A Landmark Christmas in Bournemouth

Christmas in Bournemouth has always been a key moment in the Bournemouth’s calendar, but this year marked something entirely new.

We set out to reimagine what a Christmas event could look like, not as separate attractions, but as one fully connected experience across the town. By bringing together multiple elements under a single vision, we helped transform Bournemouth into a large scale festive destination.

The response was clear. Over 5.4 million visitors joined us across the festive period, reinforcing Bournemouth’s position as a must visit Christmas destination on the South Coast.

Stepping In When It Mattered Most

One of the most important moments came before the event even began.

With funding cut for Bournemouth’s iconic Christmas Tree Wonderland, there was a real risk that one of the town’s most loved festive attractions would not return. We stepped in alongside partners to ensure it continued, privately funding and safeguarding its future.

This was about more than delivery. It was about protecting something that matters to the town and ensuring the wider Christmas experience could continue to grow.

Raising the Bar with New Experiences

At the heart of this year’s transformation was a clear focus on creating new, immersive attractions that gave visitors more reasons to explore, stay longer and return.

At the centre of this was Santa’s Workshop, which quickly became one of the most loved spaces on site. It brought together craft sessions, visits from Santa and interactive moments for children, all within a setting that felt full of character. The addition of animatronic reindeer added a bit of magic and quickly became a favourite for younger visitors, while the space itself even featured in AFC Bournemouth Premier League marketing, helping put the experience on a wider stage.

Across the gardens, we focused on creating moments of discovery. The real Christmas tree maze offered something simple but special, encouraging people to slow down and explore, while installations like the North Pole phone box, where children could make calls to Santa, added a playful and memorable touch.

We also re-introduced the children’s activity booklet, designed to guide families through the experience, encouraging interaction with different areas of the site and supporting engagement with local traders and attractions along the way.

Alongside this, features like Glow Golf, Santa’s Express and interactive light displays, including elements children could control themselves, helped bring a more hands on, immersive feel to the event.

All of these additions were about more than just new attractions. They were about creating something that feels like it belongs to Bournemouth, built with local people, for local people, while continuing to grow into a destination that draws visitors from far beyond the town.

“It is an honour for us to help shape a truly unified Christmas experience for Bournemouth. By bringing together the market, ice rink and Christmas Tree Wonderland, we have created something that transforms the entire town and delivers real impact for local businesses and the community.” - Simon Brooks, Director

This project represents what can be achieved with the right vision and delivery.

By safeguarding key attractions, connecting the town and introducing new experiences, we have helped redefine Christmas in Bournemouth. It now stands as a benchmark for large scale festive events, not just on the South Coast, but across the UK.

And we are only just getting started.