Bournemouth Events and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Bournemouth, Dorset, England, UK)



Bournemouth Events, Festivals and Things to DoBournemouth is a friendly and very traditional seaside town and the local council makes a concerted effort to stage a balanced array of annual festivals and informal local events. These range from coastal fireworks and Red Arrows aerial displays during the summer, to frequent concerts and comedy events at the BIC and Pavilion theatres, which frequently draw big-name performers to the town.

Located next to the Lower Gardens, the central local tourist office in Bournemouth is always a good place to visit when you first arrive and the staff will be able to advise you of any unmissable events during your stay. Close by, Poole also boasts a healthy choice of seasonal festivals and things to do, and may also offer additional interest, along with Boscombe, Christchurch and the New Forest.

Bournemouth Live!
The Bournemouth Live! music festival is held in the summer, from late June to July. This features many musical events throughout the town and includes open-air concerts and live music.


Bournemouth Flowers by Candlelight
The Lower Gardens are transformed every Wednesday evening during the summer, when hundreds of children light over 15,000 candles in coloured glass jars throughout the gardens, forming enchanting, twinkling pictures.

Summer Fireworks Displays
During the summer season, Bournemouth hosts impressive firework displays every Friday night from the pier, attracting large crowds of both tourists and locals, who often gather on the cliff tops for the best views. These magical seafront fireworks are spectacular, with their dramatic colours reflecting in the water.

Boscombe Arts Festival
Held in mid-July, the Boscombe Arts Festival features a large range of work by both national and international artists.

The World Showband Championships and Music Festival
The summer World Showband Championships attracts many tourists and visitors to Bournemouth and features parades, concerts, arena shows and international training workshops.

The Great Dorset Steam Fair
The Great Dorset Steam Fair is held at the beginning of September and is one of the leading steam events in the country, being located roughly 45 minutes to the north of town and within the village of Tarrant Hinton, just past Blandford Forum.

Bournemouth National Public Holidays


(If Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the next weekday becomes a public holiday).