10 Things To Do In Bournemouth This Festive Season

December has arrived, which means it's now perfectly acceptable to get festive! So we thought we'd share some of the best things to do in Bournemouth to get you feeling merry this festive season.

1. Bournemouth Alpine Christmas Market & Alpine Lodge

Bournemouth Tourism

2017 sees a brand new Christmas Market in Bournemouth, which will be open until 4th January. The new Christmas Market offers boutique and local craft products and food stalls, with a focus on local traders and local suppliers. There's also an impressive two storey, custom built Alpine Lodge bar, which offers both indoor and outdoor heated spaces with a wide selection of Christmas-themed beverages from local producers. The second floor of the specially designed lodge overlooks the Lower Gardens and the Christmas Market.

2. SUBU Winter Market

Students Union Bournemouth University

Don't miss the SUBU Winter Market on our Talbot Campus. With a range of stalls it's a great chance to buy unique gifts, clothing, posters & art, combined with local food, drink and crafts. Even Buy a Christmas tree from the Conservation Rangers!

3. Russell-Cotes Christmas Fair

The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

From the 9th and 10th December (10am – 5pm) head to The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum to get away from the crowds on the high street and visit their Christmas Fair with a range of stalls selling festive wares and gifts from local suppliers.

4. Gardens Ice Rink – Ice SKATE Bournemouth

Lets Go Out Bournemouth

The fantastic real ice skating rink in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens is a popular attraction at Christmas and will be open until 2nd January.

The ice rink can be found in the middle of the Gardens at Christmas time and will be open daily throughout the festive period, except Christmas Day.

5. SUBU Christmas Crafts for Charity

Students Union Bournemouth University

When better to give up your time than in the festive period! Come and join 'SUBU Volunteering' for a round of Christmas Crafts. Join them and help create some Chocolate Santa Sleighs to donate to the food bank. It's a great way to have a productive study break and help those in need.

6. Renton Road Christmas Lights

BNPS

The residents of Runton Road, Branksome, Poole have been lighting up for Christmas for over 20 years and this year they will light up for the first time on Saturday 9th December from 5.00pm.

7. BU Christmas Concert at the Royal Bath Hotel

Bournemouth University

Join us for a musical celebration featuring all your festive favourites performed by the University Orchestra, Big Band and Musical Theatre Choir. Sunday 3 December, 7pm at the Royal Bath Hotel.

8. Wrap up warm and go for a beach walk

Bournemouth University

It's simple, it's free and it's stunning. Wrap up warm and enjoy a walk along Bournemouth's beautiful, award-winning beach. There are so many cosy cafes along the way, so you can easily warm up with a hot drink when you fancy a break. Plus there's nothing more warming than a gorgeous winter sunset.

9. The SUBU Reverse Advent Calendar

Students Union Bournemouth University

At a time of eating, drinking and being merry, it's always good to also think about those in need.

The SUBU Community team will be collecting items that make Christmas special for families living on the breadline in Bournemouth from now until the 13th December.

10. Share your 2017 #BUproud moment & spread the festive joy!

Bournemouth University

Join in the festive fun by decorating a Christmas tree on our Lansdowne or Talbot Campus.

Grab a luggage tag

Answer the question ‘What has made you #BUproud in 2017?’

Place your tag on the Christmas tree to fill our campuses with #BUproud messages

Leave your name and email address on the reverse side of the luggage tag and you could be in with the chance of winning a festive present!

Alternatively, head to social media and use the tag #BUproud to tell us what has made you #BUproud this year!