Discover seven brilliant things to do in Bournemouth in November 2026, including fireworks at Littledown, The Big Glow Show in Boscombe and Bill Bailey at the BIC. Explore Japanese prints at the Russell-Cotes, enjoy Stories: A Tap Sensation at Bournemouth Pavilion and welcome the Christmas Market, Festive Trail and outdoor ice rink. For a quieter outing, follow the tree trail through Bournemouth’s Lower, Central and Upper Gardens.
3rd November 2026
November is a month of bright evenings and quieter daytime discoveries in Bournemouth.
Bonfire Night celebrations bring light and entertainment to Littledown and Boscombe, while the town centre begins its transformation for Christmas. Indoors, there are exhibitions, dance performances and comedy shows to look forward to, with the gardens offering somewhere to stretch our legs between outings.
Here are seven of our favourite ways to enjoy Bournemouth this November.
Friday 6 - Saturday 7 November 2026, gates open at 5pm | Shelley Park, Boscombe
The Big Glow Show brings a new evening of light, music and live entertainment to Shelley Park.
Created as an alternative to a traditional fireworks event, the programme combines colourful laser displays, live music and performances, giving families another way to enjoy the Bonfire Night weekend. The event’s description confirms 6 and 7 November, with gates opening at 5pm.
The laser shows provide the main spectacle, while entertainment and refreshments give visitors reasons to stay and enjoy the atmosphere between displays.
Although there are no traditional fireworks, visitors should still expect music, crowds and bright or flashing lights. Check the event’s ticket information before travelling.
Read our guide to The Big Glow Show
Saturday 7 November 2026, gates open at 5pm | Littledown Centre
Bournemouth Fireworks at Littledown offers a full evening of entertainment, with three displays at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm.
Alongside the fireworks, visitors can enjoy live music from Bon Jovi tribute Born Jovi, fire performers, a funfair and food stalls. There are also indoor family activities and opportunities to try sports outside, making this more than a brief stop to watch a single display.
We would arrive with time to explore before the first fireworks, then choose how much of the evening to enjoy. One admission ticket covers all three displays, while funfair rides cost extra.
Advance tickets provide access to the fast-track entry queue. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and pets are not permitted.
Saturday 7 November 2026 | Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre
For an evening indoors, Stories: A Tap Sensation brings an energetic combination of dance and theatrical storytelling to Bournemouth Pavilion.
Presented by RB Dance Company, the production blends tap, urban jazz, percussion and visual theatre. Its story follows a rising Hollywood actor whose relationship with a powerful director becomes increasingly controlling, forcing him to find the courage to take charge of his future.
The movement carries the drama, making this an intriguing choice for anyone who enjoys dance, musical theatre or a performance with a strong visual identity.
Tickets are advertised from £20, with an age recommendation of 8+. The venue currently displays conflicting start times, so confirm the performance time with the box office when booking.
Find out more about Stories: A Tap Sensation
Throughout November; exhibition continues until Sunday 11 April 2027 | Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Edo Women: Japanese Prints 1820 - 1900 offers a colourful journey into nineteenth-century Japan through the lives and images of its women.
Featuring Japanese woodblock prints from the collection of Frank Milner, the exhibition explores depictions of heroines, entertainers, mothers, samurai and empresses during a period of significant social change.
It is a particularly fitting exhibition for the Russell-Cotes. Annie and Merton Russell-Cotes travelled to Japan, and their interest in its art and culture remains an important part of the museum’s collection.
We would allow time to look closely at the prints rather than rushing past. Clothing, expressions and small details offer plenty to discover, whether your interest lies in art, fashion, history or printmaking.
Combine the exhibition with a visit around the historic house for a satisfying November cultural outing.
From Thursday 12 November 2026 | The Square and Lower Gardens
Bournemouth’s Christmas celebrations begin in mid-November, bringing market chalets, seasonal food, illuminated displays and outdoor skating to the heart of town.
The Christmas Market runs until 31 December 2026, while the Festive Trail and SKATE Bournemouth continue until 3 January 2027. Browse the stalls in The Square, follow the lights through the gardens or book a skating session before warming up with something to eat.
Entry to the market and Festive Trail is free, with separate charges for selected attractions, including ice skating and Glow Golf.
We would arrive in the late afternoon, leaving time for a little shopping before enjoying the lights after dark. It is an easy outing to adapt, whether you are planning a family visit, a festive date or an evening with friends.
Saturday 21 November 2026, 3pm and 8pm | Windsor Hall, Bournemouth International Centre
Bill Bailey returns to Bournemouth with Vaudevillean, a show celebrating the mixture of comedy, music and performance that once filled variety theatres.
His musical skills and offbeat humour make this an appealing choice for anyone who enjoys comedy with something unexpected woven through it. The show takes inspiration from an entertainment tradition built around songs, stories and unusual talents.
The BIC lists both an afternoon performance at 3pm and an evening performance at 8pm, giving visitors a choice of how to fit the show into their weekend. Tickets are advertised from £38.75, subject to availability.
Make an afternoon of it with lunch beforehand, or combine the evening show with a walk through the nearby festive celebrations.
Check availability for Bill Bailey: Vaudevillean
Throughout November | Lower, Central and Upper Gardens
For a quieter outing, Bournemouth Gardens Tree Trail gives us a reason to look more closely at familiar surroundings.
The circular route connects the Lower, Central and Upper Gardens, identifying 12 types of tree, including redwood, cypress and palm. BCP Council suggests allowing just over two hours for the complete walk, which follows flat, tarmac pathways.
November brings a changing mixture of remaining autumn leaves, evergreen foliage and bare branches. You can follow the full route or simply enjoy a shorter section through the Central and Upper Gardens, stopping to notice trees you might usually walk straight past.
The gardens are free to explore, making this a useful balance to the month’s ticketed entertainment. Choose a dry spell, wear comfortable shoes and finish with coffee or lunch in town.
Images: Unsplash
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