35 Christmas Events in Bristol 2025 – a local’s guide

The lights are twinkling in the trees, the baubles are up and the Bristol Christmas Markets are in full swing. Yes, Christmas in Bristol is well and truly here! I love exploring my home town at Christmas and here are the top Christmas events in Bristol for 2025, to check out this holiday season.

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Christmas Markets in Bristol 2025

It’s not only Germany that has Christmas markets – we have plenty in Bristol too!

1. Bristol Christmas Market

While walking through the Bristol Christmas Market in the Broadmead shopping area, I was definitely feeling the festive spirit.

At the centre of it all there’s the Jäger Barn Bar, where the shoppers of Bristol were having a drink in the bubble Iglus and ski gondolas, amid the Christmas baubles and wooden carved figures of giants, elves and reindeer. From Thursday through Sundays, the bar will feature live music from local performers.

The 15 metre high big wheel offers stunning views over the Christmas Market. Look out for the Christmas Express kid’s train ride and on Merchant Street is the Candy Factory Christmas themed escape room.

The wooden chalets selling food and gifts stretch towards the Cabot Circus shopping centre. The 35 market stalls are open from 7 November – 23 December 2025 10am-7pm and the food stalls 10am – 10pm.

You may also enjoy: Visiting the Christmas Market in Bath

But that’s not all! There are plenty more seasonal markets around Bristol for you to enjoy.

2. Castle Park Christmas Village

The Christmas Village in Castle Park is centred around the historic St Peter’s church, which will be illuminated with an evening light show. There are classic funfair rides, like Dodgems, Walzer and Balloon carousel, as well as activities like the rollerblading, curling and traditional fairground games.

The Castle Park Christmas village will be open 28 Nov – 19 Dec 2025, Mon – Fri 2pm – 10pm and Sat & Sun 10am – 10pm

3. Corn Street Christmas Market

In the run up to Christmas, the outdoor markets along Corn Street will also take on a festive flavour. Enjoy the best of Bristol food, vintage and gifts, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 10 December 2025, then daily until Christmas eve.

The regular street food markets also run Tuesday and Friday 11am – 2.30pm and the Farmer’s Market runs every other Wednesday 9.30am – 2.30pm. More info: St Nicholas Market website

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4. Millennium Square – Vintage Winter Wonderland

There’s a Vintage Winter Wonderland with carousels and family friendly fairground rides in Bristol’s Millennium Square, near the harbour side.

The food stalls in Millennium Square sell everything from German Bratwurst and Cheesy Krakauer to Vegan street eats and hot Belgian waffles, so you won’t be going hungry!

While the kids are having fun on the rides, the adults can enjoy the ski themed Après Bar. Mulled wine and cider will be flowing, with blankets to keep away the chills and live music on Thursdays and DJs at the weekend.

The Vintage Winter Wonderland is open in Millennium Square from 28 November – 28 December 2025.

Christmas shopping in Bristol 2025

5. Christmas shopping in central Bristol

For shoppers working their way through the Christmas shopping list, the central Bristol shopping centres of Cabot Circus ( check out the newly opened M&S) and Broadmead will have most of your needs covered.

In Broadmead, the Galleries shopping centre is hosting the Bristol Pop up Shop in The Galleries 13 Nov – 24 December 2025. It’s open 7 days a week with gifts from 100 of Bristol’s finest designers and makers – find it in the Galleries near Boswell’s Cafe.

I also enjoy shopping on Park Street, with its strings of lights, where there’s a winning mix of upscale high street brands, independents and vintage. One of my favourites is Diana Porter, if you want to splash out on unique and hand made contemporary jewellery, for that special Christmas gift.

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6. St Nicholas Market – Bristol’s indie traders

The indoor St Nick’s Market is a great place to stock on unique gifts from Bristol’s indie traders. In the run up to Christmas 2025 the indoor market will open Monday – Friday 9.30am – 5pm, Saturday 9.30am – 6pm and Sunday 10am – 4pm with over 60 unique traders in the Exchange Hall, Glass Arcade and Covered Market.

For 2025 there’s also a Santa’s Grotto just off the foyer of the Exchange Building. You can book your visit to meet Santa here.

7. Clifton Village – stylish boutiques and cafes

For atmosphere, you can’t beat Clifton Village, where the elegant Georgian townhouses and stylish boutiques make for a charming atmosphere. There’s plenty of opportunity to shop for that party frock or pair of sparkly heels, so look out for tempting Christmas displays in all the shop windows.

A 50 ft Christmas tree towers impressively over the Mall Gardens, with Community Carol singing and the Clifton illuminations being turned on from 12 November 2025. Clifton Village is full of bars, cafes and restaurants, so it’s a great place to meet friends for brunch or a festive drink.

