Saturday 6th December is the date set for the ever popular Westbourne Christmas Festival and lights switch on. There is a buzz in the air as shops and businesses prepare for the big day and of course the arrival of Santa who will be in the Westbourne Arcade.
Visitors will discover a festive atmosphere in Westbourne on the day with a packed programme of entertainment arranged. Acts will be performing at different locations around Westbourne including in the historic Victorian arcade and outside the So Furniture store. At the main stage outside Marks & Spencer’s there will be a wide mix of acts performing to entertain shoppers from 10am until 4.30pm with fun and goodies from Jack FM.
Performers will include The Jimmy Hill Billies, Bournemouth University Big Band, The Ageas Retail Choir, SBLAS Performing Arts School, Swing Unlimited Community Band, Buckholme Towers School Choir and more. There will also be dancing by Westbourne based dance school, Salsa Explosion.
The Christmas lights switch on will be around 4.15 pm by local celebrity Mungo Jerry who will of course be performing to the crowd too.
A whole host of special offers and activities will be available to Christmas shoppers, including the UK’s smallest cinema in the arcade, Bournemouth Colosseum, which will be showing Christmas films throughout the day with free entry for all. Marks and Spencer’s will be doing food tasting, chocolate tasting at Chocol8, a free croissant if you buy a tea or coffee at Cuisina Tapas Restaurant and crafts and napkin folding at Westbourne Library. There’s even be a free beach bag with each purchase at Beach and Body swimwear shop and so much more to discover.
A must visit event will be the Peter Treble Butchers on Poole Road who will be hosting its annual 12 inch sausage eating competition which always raises a smile.
To remember our loved ones at Christmas, Chester Pearce Funeral Services will have a special ‘memory tree’ and shoppers will be encouraged to post a leaf on the tree in remembrance.
Shoppers will be able to view the many shops which have joined in the annual ‘Best dressed Christmas window’ competition and will be wowed by the diverse range of window displays showcasing their Christmas magic.
Steve Taylor, President of Westbourne Traders Association said, “We are keen to encourage visitors to Westbourne so they can enjoy the amazing offer we have for Christmas. There will be something for everyone. We are very proud of our unique shopping village with its wide range of independent shops and hope shoppers will join us in the festivities and enjoy a very special Christmas experience.”
The Christmas event and ‘Westbourne for Christmas’ campaign is sponsored by Westbourne Coastal Business Improvement District (BID) businesses and the Westbourne Traders Association
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Kate Shaw
