Many students opt to stay in Bournemouth during the summer months, so you won't be alone if you're staying local this year. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy everything Bournemouth has to offer, from its sunny beaches to community events. There are plenty of low-cost activities and places to visit, so be sure to check them out below.
We have also shared what university services are available during the summer break (28 June - 21 September 2025) on our website. Please refer to this if you plan on visiting campus during the break or need support.
Summer evening fireworks and entertainment
Many nearby towns arrange fireworks, music and evening entertainment throughout August. The fireworks are free to attend and run throughout the week, so a great excuse to go for a walk and enjoy the brighter evenings alone or with friends.
Bournemouth beach - Fireworks run every Friday throughout August
Poole Quay - Poole Quay's Summer Spectacular Fireworks bring the party atmosphere to Thursday nights (7 – 29 August) with free live music, entertainment and fireworks.
Wareham - A short train or bus journey from Bournemouth, Wareham offers free music, entertainment and fireworks on Wednesdays throughout August (6 - 27 August).
Explore Dorset
The summer is the best time of year to explore Dorset and the Jurassic Coast. BU student, Hannah, shares her suggestions of where to visit for a day trip and how to get there including The New Forest, Old Harry's Rocks, Durdle Door and more.
Take memorable pictures on the Bournemouth and Poole Selfie Wall Trail between Sandbanks and Southbourne.
Explore the town by walking the Bournemouth Gardens Tree Trail (pdf 2.64mb). It takes approximately two hours and identifies 12 types of trees, including Redwood, Cypress and Palm.
Free and low-cost festivals and community events
There are many low cost events and festivals planned closer to Bournemouth, which may be of interest to you:
-
Grooves on the Green, 27 - 29 June. This community festival in Ashley Cross, Poole, includes a Dorset Street Food Festival
- Shake & Stir Vintage Festival, 28 - 29 June in Southbourne. This year, the Shake & Stir festival team will be revving up fans of vintage and retro music, vehicles, dancing, fashion and lifestyle living. Adult tickets are £7.50, or £10 for the weekend. Children go free
- Bourne Free (Bournemouth Pride), 11 - 13 July. This annual pride festival features a parade, live music, and family-friendly entertainment. You can also sign up to walk the parade with the BU team and our decorated UNIBUS
-
Christchurch Carnival on 15 - 17 August. A weekend of fun on Christchurch Quay. Highlights include a firework show, parade, funfair, live music, great local food and drink.
Market shopping
Explore the range of stalls or treat yourself to something at one of the many recurring markets that run in the local area. The markets are a good excuse to visit somewhere new, or to explore closer to home.
- Christchurch Market – Mondays in the High Street and Saxon Square, Christchurch
- Boscombe Market – Thursdays and Saturdays on Christchurch Road, Boscombe
- Bournemouth Art & Makers Market – First and third weekends of each month, at Westover Gardens, Bournemouth town centre
- Poole Markets – Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in Poole High Street and Poole Quay Design & Collectables Market on 8 July & 26 August
- Pride Market – Small independent artists and makers at Gather in The Dolphin Centre, Poole on 28 & 29 June
- South Coast Makers Market – Open seven days a week at Bobby's department store in Bournemouth Square.
Stay healthy
SportBU are running some great summer activities, including surfing, paddleboarding, badminton, social football and touch rugby – drop in or call to find out more. You can also sign up for their Summer Blast membership offer - for only £50, you can join SportBU and use their facilities as often as you like, up until 10 September 2025.
If you have kids to entertain this summer, SportBU run a series of Kids' Holiday Clubs which are available for children aged 5-14 years old that are packed full of different activities, sports and games. There is also a 50% discount for BU staff and students, when you use your @bournemouth.ac.uk email address. Find out more about how to benefit from this on the BU website.
BU is offering students, staff and members of the local community access to free Bikeability training this summer. This is an empowering and rewarding experience that can help you to develop cycling technique, enhance road awareness, and increase independence. Find out more and register your interest.
Join the regular Parkrun every Saturday in King’s Park and Park Yoga every Sunday in parks around Bournemouth.
