Winter Wonderland in Bristol
With the Christmas festivities fast approaching, it won't be long before our favourite Christmas carols are playing everywhere we go. The streets and shops undergo their Christmas transformation and so return to that familiar hive of activity that we all know and love at this time of year.
The Christmas season is always a great time to get together with friends and family, a chance to spend some quality time together soaking up the atmosphere on offer at great places like Winter Wonderland in Bristol, as these events are only around for a limited period of time.
What is West Country Games?
West Country Games embraces all the stereotypes of the West Country in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.
If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?
Bristol Winter Wonderland Events Guide
Most major cities will host a Winter Wonderland and offer a wide range of festive events aimed at catering for all types of groups, so whether your looking to spend a special time with family or have fun with friends there is usually something to suit everyone.
Knowing what events are on in your local area, is a great way to plan a fantastic day out and ensure you and your group make the most of what Bristol Winter Wonderland has to offer, allowing you to select the activities that best suit your group
Clifton Christmas Lights Switch on - Mall Gardens
For a great start to Bristol Winter Wonderland events, the Clifton Christmas Lights
switch-on makes an early start to the festive celebrations.
This year, the organisers are keeping the VIP secret until the day so you won't know until you see them pressing the button to light up the 50ft Christmas tree and Christmas street lights in and around the Mall Gardens. This fantastic setting is surrounded by iconic Clifton Townhouses and looks stunning when its all lit up.
Check out the independent traders in Clifton Village that will be open for late night shopping and make a start on that Christmas list!
Christmas Carols start at 6pm and there are plenty of places selling steaming cups of mulled wine, hot chocolate to wash down your first mince pie of the season.
Why not head on to the after-party events at Coppa Club and enjoy a few festive drinks bathe in the Christimassy atmosphere?
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Wednesday 12th November 2025 - 6:30 pm
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The Mall Gardens, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4BH
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Free
Bristol Christmas Village
Bristol's Castle Park is home to the spectacular Bristol Christmas Village . Enjoy funfair rides, curling, a Christmas Escape Room and plenty of food and drink stalls.
Suitable for families or that office Christmas party!
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28th November - 27th December 2025 (closed on Christmas Day)
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Castle Park, Broad Weir, Bristol BS1 3XB
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Fees for Activities
Bristol Christmas Market - Broadmead
In the heart of Bristol City Centre and home to over 50 unique stalls, Bristol Christmas Market is perfect for seeking out that special Christmas gift.
A diverse array of traders selling seasonal delights is only a part of what is on offer, with entertainment, Santa and his reindeer, live music in the Jager Barn Bar, igloos, and gondolas (booking required) it's more like an extension of Bristol Winter Wonderland.
All of this sits beneath glittering Christmas trees, sparkling lights, and festive decorations, so if you are looking to feel the festive spirit and soak up the Bristol Winter Wonderland atmosphere this is a good place to visit.
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7th November - 23rd December 2025
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Bristol Shopping Quarter 69 Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3DX
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Free!
Victorian Christmas Weekends - Brunel's SS Great Britain
A great opportunity to step back in time and experience a festive life at sea, jump aboard the SS Great Britain and discover a whole collection of characters including Old Father Christmas in his traditional green robes. Take a perch and listen to his tales of Christmasses gone past and what life was like on board the ship in festive times of yore.
Enjoy seasonal carols, sung by a fantastic choir, or slip beneath the ship to experience a spell binding immersive light show.
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6th - 23rd December 2025
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Brunel's SS Great Britain, Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol, BS1 6TY
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From £19.00 per adult
Festival of Lights - Longleat
Longleat Festival of Light is the UK's original lantern festival and this year the theme is British Icons.
Marvel at a massive Wallace and Gromit, a huge London Tower Bridge and Wiltshire's very own Blackpool illuminations!
Enjoy hundreds of lights all set over 30 acres of Capability Brown's landscaped gardens, 15 metres of enchanted Christmas trees, and Santa's train, plus much much more.
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8th November 2025 - 11th January 2026
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Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW
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From £34.95 per adult
Swan Lake - Redgrave Theatre
There is no better time to go to the theatre than Christmas, so a trip to Redgrave Theatre is just perfect.
There could be no more show more beautiful than Swan Lake and Crown Ballet certainly puts on an incredible performance.
Full of magic and surprise, music and dance, allow yourself to be transported to a fantastic world where anything can happen.
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1st November 2025
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Redgrave Theatre, Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE
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From £35.60pp
Planet Ice Presents Dick Whittington
Experience this magical creation of the family classic tale Dick Whittington, new for Christmas 2025. You may have been to the panto and seen this show in the theatre but have you ever seen this spectacle on ice!?
Head over to Planet Ice to enjoy this special show.
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27th November 2025
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Planet Ice Bristol, Merlin Rd, Cribbs Causeway, Patchway, Bristol BS10 7SR
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£14.50
Made in Bristol Christmas Fair at Bristol Beacon
For its 17th year, Bristol Beacon throws open the doors of its iconic building, for three fantastic weekends of shopping with a local difference.
With over 200 stalls spread over 6 floors, finding that bespoke gift will not be a problem here, Bristol's finest designers come together and create a wonderful buzz for shoppers to enjoy at their leisure.
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22nd November - 14th December 2025
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Bristol Beacon, Bristol, BS1 5AR
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Free!
Planning Your Winter Wonderland Trip
With so many fantastic events on offer as part of Bristol Winter Wonderland, this article is only really the tip of the snowman! The important thing at this time of year is not just about the gifts, it's more important to spend quality time with people doing the things you enjoy.
Making memories together and showing people how much they mean to you is priceless and can cost as little as a coffee.
