Bournemouth Christmas Market | Bournemouth Guide

Bournemouth Christmas Market with Kids: A Family-Friendly Festive Guide

Taking children to Bournemouth Christmas Market with kids is easiest with a loose plan: a few things booked ahead, and plenty of free activities timed around them. Christmas in Bournemouth runs from 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 across Bournemouth Square and the Lower Gardens, and the organisers have designed much of the event with families in mind. Here is a detailed guide on how to enjoy a weekend day at the market with primary school children.

A beautifully lit Christmas tree adorned with red and green ribbons, surrounded by a festive crowd at night. — The Christmas tree at Bournemouth Christmas Market sparkles with lights and decorations, creating a festive atmosphere for families.

What to Book Before You Go to Bournemouth Christmas Market with Kids

Entry to the Bournemouth Christmas Market is free, but some popular family attractions require tickets and can sell out quickly. Booking these in advance is highly recommended to avoid disappointment:

Story Time with Santa: A 30-minute interactive session held in Santa's Workshop by Santa's Express, overlooking the bandstand. Spaces are limited and must be booked ahead. Our Bournemouth Christmas kids trail explains how this experience works.
The Christmas Tree Maze: Wander through 300 illuminated trees while collecting clues on the way. This magical maze is a highlight for children. See more in our Christmas Tree Wonderland.
Mini Golf: Enjoy 18 Christmas-themed holes. Before 5pm, it’s a family-friendly daytime course; after dark, it transforms into Glow Golf with illuminated features.
SKATE Bournemouth: The open-air ice rink offers toddler and family sessions, with skate aids available. Weekends and school holidays are especially busy, so booking early is wise.

Tickets are sold on the day only if availability allows, so arriving late may mean missing out on your preferred activities. Leave plenty of time between bookings to avoid rushing.

A vibrant ice skating rink at night, surrounded by festive lights and buildings, with families enjoying the activity. — Families enjoy ice skating under twinkling lights at Bournemouth's Christmas Market, creating a magical festive atmosphere.

A Weekend Day Plan at Bournemouth Christmas Market with Kids

Planning a day around the Bournemouth Christmas Market with kids helps make the most of the festive fun. Here is a suggested itinerary:

Morning Activities and Meeting the Characters

11am, Bournemouth Square: The market opens, and Christmas characters such as fairies, elves, and an "Elsa" appear from 11am to 1pm, and again from 2pm to 4pm every Saturday and Sunday. Children can enjoy free photos with these characters.
Late Morning, Collect the Kids’ Booklet: Pick up the Christmas booklet at the Alpine Lodge, Santa's Workshop, the maze, the golf course, or the rink. This booklet contains puzzles, jokes, a trail map, clues, and secret letters to find around the market. Families can submit their completed booklets at Santa's Workshop or the Alpine Lodge, or online, for a chance to win a prize. Our Bournemouth Christmas kids trail has full details.

Lunchtime and Afternoon Fun

Lunch at the Market: Food stalls offer festive treats such as hog roasts and hot chocolates. All vendors accept card or contactless payments only.
Afternoon in the Lower Gardens: Use your pre-booked slots for Story Time with Santa, the Christmas Tree Maze, daytime mini golf, or family ice skating. For those without bookings, there are plenty of rides and games that do not require advance tickets, including Santa's Express train, Santa's Sleigh Park, the sleigh ride simulator, "Control the Lights" interactive stall, prize stalls, and the Big Wheel.

Evening Festivities and Snowfall

4pm Snowfall on the Trail: From Friday to Sunday, the giant trees on the festive trail "snow" at 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm, creating a magical winter atmosphere. The Alpine Lodge balcony also features snowfalls at 2pm, 5pm, and 7pm on these days. Check the official schedule for details.
5.30pm Santa’s Storytelling: After his workshop sessions, Santa tells a free festive story on the Square stage next to the Alpine Lodge. The exact days Santa appears are not listed, so it is best to check ahead before planning your visit.
Evening Walk on the Festive Trail: Once it is fully dark, which in December happens early, take a stroll along the illuminated Festive Trail to enjoy the lights and decorations. The trail is a perfect way to end a magical day. More about the trail can be found on the Festive Trail page.

A vibrant ice skating rink at night with families and children enjoying skating under colourful lights — Families and children enjoy a lively evening of ice skating at Bournemouth's Christmas Market, surrounded by festive lights.

Practical Notes for Parents Visiting Bournemouth Christmas Market with Kids

Facilities: Toilets, including accessible ones, are available on site and nearby. The organisers’ FAQ provides full details.
Weather Preparedness: The market is outdoors and continues in most weather conditions. It is wise to pack gloves, waterproofs, and warm clothing for children.
Access Restrictions: Some attractions have age or height restrictions. Check each experience page carefully before booking to ensure it is suitable for your children.
Crowd Considerations: Weekday afternoons during school term time tend to be quieter than weekends, making them a good option for families seeking a calmer experience.