Among my favourite places to get into the Christmas spirit are The Ivy with their festive menus (12 Nov – 31 Dec 2025) or East Village Vegan Cafe to brunch while you shop.

For 2025 some of the unique events include:

• Christmas Dubs: Volkswagen Christmas Light Show 28 Nov 2025 6-9pm – VW vans decorated in a Christmas theme around Clifton Village. There’s a map to download on the Discover Clifton website.
• Christmas Tree Trail 1-23 Dec 2025: With decorated Christmas trees and mischievous elves around Clifton village. Locations are available in a downloadable map on the Discover Clifton website.
• Christmas Carol singing 13 Dec 2025 12pm: with the Royal York Carol singers in the Clifton Library courtyard.

For more info and a full list of events: DiscoverClifton.co.uk

8. Christmas Steps – Bristol’s Arts Quarter

If you’re looking for something a bit more arty in the centre of Bristol, explore the area around the aptly named Christmas Steps, where the Christmas lights will be sparkling and you can get a flavour of medieval Bristol.

The steps once led down to Bristol’s Harbourside where merchants ships from around the world unloaded their cargo onto the quayside and into sugar warehouses, like the one that is now Hotel du Vin.

Now the Christmas Steps Arts Quarter is home to 50 small independent businesses on the steps and Colston Street at the top. It’s worth continuing up the steps to Perry Road for the art galleries and other creative businesses there.

At dusk capture those Dickensian vibes with a photo looking down from the top of the steps, then treat yourself to a gooey cake from Ahh Toots at the bottom. Late night shopping dates for all the businesses in the Christmas Steps Arts Quarter are published on their Instagram account.

More info: ChristmasStepsArtsQuarter.co.uk

You may also enjoy: Bristol Gifts: 50 gifts that say you love Bristol!

9. Christmas Craft Markets in Bristol

To find original gifts that are unique and often made in Bristol, visit one of the many craft markets around Bristol in the run up to Christmas.

Bristol Beacon Made in Bristol Gift Fair 2025 – The fair takes place on Sat 22 Nov, Sat 29 Nov and Sat 14 Dec 10am – 4pm. Five floors of gifts by Bristol artists and makers.

Bristol Pop up Shop in The Galleries 2025 (near Boswell’s Cafe) – Daily from 13 November until 24 December – a huge range of gifts from 100 of Bristol’s finest designers and makers. The shop is run as a collective and staffed by the artists themselves.

St Nicholas Market 2025 – Open daily – the indoor market in the city’s old Corn Exchange offers the largest collection of independent retailers in the city. Outside the Exchange building there’s also a Christmas market with stalls set up along Corn Street, running every day up to Christmas eve.

Sparks Christmas Fairs 2025 – Unique art, fashion, prints and plants from the students and makers at University of the West of England, held at Sparks in Broadmead. 4 December 2025 11am – 2pm. There’s also a Global Gift Fest on 6 December 25 2025 11am – 6pm offering handmade gifts with a local flavour.

Estate of the Arts Christmas Fair 2025 – Maker’s stalls among the artists studios in Bedminster on 6 and 7 December 2025, with hot food and live music.

10. Shop for Vintage partywear in Bristol

For some fun party wear, why not shop vintage in Bristol this season? Much of the sparkle we wear during the festive season only gets worn once or twice, so it makes sense to save money and the planet by shopping in Bristol’s many vintage shops.

Good locations to shop, with a range of vintage, dress exchange and upmarket charity shops include Park Street, Broadmead, Gloucester Road and Clifton Village.

Sparks Bristol – the old Marks & Spencer in Broadmead has been transformed into a hub of sustainability in the heart of Broadmead. They have a great selection of vintage clothing, as well as departments for ethical, sustainable and Bristol made gifts.

Vintage personal styling sessions – Meg from Clothmod (She has a stall in Sparks Bristol) runs personal styling sessions in Sparks, to help you choose outfits that create your own unique look. Book tickets here.

Ashwell & Co – tucked away in the side streets of Clifton, this vintage boutique is just the place to shop for beautiful outfits or accessories with your girlfriends, then indulge in their sparkling Christmas afternoon tea, with Christmas themed treats and a glass of fizz (Fridays and Saturdays in Dec 2025).

Christmas Light shows in Bristol

As the nights draw in, get into the festive spirit with light shows and trails around Bristol.

11. WILD Drone Light Show

The WILD Drone Light Show is a 40 minute spectacle where hundreds of drones light up the night sky. This year’s show is on a wildlife theme, where herds charge, birds take flight and great beasts emerge in patterns of light.

It’s taking place at the Seat Unique Stadium off the top end of the Gloucester Road on 20 and 21 December 2025 – book tickets here.

The event is family friendly, with the venue opening 2 hours before the show for a festive funfair and refreshment stalls.

