8 min readHe's making a list, he's checking it twice; he's gonna find out who's naughty or nice, Santa Claus is coming to Bristol. Here are all the places you can meet the jolly old man in red…#MerryBristmas!
Jump on board First Bus to explore festive events across the city, and if you're coming from out of town, find out why you should experience Bristol by train with GWR.
Victorian Christmas Weekends at Brunel's SS Great Britain (7 - 8 December)
Step into a very festive Victorian Christmas at Brunel’s SS Great Britain where you can meet a cast of historic characters, including ‘Old Father Christmas’ in Victorian green robes. Stop him for a story about the era’s Christmas traditions or ask why he’s green!
Image - Brunel's SS Great Britain, credit Adam Gasson
Winter Wonderland at Wookey Hole (23 November – 24 December)
Experience the magnificent caves of Wookey Hole illuminated with Christmas characters. Visit Santa in his Grotto and receive a present from his elves. Other festivities include a Christmas circus show about naughty elves and Christmas film in the 4D cinema.
Image - Wookey Hole
Visit Father Christmas at Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park (1 December - 1 January)
Included in the price of your ticket to Avon Valley this Christmas is a spectacular range of festive events! Visit Santa in his beautifully decorated wooden cabin, where you can get a photo taken, and collect a 'golden ticket' to take to the toy factory! There's also the chance to get up close with his reindeer, meet Mrs Claus and help her decorate some gingerbread cookies. Don't forget to send a letter to Santa with the Avon Valley SMS (Santa Messaging Service)!
While you're there, wander around the Magical Forest, watch the new Grinch Show, skate around the ice rink, explore a beautiful light trail and ride the Polar Express miniature train! There are also the usual activities such as the playbarn, adventure play and farm animals to meet.
Image - Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park
Santa-tainment at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway (29 November - 31 December)
Head to Cribbs Causeway for a range of free Christmas activities, including the Santa and The Festive Elves Show and the chance to join Santa for gentle mornings of story-filled festive fun.
Image - Santa show at The Mall Cribbs Causeway
Father Christmas Grotto at Cheddar Gorge & Caves (until 24 December)
Father Christmas will be stopping off at Gough’s Cave on selecte dates throughout the festive period to ensure everything is running smoothly at the elves' secret workshop. Anyone with a Cheddar Gorge & Caves Day Ticket can explore Father Christmas' South West Workshop in Gough’s Cave, and families can also pre-book a separate ticket for a Father Christmas Grotto session on selected dates.
The Father Christmas Experience at Ashton Court Mansion (28 November – 23 December)
Professional actors will lead you on an interactive experience through the Victorian manor house at Ashton Court Estate, starting in the Great Hall and ending with a meet and greet with Father Christmas.
Santa Specials on the Avon Valley Railway (selected dates 30 November - 24 December)
Nibble mince pies or festive biscuits from Santa’s helpers as you pass through beautiful Avon Valley countryside during an hour-long journey in a vintage train carriage on the Avon Valley Railway. Santa will be waiting with presents upon your return to Bitton station in the form of a reindeer-themed plush toy, and the Christmas donkeys will also be returning again too!
Image - Avon Valley Railway
Meet Father Christmas at Newark Park (selected dates 30 November - 15 December)
Father Christmas will be stopping off at National Trust property Newark Park on weekends in December, book a visit to his cosy grotto in the Drawing Room for a chat and a small gift.
Almondsbury Christmas Grotto (30 November - 24 December)
Open every weekend up until Christmas, kids can explore the maze of passages and chambers while being guided by Santa's elves, all leading to his secret workshop. Pass through the Naughty or Nice scanner and settle down for story time with the elves before meeting Father Christmas and receiving a gift.
