This year seems to have flown by. The clocks have gone back which means it’s time for apple bobbing, fireworks and festive fun. Here’s our pick of Bristol events this autumn and winter.
We’re checking out some of the great things to do as part of the Visit Bristol #MerryBristmas campaign. Follow our Instagram Story Highlights for all our adventures.
Bristol Film Festival, November & December
We love the Bristol Film Festival and have been following it since it started; in fact, our daughter was the introductory voice for spooky screenings in Bristol’s Redcliffe Caves a few years ago!
The festival specialises in showing movie classics in unusual venues and this autumn and winter, there’ are some absolute corkers! They include:
- Elf, Passenger Shed, 22 December
- The Greatest Showman Singalong, Passenger Shed 22 December
- The NeverEnding Story, Bristol Museum, 29 December
Spooky times in the Redcliffe Caves for a screening of Beetlejuice. Back for more later with Shaun of the Dead @BriFF_Bristol #Bristol pic.twitter.com/TptnLWiS9u
— Nina🇫🇷 & Dan🇬🇧 in #Bristol (@LStyleDistrict) October 29, 2016
BUMP Roller Disco, 15 November – 5 January
There’s no ice drink in Millennium Square but there is a roller disco! The lower-energy alternative is suitable for all ages including special ‘Skate with Santa’ sessions. The BUMP Roller Disco is also accompanied by the return of the Apres Ski bar with food, drink, live music and DJs.
Our review of #ChristmasCarol at @BristolOldVic is in and it’s a very festive ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ https://t.co/pAqX4UtPiD
No bah humbugs from us! 🎄
📸 @geraintlewispic #MerryBristmas #Bristol pic.twitter.com/XRfjtCu7qZ
— Nina🇫🇷 & Dan🇬🇧 in #Bristol (@LStyleDistrict) December 10, 2018
A Christmas Carol, Bristol Old Vic, 29 November – 12 January
After a record-breaking run last year, this brilliant adaptation of Charles Dickens’ timeless tale, A Christmas Carol, is back for this year’s festive season.
We loved it last year (read our five-star review here) and loved it this year too! Read our 2019 review here.
Bristol Shopping Quarter Christmas Market, 8 November – 23 December
It’s a family tradition of ours to head down to the Christmas market in Broadmead for a glass of gluehwein. It’s back this year with over 50 stalls plus visits from Santa and the chance to play curling.
The Harbourside Christmas Market, weekends from 23 November – 22 December
The popular market returns over five weekends this festive season. There are 50 stalls jam-packed with handmade and creative gifts from Bristol makers but mulled and music.
A Very Victorian Christmas, National Trust, Tyntesfield, 23 November – 5 January
The spectacular Victorian gothic house and gardens is one of our favourite places to visit. This festive season, the host will be transformed into a Victorian winter celebration and with longer open hours in December, there’s even more time to enjoy the magic of a 19th century Christmas!
Enchanted Christmas, Westonbirt Arboretum, selected dates from 29 November – 22 December
Take a journey along the illuminated trail and discover a magical world of interactive displays amongst the trees.
Festive Night Market, St Nicholas Market, 6 December
The 276-year-old market will be open for a special evening event featuring street food, mulled cider, a light show, carols, late night shopping, dancing and more. It takes place on St Nicholas Day itself.
Sheelanagig Xmas Party, Fiddlers, 7 December
Sheelanagig is awesome. We’ve seen the band lots of times including at this year’s Bristol Harbour Festival and they always deliver with their exhilarating folky mayhem! A Christmas party with Bristol’s favourite Balkan trio sounds brilliant!
Etsy Made Local Christmas Market, City Hall, 1 December
Lifestyle District’s very own Nina Allwood will be selling her Bristol in a Box handmade wooden lightboxes at this event so pop along for some Christmas shopping. The market is jam-packed with local Bristol handmade businesses to selling unique festive gifts.
Dick Whittington, Bristol Hippodrome, 7 December – 5 January
We love a good panto and had a great time with Gok Wan and Brian Conley at Cinderella last year. The Hippodrome’s festival extravaganza for this year is Dick Whittington with Eastenders actor Shane Richie. He’s behind you!
Victorian Christmas Weekend, SS Great Britain, 7-8 December
Step back in time as Brunel’s mighty ship is transformed into a Dickensian winter scene complete with Victorian characters, a decorated dockyard and falling snow!
Bristol Bach Choir Spirit of Christmas, St George’s Bristol, 14 December
The stunning surroundings of St George’s with its brilliant acoustics is the perfect setting for a classical Christmas performance.
We’re promised “a sparkling evening of uplifting choral music and witty, entertaining readings.”
Carols by Candlelight, Bristol Cathedral, 20-21 December
Festive readings by John Telfer from BBC Radio 4’s The Archers and classic carols in the stunning Bristol Cathedral.