12. Luminate at Ashton Court

New for 2025 is the Luminate illuminated trail at Ashton Court, filled with colourful light displays and interactive installations. The trail features over 15 dazzling interactive displays, vibrant light installations, and immersive music-synchronised effects. It takes around 60-90 minutes to walk the trail, with a street food village offering festive flavours. Buy tickets for the Luminate trail which takes place until 28 December 2025 (except Christmas Day)

13. More Light Trails near Bristol

Other Christmas light trails within an hour’s drive of central Bristol include:

Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park 2025 – A family focussed Christmas Experience takes place at the park on selected dates from 24 Nov to Christmas Eve 2025. Expect timed Christmas shows, a visit to Santa’s toy factory and post room, gingerbread kitchen and Elf Express miniature railway. Watch out as you may also see The Grinch this year! In addition (separate tickets) there are festive nights on 19 and 20 Dec 6-9pm, with live music in the safari tent with drinks and pizza.

Old Down Estate Illumination Trail 2025 – The Festive Illumination trail guides you around Old Down Estate, with music, colour and interactive areas along the way. There’s a festive village, where you can toast marshmallows, sip mulled wine and feast on loaded roasties. Dates from 6 – 28 December 2025. In the Manor House there are also Elfmas Christmas activities taking place 22-24 December 2025, with Gingerbread decorating and letters to Santa.

Westonbirt Arboretum 2025 – Wander through the Christmas light trail with a million twinkling lights, seasonal sounds in the air and illuminations in the forest. Brand new installations for 2025 include ‘Laser Lights’, ‘Mycelium Network’, ‘Fireworks Trees’ and ‘Wicker Animals’. You might even spot Father Christmas on the trail! There’s a Christmas village with fairground rides and food and drink stalls selling winter warmers. Selected evenings from 28 November – 31 December 2025.

Longleat Festival of light 2025 – This year’s Festival of light presents British icons with Wallace and Gromit and friends. Meet favourite characters from Shaun the Sheep and Wallace and Gromit, as well as famous UK landmarks and wildlife in lantern form. There’s also an Enchanted Christmas Tree Show and hands on activities in the Workshop. Selected dates from 8 November 2025 until 11 January 2026.

Sudeley castle Spectacle of Light 2025 – An illuminated trail around the beautiful castle grounds, with a theme of the Court of King Arthur and Magic of Merlin. There’s festive food available on the castle terrace, with hot chocolate, doughnuts and spiced mulled wine. Dates from 21 November – 30 December 2025.

A Theatrical Christmas in Bristol

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to the panto or Christmas show. Preferably with lots of cheesy Bristol jokes that likely only us locals will understand. In Bristol there are numerous entertaining and thought provoking theatrical shows, including many that are suitable for younger children.

14. Christmas shows at Bristol Old Vic

We really enjoyed a Christmas night out in the magical setting of Bristol Old Vic, where the beautifully restored Georgian theatre is married with a creative modern extension housing the foyer and bar (a G&T paired with a Pieminster pie for me!)

For 2025 Bristol Old Vic is staging Treasure Island over the Christmas period from 4 December 2025 to 10 January 2026.

This production of Treasure Island brings Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale to life in a swashbuckling musical drama with a sprinkling of pantomime comedy and a nod to contemporary Bristol. Young Jim Hawkins is dreaming of adventure on the high seas when a treasure map is given to her (in this version he is a she) for safekeeping.

There are so many layers to this truly enjoyable evening, with comedy, action, spooky moments and rousing sea shanties. In keeping with the family-friendly message, the evil pirates are just a bit misunderstood and everything ends happily when the buried treasure is discovered and put to good use.

We were in awe of the talented cast, who played multiple instruments while acting all the different roles, singing, dancing and sword-fighting. There were plenty of comic moments and we loved comedian Jayde Adam’s fusion of silliness and pantomime dame in her desert island castaway character complete with coconut puppet friends.

The Treasure Island costume department must have had fun, as street-wear transitioned to frock coats – of course every self respecting pirate would have a sports branded tricorn hat!

It was an evening of exhilarating adventure, comic moments and catchy numbers in the Bristol Old Vic’s Treasure Island – a fantastic feel-good musical for the whole family.

Also at Bristol Old Vic in their Weston Studio for 2025, but aimed at younger audiences aged 3-7, is Antartica. Explore the wind-whipped magical world of the South Pole, with its slip-sliding penguins, cheeky albatrosses and mysterious creatures of the deep. The production runs from 5 Dec 2025 – 10 Jan 2026.

The bar and foyer of Bristol Old Vic cleverly fuses the old and modern parts of the theatre, creating a great space to meet friends for a pre-performance drink and a pie from Pieminster.

15. More Bristol theatre shows

The Hippodrome’s Christmas shows are always worth seeing. This year’s panto is Jack and the Beanstalk featuring pop star Will Young and other TV and comic personalities. Join Jack on his magical pantomime adventure as he sells his beloved cow, climbs to Cloudland, outwits the evil giant and captures the heart of the one he loves! From 6 Dec 2025 – 4 January 2026

The Redgrave Theatre in Clifton is running a classic pantomime of Sleeping Beauty for 2025. Featuring great songs, dazzling dance routines, stunning scenery and beautiful costumes this pantomime has plenty of fun for children and adults alike. 5 December 2025 – 4 January 2026.

Tobacco Factory Theatre offers Rapunzel: A Hairy Tale, an adaptation of the famous fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. In a secluded tower deep within the forest, Rapunzel charts stars and planets and dreams of a world beyond her walls. When an unexpected visitor climbs through her window, Rapunzel must make a choice between keeping herself safe or exploring freedom.  From 17 November 2025 – 17 January 2026 in the Factory Theatre ( suitable for children aged 7+)

For younger children (aged 3-6 years) at the Tobacco Factory, Scruff’s Christmas Adventure is a tail-wagging journey filled with magical puppetry, hilarious characters, and lots of audience interaction. 4 December 25 – 4 January 2026 for daytime performances in the Spielman Theatre.

The Wardrobe Theatre in Old Market is running Kid Carpet and The Noisy Animals – Jack and the Beanstalk (of Sorts). Family theatre legend Kid Carpet performs in this panto stuffed with songs, silliness and surprise grannies. Runs 18 Dec 2-25 – 4 Jan 2026 (suitable for children aged 3-10 and their families)

Also at the Wardrobe Theatre for younger children aged 2+ and all the family is Santa & Sven, with comic actor Steve Wright as Father Christmas, bringing music, sleigh bells and audience interaction.

Christmas in Bristol with the family

16. SS Great Britain Victorian Christmas

Bristol’s leading visitor attraction, SS Great Britain, is a great choice to keep the family entertained over the school holidays.

The Festive Voyage is running from 27 November 2025 to 4 Jan 2026 with a number of events and experiences.

Beneath the Waves – a Festive Light and Sound Experience, sees an underwater dreamscape, with suspended orbs filling the dry dock under the ship with sound and light. 27 Nov – 4 Jan during normal opening hours.

Storytime with Father Christmas – Gather on the Promenade Deck as Old Father Christmas shares captivating tales of Christmases past. Discover how the festive season was celebrated through the ages, from Victorian traditions aboard the SS Great Britain to yuletide customs from times gone by. Dates: 6/7 Dec, 13/14 Dec, 20/23 Dec at 11am, 1pm, 3pm.

Festive Music in the Dockyard – Musicians around the Dockyard sing traditional carols, sea shanties and pop favourites. Soak up the atmosphere with a hot drink in hand. Dates: 6/7 Dec, 13/14 Dec, 20/23 Dec at 11am, 1pm, 2pm.

More info: SS Great Britain Website

17. Retro-Mega-Mas at Wake the Tiger

Wake the Tiger ‘Amazement Park’ is one of those difficult to describe but truly original Bristol experiences. An old paint factory has been transformed with 40 colourful and immersive spaces. It’s a bit like walking through the film set of a sci-fi film and trying to imagine the story behind this lost and dreamlike world.

For the festive season, explore a parallel world filled with The Last Sprouts and step into the SPROUTERverse where the humble sprout becomes the unlikeliest hero of the season – a magical Christmas experience.

The Last Sprouts is taking place 15 November 2025 – Mon 5 January 2026 – book tickets here

18. More Bristol holiday activities 2025

Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery – Bristol’s free city museum is one of the best for pre-school and primary school age children. All areas are buggy friendly, with a large ground floor cafe area alongside the Curiosity play area for under 5’s. There are free drop-in family activities throughout December as well as Special Event days. More info: Bristol Museums Website

M-Shed – This free museum on the harbour side, is a great place to visit with the family over the Christmas holidays. It features personal stories and objects that highlight Bristol’s past and present. More info: M-shed website

Bristol Aquarium – During the school holidays look out for Wish Upon a Starfish events (20 Dec 2025 – 4 Jan 2026) where children can meet Charlie the clownfish to receive a gift and pass a message on to Santa Claus. There’s a winter trail around the Aquarium and some festive family crafting activities. More info: Bristolaquarium.co.uk

We the Curious (formerly At Bristol) – Bristol’s hands on science centre offers two floors of interactive experiences for all ages. It’s the ideal place for a day out during the Christmas holidays, where you can play, discover or create, mess around in the Rainbow Restaurant or make music in the Studio. Check their website for what’s on: Wethecurious.org

A musical Christmas in Bristol

19. St Georges Bristol Christmas concerts

We always try to fit in a visit to St George’s Brandon Hill for one of their concerts in the week before Christmas, from the community choirs where we often have a friend performing. The choirs are pleasingly colour coordinated, often looking as if they’ve chosen all the colours from the Quality Sweets tin.

