Bournemouth will certainly be getting into the Christmas spirit this year.

The Christmas Tree Wonderland will see the town lit up by 100 festive-themed illuminations including the 60ft feature tree in the heart of the Victorian lower gardens. Visitors, who will be led by a trail from Lansdowne to the Triangle through the gardens to the seafront, will be able to enjoy the 10m Changing Tree of Light, a cascading waterfall, giant reindeer, gingerbread people, polar bears, a giant bauble and trees representing cities from around the globe.

The Moscow Tree returns to Pier Approach and the backdrop of the sparkling lights of Smugglers Cove.

Plans also include the return of the long-standing alpine bar and the ever-popular SKATE ice rink. The square will feature its traditional Christmas market.

This year’s main sponsors are the Town Centre BID, Coastal BID and Yellow Buses with further support from South Western Railway and Pay By Phone.

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, lead member for Cultural Events, said: “Christmas Tree Wonderland is always such a popular event with both residents and visitors. We will be sharing more information once all the plans have been finalised and are in place. We’re hopeful that Christmas 2021 will bring some much-needed festive cheer to all who come to the town.”

Chairman of Bournemouth Town Centre BID, Martin Davies, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome back this fantastic festive event, which makes such a difference to the town, its business community, residents and visitors.

“We are very pleased to contribute to the funding of Christmas Tree Wonderland and to see it spread this year across the whole of our town centre area from the Triangle to the Lansdowne.”

Paul Clarke, Coastal BID chairman, said: “Bournemouth is a brilliant location to host wonderful events all year round and we’re proud to be able to support this popular celebration once more. One of the top Christmas destinations in the UK; be sure to visit.”

David Squire, managing director of Yellow Buses, said: “We are once again delighted to be supporting Christmas Tree Wonderland, which this year will be bigger and better than before. We will again be offering evening family ticket deals so that local residents can travel into town without having to use their cars to view the many varied lights and displays across the town centre. Building on the success of 2019, we will also be operating Christmas Lights bus tours, more details to be released shortly.”

Richard Barker, Partnerships and Events Manager for South Western Railway, said: “We’re really excited to be involved in Bournemouth’s Christmas Tree Wonderland.”