Get ready for an unforgettable day of adventure, laughter and discovery as the much‑loved Littledown Family Fun Day returns for its 11th year on Sunday 26 July 2026.
This action‑packed community event promises something for everyone, with an exciting programme of magical encounters, immersive experiences, live entertainment, sport and hands‑on activities. Since its launch, more than 100,000 visitors have enjoyed this much‑anticipated annual celebration.
Character experiences
Step into a world of fantasy where Dreygo the Dragon appears alongside Merlin, joined by an adorable baby dragon, bringing wonder to visitors of all ages. Around the park, stilt‑walking fairies, circus skills performers, and a magical mermaid in Littledown’s Paddling Pool create unforgettable moments.
Children can meet a fantastic range of characters, including K‑Pop‑inspired favourites, stars from popular TV and film shows, and beloved characters from Minky Moos and Little Gizmos. Look out for more than 50 costumed characters roaming the park, plus incredible full‑size Transformers, including Megatron and Bumblebee, perfect for must‑have photo opportunities.
Dinosaurs, science and discovery
Prehistoric adventures await with Tank the Triceratops and Richie the Raptor, accompanied by their expert ranger and even baby dinosaurs. Young explorers can get hands‑on in the fossil digging zone and enjoy interactive science experiments, alongside mind‑blowing live science demonstrations and magical shows throughout the day.
Free VR (virtual reality) experiences
Step into incredible new worlds with free VR sessions, including:
- Dino Trek – travel through prehistoric forests in a fully immersive Jurassic‑style exploration pod
- Super Smash Bros Showdown – take part in an 8‑player battle on a giant 3‑metre screen
- VR Skiing & Beat Saber – race downhill, hit jumps and dodge obstacles, or test your rhythm skills in the award‑winning Beat Saber game
Entertainment and attractions
The park will come alive with entertainment, including:
- Spellbinding magic shows and roaming wizards
- The ever‑popular Lovely Bubbly bubble Show
- A vibrant silent disco
- Live performances and interactive shows on the main stage
- A huge selection of funfair rides, courtesy of Charles Cole’s Family Fun Fair, inflatables, and family attractions
Get active
Littledown’s play park and paddling pool will be open (weather-dependent) to visitors on the day and throughout the summer season.
Football tournaments, organised by PlayFootball, will be taking place on Littledown’s 3G rubber crumb outdoor football pitches. Visitors interested in getting involved can register their interest online at playfootball.net.
Food and drink
Visitors can enjoy a wide range of food, drink and refreshment options from pop‑up vendors across the park, as well as at Lookout at Littledown, where live music on the outdoor terrace creates a brilliant festival atmosphere.
Thank you to our sponsors
This fantastic free community event is made possible thanks to the valued support of:
Absolute Music, Greatest Hits Radio, Compass Building Services Ltd, Snows Toyota, Raring2GO and Shadow Design.
Lookout at Littledown, the centre’s eating and drinking hotspot, will be open, selling cocktails, beers, soft drinks, and food. There will be live band performances on its outdoor terrace overlooking the park. Other pop-up stalls and vendors will be in the park selling refreshments and food throughout the day.
Littledown Centre and Littledown Park are operated by registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
On behalf of BH Live, Shelley Lincoln, General Manager of Littledown Leisure Centre, said;
“We’re delighted to welcome back Littledown Family Fun Day for its 11th year, bringing another packed programme of entertainment, activities and experiences for local families.
“From dragons and dinosaurs to live music, sport and virtual reality, there really is something for everyone to enjoy. We’re proud to keep this a free event, and we’re grateful to our sponsors and partners for helping us make it possible. We look forward to welcoming the community for what promises to be another fantastic day.”
On behalf of BCP Council, Cllr Richard Herrett, Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial operations at BCP Council, said:
“I’m delighted to support the return of Littledown Family Fun Day – a fantastic free event that brings our community together and showcases the very best of what Bournemouth has to offer. With such a wide range of activities, entertainment and experiences, it’s a brilliant opportunity for everyone to enjoy our parks and spend quality time with family and friends. I look forward to what promises to be another memorable day.”
Visitors are advised to walk, cycle or take public transport to the event where possible. Limited car parking, including space for blue badge holders, is available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is free for up to three hours. Parking charges apply after – see car park signage for details.
Littledown Park is a dog free area. With the exception of service and assistance animals, people are asked to please leave their pets at home.
More information about updates about Littledown Family Fun Day, visit Littledown’s Facebook event page.
Littledown Centre and its swim, gym, and group exercise facilities will be open and running as usual throughout the day – visitors are advised to plan their visit as accessing the centre and parking will be busier than usual.
More information on opening hours and timetables can be found at bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown.
-ENDS-
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
Visitor Information
- Visitors are encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport wherever possible. Limited on‑site parking, including spaces for Blue Badge holders, is available on a first‑come, first‑served basis and is free for up to three hours. Charges apply after this time—please see car park signage for details.
- Under 18s to Littledown Park, Littledown paddling pool, and Littledown Family Fun Day must be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian.
- Please note that Littledown Park is a dog‑free area. With the exception of service and assistance animals, pets should be left at home.
- Littledown Centre, including its swim, gym and group exercise facilities, will remain open as normal throughout the day. Visitors are advised to plan ahead, as access to the centre and parking is expected to be busier than usual. Full opening hours and timetables can be found at bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown.
- Alongside Family Fun Day, a vibrant programme of community events will return to Littledown and its parkland throughout the spring and summer.
- For the latest updates, visit Littledown’s Facebook event page.
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us: LinkedIn, X – @BHLIVE_UK | Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive | Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Littledown Centre
Littledown is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
Set in 47 acres of parkland, Littledown has some of the finest leisure, swimming, football and gym facilities in the country.
It is ranked among the top performing leisure centres in the UK, is accredited by quality scheme QUEST and is a National Fitness Award winner for the Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year and finalist for the Best Group Exercise Gym of the Year.
It has more than 1.2 million attendances a year and is home to clubs including BH Live’s Swimming Academy, Swim Bournemouth, Littledown Juniors Football Club and Play Football. Indoor facilities include 25-metre and 17-metre swimming pools for lane swimming, public swimming sessions, pool-based classes and lessons. There is also a splash pool, steam room and sauna.
The venue has one of the largest gyms in the region complete with activity programmes for young people, and support for people recovering from an illness, injury or who are living with a long-term health condition. There are multiple training zones with ground level and lift access. There is something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness with cardio equipment, free weights and functional fitness training space. Hundreds of group exercise classes run seven days a week such as Group Cycle sessions, circuits, yoga, Pilates, HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) and Les Mills™ classes including BodyBalance, BodyPump, BodyCombat, BodyAttack, Sprint and more.
There is a large sports hall for events and multi-sport activities including trampolining, badminton, table tennis, football and gymnastics. Open to members and non members is Littledown’s Terrace Café (with soft play for under 5s) and Lookout at Littledown Bar (18+ only), each with free customer WiFi. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks, meals and drinks to enjoy indoors or outdoors for al fresco refueling, eating, drinking and socialising.
Outdoor features include six floodlit 3G rubber crumb training pitches, grass football pitches, parkland for recreation and events, a cricket pitch and pavilion, lake, children’s playground, a paddling pool (open summer months only), outdoor catering and free customer parking for up to three hours seven days a week. Littledown Park is also home to Littledown Miniature Railway.
ANPR is in operation at BH Live Active, Littledown. Customers get free customer parking for up to 3 hours seven days a week. Charges apply for longer stays.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown
Get social with us: X and Instagram @bhliveactive | Facebook @littledowncentre