The music is a mixture of reworked pop favourites, carols and foot-tapping Christmas oldies. There are some comic moments and high jinks thrown in, often led by choirmaster David Ogden.

For Christmas 2025 look out for the Exultate Singers, Bristol Bach Choir, Gasworks Choir and City of Bristol Choir, as well as other musical and choral Christmas themed concerts at St George’s in December.

20. Bristol Beacon Christmas events

The Bristol Beacon is running a full programme of events in the run up to Christmas 2025 and there’s a huge range of performances from rock and pop to comedy and classical.

Look out for their Christmas themed events, such as a film screening of Home Alone, with live orchestra. Check the website for details of seasonal performances and markets.

21. Christmas at the Spiegeltent

During the Christmas season, the Spiegeltent big top is erected on the Harbourside, with a Christmas at the Spiegeltent programme of cabaret and musical entertainment. Their dinner and cabaret events are popular for groups of friends or work colleagues, who want to celebrate with a Christmas party atmosphere.

However, the 2025 programme includes many more cabaret based events that are family friendly. You can also enjoy live music (The Snowman in concert), musical film screenings (Wallace & Gromit) and family cabaret.

A spiritual Christmas in Bristol

There’s plenty of fun and celebration at Christmas, but in our household we try not to forget the spiritual part of the holiday. We like to go to Midnight Mass with our extended family and fit in a carol service during Advent.

22. Bristol Cathedral Christmas Events 2025

Bristol Cathedral – The beautiful cathedral on College Green is even more special during Advent when there are Advent services on all the Sundays in December.

Throughout December the cathedral holds carol services and musical events including Advent Carols (1 Dec) Carols by Candlelight (12-13 Dec 2025), La Nativite musical concert (15 Dec 2025), Shoppers’ Carols (16 Dec 2025), Toddler’s Carols (17 Dec 2025 at 9.30, 11 and 2.00), Christmas at the Movies ( 19 Dec 2025), Messiah with Bristol Ensemble (20 Dec 2025), Family Carol Service (21 Dec 2025), Shorter festival of lessons and carols (22 Dec 2025), Festival of nine lessons and carols (23 & 24 Dec 2025). There are also the usual evensong, Christmas eve and Christmas day Eucharistic services of Christmas.

After its success last year, there will be “Beer and Carols” (Thurs 18 Dec 2025 from 6pm) on College Green, outside the Cathedral. This informal event sees the Cathedral Choir accompanied by the band of St Nicholas Church performing all the carol classics, with the audience invited to join in. There’s a pop up bar with drinks from Bristol Beer Factory, so you can have a pint with a sing along.

Just across College Green on Park Street is the beautiful Lord Mayor’s Chapel, a hidden gem of Bristol’s history, which is open to visit on Saturdays only, with services every Sunday at 11am. They are holding a Pride Carol Service (Sun 14 Dec 2025) a Blue Christmas Service (16 Dec 2025) and Festival of nine lessons and carols (21 Dec).

23. John Wesley’s New Rooms

John Wesley’s New Rooms are a treasure, tucked away in the centre of Bristol’s Broadmead area. The Grade 1 listed building is the oldest Methodist preaching house, founded by the preacher John Wesley. Wesley, together with his brother Charles, started the Methodist Christian movement in the 18th century.

In the rooms above the chapel, the old preacher’s lodgings have been transformed into a fascinating museum about the life of John Wesley in Bristol and the times he lived through, including the abolition of slavery.

Christmas activities at the John Wesley New Rooms include lunchtime carols at 1-2pm on 10 Dec 2025 and evening carols at 6-7pm on 9 Dec 2025. There’s also a Christmas family activity session on 12 Dec 2025.

The Charles Wesley House nearby on Charles Street, is where Charles Wesley lived and wrote many of his famous hymns like “Hark the herald angels sing”. After a renovation, the Georgian house is should be open for pre-booked public tours in 2026 but in the meantime there’s a digital Christmas tour available to view online.

24. St Mary Redcliffe

Most churches in Bristol will have Christmas Carol services as well as the Christmas religious services, so check what’s on at your local church.

At St Mary Redcliffe, activities include a Nine lessons and Carols (14/15 Dec), Family Christingle Service on 22 Dec and Salvation Army Carol service on 17 Dec.

There are also several ticketed Christmas concerts, like the Nadia Eide Christmas Concert (24 Nov 2025) and Christmas Star Concert (11 Dec 2025).

