And despite still being in a pandemic, visitors will be able to enjoy Bournemouth’s transformation into an open-air alpine village.

The very successful Winter Wonderland the town has welcomed for the last two years has been put on hold and instead a Covid-conscious seven-week long event from 13 November–3 January is planned..

Organised by Seventa Events and backed by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Tourism, Coastal BID, the Town Centre BID, Destination Management Board and Yellow Buses, the event will see the much-loved reindeer and other lighting installations.

Simon Brooks, founder and director of Seventa Events, said, “We have slightly reduced the number of chalet stall traders, spaced things apart to allow flow of guests and designed an ‘Alpine Village Bar’ which will be under cover but open air. The eight-metre tall Christmas tree feature Bratwurst stand will return along with the Bethlehem tree from Christmas Tree Wonderland.”

Due to constraints around social-distancing measures, the ice rink will not form part of the town’s offering for 2020 but is set to reappear in 2021.

Cllr Vikki Slade, leader of BCP Council, said, “We are so excited to be able to host these forthcoming celebrations in Bournemouth; all of which have been made with the wellbeing of our residents and visitors being our highest priority. We will be announcing plans for Christchurch and Poole in the coming weeks, as plans are finalised.”