8 min readDon't just sit around eating turkey sandwiches – banish the lull between Christmas and New Year and find fun Twixmas holiday activities in Bristol.
Explore new trails aboard Brunel’s SS Great Britain
Step back in time and explore the historic dockyard and ship, which reopens on 27 December and is open daily up to and including New Year's Day.
Follow their sensory trail to look, touch, listen or smell around the site, or become a Victorian plant hunter with the Botany Sticker Trail, learning more about plants that are being taken to Australia. There are also over 1,400 fascinating objects across two museums at Brunel's SS Great Britain, plus the cabins and saloons on the ship itself, and the Dry Dock where you can get up close to the ship's hull under the glass sea.
Image - Brunel's SS Great Britain
Experience RETRO-MEGA-MAS at Wake The Tiger
Have a nostalgic day out at Wake The Tiger, exploring their new installations of giant Rubik's Cubes, '80s slush makers and toy cars. Look out for the singing retro-bots, who will serenade you with acapella renditions of holiday classics! The Amazement Park is open every day from 27 December until New Year's Eve.
Image - Wake The Tiger
Go Shaun the Sheep safari at Bristol Zoo Project
See if you can find all twelve Shaun the Sheep sculptures at locations throughout Bristol Zoo Project. You can also say hello to Santa’s reindeers after they’ve done their Christmas Day duties, and see animals including wolves, lynxes, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs and meerkats. See what other creatures you can spot in their festive woodland across the 50-acre site, which is open 10am-4pm every day from Boxing Day, with last entry at 3pm.
Image - Bristol Zoo Project
Learn some Fishmas facts at Bristol Aquarium
Head down to Bristol Aquarium for some festive fun, including special talks and creative activities - they're open every day from Boxing Day into the new year.
Image - Bristol Aquarium
Meet Paddington at Wookey Hole
Head to Wookey Hole this Twixmas for a range of family adventures. From 27 December to 5 January, Paddington will be making daily special guest appearances at intervals after the Witch’s Christmas Circus Show (shows are at 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm).
Wookey Hole Caves will be illuminated with 100,000 fairy lights, and there will also be a special Christmas movie in the 4D Cinema, adventure golf, soft play and more.
Get out of the cold at Bristol's marvellous museums
Find out about the incredible story of Bristol’s aviation achievements and step aboard Concorde at Aerospace Bristol, which will be open daily from the 27 December and into the new year.
We The Curious will be open from 27 December into the new year, closing only on 30 December. Explore over 200 intriguing things to do, including festive Planetarium show ‘What Santa Sees’ from 4:30pm.
Most of Bristol's museums, galleries and venues reopen from 27 December, but please check the relevant websites or social media before visiting for the latest information.
Image - Planetarium show at We The Curious
See a festive show
If you're still hoping to catch a panto, there are performances of Goldilocks and The Three Bears at Bristol Hippodrome and Jack and the Beanstalk at The Redgrave Theatre up to and including 5 January. You can also see performances of The Snow Baby at The Wardrobe Theatre until 30 December, or Hansel & Gretel at Tobacco Factory Theatres until 12 January.
Image - Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Bristol Hippodrome
Feast on winter treats
Enjoy some festive tipples at the Après ski bar at Vintage Winter Wonderland in Millennium Square (open until 2 January), fill up on hearty stodge from food stalls at Bristol Christmas Village in Castle Park (open until 3 January), indulge in a festive afternoon tea, or try one of the festive set menus at Bristol's independent restaurants.
Image - Festive afternoon tea at Harvey Nichols
Go on a winter walk
Resist the urge to hibernate and stretch your legs with one of our winter walks around Bristol, or explore somewhere you’ve never been before and explore one of the lesser-known walks around Bristol.
Ashton Court Estate has red deer and fallow deer in its grounds – see if you can spot Santa’s reindeers resting up after a busy Christmas!
Explore the Tyntesfield estate on the outskirts of Bristol, which is open from Boxing Day into the new year. There's a Reindeer Trail until 31 December, plus the grandest Christmas tree in front of the house. Wander around the festive trail at Dyrham Park, where you can also explore 270 acres of parkland (only closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), warm up in their cafe, or kids can run off some energy in the play area.
Image - Tyntesfield
Celebrate New Year's Eve in style
While the city doesn't have a main New Year firework display, you've still got plenty of choice for celebrating, whether it’s a black tie party, live music gigs, dancing or decadent dinner you’re after. Join an all-inclusive NYE party at Racks, a New Year’s Eve House Party at Bristol Old Vic, a '90s Neon Glow Party at Bambalan, or a Mad Hatters Masquerade Ball at The Grand Pier!
Image - The Canteen
Explore a winter wonder wetland at WWT Slimbridge
Experience the restorative power of nature and the beauty of the winter at WWT Slimbridge, which is packed with winter wetland wildlife. Wrap up warm and remember your binoculars! The site is open every day except Christmas Day.
Image - Nigel Snell / WWT
Explore a dazzling light trail
'Tis the season for ooh-ing and ahh-ing at pretty lights, from the Festival of Light at Longleat (until 5 January), to the spectacular Christmas illuminations at Westonbirt Arboretum (until 31 December) or Christmas Night Lights Trail at Avon Valley (until 31 December). Or, head north of the city to be dazzled by the lights and characters at Sudeley Castle's Spectacle of Light (until 30 December).
Image - Festival of Light at Longleat
Get your skates on
Take a trip to one of Bristol's local ice rinks at Avon Valley Adventure Park or Icescape in Weston-super Mare. Both are open daily until the new year, excluding Christmas Day.
Image - Ice skating at Avon Valley
If you're more in the mood for sliding than skating, book one of the Twilight Tobogganing sessions at Mendip Activity Centre, where you can whizz down the outdoor slope, lit by colourful fairy lights and lasers, with snow from a real snow machine! Festive sessions are available until 5 January, before things switch up for Disco Tobogganing from 13 January!
Image - Twilight Tobogganing at Mendip Activity Centre
Release your competitive side
Compete with friends and family with a game of bowling or ice curling at Roxy Lanes, darts at Flight Club, pool at Allstars Sports Bar, cricket at Sixes, or crazy golf at Par 59 and Treetop Golf.
Image - Treetop Golf in Cabot Circus
Shop the sales
Bag a bargain in the post-Christmas sales. You’re sure to pick up a steal at Bristol Shopping Quarter, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Park Street, Gloucester Road or Clifton Village.
Image - Wapping Wharf
Try something new
End your year with a memorable experience, whether it's a graffiti workshop or a walking tour of the historic St Nicholas Market.
Book a surfing lesson at inland surfing lake The Wave, or practice your balance on a paddleboard with SUP Bristol.
There's also a wealth of local experiences to choose from on Yuup over the Twixmas period, from massages and spa days through to chocolate workshops, rum tasting and jewellery making.
Image - Grafitti workshop. Credit: Yuup
Chill out with a spa treatment
Unwind after the stresses of 2024 with a treatment at one of Bristol’s blissful spas.
The Taste of Winter Experience at Aztec Hotel & Spa starts at £125 includes three hours of relaxation in the pool and thermal experiences, a Caudalie facial and a soothing shoulder, neck, and scalp massage, plus a 2-course lunch, a hot chocolate flight and a Caudalie gift set.
Use the pool and spa facilities (outdoor hot tub, sauna and steam room) at Bristol Lido followed by a two-course lunch or dinner in the poolside restaurant, with Swim & Dine packages from £50.
Image - Aztec Hotel & Spa
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