Within St Mary Redcliffe the Treefest (on pause until December 2026) is a festive display of Christmas trees, each decorated by a different charity or community group. There’s music, refreshments and a Christmas market too.

Christmas in Bristol with the animals

Away in a manger and all that! Animals are a big part of the Christmas story so a visit to some of Bristol’s animal attractions at Christmas seems quite appropriate.

25. Christmas at Bristol Zoo Project

Bristol Zoo Project – Bristol Zoo has relocated from Clifton to a bigger site the northern edge of Bristol. For 2025, the Big Gift Hunt sees giant presents hidden across the zoo, for you to solve the riddles with a chance to win a gift in the festive prize draw.

There’s Merry and Wild festive fun as the keepers give the animals their Christmas treats. Take a photo in the giant snow globe or on Santa’s sleigh, post your letter to Santa at the Elves Post Office and warm up with delicious treats. Christmas activities are included in the entry price and take place until 4 Jan 2026.

Around the zoo find wildlife encounters with lemur, giraffe, cheetah, zebra, bears, wolves and eland in large and natural enclosures. The conservation themed outdoor play area Explorer’s Basecamp and indoor Fun Fort are also open, with something for all ages and abilities.

26. Christmas at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm just outside Bristol have plenty of Christmas activities for 2025, as well as animal encounters, play barn, farm shop and cafe.

Meet Santa in his library (until 21 December), come for one of Santa’s storytelling sessions or dress up as a Nativity character in the Home Educator’s Nativity session (16 December). Bring your Christmas tree to be recycled from 27 Dec 2025 to 25 Jan 2026, so they can be munched by the elephants or made into wood chippings for the animal enclosures.

There’s an impressive amount of space for the animals around the zoo as well as the range of activities in the play areas and animal experiences. The regular programme includes daily talks and you can see giraffe, rhino and lions at the zoo, as well as plenty of smaller domestic and farm animals.

27. Bristol City Farms for free family activities

If you’d like to take the kids to the farm over the Christmas holidays St Werburgh’s City farm is open daily 9am-4pm (free) and there’s a winter fair Saturday 6 December 2025. Christmas trees are on sale to support the farm.

Windmill Hill City Farm is open daily 9am-4pm (free) and there’s a free kid’s film showing in the cafe every weekday at 3.45pm.

28. Christmas gifts from Bristol

We Bristolians love to support our independent businesses. There is so much creative stuff going on around the city that it’s easy to spend your money locally, rather than sending it to the online giants.

Love Bristol Gift Card – the ideal gift for the West Country lad-or-lass-about-town. Spend the gift card at over 160 different food, drink, shopping, accommodation and attraction venues around Bristol City Centre.

Yuup – the place to find unusual Bristol experiences that are ideal for gifting. This is perfect for those who don’t need more “stuff” in their life but would appreciate a fun activity they can enjoy together.

There are lots of festive pre-Christmas activities too, such as wreath making, Christmas card printing or chocolate workshops.

On my gift list for experiences to try after Christmas are:

Food Tours of Bristol – They run mouthwatering food tours in Wapping Wharf and Broad Street in Bedminster.

St Nicholas Market and Blitz experience – this unique tour takes you into the cellars under St Nicholas Market.

Bristol’s Quirkiest Corners Tour – run by the highly knowledgeable Martin Booth, editor of Bristol 24/7. I can personally recommend this walking tour which we tried last year. Even Bristol locals like us discovered plenty of hidden corners that were new to us.

Foodie ways to get festive in Bristol

29. Sweet treats in Bristol

It seems that minced pies and mulled wine are everywhere and now is the time to savour them, before the Christmas flavours are swept away with the diet books and clean eating of January.

Look out for seasonal flavours, like gingerbread and gorgeous gelato cakes at my favourite gelataria Swoon with branches on College Green and at Wapping Wharf.

Also on Park Street, indulge in a warming hot chocolate at Mrs Potts (50 Park Street) or book for their Christmas Pudding Club on Fridays and Saturdays in December 2025.

A little further up Park Street is Knoops (33 Queens Road), offering endless variations of hot chocolate, with ginger marshmallows and seasonal spice blends.

Over on North Street Bedminster, stock up on festive chocolate stocking fillers at Zara’s chocolates, while sipping a hot chocolate to take away.

Heritage chocolatier Guilberts no longer has their shop on Small Street, but you can still order their traditionally packaged Bristol made chocolate online.

More sweet treats in Bristol can be found at the Hotel Chocolat store in Cabot Circus, Chocolatier Pionika (190 Gloucester Rd), Ruby Hue chocolates (online shopping) and Treasure Island Sweets (St Nicholas Market)

30. Festive Pies in Bristol

For something that will warm away the winter chill, Bristolians love to head for Pieminister who have several branches around the city, serving their award winning pies. Find their restaurant on Broad Quay, with the Festive Christmas pie flavours available from mid November.

