7 min readGrab a warm coat and a woolly hat and head out to experience some Christmas magic. Create your own new Christmas traditions with a festive lights walk in and around Bristol.
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Jump on board First Bus to explore festive events, markets, restaurants and more across the city this Christmas, and if you're coming from out of town, experience Bristol by train with GWR.
Skip to: Bristol Christmas Lights - Light shows in Bristol - Light trails near Bristol
Christmas Lights in Central Bristol
There are lots of pretty lights on the streets of Bristol, which are free to go and see.
Redcliffe & Temple
See the lights along Victoria Street and Portwall Lane, and pop into Temple Gardens, formerly used by the Knights Templar.
Bristol City Centre
Wander along Narrow Quay and Welsh Back on Bristol's Harbourside and see the fairy lights reflected in the water. You can then walk uphill to admire the lights on Park Street, Park Row and Malborough Street, where you can also capture stunning views of the city.
Image - Christmas lights on Narrow Quay. Credit: Bristol City Centre BID
There are even more illuminations around the Old City - see if you can spot the chandelier-style streetlights on Corn Street.
Image - Lights on Corn Street. Credit: Bristol City Centre BID
To complete your Christmas light trail of the city centre, explore the stalls at the Bristol Christmas Market, and spot the festive lights and winter tree lights in Broadmead.
Image - Bristol Christmas Market
Clifton Village is magical at Christmas, especially the magnificent Christmas Tree in The Mall Gardens. Take a stroll around the pretty streets, make the most of late-night shopping, then stop into one of the local bars or restaurants to warm up afterwards. Clifton Village light switch-on takes place at The Mall Gardens on Wednesday 12 November from 6pm.
Image - Clifton Village at Christmas
Light Shows in Bristol
Beneath the Waves at Brunel's SS Great Britain (27 November - 4 January)
The dry dock of Brunel's SS Great Britain will be transformed this winter, with hundreds of suspended orbs suspended in the space beneath the ship's hull. The light show will evoke the SS Great Britain’s voyage from the icy depths of northern waters to warmer distant shores. Included with your admission to Brunel's SS Great Britain.
Image - Luxmuralis
Winterbourne Wonderland (22 November - 1 January)
One of the most highly decorated homes in the UK, this house not only features over 100,000 lights, but also has a festive display out front, featuring Father Christmas' workshop, a 12ft Christmas tree encircled by a Christmas train, a Nativity display, and much more. Help take the grand total to £20,000 for their nominated charities!
Brailsford Christmas Lights (29 November - 2 January)
Each year, the Brailsford family of Brentry in North Bristol puts on the most incredible Christmas light display. The display has grown over the years and now raises thousands of pounds for local children’s charities each year.
WILD: The Drone Light Show (20 - 23 December)
Watch the sky above Bristol light up with a 3D show created by 600 drones, creating magical scenes from the animal kingdom. See herds charge, birds take flight, and great beasts emerge in dazzling patterns of light.
Image - A drone light show
Light trails near Bristol
Twilight Toboganning at Mendip Activity Centre (7 November - 4 January)
Not only can families whizz down an outdoor slope in a whirl of colourful fairy lights and lasers at Mendip Activity Centre this winter, but you can also take a stroll through their illuminated woodland and take a seat at the hideaway, draped with canopies and fairy lights around an open log fire, where you can toast marshmallows and warm up with a hot chocolate.
Image - Mendip Activity Centre
The Festival of Light: British Icons at Longleat (8 November - 11 January)
Visitors are invited to meet characters from Shaun the Sheep, Chicken Run, Wallace & Gromit and more in this year's illuminated trail. See if you can spot some of the UK’s most famous landmarks on your way around! . Don't miss the 15-metre Enchanted Christmas Tree show and Santa Train, as well as the giant hedge maze, winter safari and bat cave!
Image - Festival of Light at Longleat
Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle & Gardens (selected dates from 21 November - 30 December)
Head to the stunning Sudeley Castle & Gardens for their dazzling illuminated trail, this year celebrating its 10th anniversary with the theme 'Court of King Arthur and the Magic of Merlin'. Discover the light wave and flickering fire flowers of the Queens’ Garden, sparkling water features, light beams, lanterns and much more. Tuck into hot food and delicious doughnuts, and sip on warming mulled wine and hot chocolates whilst you wander around the grounds.
Image - Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle, Credit Steve Green Photography
Winter Wonderland at Wookey Hole (selected dates between 22 November - 24 December)
See the famous Wookey Hole Caves draped in twinkly Christmas lights for a magical underground adventure. Wander through the caves (home to the legendary Witch of Wookey), meet Santa in his grotto and receive a gift from Santa's elves in the Wookey Hole Toy Factory. There are plenty of other festivities to enjoy, such as the Christmas Circus Show and a Christmas film in the 4D cinema!
Image - Wookey Hole
Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum (selected evenings between 23 November - 31 December)
Discover the trees of Westonbirt Arboretum in a whole new light along this brand-new illuminated trail throughout December, themed around nature. See the trees lit up as you wander through the glades and take in the spectacular sights. New for 2025 are Laser Lights, Mycelium Network, Fireworks Trees, and Wicker Animals. Relaxed sessions are on 29 November, 6 December, 11 December and 17 December.
Image - Westonbirt Enchanted Christmas
Portishead High Street Christmas Lights (from 24 November)
Portishead Christmas lights are some of the best local Christmas lights in the West. They extend throughout the High Street, which is full of local and independent shops, and feature around 8,000 bulbs. Each year, volunteers from the coastal Somerset town spend their time making sure the lights get better and better. This year, the big switch-on is set for Monday 24 November, from 5:40pm.
Luminate Winter Light Trail at Ashton Court (28 November - 28 December)
See the parkland and trees at Ashton Court Estate lit up for the first time this Christmas! Explore 15 light displays across the 1.3km trail, with interactive elements along the way. There will also be toasting marshmallows, mulled wine and comforting snacks to warm you up.
Image - Luminate
Christmas Garden Illuminations at The Bishop's Palace & Gardens (29 November - 4 January)
Enjoy light displays, including a light maze and tunnel, set against the impressive backdrop of the historic Bishop's Palace and its gardens. New for 2025 are a mesmerising lantern tree, illuminated woodland, an extended light tunnel, and even more sparkling pathways.
Christmas Experience at Avon Valley Adventure Park (selected dates from 29 November - 24 December)
Using their lake and trees as a wonderful backdrop, Avon Valley has created its Magical Forest light trail - see the trees come alive with your magic elf specs! You can also visit Santa's Toy Shop, ride the Polar Express Miniature Steam Train, watch The Grinch Show, meet reindeer and fill up on festive food and drink.
Image - Avon Valley Adventure Park
Magical Christmas Adventure at Puxton Park (6 - 24 December)
Wander through a forest of glistening trees at Puxton Park this Christmas, and see if you can find the Wish-Granting Tree. There's also a snowy Christmas Tree Village, Elves' Workshop, Mrs Claus’ Gingerbread Kitchen, and festive animal shows throughout the day.
Festive Illumination Trail at Old Down Estate (selected dates from 6 - 28 December)
Explore the grounds of Old Down Country Park, lit up with sparkling installations and dazzling lights. A variety of warming Christmas treats are available for you to enjoy afterwards, including Yorkshire pudding wraps, toasted marshmallows, hot chocolate, mulled wine, and comforting crumble.
Image - Old Down Estate
More ways to have a #MerryBristmas:
