Christmas in Bristol 2011: Christmas markets, shopping, lights, panto and more!
25/10/2011
Categories: Official press releases
Bristol will welcome a seasonal sprinkling of Christmas fairy dust with the announcement of The Bristol Hippodrome’s Christmas panto production of Peter Pan starring David Hasselhoff, along with a flurry of festive fun and frivolity called ‘Christmas in the City’.
Bristol Christmas Markets, image C Lathom Sharp
About Christmas in Bristol
The Bristol Hippodrome’s Christmas panto production of Peter Pan starring David Hasselhoff is not the only sprinkling of fairy dust around the city. A short walk from The Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol’s city centre shopping area is gearing up for a Peter Pan-themed Santa’s Grotto at The Galleries shopping centre. Nearby at Cabot Circus, enhanced light displays will transform the adjacent shops, along with a Christmas skating rink and a special advent calendar launch with David Hasselhoff on 1st December.
Bristol will officially unveil its display of spectacular Christmas in the City cheer on Friday 11th November with the city’s Christmas lights switch-on at Cabot Circus which will welcome a breathtaking fire-themed show. Also in the city centre shopping area, visit traditional Christmas markets, a beautifully lit Christmas tree, and other colourful Christmas activities—all resulting in more festive sparkle than ever before for the South West's shopping capital.
- View our top ten Christmas gift ideas
- Enter to win a £1000 shopping spree in Bristol
- Download the Christmas map (PDF file)
- View the 2011 Bristol Christmas leaflet (PDF file)
Top festive events and activities in Bristol
1. Bristol Christmas Markets
Bristol Christmas Markets
- When: 10 November 2011 until 22 December 2011
- Where: City centre shopping area along Broadmead East and Broadmead West, BS1 3DS
- What: Set in a yuletide backdrop of the city centre shopping area, Bristol’s Christmas Markets will combine a high quality traditional German theme with a locally inspired market housed in quaint wooden chalet style stalls. Visitors can enjoy unique gift ideas, original hand crafts, decorative items, deliciously festive food and drink—all alongside a selection of the best locally sourced produce. The German Market will run from 10 November until 22 December, with the local market running from 9 until 20 December.
- Times: Times vary, see website listing for details
2. Christmas in the City lights switch-on
Christmas lights switch-on fire and light show
- When: 11 November 2011
- Where: Cabot Circus, Bristol, BS1 3AU
- What: Join us at 6pm under the glass roof at Cabot Circus to see the Bristol City Centre Christmas lights switched on with a spectacular fire-themed show. Visitors will be treated for a dazzling performance by Cirque Bijou featuring acrobatics, fire, amazing dance routines and a human Catherine-wheel display before brand-new Christmas lights are switched on in the centre of Bristol for the first time.
- Time: 6pm
3. Peter Pan Christmas Panto with David Hasselhoff
David Hasselhoff as Captain Hook
- When: 10 December 2011 until 8 January 2012
- Where: The Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, BS1 4UZ
- What: Fly away on a spectacular journey of wonder and excitement into the magical world of Neverland. Join Peter, Wendy and the Lost Boys in their thrilling adventure to save Tinkerbell from the villainous Captain Hook, played by David Hasselhoff, and his crew of dastardly pirates. With stunning special effects (including amazing flying!) sumptuous costumes, superb sets and a good helping of fairy dust, Peter Pan is the perfect treat for the whole family.
- Times: Times vary, see website for details
4. David Hasselhoff Advent Calendar Launch
- When: 1 December 2011
- Where: Cabot Circus, Bristol, BS1 3AU
- What: Global mega-star David Hasselhoff is set to wow crowds in Bristol city centre on Thursday 1st December when he officially launches a giant advent calendar at 6pm in Cabot Circus. The Hoff, who stars as Captain Hook in Peter Pan at The Bristol Hippodrome, will be launching the advent calendar competition - which offers you the chance to win fantastic prizes every day until Saturday 24th December. Prizes include daily giveaways of family tickets to watch Peter Pan in January along with prizes from Bristol’s extensive range of attractions, hotels, city centre shops and restaurants.
- Time: 5pm- Peter Pan character procession begins; 6pm- David Hasselhoff
5. Quakers Friars Christmas Skating Rink
Quakers Friars Skating Rink, Cabot Circus
- When: 11 November until 8 January 2012
- Where: Quakers Friars at Cabot Circus, Bristol, BS1 1BZ
- What: Once again the skating rink in Quakers Friars at Cabot Circus will be a major attraction for all the family. Make the most of the wonderful winter season by wrapping up warm and having fun on the outdoor super-glide synthetic skating rink. Skate hire is available and the rink is open until the 8th of January so there’s plenty of time to get your skates on. Prices for a 45-minute session: Adults - £6.00; Children - £4.50; Adult Concession - £4.50; Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children) - £18.00. The skating rink is suitable for children aged 3 years and over. They are provided with special bob skates. You can bring your own skates provided they are hockey skates and not ice skates. Each skating session lasts 45 minutes.