There’s also a food stall at St Nicholas Market, where you can buy the pies to take away, or eat at their tables in the market. Pieminster pies are also served in the foyer bar at the Bristol Old Vic theatre, and you don’t need to be going to a performance to eat there.

Christmas pie favourites include Mistlemoo (steak and port), The Cracker (turkey and cranberry) or Christingle (veggie parsnips, chestnut and cheese). There are numerous other pie options too, including vegan and gluten free.

Read about 20 fun things to do in Bristol with your friends

31. Christmas cocktails in Bristol

For a cheeky post shopping drink, head to Dirty Martini. At this stylish cocktail bar on Corn Street the Happy Hour Martinis and selected cocktails are half price. They have some fun Christmas cocktails too with a menu full of small plates and bites that have a seasonal flavour.

Also just off Corn Street is Brozen, who specialise in unusual frozen cocktails using alcoholic sorbets that are frozen individually using liquid nitrogen.

Or head to Welsh Back, where the The Granary has a late night Granary Club cocktail Bar as well as serving an all day menu in its upstairs restaurant. There’s a festive set menu for Christmas dining with a Mediterranean and Persian flavour.

32. Bristol tipples to take home for Christmas

No self respecting West County Household would be without their cider at Christmas. You can order online from the Bristol Cider or Thatchers Cider for a drink on Christmas afternoon in front of the telly.

If beer is more your thing, there are some excellent Bristol brewed craft beers from Bristol Beer Factory, Wiper & True, Moor Beer, or Left Handed Giant to name but a few. Look out for the Christmas Calendar or mixed cases that provide something for everyone to try.

If you’re going easy on the alcohol, all the brewers have some no or low alcohol options.

Check out things to do in Bristol Old City – what to see and where to eat

Also look out for the floating gin bar from 6 O’clock Gin at the Glass Boat, which is moored by Bristol Bridge. In addition to the bar area, there’s a shop selling the locally produced gin in distinctive blue glass bottles, with mini sizes that are perfect for stocking fillers.

They have seasonal flavours too, so try the Spiced Orange and Cranberry or the Damson Gin, for a Christmas treat.

33. Food markets in Bristol for Christmas

In the run up to Christmas, the Finzel’s Reach Market is the place to try local street food, with markets on Wednesdays and Fridays offering a huge range of street food over the lunchtime period (11am – 2pm).

Feast on globally inspired street food inspired by Sri Lanka, Asia and BBQ, or stock up for your Christmas table with local beers and ciders as well as artisan sausages and cheeses.

Another wonderful foodie spot is Wapping Wharf, with plenty of choice from Bristol’s finest independent restaurants and food retailers. The Christmas Lights switch on is on 27 November 2025 with many of the restaurants showcasing Christmas drinks and dishes, from Festive bagels and Turkey schnitzel burgers to mulled wine and cocktails.

We can highly recommend the food tour of Wapping Wharf run by Food Tours of Bristol, which we gifted ourselves last Christmas. In addition to the regular tours, they offer a Christmas themed food tour on select dates in December. This food tour or the one in North Street Bedminster is a great one to gift to yourself or any food lovers in your life, with vouchers available that can be enjoyed after Christmas.

34. Charity giving at Christmas

While it’s lovely to celebrate Christmas with gifts for our loved ones, I also try to make some charity donations at this time of year. Bristol suffers from a big issue of homelessness and if you’re out and about in the centre you’ll probably observe this.

However you can help spread good cheer, through the instant payment donation points you can see around Bristol city centre. Whenever you’re out shopping and see one, consider making a donation. It helps local charities make Christmas a better time for those who, like baby Jesus on that first Christmas, don’t have a place to go.

To donate online, my favourite local Bristol charities supporting the homeless over Christmas are Caring in Bristol, St Mungo’s Bristol and The Salvation Army.

Also follow the work on instagram of Natacha @thebeautyofcaring_cic who provides beauty treatments in Bristol for vulnerable men and women. You can contact her to support or sponsor her work via instagram.

35. Christmas Events around Bristol

While most of the things I’ve mentioned are within the central area of Bristol, there are some other fun Christmas activities that are just outside Bristol. Some of the best light trails and Christmas activities include:

Westonbirt Arboretum – Christmas light trail with a million twinkling lights, seasonal sounds in the air and illuminations in the forest. Dates from 28 November – 31 December 2025.

Tyntesfield – This National Trust house is decorated in Victorian Winter fashion. There are carol concerts in the chapel, craft making sessions and Christmas trails. Enjoy a carousel in front of the house and a Dickensian street scene in the chapel courtyard. Open daily from 1 December 2025 – 4 January 2026.

