It’s the first Bournemouth Wheels Festival this weekend, and if you’re unsure of where to go, what’s happening and when, then have a look at our handy guide for all you need to know.

How will the Festival work?

There are a number of different ‘zones’ spread across the seafront and Bournemouth town centre.

They are numbered one to six and include the Bournemouth promenade between the two piers, the East Cliff and Pier Approach, Lower Gardens, town centre and The Triangle.

Attractions including Monster Trucks, vintage vehicles, desert driving and F1 cars, which will be spread across these zones.

Click here for full information about what’s happening in which zone.

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What's happening?

Check out our map here for full details but a brief rundown is below.

Undercliff Drive, near Boscombe Pier - ZONE 1
VEHICLE PAGEANT - Hundreds of beautifully maintained vehicles on display

DAKAR RALLY DESERT DRIVING AND MILITARY ARENA - demos from Dakar Rally cars and military vehicles and displays from the Royal Navy and Army.

Bournemouth Beach, East Cliff and beyond - ZONE 2

MONSTER TRUCKS - Car-crushing and power demonstrations with Team Bigfoot.

Shows regularly from 12noon until 6pm and the chance to have a ride in the trucks between performances.

Monday shows from 11am-5pm.

Bournemouth East Beach - ZONE 3

ACTION SPORTS ARENA - Freestyle motocross stunts
PROMENADE DISPLAYS - Interactive demonstrations and seafront trading
FUNFAIR AND SIDESHOWS - Entertainment for all the family

Pier Approach, Lower Gardens, Town Centre and The Triangle - ZONE 4

PRE-WAR AND VINTAGE VEHICLES - Display celebrating the early years of motoring
SUPERCARS - High-end sports cars and racing cars on display
FREEWHEEL STUNTS AND CYCLE VILLAGE - Thrills with the BMX riders and skaters from
Team Extreme
FAMILY ZONE - Children’s entertainers and shows
WHEELPOWER WHEELCHAIR SPORTS DISPLAYS - Showcasing different wheelchair sports

Bournemouth West Beach - ZONE 5

PIER JUMP - Daredevil attempt to jump Bournemouth’s historic Pier at around 7pm on Saturday and Sunday.
VEHICLE PAGEANT
SEAFRONT STAGE - Music and entertainment by the sea

Clifftop - ZONE 6

DEMONSTRATION STRAIGHT - Adrenaline fuelled demos from historic F1 cars, high-end supercars and many more.

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How do I get closer to the action?

There will be grandstand seating at the Demonstration straight and FMX Monster Truck Arenas.

At the Demonstration Straight

  • A Day pass costs £10 for unlimited access between 10am-6pm. Seating subject to availability.
  • A Half day pass costs £6 for unlimited access between 10am-2pm or 2pm-6pm.

FMX and Monster Truck Arenas
£2 per show FREE seating with programme purchase.
Programme purchase permits one free entry
Other members of your party (up to a maximum of 4) pay £1 each.

Seats available from 10am – 6pm (FMX Arena open from 12pm).

How can I take part?

There are lots of events taking place over the weekend for families and visitors to take part in.

How about getting on your bike – with your teddy bear – for the Bears on Bikes event on Monday evening?

As part of the Wheels Night Ride, it is hoped thousands will set off from Boscombe Pier around 6.30pm and cycle along the beach to the town centre to complete a closed off racing circuit for the Bears on Bikes ride.

In association with the Round Table, Wheels organisers say the event will raise money for the Round Table Children’s Wish.

More information here

There is also a Wheels Festival Nightglow Ride spectacular taking place in the town centre later that evening.

It will be held on Monday night from 9.45pm to 10.30pm and will take adults and children on their bikes through the Lower Gardens, Gervis Place, Exeter Road and Bath Hill to the finish at Pier Approach.

Also taking place on Monday night will be a relay challenge at 7.40pm with the town centre transformed into a grand prix style circuit for cyclists and an elite race at 8.25pm.

