The Go Wild Go West blog

What’s on this Christmas? Festive events & activities near Bristol & Bath

It’s not long until the TV ads begin, the shelves fill up with festive goodies and the calendar is becomes crammed with Christmas events! There’s no denying it anymore… Christmas is coming.

Family Christmas Events, Bristol and Bath

To make life easier for us weary parents with over-excited children, I’ve pulled together a list of our favourite family Christmas activities and festive events for children on my home turf, in and around Bristol & Bath.

All outdoorsy, all good fun and all a little bit magic.

Take a look at our Alternative Family Christmas Gift Guide: Outdoor Edition here.

What’s on near Bristol & Bath this Christmas?

1. Christmas at Westonbirt

Westonbirt’s illuminated trail is always a highlight of the festive season and, for 2025, they’re going all-out with a brand new trail designed by Kew Garden’s award-winning Christmas team. Just north of Bristol, the Westonbirt Christmas lights are set among stunning trees and beautiful woodland scenery, making it one of the most magical Christmas events near Bristol and Bath. This year’s theme celebrates the wonders of the natural world, with laser lights, a mycelium-inspired light display and even firework trees. It’s hands down one of our favourite festive activities, perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to experience the magic of Christmas outdoors.

As well as the trail, there’s a Christmas village at Westonbirt with festive food, fairground rides & drink stalls.

Book soon because tickets sell out fast.

• Dates: 28th November – 31st December
• Price: Adults £19–£25; Children £12–£18; Under 3s free.
• Food available? Yes
• Father Christmas? Yes. I believe he’ll be making a short appearance
• Dogs? No

2. Festive Tree planting near Bristol/Bath

One of our favourite family Christmas activities is tree planting. Good for heart, soul and planet. We like to think we’re replacing our Christmas tree, plus adding some more…. This is a lovely festive event with the family and unlike EVERYTHING ELSE at Christmas, it’s free!

There are plenty of tree planting events across Bristol, Bath and Somerset throughout winter. Here are a few to keep an eye out for. If you know of any other tree planting days, please do let me know here.

Tree planting events near me:

• BART tree planting (and river dipping)
• Chew Valley Plants Trees
• One tree per child Bristol
• Avon Needs Trees – family sessions available, see website for details
• More Trees BANES
• Co-Forest
• Arrange a school/community tree planting day with the Woodland Trust

3. Go Wild Go West’s Christmas Adventures

It’s lovely to join in with these organised (expensive!) children’s Christmas events, but there’s nothing stopping you having some festive family adventures from your own doorstep…

Check out the Go Wild Go West Christmas Adventure Guides, filled with festive fun and merry mischief for all the family. Whittle a stick elf, cook a campfire cake or search for Santa’s elves – these outdoor activities are great for the kids to enjoy over the Christmas period.

• Dates: Any time, any place!
• Price: £9.50 for the whole family
• Food available? Take a picnic and a flask of hot chocolate on your adventure
• Father Christmas? His elves certainly feature
• Dogs? Absolutely

4. Mad Swans Christmas fun

Have you come across Mad Swans yet? My kids are totally hooked. Angry-birds golf, paddle, shuffleboard and more… this is a great place to hang out year-round, but especially with kids who need to unleash some festive energy.

Watch this space for their Christmas launch…

• Dates: TBD
• Price: TBD
• Food available?
• Father Christmas?
• Dogs? Yes

5. Festive Foraging in Glastonbury

To me, this sounds like a dreamy family Christmas activity.

Join the foraging team at Foragebox for a three-hour winter workshop with a festive twist. You’ll head out on a guided walk near Glastonbury, learning about edible plants and seasonal wild ingredients, with plenty of chances to taste along the way.

Discover how to forage in winter, sample unique wild flavours, and enjoy a beautiful countryside walk – the perfect way to start the Christmas holidays for both kids and adults.

• Dates: Saturday 21st December, 12noon – 3pm
• Price: £40 for adults. £22.50 for children, under 5s come to free
• Food available? Yes… pick your own
• Father Christmas? No
• Dogs? No

6. Twilight Tobogganing at Mendip Activity Centre

If I ask the kids whether they’d like to meet Santa or go tobogganing… there’s only one answer: TOBOGGANING! This is a great Christmas activity close to Bristol and Bath at the Mendip Activity Centre.

After whizzing down the toboggan slope, complete with snow machine, fairy lights and festive music, you can wonder along the woodland trail to a festive grotto for a campfire with s’mores, hot chocolate and sparklers.

For 2025, you can either book exclusive use of half of the toboggan slope for up to 8 people or book for an individual spot, but it ain’t cheap…..

• Dates: 6th November – 4th January
• Price: £26 – £38 pp for individual spaces. £120 – £220 per group (up to 8 people)
• Food available? Yes, s’mores and hot chocolate included and more food available at the Alpine Bar
• Father Christmas? No (but you do get a Father Christmas hat)
• Dogs? No

8. The Big Gift Hunt at Bristol Zoo Project

This Christmas, Bristol Zoo Project is hosting The Big Gift Hunt – a new festive trail created with Aardman and Wild in Art. Following last year’s Follow the Flock with Shaun the Sheep, this year’s event features super-sized sculptures inspired by the zoo’s animals, habitats and conservation work.

It’s a brilliant family day out, combining wildlife spotting with a creative, festive adventure. Kids can hunt for colourful sculptures and hidden gifts as they explore the zoo’s winter wonderland. Afterwards, warm up with a hot chocolate at the café and enjoy the seasonal atmosphere.

Fun, creative and full of wild surprises, it’s one of the best Christmas activities near Bristol this year!

• Dates: 9th November – 12th January
• Price: The Big Gift Hunt trail is included with zoo entry – Adults £22.50, Children £18, Under 2s free
• Food available? Yes – cafe at zoo
• Father Christmas? No
• Dogs? No

9. Longleat Festival of Light

No roundup of Christmas events near Bristol or Bath would be complete without the Longleat Festival of Light.

This year’s theme, British Icons, promises one of the most dazzling displays yet, celebrating everything from beloved Aardman Animations characters like Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep to famous landmarks and moments from British culture. The stunning lanterns illuminate Longleat’s grounds in a magical glow, making it one of the most spectacular festive experiences in the South West – well worth adding to your Christmas calendar if you can stomach the price.

• Dates: Various dates from the 8^th November – 11^th January
• Price: twilight tickets £34.95 – £39.95 per adult; £26.20 – £29.95 per child *doesn’t include full access to Longleat Park
• Food available? Yes
• Father Christmas? Santa Train to meet the big man, additional price.
• Dogs? No

10. Winter walks and cosy pubs

Every year, the price of organised family Christmas activities seems to creep higher, often at an eye-watering rate. But festive fun doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

Why not keep things simple this season? Whether it’s drizzly or bright with frosty sunshine, bundle up in your winter layers and head out for a family walk. There are so many beautiful spots to explore around Bristol and Bath (we’ve listed a few favourites here).

When you’ve had your fill of fresh air (cheeks rosy or clothes a bit damp) find a cosy local pub, warm up by the fire and enjoy a well-earned drink, a chat and a cheeky packet of crisps or two.

That’s my kind of festive family fun.

• Dates: Everyday
• Price: Free
• Food available? Yes!
• Father Christmas? No. he only comes on Christmas Eve, right?
• Dogs? Yes!

Similar Articles:

• Be sure to check out the GoWildGoWest Shop this Christmas for stocking & Christmas gifts for children
• Christmas Gifts for Adventurous Kids
• Books for outdoor loving children
• woodland walks near Bristol/Bath