Local news, what's on and the information you need for Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.
The Bournemouth Post

Bournemouth & district · Local news you can trust

What's On

What's On in Bournemouth

Things to do in and around Bournemouth: events, days out and family activities, with the practical details.

Top story Bournemouth Christmas Lights: On From 12 Nov, No Switch-On Bournemouth town centre has no switch-on ceremony: its lights come on when Christmas in Bournemouth opens on 12 November. Westbourne's 2026 date is still due. · 4 min read

Dates for the diary

  1. On now to 11 Oct Arts by the Sea Fringe
  2. Tue 6 Oct Steve Hackett: Best of Genesis and Solo Gems 7.45pm · Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre · From £58.50
  3. Wed 7 Oct Jonathan Pie: The End of the World According to Jonathan Pie 7.30pm · Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre · From £26.50
  4. Wed 7 Oct BSO: Youthful Rachmaninov 7.30pm · Lighthouse · From £19
  5. Thu 8 Oct Ocean Film Festival World Tour 7.30pm · The Regent · From £17
  6. Fri 9 Oct UK Careers Fair 10am · Bournemouth Pavilion · Free
  7. 9 to 10 Oct Bournemouth International Film Festival Hilton Bournemouth · From £24.99
  8. Fri 9 Oct Katherine Jenkins: 25 Year Anniversary Tour 7.30pm · Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre · From £40
  9. Sat 10 Oct Bournemouth parkrun 9am · Kings Park Athletic Stadium · Free
  10. 10 to 11 Oct Run Bournemouth Bournemouth seafront and Pier Approach · From £15.50
  11. Sat 10 Oct The Rock Orchestra: Arena of Fire 8pm · BIC Windsor Hall · From £50
  12. Sun 11 Oct Bournemouth Half Marathon 11am · Hengistbury Head · From £46.25

More stories

Events What's On in Bournemouth: Run Weekend, Then Christmas Opens Run Bournemouth shuts the cliff-top roads on 11 October, Pumpkin Fest is 31 October, Littledown fires on 7 November and the Christmas market opens on the 12th. · 12 min read Christmas Russell-Cotes at Christmas: Candlelit House From 17 Nov Bournemouth's Russell-Cotes dresses for a Victorian Christmas from 17 November to 3 January. Father Christmas is £17.50 on 12 and 13 December; tours are £6. · 5 min read Events Bournemouth Remembrance Sunday: 8 Nov, 10.55am, Cenotaph The service is at the Cenotaph in the Central Gardens at 10.55am on Sunday 8 November, after a 10.35am parade. Three roads by the Town Hall shut from 9am. · 4 min read Events Bournemouth Santa's Grotto: workshop times and train dates Santa is in his Lower Gardens workshop Saturdays and Sundays 12pm to 6pm, then daily 22 to 24 December. Santa train dates and prices are already booking. · 6 min read Events Bournemouth Halloween: Pumpkin Fest Sat 31 Oct, 10am-4pm Southbourne Pumpkin Fest is on Saturday 31 October, 10am to 4pm, free. BCP half term is 26 to 30 October, and Smugglers Cove opens 10am to 5pm all week. · 5 min read Events Bournemouth Fireworks: 7 November, at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm Littledown fires three displays on Sat 7 November, adults from £9.90 in advance. Plus the Bear Cross bonfire, free Poole Quay on the 5th and two laser shows. · 11 min read Christmas Bournemouth Christmas Market: 12 Nov to 3 Jan, Free Entry Christmas in Bournemouth opens on Thursday 12 November and runs to 3 January, market stalls to 31 December. Skating is £16.50 an adult, £14 a child. · 11 min read Events Arts by the Sea 2026: Held 25-26 Sept, Fringe to 11 Oct The festival runs Friday 25 and Saturday 26 September, free, from 5pm Friday and 10.30am Saturday. Lightning, a fire-breathing dragon and the BSO are all confirmed. · 8 min read Events Run Bournemouth 11 Oct: Roads Shut 4am, Half Starts 11am Road closures are out: Southbourne and Boscombe overcliff roads shut 4am to 3pm on Sunday 11 October, East Overcliff to 5pm. Half marathon starts at 11am. · 9 min read Christmas Bournemouth Panto: Aladdin, 5 Dec to 3 Jan, from £18 Aladdin runs at the Pavilion from Saturday 5 December to Sunday 3 January, 47 performances, tickets from £18. The 2-for-1 offer closes on 20 September. · 5 min read