IT’S beginning to look a lot like Christmas…. as more details are revealed about the new Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland attraction.

Visitors will be able to see more than 100 trees and illuminations in a unique trail which will open on November 16 and run until the beginning of January.

Starting at the big wheel at Pier Approach, the trail will take people through the Lower Gardens and feature themed trees from around the world including Moscow, St Petersburg, Bethlehem, Seattle and Warsaw.

There will also be a Tree of Light and a canopy of cascading lights over Pine Tree Walk.

However, the star attraction will be the Bournemouth Wonderland Tree. A 60ft LED centrepiece comprising of 30,000 individual lights programmed for regular sound and light shows.

Dotted around the town centre will be a number of illuminations including a giant teddy bear, gingerbread people and a giant bauble, as well as animated polar bears, a snow lion, fairies and elves.

There will also be a Santa’s grotto along the trail in the Lower Gardens and entertainment across the town centre.

Bournemouth Echo:

The festive fun will also spread to The Triangle, Horseshoe Common and Lansdowne which will feature themed attractions.

The free event, which will run for the next four years, is being delivered by the same team behind Bournemouth Air Festival and is supported by Bournemouth’s Town Centre and Coastal Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) as well as Bournemouth council.

Martin Davis, town centre BID chairman, said: “Bournemouth’s profile has been raised enormously in recent years and Christmas Tree Wonderland represents another giant leap forward for increasing the town’s appeal among residents and visitors alike.”

Bournemouth Echo:

Yellow Buses has been named as Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland’s exclusive bus transport provider and is planning to run an open-top bus decorated with lights to link the Christmas markets in Boscombe and Westbourne with the town centre.

Paul Clarke, Coastal BID chairman, said: “Bournemouth’s coastal villages have distinct identities and enthusiastic communities which combine to bring variety and passion to our unique stretch of the South Coast. We’re excited and proud to be able to capitalise on this, enhancing the Christmas Tree Wonderland through a packed programme of themed events including Victorian, continental and vintage attractions in Boscombe, Southbourne and Westbourne.”

Other attractions include the return of the alpine market with a two-storey lodge-style bar and the outdoor ice rink which will have an ice path allowing skaters to venture off the main rink. The indoor ice rink will also be making a return to the BIC.

Jon Weaver, head of resort marketing and events, said: “We’re all very excited about the arrival of the Christmas Tree Wonderland! It’s an awesome undertaking for the team and promises to be a fantastic attraction as well as a memorable addition to Bournemouth’s year-round events calendar, building on our status as a truly eventful destination.”