Christmas markets, winter wonderlands, 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 Experiences and Events
Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum
Various dates from 16 November – 10 December
Set in the beautiful Westonbirt Arboretum, this breath-taking light trail features interactive displays where you can witness the wonder, hilarity, and general commotion from the playful elves in the forest.
Victorian Christmas Weekends at Brunel’s SS Great Britain
3-4 December and 10-11 December.
The hugely popular Victorian Christmas weekends are back at Brunel's SS Great Britain this December, with old Father Christmas in his green robes and the dockyard transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with falling snow.
Winterland at Propyard
Now-4 Jan, Thursdays-Sundays (opening times vary)
A new festive experience has landed at Propyard this Christmas! The Winterland extravaganza includes an indoor ice rink, ice bumper cars and a ‘real life’ animatronic polar bear, as well as an Apres Ski Bar, courtyard undercover crafts market and street food.
Winter Wonderland at Wookey Hole
26 November – 1 January
See the iconic Wookey Hole caves decked out with over 100,000 lights transforming them into an enchanting underground adventure land. Visit Santa’s North Pole grotto where every child will get to meet Santa and take home a present, watch a spectacular Christmas-themed circus show inspired by Elf on the Shelf, or enjoy a Christmas film in the 4D cinema.
The Festival of Light at Longleat
5 November – 8 January
Shining bright until 8th January, The Festival of Light brings Roald Dahl’s much-loved stories to life – including the BFG, Matilda and Fantastic Mr Fox. This year’s festival is the most spectacular to date with over 800 lanterns, some more than 25 metres tall, set against the historic backdrop of Longleat House. The festive fun continues with Longleat’s incredible Enchanted Christmas Tree Show. All-In-One Tickets include access to all the popular animal and adventure attractions, including the Winter Safari Drive-through.
Twilight and Christmas Tobogganing at Mendip Activity Centre
Selected dates throughout November-December
Tickets are selling fast for the family favourite activity, Twilight and Christmas Tobogganing at Mendip Activity Centre. The toboggan slope is decked out with 10,000 fairy lights, coloured flood lights and lasers, as well as festive music and a snow machine to make this a magical experience for all.
Christmas at the Spiegeltent
24 November – 4 December
Christmas at Spiegeltent returns to the Waterfront this year with their unique and magical events, full of festive fun and spellbinding spectacles.
Theatre
The Nutcracker at Bristol Old Vic
24 November – 7 January
A brand-new production this year by Bristol Old Vic is The Nutcracker, where you will be transported to a fantastical kingdom where toys come to life and nutcrackers can talk. This wild and theatrical adventure includes showstopping dance numbers and costumes you have to see to believe.
Cinderella at Bristol Hippodrome
2 December – 31 December
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood is this year’s star of Bristol Hippodrome production of Cinderella. Expect laugh-out-loud moments, all the boos and hisses, as well as stunning scenery for this classic rags-to-riches tale.
MDH: Puppets Do A Movie at The Wardrobe Theatre
25 November – 22 January
One of The Wardrobe Theatre’s most popular Christmas shows is back for 2022 and is a perfect alternative theatrical production this season. MDH: Puppets Do A Movie is an anarchic, absurd, adult-only dark comedy mash-up, featuring a German terrorist, his mob of terrifying furry accomplices and a talking pig!
An Unexpected Christmas – The Improvised Christmas RomCom at Bristol Improv Theatre
Selected dates 17-23 December
Get involved in this year’s Bristol Improv theatre festive show! Each performance, your suggestions will give the team the quirky characters, tempestuous relationships and innumerable obstacles to whisk up a brand new cheesy Christmas RomCom every single night.
Robin Hood and Marian at Redgrave Theatre
Selected dates 25 November - 2 December
An explosive musical adventure for the whole family; sword-wielding, dragons, venison pasties and more archery than you can aim your arrow at. Join swashbuckling power couple Robin Hood and Marian as they take from the rich to give to the poor.
Aladdin at Redgrave Theatre
Selected dates 10 - 31 December
With spectacular scenery, spellbinding special effects, lots of audience participation and, of course, a thrilling carpet ride, ALADDIN promises to be the biggest pantomime ever staged at the Redgrave Theatre that will keep the whole family entertained.
Shopping
Love Bristol gift card
Bristol is home to an incredibly diverse shopping, dining, and entertainment scene. The Love Bristol Gift Card and Night Out Gift Card have been created by Bristol City Centre BID, Redcliffe & Temple BID and Broadmead BID, and are available to buy online as either a physical or digital card, with over 130 businesses across the city signed up to the scheme.
Markets and 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. Bristol Christmas Market (4 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 private, cosy igloo pods and ski gondolas. Bristol Pop-Up Shop at the Galleries (17 November - 24 December) returns to the first floor of The Galleries, with gifts from over 80 local makers, artists and designers. Bristol Beacon is hosting Made in Bristol Gift Fair (weekends from 26 November – 11 December) 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 café. Returning after a successful inaugural event last year is Finzels Reach Christmas Market (2, 9 16 December) with street food, foodie goodies from Somerset Chili Garden and Two Belly Cheese to name a couple as well as mulled mince pie gin from Bristol Dry Gin. A full list of Bristol’s Christmas markets can be found here.
Cribbs Winter Wonderland with Paddington™
16 November - 2 January
The Mall at Cribbs Causeway welcomes back some special visitors this Christmas, with Paddington™ coming, as well as Santa himself and the return of the outdoor ice rink. There will be a magical journey with charming characters to meet in interactive scenes, Cribbs’ Christmas Grotto and story time with Paddington, too.
Remember to tag @VisitBristol and use #MerryBristmas in your posts
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