Santa’s Grotto at the Grand Pier (selected dates 30 November - 15 December)
Step inside the new Enchanted Elevator and take a trip to Santa's Grotto at Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier, a quarter of a mile out to sea! You can expect a warm welcome from Santa, followed by some story time and a photo to take home with you, as well as a special gift! If you're looking for an alternative festive experience, The Grinch will also be hosting his own grotto on the weekends of 14 -15 and 21 - 22 December!
Image - Santa at The Grand Pier
Avon Winterland (1 December)
As well as Santa's Grotto, this community event will also feature horse rides, horse simulator sessions, arts and crafts activities and market stalls.
Christmas at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm (1 - 22 December)
Step into Santa's cosy library on selected weekends in December, where children can share their holiday wishes and take a photo with Santa before receiving a special gift to take home. If you miss a booking to meet Santa, you can still catch him spreading Christmas cheer around the zoo and in his festive storytelling sessions.
Breakfast with Santa at Radisson Blu (1, 15, 22 December)
Tuck into a tasty breakfast and seasonal treats, meet Santa Claus, join in with holiday crafts and capture a special photo to remember the day.
Santa's Grotto at The Wave (selected dates 7 - 24 December)
Dive into festive spirit at The Wave. Book a visit to Santa's Grotto to get a gift and photo with the big man himself. You can then head to the on-site cafe to grab a warming drink and watch the surfers in action at this inland surfing lake!
Sail with Santa on Bristol Ferry (selected dates 7 - 23 December)
Search for Father Christmas with the Ferry Elves on their cosy boat (complete with Christmas tree!). Once found, Bristol Ferry's charming Father Christmas will entertain, dole out individual gifts for the kiddywinks, mince pies and sherry for the adults while you cruise around the harbour.
Image - Bristol Ferry
Christmas Fun Day at The Helicopter Museum (8 December)
See Santa arrive by helicopter! You can then meet him and his elves in his grotto and sit in his famous sleigh before exploring the other exhibits at the museum.
Breakfast with Santa at The Granary (8 December)
Enjoy a seat at the table with Mr Claus & his elves at The Granary and a menu of pastries and a Full English breakfast, plus Christmas crackers, a festive singalong and a gift for each child.
Brunch with Santa at Clifton Observatory (8, 15, 21, 23 December)
Enjoy a scrumptious brunch buffet at Clifton Observatory, including fresh fruit, waffles, pancakes and a range of toppings, as well as juice, chocolate milk, or hot chocolate (and Mimosas for grown-ups!). Tickets include brunch, a gift from Santa for the kids, and access to the Clifton Observatory attractions.
Breakfast with Santa at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre (14, 15, 21, 22, 23 December)
Meet Santa and receive a gift in his grotto, before enjoying a full English breakfast in Slimbridge Wetland Centre's Kingfisher Kitchen, which will be decked out for the holidays. You can then spend the full day out in Slimbridge's wetland wonderlands, take part in some Christmas crafts and even send a letter to the North Pole in the Slimbridge post office.
Image - WWT Slimbridge
Santa Sunday lunch at De Vere Tortworth Court (15 & 22 December)
Enjoy a three-course festive lunch with coffee and mince pies, plus entertainment from a magician, followed by a visit from Santa with a gift for each child. Tortworth Court is also offering a Festive Afternoon Tea throughout December, including a special family edition on Saturday 14 December, where you can expect to see some appearances from much-loved characters...
Santa's Grotto at Old Down Estate (20 - 24 December)
Meet Santa in his beautifully decorated Grotto, where all children will receive a present, and there's the chance to post for a family photograph with Santa. Full-day entry to the Country Park is included in your ticket.
Children's Festive Afternoon Tea at Brean Country Club (21 - 23 December)
Santa will be making a special appearance on selected dates in December to give children a free gift after they've tucked into a festive selection of savoury and sweet treats.
Brailsford Christmas Lights (24 December)
Come and see Father Christmas from 4-6pm before he sets off on his busy schedule. Grab a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy the festive lights show with the snow machine.
More ways to have a #MerryBristmas:
