Get out and about this winter break

Christmas Tree Wonderland

Once university closes for winter break it can be difficult to find activities to get involved with. Lots of students choose to stay in Bournemouth for the holidays, so if you’re staying local this year why not consider taking part in a few of these local events.

Student events

A range of student events are being held over the festive period for those staying local this winter, including: movie and board game nights, Christmas fireworks, ice skating, Mr Mulligans indoor crazy golf and a trip to the Poole bath tub race! Make sure you join the ‘Staying in ‘Sunny Bournemouth’ on Christmas Day’ Facebook group to find out more, meet other students staying local and book your place.

Volunteering

Volunteering over the Christmas period is a great way to lend a hand during the hardest time of year for many people in the UK. Charities and services are on the lookout for people to support the local community in a number of different ways:

You can also search for volunteering opportunities in and around Bournemouth in this month’s Community Action Network Voluntary Vacancies brochure. 

Community events

From Nativities and Pantomimes to Carol Services and film nights. The festive season is always a great time to get together with your local community and there are so many fantastic local events for you to get involved with, no matter what you're interested in.

Find out more about what's going on in Bournemouth, Poole and the surrounding area this winter.

Explore Dorset

The days might be getting colder and shorter, but that shouldn’t stop you from exploring the wide range of outside spaces Dorset has to offer. From perfect parks to Jurassic coasts there are a huge variety of outside spaces to visit that will remain open over the Christmas period.

If you fancy that festive feeling, a visit to the Christmas market in Bournemouth town centre should definitely be on your to do list! Open daily from 10am from now until 1 January, you'll find traders and caterers, an alpine lodge and Santa's grotto as well as live music, entertainment and magical illuminations for you to enjoy. You can also follow the Christmas Wonderland trail featuring 100 glittering trees and illuminations starting at Bournemouth sea front and continuing through Bournemouth Gardens.

This Christmas you could also take a step back in time and enjoy a traditional Victorian Christmas at the Russell Cotes, whilst the historic house is decorated for the festive period and discover Victorian traditions from the time period. 

There’s also plenty happening in Poole including a lantern parade on 12 December and the annual charity bath tub race at Poole Quay on 1 January – definitely not one to miss! 

If you are still wondering what to do, why not check out these hidden gems recommended by staff and students of Bournemouth University in Bournemouth, Poole and the surrounding area

Join a Parkrun

If running is more your thing, Parkruns take place at weekends throughout the year. On Christmas Day (25 December) a run will be held at Poole Park at 9am, and on New Year’s Day (31 December) another event will be held at Bournemouth Kings Park at 10am. You can walk, run or jog, but if that’s not your thing then volunteer marshals are always needed.

Enjoy a Christmas Day meal

ResLifeBU wants to make sure that students staying in BU-managed halls of residence get to enjoy a Christmas dinner with others. Why not get together with other students in your halls to enjoy a meal? ResLifeBU is even offering vouchers for you to buy ingredients for your Christmas meal! Join the ‘Staying in ‘Sunny Bournemouth’ on Christmas Day’ Facebook group to find out more and meet other students who are also staying local over the holidays to form your own Christmas dinner group – you can also email ResLifeBU’s Christmas Helper Emily, if you have any questions.