Bournemouth was transformed into an enchanting Christmas spectacle on Friday (28 November), with a procession into the Lower Gardens and a dazzling firework display marking the eagerly awaited launch of the Gardens of Light.
Together with Santa and the stars of Bournemouth Pavilion’s panto, Peter Pan, hundreds of families and children were pleasantly surprised by an official opening ceremony in the Lower Gardens at the ice rink – supported this year by Wave 105 and their charity, Cash for Kids.
After the launch, members of the public were entertained in the gardens by a fire act and performers on the ice, including a Michael Bublé tribute and characters from hit movie, Frozen.
Coleen Gallagher and Cheryl Atkinson, who watched the launch, said: “It was a really lovely event, with lots of community spirit. The free glow-in-the-dark stuff looked great! It was a super way to start Christmas and we hope this happens every year!”
The Gardens of Light runs in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens throughout the Christmas period from 28 November to 4 January, and features the award-winning Light Pods – traditional beach hut frames fitted with a variety of interactive experiences that are free to explore and enjoy. As well as the ice rink, complete with café bar, the bandstand is home to a stunning Santa’s Grotto.
