CONSTRUCTION is now underway for this year's Christmas Market and Christmas Tree Wonderland.

With less that three weeks to go before opening, Bournemouth's Christmas Market will run from Friday, November 19 until Sunday, January 2.

Making up for lost time, after not being able to open last year due to the pandemic, the market will be open everyday between 10am and 11pm.

The building work will see the return of the Alpine Lodge bar, 35 chalet market stalls, the Christmas Tree Wonderland in Bournemouth's Lower Gardens and the SKATE ice rink.

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Visitors will be led by a trail from Lansdowne to the Triangle through the gardens to the seafront and can enjoy the 10m Changing Tree of Light, a cascading waterfall, giant reindeer, gingerbread people, polar bears, a giant bauble and trees representing cities from around the globe including the Moscow Tree will also return to Pier Approach.

For those wanting to enjoy some Christmas merriment, the Alpine Lodge will have indoor, outdoor and balcony seating with views over the Christmas market. It will host weekly events including Monday quiz nights, Wednesday karaoke evenings and happy hour on Thursdays.

Councillor Mohan Iyengar, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Leisure and Culture said: "It  truly is fantastic to see the first pieces of the Christmas puzzle being put together throughout Bournemouth and beyond.

"Christmas across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is going to provide plenty for residents and visitors alike to see and enjoy after the quieter festivities we saw in 2020."

Some of the retail outlets at the market include Dorset Chilli, Cherry Tree Preserves and Olde English Fudge. Those looking to pick up Christmas gifts will be able to browse a range of stalls from hand-made silver jewellery at Ladysilver to skiing hoodies from Polar Hoods and wooden clocks from Cybele London.

As always there will be plenty of food stalls to indulge in from bratwursts to churros and crepes to hog roast - there will also be caterers for all dietary requirements including vegans at Earthling which serve a range of vegan street food.

Last year BCP Council called off the wonderland, run by Seventa Events, in early September and the local authority pulled the plug on a scaled down Christmas Market, in November.