Dorset this Season
The Ultimate Guide to Christmas in Dorset!
Dorset Festival Dates for your Diary
15 Best Things to do Near Bournemouth
If I’ve missed any fab Bournemouth Christmas markets from this list, please leave a comment below and I’ll be sure to add it. Have a great Christmas everyone!
Just had event cancelled, do you know if any craft fairs with table space still available in Bournmouth area November December ?
Hi Brenda, the only fairs I know of are the ones I’ve listed in this article – but I’m not sure which ones still have table space available. Hope you find somewhere 🙂