New Forest Cinemas, Theatres & Entertainment

As well as in the great outdoors, we also have loads of fantastic indoor attractions, activities and entertainment too, including cinemas, theatres and music venues.

Cinemas in the New Forest

Going to the cinema is one of the best things to do in the day time, particularly if the weather isn’t great outside, and for family treats or romantic nights out in the evenings. As most of our local cinemas are also smaller independent screens, it makes your experience just that little bit extra special, with the personal customer service, beautiful bars for pre-film drinks and even selling New Forest Ice Cream!

The Regal Cinema in Fordingbridge is a gorgeous, newly-refurbished venue to watch the latest films and it also shows exclusive screenings of the golden oldies. From comedies, romantics, classics and even foreign films, this wonderful cinema will be sure to have the perfect film for you.

The Malt Cinema within The Lymington Centre also have loads of screenings of popular films every week for you to go and see. The Regents Centre in Christchurch is a beautiful restored 1930s art-deco cinema, showing some fantastic films and they now also featuring theatre, opera, concerts and dance.

A little further out of the New Forest is where you will find the more ‘well known’ cinemas such as Showcase Cinema De Lux in Southampton, Odeon in Bournemouth and Cineworld at Tower Park in Poole. Southampton also have their very own smaller arthouse cinema called Harbour Lights. Travelling to these other cinemas from the New Forest is easy, catch the Ferry from Hythe to Southampton, take the train from Brockenhurst, Ashurst, New Milton or Totton directly to Southampton and Bournemouth.

Live Entertainment in the New Forest

If you like live entertainment, there are plenty of  local showings of theatre productions, dance shows, comedy acts and live music. There are some fabulous venues where you can enjoy this entertainment right here in the New Forest!

Hanger Farm Arts Centre in Totton is also a great place to enjoy some local theatre productions, live bands and tribute acts and comedy shows. With a full schedule of events, there is sure to be something on soon that you will love!

Forest Forge Theatre in Ringwood specialise in creating professional performances for audiences to come and watch in their amazing studio-theatre. They have been producing shows since 1981, including theatre, spoken word, music, dance and performance events. Keep an eye out for their upcoming performances and enjoy a fun evening out.

Forest Arts Centre in New Milton has a busy and varied schedule of entertainment in the day and evening every week, including film screenings, live music and stand-up comedy!

Southampton and Bournemouth are also home to some fantastic theatres, where some of the best productions are showcased every year. In Southampton, you will find The Mayflower Theatre and in Bournemouth is The Pavilion.

Some other locations in the New Forest where you will find some fantastic local live music is at our pubs in the New Forest! Loads of our country pubs have live music every weekend for everyone to enjoy (usually for free!), check out our pubs page to find out where you can catch some great entertainment.

If you fancy watching some more famous acts while you’re here in the New Forest, the Guildhall in Southampton, Bournemouth International Centre and the O2 Academy Bournemouth all show some pretty popular acts nearly every evening!

Make a night of it and enjoy dinner out before or after the show or screening. There are loads of brilliant pubs and restaurants nearby to our cinemas and venues, where you can enjoy a local bite to eat. If you need somewhere to stay after your evening of fun, luckily for you we have loads of fantastic accommodation here in the New Forest.

Check out some more venues below and find out what is coming up soon…

Also, check out our what’s on pages where you will find even more entertainment events and things coming up!

And remember to sign up to our Weekly What's On to keep up to date with the events upcoming every week. If you are organising an event, please submit your details via our online form.

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