Market stalls, independent shopping fairs, enchanting light trails, festive events and experiences, not to mention the magnificent theatre productions – Bristol is brimming with exciting things to do this Christmas. Here is Visit Bristol’s round-up of what’s on this season to get you into the #MerryBristmas spirit!
Festive events and experiences
Christmas Adventures trail – 1 December – 31 December
Bristol’s favourite festive light trail is returning this year with local iconic buildings and businesses being adorned with beautiful light projections of Christmas lyrics. Created by Bristol City Centre BID and Redcliffe and Temple BID, the trail is aimed at spreading festive cheer and encouraging people to explore the city and visit businesses at the same time, helping the sector’s recovery and bringing together 100s of businesses to create some magic this Christmas.
Explore the city with Christmas Adventures this festive season - Visit Bristol
Victorian Christmas at Brunel’s SS Great Britain – weekends from 4 December to 19 December
Experience a wintry, Victorian dockyard at Brunel’s SS Great Britain this Christmas with guests from Ragged Victorians living history group and a traditional Old Father Christmas, dressed up in green robes. Enjoy family activities and seasonal sights, sounds and smells around the dockyard and inside this historic ship.
Victorian Christmas Weekends at Brunel's SS Great Britain - Visit Bristol
Bristol Christmas Market - 5 November – 23 December
Located in Broadmead, Bristol Christmas Market returns with 40 unique stalls selling seasonal treats, crafts and one-off gifts, as well as the popular Jäger Barn Bar and the new private, cosy igloo pods.
Vintage Winter Wonderland in Millennium Square – 11 November - 3 January (excluding Christmas Day)
Bristol’s Harbourside will be a twinkling delight this Christmas with the Vintage Winter Wonderland in Millennium Square. Expect sky voyages, 40 meters above the harbourside in the Observation Wheel, vintage Dodgems and Chair-O-Planes, food and drink stalls serving festive treats and freshly made German bratwurst sausages and Yorkshire pudding wraps.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/vintage-winter-wonderland-in-millennium-square-p3031033
Light Up Bristol - 19 November - 24 December
Explore the stunning illuminated walking experience in the heart of Bristol at the beautiful Ashton Court Estate. Sip on mulled wine and hot chocolate, meet Father Christmas at Ashton Court Mansion (1-31 December – booking essential) and maybe spot some of Santa’s reindeer in the grounds, too.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/light-up-bristol-at-ashton-court-estate-p3015063
Cribbs' Christmas with Paddington™ - 13 November - 24 December
The Mall at Cribbs Causeway has some special visitors this Christmas, with Paddington™ coming, as well as Santa himself. There will be a magical journey with charming characters to meet in interactive scenes, Cribbs’ Christmas Grotto and story time with Paddington, too. Specially designed sessions for families with children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities will also be available for an inclusive experience. Finish the adventure with a trip to the UK’s largest indoor ice-skating rink, the newly-opened Planet Ice, just opposite The Mall at Cribbs.
Robin Robin street art mural trail from Aadrman, Netflix and Upfest - 24 November – 9 January
Aardman - the masters behind Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep - have collaborated with Netflix on their new festive animation, Robin Robin. To mark this, the team at Upfest have brought in celebrated local street artist Alex Lucas to interpret the film’s characters and create a new street art mural trail in Bedminster, south Bristol. Go on this alternative festive adventure to find all 11 characters on the trail map, and any photos shared to Instagram using the hashtag #RobinRobinBristol will be in with a chance to win a signed, hand-drawn original from Alex Lucas (by 12 December).
