Please note that this blog was published before the Government's latest announcement on 23 December 2020. Please check directly with the business for updates.
Don't just sit around eating turkey sandwiches – banish the lull between Christmas and New Year and find fun Twixmas holiday activities in Bristol.
Swing by Brunel’s SS Great Britain
Take in the sights and sounds of a Victorian Christmas, explore the ship and museums, dine in the harbourside café and meet Mr Brunel at the SS Great Britain, which reopens from Boxing Day. While you're there, check out the outdoor photography exhibition in Brunel Square, which tells the story of how the iconic ship went from beached wreck to Bristol landmark.
Image - Brunel's SS Great Britain
Meet the latest arrival at Bristol Zoo Gardens
A baby western lowland gorilla has been born at Bristol Zoo Gardens, the second in less than 6 months! The animal houses at Bristol Zoo are closed while Bristol is in Tier 3, however the outdoor areas are open for you to explore, so you may still catch a glimpse of the babies on Gorilla Island!
We have another new arrival! 🦍
— Bristol Zoo Gardens (@BristolZooGdns) December 23, 2020
A baby gorilla has been born here at the Zoo, the second in less than 6 months.
The tiny western lowland gorilla arrived in the early hours of Tuesday 22 December in the Gorilla House at the heart of the Zoo.❤️
Read more:https://t.co/7HzfQHgKAI pic.twitter.com/jcSbL7ZMF8
Meet the animals on a winter wander at Wild Place Project
Get your wellies on and head to Wild Place Project, where you can find out which animals were native to Britain's ancient forests in Bear Wood, go giraffe and zebra spotting and even see some reindeer!
Image - Bear Wood at Wild Place Project
Watch a show from your living room
If you're missing your annual festive theatre trip then settle in for the next best thing – brilliant shows streamed to your living room. Those from the Bristol Old Vic team include a smash-hit adaptation of A Christmas Carol, a powerful dramatisation of Handel's Messiah and two-man musical comedy Living Spit's Beauty and the Beast. Rent these individually or order a Bristol Old Vic At Home Season Pass for access to all of them plus a selection of other productions for just £12.99.
Meanwhile, Clifton's Redgrave Theatre has 'the pantomime you've been dreaming of streaming', with their exclusive screening of Sleeping Beauty.
Image - Geraint Lewis, A Christmas Carol at Bristol Old Vic
Peter Rabbit's Winter Adventure at Tyntesfield
Lend a hand to some of Beatrix Potter's much-loved characters on this trail for mini adventurers, made up of nature-themed challenges around the stunning Tyntesfield grounds. Bear in mind there's a limited stock of trail supplies and pre-booking is recommended.
Image - Tyntesfield
Visit a winter wonder wetland at WWT Slimbridge
Experience the restorative power of nature and the beauty of the coldest season at WWT Slimbridge, which is packed with winter wetland wildlife. Wrap up warm and remember your binoculars!
Image - Nigel Snell / WWT
Go on a twinkly-lit adventure
'Tis the season for ooh-ing and ahh-ing at pretty lights. Search out a sparkling selection of those in and around Bristol with help from our Christmas light trails and walks blog post. In there you'll find details of Longleat's Land of Light and Sudeley Castle's Spectacle of Light as well as charity displays and the best lit corners of the city.
Don't miss the Bristol ADVENTures illuminations. Famous festive phrases have been projected in different locations around the city, with most of them staying switched on until 28 December. Use the #BristolADVENTure hashtag on social to let us know which you spot.
Image - Spectacle of Light, Sudeley Castle
Shop the sales
Bag a bargain in the post-Christmas sales. You’re sure to pick up a steal in Bristol Shopping Quarter, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Park Street, Gloucester Road or Clifton Village.
Eat more festive treats
You surely can’t have had your fill of festive food yet, so top up your quota of Yuletide goodies with a delivery of Cargo Cantina's specials: chorizo pigs in blankets, sprout and turnip tacos, and quince and mezcal mince pies. A few glasses of Brozen Bar's gluhwein cosmo should go nicely with those!
And then walk them off
Getting outside and active is the best remedy for Christmas over-indulgence and fuzzy heads. Resist the urge to hibernate with one of these invigorating wintry walks around Bristol.
Chill out with a spa treatment
Unwind after the stress of 2020 with a treatment at one of Bristol’s blissful spas.
Image - Bristol Harbour Hotel & Spa
You might also like:
- Festive #FoodFriday recipes like mulled apple and damson cocktails and riciarreli biscuits
- 'Bristol from Home' activities
- Instagram picks: Festive Bristol