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Fireworks

Two fireworks displays will take place. The first will be held on Saturday at 10pm on the seafront by Bournemouth Pier and from 10.15pm on Monday evening.

Music

On the Seafront Stage – on the beach near Bournemouth Pier.

There will be music and entertainment from 8-10pm every night with cover bands and other music including Adam Barron on Saturday, The Producers on Sunday, and on Monday, The Rob Berry Band.

Festival Makers

A team of Festival Makers - similar to the Olympic volunteers - will be on hand to help out visitors over the weekend.

They will be located throughout the Festival site and can help with any questions you have about the event and help you locate the essentials.

Bournemouth Echo:

Road Closures and restrictions

For full details click here but a brief overview is below

• Russell Cotes Road and East Overcliff Drive closed Wednesday May 21st to Wednesday May 28.

• Grove Road and Manor Road closed, except for access, Saturday May 24 to Monday May 26. No parking from Saturday May 24 to Monday May 26.

• Gervis Road – open to traffic but no parking 24 hours a day.

• Exeter Crescent closed northwards of the car park entrances from Friday May 23 to Tuesday May 27.

A note on the organiser’s map says all parking restrictions will be enforced with a tow away scheme also in operation.

For full details on road closures for the cycle event on Monday click here

Park and Ride

With thousands of visitors expected for the event, organisers are advising people against bringing their own vehicle to the event.

If you are driving to the event, the official Park and Ride service is recommended and will be located at Kings Park from 9am-10.30pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Parking

If you’re still undeterred and looking for parking closer to Bournemouth there are a number of car parks detailed on the official map, which is here.

Most of these are within walking distance of the town centre events.

These car parks are closed during the event

  • Bath Road North (from Thursday 8pm onwards)
  • Bath Road South (from Thursday 8pm onwards)
  • Eden Glen (this will be a designated Disabled car park only on Saturday & Sunday)

Motorcycle car parks

  • Alum Chine- 3 spaces
  • Bath Road North - 8 spaces
  • Bath Road South - 10 spaces
  • Beacon Road - 2 spaces
  • Central - 4 spaces
  • Cranmer Road - 2 spaces
  • Durley Chine - 4 spaces
  • Eden Glen- 6 spaces
  • Glen Fern - 8 spaces
  • Hawkwood Road Main - 4 spaces
  • Leslie Road - 2 spaces
  • Leyton Mount- 2 spaces
  • Madeira Road West - 4 spaces
  • Overstrand - 3 spaces
  • Warren Edge - 2 spaces
  • Winter Gardens - 5 spaces
  • Richmond Gardens Multi Storey Car Park - 12 spaces - motorcyles are requested to take an entry ticket to gain access, however when leaving the car park please push the HELP BUTTON at the exit lane and a member of staff will let you out.

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Disabled parking

Designated Town Centre parking has been allocated for disabled badge holders ONLY at the following locations:

  • Winter Gardens car park on Saturday, Sunday & Monday.
  • Eden Glen car park on Saturday & Sunday & Monday (limited space on Monday available).

What are the opening hours?

The festival site opens from 10am – 10pm every day 

Is there a souvenir programme?

Programmes are available prior to the festival online and can be bought at the festival site in many locations or at the Tourist Information Centre on Westover Road.

Accommodation

If you’re planning on staying in Bournemouth to sample what’s on over the weekend, then you can find out more about accommodation by calling 0845 051 1700 for special deals or email info@bournemouth.gov.uk

Shopping

There will be a trade village brimming with memorabilia, books, clothing, toys and autojumble as well as all the shops Bournemouth has to offer.

Weather

We will be covering the event live all weekend so log on to bournemouthecho.co.uk/wheels and join in our blog or tweet us your pictures and video to @bournemouthecho.

You can also comment on Bournemouth Daily Echo’s Facebook or email us digital@bournemouthecho.co.uk with your pictures and video. We will be adding photo galleries and video all weekend so don’t forget to check out the website.