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/robin-robin-mural-trail-from-aardman-netflix-and-upfest-p3035443
Christmas at Spiegeltent – various dates from 25 November
Experience a Christmas spectacle at Spiegeltent on the Waterfront Square with a huge array of events for all ages, including live circus, comedy, junior raves, a masquerade ball for New Year’s Eve, family-friendly drag shows and club nights.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/christmas-at-the-spiegeltent-p2309213
Christmas Tours of Charles Wesley's House - Selected dates from 8 December
Go on an exclusive tour of 4 Charles Street – the home of Charles Wesley, writer of Christmas anthem ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ – where there will be carols, festive floral displays and an insight into how Christmas was celebrated back in 1769.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/christmas-tours-of-charles-wesleys-house-p3023743
Festive events surrounding Bristol
Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum - Weekends from 26 November
A new theme will be unveiled as part of the much-loved Westonbirt Arboretum’s Enchanted Christmas light trail this year. Visitors will be transported into a sparkling world of twinkling lights and glittering illuminations as they go on a quest to find Santa’s lost reindeer and recover misplaced presents to help save Christmas.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/enchanted-christmas-at-westonbirt-arboretum-p2331833
Christmas at Longleat - 6 November – 3 January
The historic Longleat House will be illuminated this Christmas when you can also enjoy the Winter Wonderland path to see towering silk flowers all lit up, too. Sing carols around Britain’s biggest signing Christmas tree, meet Santa, follow disco balls around the Hedge Maze and, of course, see the animals at the Winter safari drive-through.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/christmas-at-longleat-p3003083
Winter Wonderland at Wookey Hole – selected dates 20 November - 2 January
Wander through this magnificent underground cave light spectacular, complete with Santa’s Grotto, Christmas Circus Show and 4D cinema showing Happy Feet (expect moving seats, 3D vision and you might get blown around and wet with the wind effects and sprinklers!).
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/winter-wonderland-at-wookey-hole-p2338873
Ice Skating, Christmas Nights and meet Santa at Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park – various dates 27 November – 2 January
Get your ice skates on this Christmas at Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park where they have 500 square meters of glittering real ice waiting for you to make some festive shapes (powered by 100% renewable ‘Good Energy’). Or visit the Enchanted village and magical Post Room where children can mail their Christmas letters to Santa, then meet Father Christmas himself and choose their own gift. There is also a light trail and Polar Express miniature steam train to ride you through the snowy forest to top off your festive day out.
Meet Santa, make wreaths and ride on carriages at Tyntesfield National Trust – selected dates from 3 – 31 December
Step back into a Christmas past at Tyntesfield this year, where there will be carriage rides through the estate, wreath making workshops, lino printing, a Christmas trail, chapel concerts and a chance to meet Santa, too. Booking essential for some activities.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield/whats-on
Santa's Coming to Slimbridge - 11 & 12, 18 & 19 December
Slimbridge WWT has just celebrated its 75th anniversary this year, and as it’s known as the birthplace of modern conservation and home to the pioneering conservationist Sir Peter Scott, it is most definitely on Santa’s ‘good list’. So it’s fitting Santa is coming to Slimbridge this Christmas, where visitors will also get to meet him and his elves, receive a gift and enjoy a day out soaking up the beautiful surroundings and wildlife.
Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle - Weekends from 26 November
Back for a sixth year is Sudeley Castle’s Spectacle of Light where visitors can discover the new Light Curve, flickering flames of the Queens garden, sparkling water features and Carpet of Colour. Festive food and drinks are also available.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/spectacle-of-light-at-sudeley-castle-and-gardens-p2703633
Shopping
Bristol has a vast array of Christmas shopping options to suit every budget and taste this season. As well as the renowned Cabot Circus shopping centre and the uniquely independent shops on Park Street, there are several Christmas fairs and markets taking place during November and December in and around the city. As noted above, Bristol Christmas Market (5 November – 23 December) is located in Broadmead with 40 unique stalls selling seasonal treats, crafts and one-off gifts, as well as the popular Jäger Barn Bar and the new private, cosy igloo pods. The Bristol Local Christmas Market (26 November - 23 December) has festive chalet stalls also in Broadmead with local artists and makers selling food and drink, presents and stocking fillers for something truly Bristol and independent. Bristol Beacon is hosting Made in Bristol Gift Fair (weekends from 27 November) with over 200 designer-makers showcasing artisan products from carpenters, potters, weavers, leather-workers, jewellers and printmakers as well as food and drinks from Bristol Loaf in the newly-refurbished café. New this year is Finzels Reach Christmas Market (25-27 November) with live music, homemade gifts such as gemstone jewellery, linocut prints and macrame products from local crafters, as well as food and drink from local favourites Two Belly, Left Handed Giant and Espensen Spirit. Estate of the Arts in south Bristol is hosting five Winter Fairs (various dates from 14 November) including some night markets where you can expect ceramics, fashion, homewares, art, candles, clothes and jewellery from local creators as well as live music, workshops, a pop-up animation cinema and refreshments, too. There are more handmade wares from over 100 makers across North-East Bristol on offer at Bspoke16 Artists, Makers and Designers Festive Trail (4 - 5 December), all hosted in various venues and outside people’s homes, in their gardens and workshops.