Longleat Festival of light 2025 – This light trail features a “Journey Through Time” from the age of the dinosaurs to historic events and mythology. 800 lanterns are set against the historic backdrop of Longleat House. Dates from 8 November 2025 until 11 January 2026.

Wookey Hole Winter Wonderland 2025 – The caves are decked with over 100,000 lights, with tickets including a Santa’s grotto and Christmas theme circus show. The winter wonderland takes place on weekends from 22 November 2025 and daily from 20-24 December 2025.

Mendip Activity Centre 2025 – The toboggan slope is decked out with fairy lights, with twilight tobogganing from 7 November 2025 until 4 January 2026. There’s also a woodland walk to a magical grotto, to find toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate.

Christmas at Stourhead 2025 – The National Trust estate is lit up with festive illuminations, sparkling tunnels of light and trees lit up in jewel like colours. Dates from 28 November – 31 December 2025.

Christmas at Dyrham Park 2025 – Explore festive decorations from Tudor times to the present day at this National Trust property. Enjoy children’s and adult trails, choir performances, a giant wreath, and wreath-making workshops.

Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park 2024 – A family focussed Christmas Nights Light Trail around the park with twinkling displays, sparkling trees and live music. There are many other family activities including a Santa show, gingerbread kitchen and Elf Express miniature train. Dates from 30 Nov – 24 December.

Sudeley castle Spectacle of Light 2025 – An illuminated trail around the beautiful castle grounds, with a chance to meet characters from the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. Dates from Dates from 21 November – 30 December 2025.

Old Down Estate Illumination Trail 2025 – The Festive Illumination trail guides you around Old Down Estate, with music, colour and interactive areas along the way. Dates from 6-28 December 2025.

The Grand Pier at Weston Super Mare 2025 – there’s an enchanted elevator at this year’s Santa’s Grotto (6,7, 13, 14, 20-24 December 2025) and rides to in the Festive Funfair.

Where to stay in Bristol for your festive break

There’s still time to book a short break in Bristol to get into the Christmas spirit, eat some great food and shop for unusual and thoughtful gifts. If you’re looking for a hotel in Bristol, read on for my recommendations;

Best budget accommodation with character in Bristol

If you want stylish accommodation that won’t break the bank, these are the places we recommend for best value, with rooms typically £100 – £120.

Brooks Guest House (Old City) – A boutique guest house in St Nicholas Market with cosy, contemporary rooms, centrally located in the heart of the Old City. Excellent value for stylish guest house accommodation.

Rodney Hotel (Clifton Village) – The hotel is in a mellow stone Georgian building, in the heart of picturesque Clifton Village. The rooms can be small and the decor a little dated, but this is reflected in the price, and you can’t beat the location.

Beech House (Clifton) – If you prefer the flexibility of self-catering accommodation, Beech House is an excellent choice. It’s within walking distance of both the city centre and Clifton Village. The decor is stylish and contemporary and there are a choice of small apartments, with the studios offering good value for money.

Best Hotels for friends in Bristol

If you are visiting Bristol with a group of friends, these hotels offer stylish accommodation with plenty of facilities and room options. With plenty of rooms to fill, these hotels operate variable pricing so check different dates for the best rates.

The Bristol (Harbour side) – The perfect harbourside location with a 1960’s modernist facade and boutique-style rooms that overlook the waterfront. Ideal for both weekend and business travellers.

Clayton Hotel (Old City) – a modern, contemporary hotel with 255 rooms, behind the facade of the historic Everard’s print works. Located in the heart of Bristol’s Old City.

Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel (Old City) – This grand Victorian hotel with 186 rooms has been renovated in contemporary style, decorated with artworks from the city’s street art scene.

Best luxury hotels in Bristol

If you are travelling as a couple and want to treat yourself, these are the places we recommend for a touch of luxury and individual service.

Artist Residence (City Centre) – Located minutes from the city centre in a historic Georgian square. Rooms are individually designed in eclectic, boutique style and full of artworks.

Harbour Hotel and Spa (Old City) – a luxurious hotel and spa, that was formed out of two iconic bank properties in the heart of Bristol’s Old City. The decor is quirky and contemporary, there’s an excellent seafood restaurant in The Jetty. An underground spa features some of the old safe doors in what was formerly the bank vaults.

The Avon Gorge Hotel (Clifton Village) – Overlooking Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge, in Clifton Village, this historic hotel has been renovated in contemporary style.

Or, check out more hotels in Bristol to plan your pre-Christmas break.

More information on visiting Bristol

For lots of information on visiting Bristol check out the official tourism website of Visit Bristol.

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Thanks to Visit Bristol for hosting* some of the activities mentioned in Bristol

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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