'On Christmas Day, On Christmas Day' at Brunel's SS Great Britain

As part of this year's Christmas Adventures light trail, 'On Christmas Day, On Christmas Day' will be projected at Brunel's SS Great Britain

Scroll down for some fun facts about the song and for our special #MerryBristmas fact to get you in a festive mood!

Location

Located at one of Bristol’s top attractions, this illumination shines at Brunel’s SS Great Britain. The ship was the world’s first great ocean liner and brainchild of our most famous honorary Bristolian, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

You'll be able to see what it was like for the pioneering Victorian passengers who took those longs trips over to Australia. Will you travel first class or steerage? Or maybe you’d like to be a sailor? You can also learn how the boat was built in Bristol, returned ceremoniously in 1970 and restored to its former glory. This year, you can take a trip into a Victorian Christmas aboard the SS Great Britain. Stroll across the snowy dockyard, where you’ll meet 19^th century characters and explore the ship brought to life with seasonal sights, sounds and smells. The SS Great Britain is also welcoming Old Father Christmas on board, who will be festively adorned in his traditional green robes! 

Find out more about Christmas aboard Brunel's SS Great Britain here

Grab a warm beverage from their café and pick up a present in their gift shop to finish your visit.

Just around the corner you’ll find contemporary art gallery Spike Island. For fans of Banksy, The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum is also nearby, on the side of a building in Albion Docks.

There’s no better way to explore the city than on water. Hop on a Bristol Ferry Boat or tour the harbour with Bristol Packet Boat Trips. They pick up just outside of Brunel’s SS Great Britain.  

Song fact

The line 'On Christmas Day, On Christmas Day' comes from the English carol "I Saw Three Ships (Come Sailing In)." The tune of this carol is a traditional English folk song and the words (of which there are several versions) were written by wandering minstrels as they traveled through the country. In the original version of the carol, the Three Ships were the ones taking the supposed skulls of the wise men to Cologne cathedral in Germany.

However, since the Middle Ages, when it was first written, there have been many different lyrics with different Bible characters being on the ships. The most common lyrics used today are about Mary and Jesus traveling to Bethlehem, but there isn't a body of water between Nazareth and Bethlehem, although The Dead Sea is about 20 miles (32 km) away from Bethlehem, so perhaps they took a rather circuitous route on the donkey?

#MerryBristmas Fact 

Bristol is synymous with ships and has a rich (and sometimes complicated) maritime history. We've got a lot more than three for you to explore and spot. Perhaps our most famous ship is located right next to where you'll spot this illumination. Read more about Brunel's SS Great Britain above.

If you head along the harbour back towards the city centre from Brunel's SS Great Britain, you might fancy hopping aboard The Matthew, a replica of the ship John Cabot accidently sailed over to North America whilst trying to find Asia. She's usually moored outside the M Shed. Talking of the M Shed, three historic boats reside here as well The Pyronaut, John King and the Mayflower – the oldest steam tug in the world. Go to www.bristolmuseums.org.uk to find out more, including how you can book rides on them at certain times of the year.

Find out more about Maritime Bristol here

Boat Trips

For a cool way to get around, make like the locals and jump on one of the handy ferries that shuttle people to and fro across the Floating Harbour run by Bristol Ferry Boats and No 7 Boat Trips. You can also take a longer journey under Clifton Suspension Bridge on an Avon Gorge Cruise or enjoy a leisurely float along the River Avon to beautiful Beese's Bar & Tea Gardens with Bristol Ferry Boats, Bristol Packet Boat Trips and No 7 Boat Trips. All of the above, plus Avon River Cruises, also offer private hire.

Find out more about Boat Trips here

Other Christmas Adventures illuminations nearby:

• 'Chestnuts roasting on an open fire' at Hargreaves Lansdown, Anchor Road
• 'Five gold rings' at Arnolfini
• 'Merry Christmas ya filthy animal!' at King William Ale House, King Street

Please make sure that you adhere to government covid-safety guidance when visiting the Christmas Adventures illuminations. 

- Find out more about all the Christmas Adventures illuminations throughout Bristol city centre

- Find out what else is going on this Christmas in Bristol

- Listen to the Spotify playlist

The project is part of Bristol City Centre BID’s #LoveBristol campaign which promotes the recovery of the city, bringing together 100s of businesses to help create the festive trail. New to this year is the partnership with Redcliffe and Temple BID, adding many new and iconic locations to the attraction.

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