Theatre and film
Christmas is arguably the best time of year to experience live theatre and Bristol has many productions from family-friendly Christmas classics, to alternative festive performances to enjoy. Bristol Old Vic Theatre – the oldest, continuously working theatre in the English-speaking world – has Robin Hood: Legend of the Forgotten Forest (25 November - 1 January) which promises a fresh spin on this magical tale from the multi-award-winning company The Wardrobe Theatre Ensemble. Bristol Hippodrome has Snow White (4 December - 2 January) pantomime starring Lesley Joseph as The Wicked Queen, Rob Rinder making his panto debut as The Man in the Mirror and local favourite Andy Ford playing Muddles. For something more alternative, head to The Wardrobe Theatre for their anarchic comedy (for adults only) Little Women In Black: Christmas (18 November - 16 January) which sees this literary classic injected with guns, gore and a 1990s soundtrack to boot. Tobacco Factory Theatres is co-producing their Christmas show with Pins and Needles to bring us OZ! (10 December - 9 January) and Dorothy’s famous adventure along the yellow brick road. Or go to Redgrave Theatre to see some real ponies in their magical production of Cinderella (14 - 31 December). Arnos Vale Cemetery is hosting an outdoor production of Hansel and Gretel (1 December - 1 January) from Bristol favourites Site Specific Theatre Masters, promising a deliciously dark yet family-friendly re-telling of this winter tale. To see a Christmas classic movie this year, Bristol Film Festival is showing Elf and Love Actually at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery on 16 December, where you can also see Grayson Perry’s Art Club exhibition from his hugely popular TV show during lockdowns.
Visit Bristol sustainably
Direct GWR trains to Bristol Temple Meads can be caught from stations across the network, including London Paddington, Exeter and Cardiff. With free WiFi, plug sockets at every seat and an at-seat trolley service it’s an easy and relaxing way to visit Bristol. If travelling from a little further afield, save over 50% when you book Advance single one way tickets, available on many of the most popular routes to Bristol. If travelling from London Paddington, up to two adults and four children (or a minimum of one adult + one child) can travel to Bristol for £39 per family one-way when you book a GWR Family Ticket in advance. Just search for a journey on GWR.com with the number of people travelling and look out for the Family Ticket price. https://www.gwr.com/
For more information of What’s On in Bristol this Christmas, visit Christmas in Bristol - VisitBristol.co.uk
If you would like to arrange a press trip or some additional information or high res images, please email press@visitbristol.co.uk
Additional information:
Famed for its passionate character, maritime history, and for the acres of parkland and sustainable approach that earned it European Green Capital 2015 status, Bristol has created its own distinctive identity. Visitors are attracted to the city’s year-round festivals, award-winning cycle tracks, gastronomy in rejuvenated shipping containers and behind secret doorways, stunning cityscapes, inspiring street art and lively music scene.
About Visit West: The Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. It supports the visitor economy of the region which is worth £2.33billion and supports 45,000 jobs. Visit West operates the Meet Bristol & Bath Convention Bureau and Visit Bristol and Visit Bath consumer websites.
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