Last checked: 1 November 2026. Please confirm times, availability and event status with the organiser.
November 2026
3 November: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde with live organ
Tuesday 3 November, 8pm; doors 7.30pm | Silent film with live accompaniment | Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, Westover Road | Standard £15; over-60s, under-16s and students £10; transaction fees may apply.
Organist Aaron Hawthorne improvises a soundtrack to the 1920 film on the Pavilion's Compton organ. The screening pairs a classic Gothic story with live music in the same auditorium; the venue lists an approximate finish of 9.36pm.
6 November: Obscura: Double Bill
Friday 6 November, 7.30pm | Contemporary dance, ages 12+ | Ocean Theatre, Pavilion Dance South West, Westover Road | From £8; 90 minutes.
Company Chameleon brings Umbra and Refuse to the stage, exploring exclusion, identity, migration and the search for belonging. The venue advises that the production includes themes of asylum, displacement and suicide, which may help audiences decide whether it is suitable.
10 November: Sixpence Day at the Russell-Cotes
Tuesday 10 November, 10am to 5pm | Museum open day | Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, East Cliff | Free entry, donations welcome; no booking required.
The museum recalls its 1922 admission price by inviting donations of 6p or more. Explore the historic house and collections on a drop-in basis. Numbers are managed at the door, so there may be a queue; group visits cannot be accommodated.
From 12 November: The Festive Trail
Thursday 12 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 | Winter lights and family attractions | Lower Gardens, between Bournemouth town centre and seafront | Free trail entry; selected attractions and experiences are ticketed.
Follow illuminated displays through the gardens, with a Christmas Tree Walkway and seasonal photo opportunities. The wider programme includes skating, a tree maze, Santa experiences and the Big Wheel; check separate prices and booking requirements for those activities.
From 12 November: Bournemouth Christmas Market
Thursday 12 November to Thursday 31 December | Seasonal shopping and food | The Square, Bournemouth | Open daily from 11am; market stalls close at 8pm, or 7pm Sundays; food stalls until 10pm.
Browse traditional gifts, handmade items and seasonal food in Bournemouth Square. The market sits alongside the wider Christmas programme, making it easy to combine a town-centre shopping trip with a walk through the Lower Gardens' lights.
From 17 November: Christmas at the Russell-Cotes
Tuesday 17 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 | Decorated historic house and family trail | Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, East Cliff | Check normal admission and opening hours; closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Explore the house dressed for a Victorian Christmas, with festive displays and a seasonal trail for families. Special tours, afternoon teas and evening events are offered separately, so check the museum's programme if you want to add an activity to your visit.
December 2026
From 5 December: Aladdin at the Pavilion
Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 | Family pantomime | Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, Westover Road | Tickets from £18; transaction fees may apply; times vary.
James Cartwright, Kristel Herrera, Dante Nardone, Jamie Steen and Noel Brodie lead the Pavilion's Christmas adventure. The venue advertises relaxed performances on 15 and 30 December and a captioned performance on 21 December; use its booking calendar to select a date.
17 December: Victorian Christmas Evening
Thursday 17 December, 6pm to 8.30pm | Museum after-hours event | Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, East Cliff | £15; valid Friends members £12; advance booking recommended.
Enjoy Christmas readings, music, short talks and objects brought out from the museum store in the decorated historic house. The cafe opens from 5pm and closes at 8pm. Most activities are accessible, with some upstairs elements reached only by stairs.
19 December: Festive Ceilidh with Jigfoot
Saturday 19 December, 7pm | Social folk dancing, ages 12+ | Ocean Theatre, Pavilion Dance South West, Westover Road | From £17; around three hours and ten minutes.
Jigfoot brings live music rooted in southern English dance traditions, with a caller guiding the dances. No partner or previous experience is needed, making it a sociable way to try folk dancing and join the seasonal celebrations.
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