As well as being a hub for swimming, classes, gym and sports, Littledown and its parkland is also a hub for community, sporting and social events.
This year, Bournemouth residents can look forward to a diverse programme of fantastic community events at Littledown Centre and park.
The following public events and attractions are scheduled to take place at Littledown Centre – all information correct at the time of writing.
What’s on at Littledown?
Lookout at Littledown
A funky bar with outdoor live music and dining, opened in May 2023.
Already a firm favourite with locals there is a monthly quiz night, Flamingo Quingo between January and March.
In the summer months there will be a host of live music events on Friday evenings.
Little Pickles Market
Sunday 3 March | 1pm-5pm
Sunday 12 May | 1pm-5pm
Sunday 21 July | 1pm-5pm
£1.50 entry (no charge for children)
Little Pickles Market provides customers with the opportunity to buy or sell second-hand maternity wear, nursery furniture, bikes, books, DVDs, games, clothes, toys and much more.
Charles Cole’s Family Funfair
Monday 25 March – Friday 19 April
A token-operated family funfair with rides and stalls including dodgems, mirror maze, waltzers, flyers, and many more based at Littledown’s recreational ground.
Alternative Convention, Comic Con, and Street Food Market
Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 May
A weekend filled with food, steampunk, comic and gaming taking place across the May bank holiday weekend featuring fabulous exhibitors, costuming and cosplaying groups and film and TV guests. The Alternative convention will take place on Saturday 4th May with Littledown’s Comic Con and food market running on Sunday 5th May.
Littledown Family Fun Day
Sunday 28 July | 11am-4pm
A popular family fun day with lots for families and children to see and do. Stalls and activities such as inflatable axe throwing and face painting will be available on the day with special guest appearances from characters including Bumblebee and Megatron Transformers and the world’s biggest walking animatronic dinosaur. We will also be welcoming stilt-walking butterflies and balloon artists, a mermaid, fairies, the Gruffalo, and other characters. Two 40 minute shows suitable for families and children will also be available to watch on the day – plus VR and a Planetarium!
Some activities are free to participate however there are charges for certain activities and attractions. Prices will be displayed by stall holders and activity providers on the day
Halloween Disco
Thursday 31 October
Get ready to shake your bones this Halloween at this spooktacular disco hosted by Get-up and Groove!
Come dressed to impressed for a chance to win a fancy dress prize. Get stuck in at our spooky arts and crafts area or say ‘cheese’ and bare your fangs in front of our frightfully fantastic decorations!
£7 child’s entry. Adults go free (one adult per child).
For children aged between 2.5 – 8 years.
Littledown Fireworks
Saturday 2 November | 4pm-10pm
Come and celebrate fireworks night with Littledown! An exciting evening full of stalls, food, and three stunning fireworks displays.
Littledown Christmas Market
Sunday 24 November | 11am-4pm
One of the biggest indoor markets in Dorset is back for 2024 with over 85 stalls! Sing along to carols with Sing People Sing who will be performing alongside Dizzy and Giggles the cheeky elves. We’ve heard that a certain Christmas grump might also be in attendance…
Littledown Centre is operated by BH Live in partnership with BCP Council. BH Live is a registered charity and social enterprise that endeavours to make a positive impact on local communities. BH Live Active leisure centres are a hub of community activity. The charity’s events programme has been created to bring people together, to provide more leisure and entertainment opportunities, and to celebrate and raise awareness of local businesses, activities, and services.
Littledown also frequently hosts private events, parties, clubs and sporting competitions including swimming galas, discos, Karate events and dance tournaments. The centre also serves as a polling station for the local community.
For further information on upcoming events at Littledown, visit facebook.com/littledowncentre/events.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
Flamingo Quingo runs at Lookout at Littledown in partnership with Punch Entertainments.
£2 entry per person, winner takes all. Reserve a table by emailing callum.tunsley@bhlive.org.uk
Upcoming Flamingo Quingo quiz nights are as follows:
Thursday 25 January 7.30pm onwards
Thursday 29 February 7.30pm onwards
Thursday 28 March 7.30pm onwards
Event starts at 7.45pm sharp.
Customer car parking at Littledown is available on a first come first served basis.
It is free for up to three hours.
Additional time is payable by phone.
Paid overflow parking is also available at the multi-storey car park at Bournemouth Hospital.
With the exception of assistance animals, people are asked to please leave their pets at home.
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
T: (01202) 055629
About Littledown Centre
Littledown is operated by 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.
The venue has one of the largest gyms in the UK with personal training, an exercise referral and children’s activity programme. Hundreds of weekly group exercise classes are offered including the Les Mills programme.
Indoor facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, 17-metre teaching pool, a splash pool and spa. There is a large sports hall for events and multi-sport activities including trampolining, badminton, table tennis, football and gymnastics. The venue also has a café, bar and soft play facility.
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.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
X @bhliveactive
Facebook @littledowncentre
About BH Live
BH Live is a leading operator of leisure and event venues; a registered charity and social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
Our social objectives are to:
- Encourage more people to take part in physical activity– by providing leisure facilities to encourage active communities and improve health and wellbeing.
- Attract bigger entertainment audiences– with a diverse range of cultural and artistic events that appeal to a wide variety of tastes.
- Deliver economic benefit– by hosting major conferences, exhibitions and events that benefit the local, regional and international economy.
With more than five million visits a year we are changing lives and are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn and X: @BHLIVE_UK
Facebook: @SocialEnterpriseBHLive