There are so many things to do in our city this Christmas. We are checking lots of them out and you can follow our adventures on Instagram.
Here’s our selection of the events, trails, markets and more:
Christmas Adventures
We loved seeing Christmas song lyrics being displayed across the city last year so we’re delighted to see it has returned for 2021! Created by Bristol City Centre BID and Redcliffe and Temple BID, iconic buildings will be lit up until 28 December with a selection of the jolliest Christmas lyrics and phrases.
It includes ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!’ on Bristol Beacon, ‘Driving Home For Christmas’ on the whale mural on Park Row, ‘Fa la la la la la la la la’ on St George’s Bristol, ‘Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!’ on The Premier Inn and ‘Now bring us some Figgy Pudding’ on Waitrose in The Triangle.
There’s a Christmas Adventures map here.
Victorian Christmas Weekends at SS Great Britain
The dockyard at SS Great Britain is being transformed into a wintry scene with Christmas greenery and falling snow. You can also meet a cast of historic characters, including Father Christmas dressed in Victorian green robes. We met him at a Visit Bristol press preview of Christmas events.
The Christmas weekends are on 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19 December.
Robin Hood at Bristol Old Vic
The Christmas show at Bristol Old Vic is always a huge highlight and we can’t wait to see this year’s show.
Robin Hood: Legend of the Forgotten Forest, which runs until 8 January, is a fresh spin on the swashbuckling legend by multi-award-winning company The Wardrobe Ensemble.
We loved it! Here’s our five star review.
Georgian Christmas at John Wesley’s New Room
Visitors to the house of John Wesley, the 18th century hymnwriter of ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’, can go back in time to a Georgian Christmas with the stunning building decked with foliage, garlands and candles.
There are also two Christmas Carol services on Wednesday 15 December – a lunchtime celebration in the chapel between 1pm and 2pm, and an illuminated candlelight service between 5pm and 6pm.
On Tuesday 21 December, there’s free Christmas Crafts for families in the chapel and the return of the Messy Nativity at 2pm outside one of Bristol’s oldest stables.
Light Up Bristol at Ashton Court Estate
Wander around the beautiful grounds of Ashton Court Estate and enjoy a stunning illuminated walking experience while sipping a warm mulled wine or hot chocolate. Find out more here.
Snow White at Bristol Hippodrome
We really missed the pantos last Christmas so it’s great to see a show for this year’s festive season. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, starring actress Leslie Joseph and TV’s Rob Rinder, runs until 2 January.
We’ve seen the show and really enjoyed it. Here’s our four star review.
Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum
Take a magical journey through the woodland and enjoy the spectacular light displays. It runs from 3 – 4, 10-12 and 17-21 and December.
Markets and pop-up shops
There are plenty of places to do shopping for gifts including the Christmas market in Broadmead, the Bristol Local Christmas Market, St Nicholas Market and the Bristol Pop-up Shop in the Galleries.
The shop also has an online store with hundreds of products from local small businesses including Nina’s handmade Bristol in a Box light boxes.
Christmas at the Spiegeltent
The spectacular spiegeltent returns with events to thrill and entertain people of all ages. Shows include cabaret, a baby disco and Sunday roasts with live music.
Festive pop-up cinema at The Galleries
Every Saturday and Sunday until 19 December, two films are being screened at this pop-up cinema. Entry is free but donations are encouraged for Children’s Hospice South West. Sweets, popcorn and dried fruit will be on sale with al proceeds going to the charity.
Merry Bristmas!
Top image credit: Paul Box
