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Grab 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.
Remember to tag us in your photos and videos on Instagram and TikTok, and include #MerryBristmas in your posts!
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, find out why you should experience Bristol by train with GWR.
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 8 November from 6pm.
Image: Clifton Village at Christmas
Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum (selected evenings between 24 November - 23 December)
Discover the trees of Westonbirt Arboretum in a whole new light along this wonderous illuminated trail throughout December. See the trees lit up as you wander through the glades and take in the spectacular sights. Relaxed sessions are on 25 November and Saturday 2 December.
Image: Westonbirt Enchanted Christmas
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
Festive Illumination Trail at Old Down Estate (26 November – 24 December)
Be guided through the fairy garden to the front of the charming Manor house, all beautifully lit for Old Down Estate's first ever illumination trail. ‘Sensitive Sessions’ will take place on Monday evenings.
These events will feature reduced noise and fewer tickets will be offered for these sessions. Dogs on leads are welcome to this event.
Image - Old Down Estate
Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle & Gardens (selected dates from 25 November - 30 December)
Head to the stunning Sudeley Castle & Gardens for their dazzling illuminated trail, this year’s trail will have a wonderful Wizard of Oz 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
Christmas Nights at Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park (selected dates throughout 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 Nights celebrations, you can also make the most of festive photo opportunities in the Enchanted Village, ride the Polar Express Miniature Steam Train and fill up on festive food and drink.
Image - Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park
Evolution 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: Evolution drone show
Lumosphere: Winter Illumination Experience (9 - 10 and 16 - 27 December)
A winter illumination walk like you've never experienced before, with different themes of fluid, sharp, soft, spectrum, and microbiology, all made fully immersive with lights, textures, scents, soundscapes and videoscapes.
Image: Lumosphere
Portishead High Street Christmas Lights (from 27 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 27 November from 6:15pm.
Image: Portishead Christmas Lights - credit benmphoto
Brailsford Christmas Lights (1 December - 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. Head here for all the information about the Brailsford Lights, and how to find them.
Image: Brailsford Christmas Lights
Shine Bright for Bristol's Children's Hospital
Bristol Children’s Hospital dedicated charity, The Grand Appeal, is encouraging people to Shine Bright for Bristol Children's Hospital and turn their windows or gardens into a winter wonderland from 1 November – 31 December. You can mark your display on their interactive map for people to visit. The Grand Appeal will also be projecting festive displays onto the hospital building from 30 November – 31 December as part of their ‘Light Up Bristol Children's Hospital’ campaign.
More ways to have a #MerryBristmas:
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