Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival announced for 2022

Published:
3:23 PM September 6, 2022

From November the Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival will chase away the darkness.

Christmas starts even earlier this year, with the announcement of a new Christmas destination offering that is set to captivate and delight residents and visitors to Poole this winter.

Celebrating Poole’s rich nautical heritage, the Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival features a spectacular maritime-themed trail of lights which will see the gates of Poole, including Hunger Hill and the lighthouse, illuminated, welcoming people to the centre- town.

An enchanting light trail will continue through Falkland Square, the High Street and onto Poole Quay, bringing lots of festive cheer to everyone.

This Christmas lighting attraction, which will run from Saturday 19th November 2022 to Monday 2nd January 2023, is sure to draw crowds and firmly cement the destination of Poole as the place to be this Christmas.

Featuring thousands and thousands of twinkling lights, these bespoke fixtures have been made from recycled materials, ensuring less waste is sent to landfill and contributing to the BCP Council’s commitment to protecting the environment.

Highlights include a number of Christmas trees with maritime decorations, a bespoke tall ship, a giant anchor, an underwater light curtain and a flotilla of lights on Poole Quay to dazzle and delight.

Councilor Beverley Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places, BCP Council commented:

“I am delighted that this personal ambition, for Poole to have its own Christmas festival, is coming to fruition. Poole’s character has been shaped by the sea as a town of merchants and seafarers, so we have intentionally designed a festival to celebrate its important heritage.

“This exciting new Christmas event builds on the attractions of Festival Coast Live! with Poole already entertained with live music and performances on the quayside, and the big screen in Poole Park. Completing a busy summer schedule, it promises to go even further and bring a new Christmas shine with lots of festive cheer to our residents and visitors.

Cllr Steve Baron, Poole Regeneration Senior Member, BCP Council added:

“Rejuvenating Poole is a priority, using its history to shape its cultural development. Alongside the redevelopment of Poole Museum into an outstanding cultural centre, the Poole Maritime Christmas Lights Festival will further cement Poole as a town steeped in culture through its rich nautical heritage”

In addition to the light installations, fairground rides, a Christmas-themed market and food and beverage offerings are planned throughout the city and at the quayside.

Blue Lagoon Anchor plan
– Credit: PCMLF

Jacqui Rock, Managing Director of Poole Town Center BID, who are the main sponsors of this festival, said:

“I believe this year will be the first year that Christmas is truly celebrated across the Poole BID area. The festival creates individual attractions along the length of the Poole BID area forming a continuous flow from the lighthouse to Poole Quay.

“Poole has never organized such a major Christmas event which spans the whole of the city center and spans six weeks. I am particularly proud that it has been achieved without any increase in budget compared to part of my role at Poole BID is to secure grants to support the Levy Payer funds and this year I have matched BID’s contribution with a grant which invests close to 100 £000 in the festival.

“As the main funder of the Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival, we are regularly involved in its progress with the BCP Council team to drive the event forward and ensure all parties are engaged.”

The complete route of the festival trail
– Credit: PCMLF

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