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
So, in the spirit of things (and because everything books up so quickly) we’ve pulled together a list of our favourite family Christmas activities and festive events for children near Bristol/Bath.
All outdoorsy, all good fun and all a little bit magic.
Are you running an awesome, outdoorsy Christmas event or activity and interested to have it listed? Please get in contact here.
What’s on near Bristol/Bath this Christmas?
1. Christmas at Westonbirt
Westonbirt’s illuminated trail is always the highlight of our Christmas calendar and this year, they’re going all-out with a brand new trail. Just north of Bristol, the Westonbirt National Arboretum is known for its magical light displays through beautiful scenery and stunning trees. It’s hands down our favourite Christmas event and I’d highly recommend it. For 2024, Westonbirt have promised a Christmas light display like never seen before – we can’t wait!
As well as the trail, there’s a Christmas village at Westonbirt with festive food & drink stalls.
Book soon because tickets sell out fast.
- Dates: Various dates between 29th November – 31st December
- Price: Adults £18 – £24, Children £12- £17 (under 2s free)
- Food available? Yes
- Father Christmas? Yes. I believe he’ll be making a short appearance
- Dogs? No
2. Find the Flock at Bristol Zoo Project
Shaun the Sheep will be making an appearance at Bristol Zoo this Christmas.
Bristol Zoo have teamed up with Aardman and Wild Art to create a festive art trail with super-sized sculptures celebrating some of the zoos residents and habitats.
This is a lovely day out with the kids, visiting the zoo and exploring the Christmas trail.
- Dates: 9th November – 12th January
- Price: Festive trail is free with zoo entrance fee; Adults £22.50, Children £18, under 2s free
- Food available? Yes – cafe at zoo
- Father Christmas? No
- Dogs? No
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. A Christmas Carol, the drone light show
My kids are going to absolutely love this! This Christmas, Charles Dickens’ much-loved tale, A Christmas Carol, will be bought to life in a new animated drone light-show in Bristol, with Matt Lucas as narrator.
This is an outdoor alternative to the standard Christmas panto where the night sky is transformed into a canvas for a festive show of light and colour all created by drones. Sounds pretty cool.
- Dates: 19th – 21st December
- Price: Adults £24, Children £17
- Food available? Yes
- Father Christmas? No, but Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghostly visitors will make an appearance
- Dogs? No
5. 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, sparklers, fairy lights and festive music, head up to the Alpine Balcony for hot chocolate and candy canes.
*Mendip are running their festive tobogganing slightly differently in 2024. Now, you can only book exclusive use of half of the toboggan slope for up to 8 people… and it’s a fair bit pricier…
- Dates: 8th November – 5th January
- Price: £100 – £140 per group (up to 8 people)
- Food available? Yes, at the Alpine Bar
- Father Christmas? No
- Dogs? No
6. Tree planting near Bristol/Bath this Christmas
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
7. Festive Family Crafts at the Community Farm
*No 2024 announcements yet but there are some awesome autumn owl prowls!
These are really fun (and popular) Festive Family Craft sessions held at The Community Farm near Chew Magna, Somerset.
During the workshops you’ll be making three natural decorations, using simple hand tools, along with your very own wreath, all whilst enjoying some delicious, mulled apple juice and yummy festive treats!
A fantastic Christmas event for both kids and adults!
- Dates: Saturday 3rd December, morning and afternoon sessions
- Price: £19 for adult & child. £10 per additional child
- Food available? Yes
- Father Christmas? no
- Dogs? No
8. Starling Murmuration at the Avalon Marshes
There’s nothing more incredible than watching the swooping, curling, pulsating throng of a Starling murmuration.
At dawn and dusk, hundreds of thousands of birds come together to perform this mesmerising dance in the air. For a truly magical Christmas treat, visit the Avalon marshes on a clear, crisp evening as the sun sets to watch this incredible spectacle.
Call the Avalon Marshes Starling hotline to learn where the starlings roosted the previous evening: 07866 554142
- Dates: November – February
- Price: free!
- Food available? No
- Father Christmas? No, but you may spy his sleigh flying past on Christmas Eve
- Dogs? On leads
9. Longleat Festival of Light
No list of Christmas events near Bristol/Bath is complete without a mention of the Longleat Festival of Light.
This is a really spectacular lantern display if you can bag yourself a ticket. The theme for 2024 is ‘Journey Through Time’ and it looks incredible, showcasing the evolution of the earth from the age of the dinosaurs to present day.
- Dates: Various dates from the 9th November – 5th January
- Price: twilight tickets £27.95 per adult; £20.95 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. Christmas at Cheddar Gorge
There’ve been elves spotted at Cheddar Gorge Caves too. A team of them have been hard at work constructing a fantastical workshop deep inside Gough’s Cave. Our family loves this Christmas activity with a twist…. A festive trail combined with a tour of the amazing caves south of Bristol/Bath.
There’s the chance for the children to see the elves checking destinations, sorting letters, making toys and inspecting the famous sleigh to ensure all is well before the great man sets off on Christmas Eve. As part of the fun, you’ll sing some festive songs, listen to a special Cheddar Christmas tale and receive a gift from Father Christmas himself, all within the stunning surroundings of the incredible show cave. But if you went last year, expect to pay a fair bit extra this year….
- Dates: Selected dates from 11th November
- Price: Cheddar Gorge Day Ticket required: Adult £25.95, Child (5-15) £19.45, Under 5s free
with Christmas Trail add on: Child with gift £5.99, Adult £3.99
Adult: £20.95 Child: £15.70 Under 5s: £5 £3.99 £5.99 - Food available? No. But La Rocca in Cheddar does a great pizza
- Father Christmas? Yes
- Dogs? Yes
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