For more family-friendly activities beyond the Christmas Market, see the Bournemouth Guide’s Bournemouth with kids and family activities in Bournemouth. The guide’s Christmas Tree Wonderland page also lists related festive events.

Staying Close to Bournemouth Christmas Market with Kids

After a long, exciting day, tired children will appreciate staying nearby. Flexiestays offers family-friendly apartments on the West Cliff, about a ten-minute walk from Bournemouth Square. This location means you avoid traffic and can return easily after the festivities. The apartments feature self check-in, so there is no queue at reception, and you can check holiday stays in Bournemouth for availability over the school holidays.

For more ideas on family fun in Bournemouth, explore our family activities in Bournemouth and discover things to do across the town.

External reference: Christmas in Bournemouth official site

Good to Know

Entry to the market is free, but some attractions require tickets.
Book popular family activities in advance to avoid disappointment.
Most vendors accept card or contactless payments only.
The market is outdoors; dress warmly and prepare for winter weather.
Accessible facilities are available on site.
Weekdays tend to be less busy than weekends.
The market runs from 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.

Opening Hours and Prices at Bournemouth Christmas Market with Kids

Attraction	Opening Times	Ticket Info
Market stalls	11am to 7pm daily	Free entry
Story Time with Santa	Scheduled sessions, book ahead	Ticketed, limited availability
Christmas Tree Maze	11am to 7pm	Ticketed, book in advance
Mini Golf	11am to 7pm	Ticketed, family-friendly pricing
SKATE Ice Rink	Sessions throughout the day	Ticketed, book early

Summary

Plan your visit to Bournemouth Christmas Market with kids by booking key activities in advance.
Enjoy free festive characters, rides, and games alongside ticketed experiences.
Use the kids’ booklet for a fun trail with puzzles and prizes.
Stay nearby for convenience and comfort after a full day of festive fun.

Illuminated ice skating rink with families enjoying the festive atmosphere at night — Families enjoy ice skating under twinkling lights, creating a magical festive atmosphere in Bournemouth.

Written by Joao Mucci. This guide draws on local knowledge and public information about Bournemouth always check opening times and event dates with the venue before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee for Bournemouth Christmas Market with kids?

Entry to the Bournemouth Christmas Market is free for all visitors. However, some popular family attractions within the market, such as Story Time with Santa, the Christmas Tree Maze, mini golf, and the SKATE ice rink, require tickets which must be booked in advance to guarantee a place. Booking ahead is recommended as these activities can sell out quickly.

What family-friendly activities require booking in advance at Bournemouth Christmas Market?

Key family-friendly activities that require advance booking include Story Time with Santa, a 30-minute interactive session held in Santa's Workshop; the Christmas Tree Maze, where children can wander through 300 illuminated trees collecting clues; mini golf with 18 Christmas-themed holes; and the SKATE open-air ice rink, which offers toddler and family sessions with skate aids. Tickets for these are sold on the day only if available, so early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.

What free activities can children enjoy at the Bournemouth Christmas Market?

Children can enjoy meeting Christmas characters such as fairies, elves, and an Elsa character who appear on weekends from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm. There are also rides and games that do not require tickets, including Santa's Express train, Santa's Sleigh Park, the sleigh ride simulator, the 'Control the Lights' interactive stall, prize stalls, and the Big Wheel. Additionally, families can pick up a kids’ booklet with puzzles, jokes, a trail map, clues, and secret letters to find around the market, which can be submitted for a chance to win a prize.

What are the opening dates and hours for Bournemouth Christmas Market?

The Bournemouth Christmas Market runs from 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Market stalls are open daily from 11am to 7pm. Family attractions such as the Christmas Tree Maze and mini golf also operate within these hours, while the SKATE ice rink offers sessions throughout the day. Specific times for Story Time with Santa are scheduled and require booking.

What facilities and practical considerations should parents know when visiting the market with children?

The market is outdoors and continues in most weather conditions, so it is important to dress children warmly and bring waterproofs and gloves. Accessible toilets are available on site and nearby. Some attractions have age or height restrictions, so parents should check these before booking. Weekday afternoons during school term time tend to be quieter than weekends, which may suit families seeking a calmer experience.

What is the recommended itinerary for a weekend day at Bournemouth Christmas Market with kids?

A suggested weekend itinerary starts with arriving at 11am to meet Christmas characters and pick up the kids’ booklet. Lunchtime can be spent enjoying festive food stalls offering hog roasts and hot chocolates. The afternoon is ideal for using pre-booked slots for Story Time with Santa, the Christmas Tree Maze, mini golf, or ice skating. In the evening, families can enjoy snowfall events on the festive trail at 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm, listen to Santa’s storytelling at around 5.30pm, and finish with a stroll along the illuminated Festive Trail.

Are there payment restrictions at the Bournemouth Christmas Market?

Yes, all vendors at the Bournemouth Christmas Market accept card or contactless payments only. It is advisable to bring a contactless card or payment method as cash is not accepted at food stalls and other vendors.

Bournemouth Christmas Market Family Guide