Create your new Christmas tradition in Bristol. From the famous Christmas markets, to breathtaking Christmas light trails, ice skating and spectacular festive theatre shows, Bristol is brimming with exciting events this Christmas.
Children under 16 can travel for free across on buses across Bristol and the surrounding area throughout the Christmas school holidays. Plan your journey with TravelWest or First Bus.
Book a GWR Family Ticket in advance for reduced fares. If you are travelling in a group of between 3 and 9 adults, you can get a 1/3 off Standard Off-Peak tickets when travelling together with the GroupSave ticket. Don’t forget, Children aged 5-15 get a 50% discount on most tickets and under 5s travel free!
Get into the festive spirit at the Bristol Christmas Market (6 November - 23 December), where you’ll find traditional wooden chalets, artisan gifts, handmade crafts, and delicious seasonal food. Some of the other largest Christmas markets and fairs in the city include the Made in Bristol Gift Fair (28 November, 6 & 12 December), the Winter Fair at Estate of the Arts (3 - 6 December), and Windmill Hill Festive Gift Fair (28 November, 5 December).
Head to Bristol on Ice (28 November - 27 December) in the Harbourside Amphitheatre for a huge ice rink, as well as food stalls, fairground rides, bars and live music.
Wander through our miles of Christmas markets, with stalls and pop-ups spread across the city centre and beyond. Sip on mulled wine, enjoy live music, and soak up the joyful atmosphere.
Discover some of the most spectacular Christmas light trails in and around Bristol this winter.
Brand new for 2026, Wild Lights at Bristol Zoo Project is a new winter lights trail with surprises at every turn, or head to Seat Unique Stadium for the impressive new drone show for 2026: Sky Kingdom, which will see hundreds of illuminated drones take to the skies, creating giant dragons, soaring kingdoms and magical fantasy worlds.
Explore the Winter Wonderland at Wookey Hole, with caves illuminated by 100,000 fairy lights, or head to Westonbirt Arboretum to stroll through their illuminated light trail, featuring a series of dazzling new illuminated artworks among the trees.
The legendary Festival of Light is back at Longleat from November to January, featuring large-scale lanterns and enchanting scenes. You can also see breathtaking festive Christmas lights and seasonal displays perfect for families at Old Down Country Park, Avon Valley Adventure Park and Sudeley Castle.
There’s no better way to celebrate Christmas events in Bristol than with an evening at the theatre surrounded by glitter, laughter, and holiday spirit.
Classic pantomimes and dazzling productions bring laughter and magic to audiences of all ages. Book a ticket to Sleeping Beauty at Bristol Hippodrome, or Dick Whittington at The Redgrave Theatre.
Enjoy more traditional tales in A Christmas Carol at Tobacco Factory Theatres or Cinderella: A Fairytale at Bristol Old Vic. You'll also find a range of family shows, cabaret and live music at The Spiegeltent throughout the holiday season.
Some of the season's top festive family theatre shows include The Snowy Day at Bristol Old Vic, Little Snowy Hare at Tobacco Factory Theatres, Where Did The Snow Go? at The Wardrobe Theatre and The Nutcracker & The Mouse King at Windmill Hill City Farm.
The City Farm Cafe in Bedminster will be screening family-friendly films for FREE every weekday afternoon at 3:45pm, including some festive favourites.
Don't forget to check what's coming up at Bristol Cathedral and St Mary Redcliffe for their Advent and Christmas programmes, from carol concerts to nativity processions.
Festive workshops and classes
Book onto Christmas tree decoration workshops at Studio Pachira or Christmas bauble workshops at Silver & Steel, both in Bedminster, or wreath making workshops at Bristol Floral Design in Clifton.
There's also a range of festive cookery and baking classes at Cooking It! on Gloucester Road, including classes for children, gingerbread making and more.
Plan your perfect Christmas in Bristol
Looking for more ideas to fill the Christmas holidays? Take a look at our list of family-friendly things to do in and around Bristol.
Discover more inspiration, festive ideas, and blogs on our Christmas in Bristol page.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Christmas markets in Bristol?
The largest Christmas market is Bristol Christmas Market, which has 40+ stalls in Broadmead and is open from 6 November until 23 December. You can also browse stalls from over 200 local makers and artists at the Made in Bristol Gift Fair at Bristol Beacon on Saturday 28 November, Sunday 6 December and Saturday 12 December.
Where is there a Santa's Grotto, or a chance to meet Father Christmas?
This year you will find a Christmas Grotto at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery and Redcliffe Caves in Central Bristol, or outside the city centre, Santa will be in his grotto at Avon Valley Adventure Park, Wookey Hole, Cheddar Gorge & Caves, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, and even on a steam train at Avon Valley Railway!
What can I do in Bristol on Christmas Eve?
Many of Bristol's top attractions are open on Christmas Eve, including M Shed, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Bristol Dockyards, Wake The Tiger and Bristol Aquarium, but may close early, so please check their websites for the latest opening hours. Book a ticket to Bristol on Ice or visit festive light trails Luminate Bristol at Ashton Court Estate, The Festival of Light at Longleat, and Christmas at Westonbirt. Top family days out on Christmas Eve are Winter Wonderland at Wookey Hole and the Christmas Experience at Avon Valley Adventure Park.
Christmas Eve is also a great time to watch a festive theatre show, from Sleeping Beauty at Bristol Hippodrome and Dick Whittington at Redgrave Theatre, to A Christmas Carol at Tobacco Factory Theatres, Cinderella: A Fairytale at Bristol Old Vic and Goldilock, Stock & Three Smoking Bears at The Wardrobe Theatre. The Midnight Mass at Bristol Cathedral on Christmas Eve is also very popular with locals and visitors alike.
What is open to visit on Boxing Day in Bristol?
Bristol Aquarium and Bristol Zoo Project are both open on Boxing Day, as is Bristol on Ice. Please check the relevant attraction websites for the latest updates.
What are the best Christmassy activities for families in Bristol?
The most popular festive family days out in Central Bristol are the pantomime shows at Bristol Hippodrome and Redgrave Theatre, as well as the Christmas activities at Bristol Dockyards, Wake The Tiger, We The Curious and Bristol Aquarium. You can also go ice skating at Bristol on Ice, or meet Father Christmas on a steam train at Avon Valley Railway.
Are there any free Christmas events in Bristol?
Bristol Christmas Market is free to enter, as is the Made in Bristol Gift Fair, and many other Christmas markets at Windmill Hill City Farm, Arnos Vale Cemetery and Estate of the Arts. Bristol Cathedral, St Mary Redcliffe Church and John Wesley's New Room all have an extensive programme of free events throughout Advent and the Christmas period. Or you can also take a self-guided tour of Bristol's Christmas lights across the city centre.
