BOURNEMOUTH’S first ever Christmas Tree Wonderland officially launched last night. Here’s your guide to the attraction.

What’s Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland?

It’s a free festive trail through Bournemouth starting at the seafront through the town centre up to the Triangle and also along Old Christchurch Road.

It features more than 100 glittering trees and illuminations including giant teddy bears, gingerbread people and a giant bauble. Some of the trees are themed to represent six cities from around the world including the Bethlehem Tree and the St Petersburg Tree.

How long is it running?

It starts on November 16 and runs until January 2. The best time to see the illuminations will be from 3pm onwards.

What’s the Bournemouth Wonderland Tree?

It’s the centrepiece of the trail. The walk-through tree, situated in the Lower Gardens, will host regular sound and light shows with music provided by Wave 105. The shows will be every 30 minutes from 5pm until 8.30pm, every day except Christmas Day.

What else should I look out for?

On December 7, 14, 15, 21, 22 and 28, visitors can enjoy a series of early evening of light and pyrotechnic shows on The Big Wheel at Pier Approach.

Then on December 13, 16, 20, 24, 27 and 30, there will be “afternoon animation sessions”. These are street entertainment shows with featuring animated characters for all the family. Highlights include the Winter Fairy, The Snow Globe, The Snow Lion, The White Queen, bouncing snow men, elves on stilts and roller skating Christmas puddings.

Where can I get a trail map?

For details, times, schedules and a Christmas Tree Wonderland map visit christmastreewonderland.co.uk

What else is happening?

The outdoor ice rink is back in the Lower Gardens with Moguls Alpine Bar. It will be open until January 6. The Alpine Market and Alpine Lodge Bar have also returned in the Square, plus little ones can visit Santa in his grotto in the Lower Gardens.

There will be numerous switch ons, parades and markets taking place across Bournemouth. Some of these celebrations are themed with Westbourne celebrating a Victorian Christmas, Boscombe taking on a continental flavour and Southbourne offering a vintage vibe.