IT MIGHT still be six months until even the early stages of the festive season but council chiefs have confirmed when the spectacular Christmas Tree Wonderland will return in Bournemouth.

Uncertainty around the situation with the pandemic and ultimately the second wave of Covid cases put pay to last year's town centre event.

BCP Council called off the 2020 wonderland in early September and the local authority pulled the plug on a scaled down Christmas Market, which was due to be run by Seventa Events, in November.

However, it has now been confirmed that plans are pressing ahead for the popular festive extravaganza to come back with a bang.

The Christmas Tree Wonderland is due to open on November 19 and will be on display for residents and visitors until the new year.

Councillor Beverley Dunlop, BCP Council lead member for cultural events and Bournemouth regeneration, said: “We are thrilled to confirm that Christmas Tree Wonderland is set to return to Bournemouth on 19 November 2021 until 2 January 2022.

"Working with our partners at the Town Centre BID, Coastal BID and Yellow Buses, we are excited to be able to bring this popular event back to the town for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.

"We are currently hard at work on the plans and we will provide further details of what everyone can expect for this Christmas celebration at a later stage.”

Efforts are also underway on the Christmas Market. Submissions for traders to feature in this year's the alpine market are now open.

The plans for last year's market included the ice rink in the Lower Gardens, a range of open-air stalls and covered 'igloo' domes for groups to sit and enjoy a drink.

A recent post on the Bournemouth Christmas Market Facebook page said: "As we countdown to Christmas, we are looking for retailers to join us at Dorset’s premier Christmas Market this Winter!

"A truly amazing opportunity to exhibit your products in the heart of Bournemouth’s Christmas celebrations; simply express your interest by filling out a form on christmasinbournemouth.co.uk or email us directly on traders@christmasinbournemouth.co.uk."

The first Christmas Tree Wonderland in 2018 helped attract a footfall of 3.3million people to the town centre over the six-week event, making it a huge part of the cultural calendar behind the air festival.

As reported, last week Bournemouth Air Festival organisers announced the Red Arrows, RAF Typhoon and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will all feature across the four-day event in early September.