- Times: Monday to Friday – 12 noon to 8pm; Saturday – 10am to 8pm; Sunday – 10am to 5pm
- Tickets: Tickets are available from the skating rink cabin in Quakers Friars. Tickets can also be purchased online at http://admiticket.com/event/cabotcircus. Tickets can be emailed or posted to your home. There is a 20% discount offered from the 14th November- 15th December (Mondays- Thursdays) if you book online.
6. Santa's Grotto at The Galleries Shopping Centre
Santa and his helpers at Santa's Grotto, The Galleries
- When: 12 November 2011 until 24 December 2011
- Where: The Galleries shopping centre, 25 Union Gallery, Bristol, BS1 3XD
- What: The Bristol Hippodrome isn’t the only organisation with a Peter Pan-themed Christmas spectacular. The Galleries, in Bristol’s main city centre shopping area, will host a vibrant Peter Pan-themed Santa’s Grotto to complement the Hippodrome production. Meet Father Christmas here and enjoy the attractive, three-storey shopping centre, which is home to a further 100 stores. Santa’s Grotto will open 12 November and run until 24 December.
- Times: Times vary, see website for updates
7. Coram Boy (a Bristol Old Vic production)
- When: 21 December 2011 until 30 December 2011
- Where: Colston Hall, Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR
- What: This Christmas, join Bristol Old Vic at Colston Hall for an epic tale of love, loss and reunion. Performed on Colston Hall’s magnificent stage, Coram Boy is a Christmas blockbuster that Bristol will never forget, brought to you by the team behind Swallows and Amazons and Treasure Island.
- Time: Times vary, see website for details
8. Bristol's City Christmas Tree and Lights (PDF file)
Christmas lights in the Bristol city centre shopping area
- When: 11 November 2011 until early January 2012
- Where: The Centre Promenade, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5TX
- What: Once again, Bristol’s city centre Christmas tree will be located near the cascade steps on The Centre Promenade in the city centre. This festive tree will complement Bristol’s other city Christmas lights. Christmas lights will be located along the route from the city centre shopping area through to The Bristol Hippodrome, including St Nicholas Market, The Centre Promenade, College Green, and Park Street.
- Times: From 6pm on 11 November 2011
9. Festive Fair at the Create Centre
- When: 2 December 2011 and 3 December 2011
- Where: Create Centre, Smeaton Road, Bristol, BS1 6XN
- What: For the best of Bristol's ethically sourced crafts, produce and seasonal delights.
- Times: 4pm – 9pm, 2 December 2011 and 11am – 4pm, 3 December 2011
10. Christmas at St Nicholas Market
- When: 1 December 2011 until 24 December 2011
- Where: St Nicholas Market, Corn Street and Wine Street, Bristol, BS1 1JQ
- What: Shoppers can peruse a range of markets on Corn Street and Wine Street alongside the historic indoor St Nicholas Market. The Christmas Street markets include the Nails Christmas Market, providing shoppers with the perfect opportunity to find something quirky and unique from the interesting range of stalls.
- Times: Trading hours will be extended between this period, starting at 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday
11. Made in Bristol Gift Fair
- When: Saturday 10, Sunday 11 & Saturday 17 December
- Where: Colston Hall, Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR
- What: From limited edition prints, jewellery and ceramics to crafts and clothing, the Made in Bristol Fair at Colston Hall is just the place for Christmas shopping.
- Times: 10am to 4pm, 10 and 17 December; and 10am to 2pm 11 December
More Christmas Favourites
Clifton Suspension Bridge
- Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum
- Bristol Zoo's Fantabulous Christmas and Santa's Grotto
- Christmas at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway
- December events at Brunel's ss Great Britain
- Bristol Cathedral Christmas music and carols
- Bristol Parks and Estates Christmas festivities
- Tyntesfield Christmas Food and Craft Market
- Tobacco Factory Christmas Markets
- Cinderella: A Fairy Tale
- Christmas Pirate Walks
For a full list of Christmas activity, shopping information, travel offers and more, log on to www.VisitBristol.co.uk/Winter. Visitors can also contact Bristol’s tourist information centre on 0906 711 2191 (calls charged at 50p per minute plus network extras) or email ticharbourside@destinationbristol.co.uk
A map of Bristol's Christmas festivities
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