THINGS we’re looking forward to in 2019, by KERRY MARTIN.

JANUARY: From January 6 to February 3, the National Trust, Dorset Wildlife Trust and the RSPB have teamed up to offer bird watchers the opportunity to see one of the best winter bird spectacles in the UK, accompanied by a two hour landing on Brownsea Island with an exclusive guided tour around the lagoon.

Best known for their hit single Chasing Cars, Snow Patrol are back after seven years, at the BIC on January 27, celebrating the release of the first album in seven years Wilderness.

FEBRUARY: Boyzone are back! The iconic Irish boyband are coming to the coast for two nights at the BIC on February 9 -10 with their 25th anniversary and farewell tour. The sixth annual Lighthouse Holistic Festival takes place from February 9 to 10.

MARCH: Blue Planet II- Live in Concert is at the BIC on the March 13 with a selection of stunning visuals from the series, accompanied by the original immersive music score performed live by a full symphony orchestra.

APRIL: Dig out your running shoes because the Health-On-Line Bournemouth Bay Run returns on April 7 with a choice of 1k, 5k, 10k or a half marathon. Renowned, classical superstar Alfie Boe takes to the stage at the BIC on April 13.

MAY: Foodies rejoice! The 2019 Christchurch Food festival takes place on Saturday May 11 - May12 May. Free to view cookery demonstrations, beer festival, cocktails and local delicacy stalls will line the High Street and Christchurch Quay.

The world’s largest sport & music festival, Bournemouth 7’s returns from May 24 to 26 at Bournemouth Sports Club, with 40 live acts and DJs for the 30,000 strong crowd and 400 sports teams.

JUNE: The fifth Poole Harbour Boat Show, the biggest ever free-to-attend boat show on the South Coast, runs from June 7-9.

The Cancer Research UK, Race For Life 5K is back on June 10. Walk, for women to run or jog to help raise money towards funding vital research.

JULY:The British Beach Polo Championships will be returning to Sandbanks on July 12 -13. Grab your swimming cap and goggles on July 14 for the Pier to Pier Swim from Bournemouth Pier to Boscombe Pier. This year also sees the launch of the brand new Pier to Pier Sunset Swim which will take place on Saturday, July 13.

Forget Notting Hill Carnival! Head down to Swanage between July 27 to August 3 for a taste of Rio De Janeiro on your doorstep, as the Swanage Carnival and Regatta gets under way.

Rated as one of the top agricultural shows in the country, you won’t want to miss the New Forest & Hampshire County Show which will take place from July 30 to August 1

AUGUST: Returning for another year after it’s Guinness World Record breaking 50th anniversary event, the Great Dorset Steam Fair runs from August 22-26. Bournemouth Air Festival will return from August 20 to September 1, with four days of aerial displays.

SEPTEMBER: Comedian Russell Howard is back for 2019 with his Respite Tour which visits the BIC on September 29 - 30.

OCTOBER: Comedian Rob Beckett will be performing at the Bournemouth Pavillion Theatre on October 2 and the Bournemouth Marathon Festival kicks off from October 5 -6 with a choice of a 26 marathon, half marathon, supersonic 10k, supernova 5k and kids’ events such as the junior 5k, 2k and 1.5k and the kids’ kilometre.

NOVEMBER: Best known for his role on Channel 4’s The Last Leg, comedian Josh Widdicombe will be performing his 2019 stand-up show, Bit Much on November 20 at Bournemouth Pavillion.

DECEMBER: Finally comedian Jimmy Carr will appear at Poole Lighthouse on December 12 with his new stand up show Terribly Funny.