7 min readGrab a warm coat and a woolly hat and head out to experience a little bit of Christmas magic with a twinkly festive light 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.
Take a wander through the streets of 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, pop into Temple Gardens, formerly used by the Knights Templar. During the day, over the festive period you may also have the chance to meet a very special elf… The Elf on the Shelf®, 'Isambard Kingdom Brunelf' who will be moving to new, top secret locations across the city throughout December.
Image - Bristol City Centre BID, The Elf on the Shelf® Scout Elf®
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
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 will be happening at The Mall Gardens on 20 November from 6pm.
Image - Clifton Village at Christmas
Luxmuralis at Bristol Cathedral (25 - 29 November)
If you're looking for an indoor alternative to this year's light shows, head to Bristol Cathedral for a stunning sound and light artwork, reimagining of the Nativity Story. See the inside of the cathedral transformed in this dazzling show, which is available to book via Yuup.
Image - Luxmuralis
Winterbourne Wonderland (24 November - 1 January)
One of the most highly decorated homes in the UK, this ouse 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, an Enchanted Forest featuring a life-sized unicorn, a magical wishing well (bring a coin to make a wish!), a colour-changing water fountain and much more. Christmas music and bubbles will also be in action on selected dates, and there are free candy canes and stickers for little ones. Help take the grand total to £20,000 for Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal!
Brailsford Christmas Lights (30 November - 2 January)
Each year, the Brailsford family of Brentry in North Bristol put 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.
A Christmas Carol Drone Light Show (19 - 21 December)
Watch the sky above Bristol light up with a 3D show created by 500 drones in this brand-new experience, never seen before in the city.
Image - A Christmas Carol drone show, via Yuup
Light trails near Bristol
Twilight Toboganning at Mendip Activity Centre (8 November - 5 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, 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: Journey through time at Longleat (9 November - 5 January)
Visitors are invited to journey through time at Longleat this Christmas, with scenes from the Ice Age, Vikings, Ancient dynasties, monarchs and more. Don't miss the 15-metre Enchanted Christmas Tree show and Santa Train, plus this year's spectacular light show to celebrate 75 years since Longleat first opened its doors to the public.
Image - Festival of Light at Longleat
Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle & Gardens (selected dates from 22 November - 30 December)
Head to the stunning Sudeley Castle & Gardens for their dazzling illuminated trail, this year’s trail will have a Sleeping Beauty theme. 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 & Gardens
Festive Illumination Trail at Old Down Estate (selected dates from 24 November - 24 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 wrapstoasted marshmallows, hot chocolate, mulled wine, and comforting crumble.
Winter Wonderland at Wookey Hole (selected dates between 25 November - 1 January)
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!
Image - Wookey Hole
Portishead High Street Christmas Lights (from 25 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 25 November from 5:40pm.
Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum (selected evenings between 29 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. Relaxed sessions are on 30 November, 7 December, and 12 December.
Image - Westonbirt Enchanted Christmas
Christmas Night Lights at Avon Valley Adventure Park (6 - 31 December)
Using their lake and trees as a wonderful backdrop, Avon Valley has collaborated with an award-winning lighting specialist to create their Christmas light trail.
Part of their Christmas Experience, 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. There's also an ice skating rink at the park until 5 January.
Image - Avon Valley Adventure Park
Christmas Garden Illuminations at The Bishop's Palace & Gardens (7 - 30 December)
Enjoy light displays, including a light maze and tunnel, set against the impressive backdrop of the historic Bishop's Palace and its gardens.
More ways to have a #MerryBristmas:
