Big Headline Christmas Events and Shows in Bristol 2025
Discover Bristol’s top Christmas events for 2025, from markets and pantomimes to ship tours and theatre shows. Find all the details on times, tickets, venues, and parking.
Updated 09/12/2025
Bristol transforms into a winter wonderland each Christmas season, offering a blend of joy, entertainment, and community spirit. From glittering lights at the Christmas Market to the laughter echoing through the Hippodrome and the gentle hum of carols aboard the SS Great Britain, the city radiates festive cheer.
Running from late November through early January, the 2025 season promises something for everyone—families, couples, and friends alike. With cultural highlights, family activities, and plenty of delicious festive food, Bristol ensures an unforgettable holiday season.
Here’s your complete guide to the best Christmas events in Bristol 2025, featuring all the key details: dates, locations, tickets, and parking information.
Bristol Christmas Market (Broadmead)
The Bristol Christmas Market in Broadmead is the city’s festive heartbeat, offering a magical open-air experience that captures the true essence of Christmas. This beautifully decorated market features over 40 charming wooden chalets, each brimming with handcrafted gifts, seasonal decorations, and local delicacies. Visitors can shop for artisanal crafts, jewelry, and festive foods while enjoying the cheerful sounds of live music and Christmas carols.
The food and bar area transforms the city center into a festive village, serving warming mulled wine, Bavarian bratwurst, roasted chestnuts, and sweet treats like churros and crêpes. Families can meet Santa in his Grotto, while adults can enjoy a drink in the Bavarian beer garden, which stays open late into the evening.
Dates: 7 November – 23 December 2025
Time: Stalls 10:00–19:00; Food & Bar until 22:00 (closes 18:00 on 23 Dec)
Address: Broadmead, Bristol BS1 1UX
Website: Bristol Christmas Market
Tickets: Free entry
Parking: Nearby public car parks available (Cabot Circus, Galleries).
Located in the heart of Bristol, the market is easily accessible and perfect for a day of Christmas shopping followed by an evening of celebration. Whether you’re searching for unique gifts or soaking up the magical ambiance, the Bristol Christmas Market is the perfect place to kick off the holiday season.
Jack and the Beanstalk – Bristol Hippodrome
A festive season in Bristol wouldn’t be complete without a pantomime, and this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk at the Bristol Hippodrome promises to deliver big laughs, dazzling costumes, and plenty of festive fun. Running from early December through early January, the show follows the adventurous Jack on his climb to the Giant’s castle in the clouds. Expect hilarious antics, stunning sets, catchy songs, and plenty of audience participation—the ingredients for a perfect panto experience.
Produced by one of the UK’s top pantomime teams, this show combines local humor with first-class theatrical production. It’s ideal for families, children, and theatre lovers of all ages looking to share some holiday joy. With tickets starting at just £15, it’s both entertaining and affordable.
Dates: 6 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
Address: Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol BS1 4UZ
Website: Jack and the Beanstalk
Tickets: Book Tickets Here
Parking: On-street and nearby NCP car parks available.
Located in Bristol’s bustling city center, the Hippodrome offers convenient access and nearby parking, though advance booking is recommended as shows often sell out quickly during the Christmas period. “Jack and the Beanstalk” is guaranteed to bring magic, laughter, and Christmas spirit to all who attend.
SS Great Britain – “A Festive Voyage”
Experience Christmas like never before aboard the SS Great Britain during its spectacular seasonal transformation, “A Festive Voyage.” This immersive event combines history, storytelling, and seasonal spirit aboard Brunel’s world-famous ship. Visitors can explore the beautifully decorated decks and enjoy Victorian-style festivities that transport you back to the 1800s.
Throughout December, the ship is adorned with garlands, twinkling lights, and festive decorations, while costumed characters share tales of Christmas at sea. Children will love meeting Old Father Christmas and hearing stories from the ship’s voyages, while adults can sip hot chocolate and listen to live carols echoing across the dockyard.
Dates: 27 november 2025 – 4 january 2026
Address: Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol BS1 6TY
Website: SS Great Britain – “A Festive Voyage”
Tickets: Book Tickets Here
Parking: On-site parking available.
This event blends nostalgia and wonder, creating an enchanting family-friendly experience. Admission to “A Festive Voyage” is included with a standard ticket to the SS Great Britain, and visitors are encouraged to book online to secure preferred times. With its unique mix of maritime heritage and holiday celebration, this event is one of Bristol’s most magical Christmas highlights.
SS Great Britain – “Beneath the Waves” Installation
Dive into an enchanting after-dark adventure with the “Beneath the Waves” light and sound installation at the SS Great Britain. This mesmerizing experience transforms the ship’s dry dock into a glowing underwater world filled with drifting lights, soothing music, and stunning visual storytelling.
Designed by the award-winning art collective Squidsoup, the installation takes visitors on an imaginative journey through the deep sea, mirroring the historic voyages of Brunel’s masterpiece. Each glowing orb of light represents the pulse of the ocean, creating a peaceful, dreamlike atmosphere perfect for a relaxing evening outing.
Dates: 27 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Address: Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol BS1 6TY
Website: SS Great Britain – “Beneath the Waves” Installation
Tickets: Book Tickets Here
Parking: On-site parking available.
Ideal for adults, couples, and families seeking something unique, “Beneath the Waves” offers a tranquil contrast to Bristol’s bustling Christmas markets. The experience is included in the general admission ticket for the SS Great Britain, and visitors can book timeslots in advance through the official website.
Ample on-site parking and easy access make this event a must-see for anyone seeking a magical and artistic addition to their holiday calendar.
Bristol Old Vic – Christmas Season
Celebrate Christmas at one of the UK’s most historic theatres — the Bristol Old Vic. With its beautiful Georgian architecture and world-class productions, the Old Vic’s 2025 Christmas programme promises an unforgettable mix of festive performances for all ages.
This year’s lineup features enchanting family shows, heartwarming holiday plays, and creative adaptations of timeless classics. Expect beautiful staging, top-tier acting, and an intimate atmosphere that makes each performance feel magical. Whether you’re watching an adventurous adaptation of a classic or introducing young children to their first live show, the Bristol Old Vic offers a rich cultural experience that captures the true spirit of Christmas.
Dates: Throughout December 2025
Address: King Street, Bristol BS1 4ED
Website: Bristol Old Vic – Christmas Season
Tickets: Book Tickets Here
Parking: Limited on-site; nearby public parking available.
Advance booking is highly recommended due to limited seating, especially for evening and weekend performances. The Old Vic’s central location makes it easy to reach by public transport, though parking nearby can be limited. For those seeking warmth, creativity, and festive joy, a Christmas evening at Bristol Old Vic is the perfect treat.
12 Days of Christmas at Prior Park Landscape Garden
Just a short drive from Bristol, the historic Prior Park Landscape Garden near Bath offers a magical event for 2025: 12 Days of Christmas at Prior Park. From late November through early January (with some days closed), the garden brings the beloved carol to life with thematic decorations, installations and trails across the landscape. Walk through frosty grounds and discover how “five golden rings” or “six geese a-lay” might manifest in whimsical, playful ways among the trees and lakes.
The iconic Palladian Bridge is dressed for the season, and the Tea Cabin is stocked with hot chocolate, mince pies and warming treats. With views across Bath, a mix of nature and heritage, and a setting away from the more crowded city-centre locations, this event is a peaceful yet festive outing ideal for families or nature-loving visitors. As standard admission suffices, you don’t need to buy a separate ticket beyond entry to the garden.
Dates: Weekends only 29 November – 14 December 2025; then daily 20 December 2025 – 4 January 2026 (Closed 24 & 25 December)
Hours: 10:00–16:00 on listed dates
Address: Prior Park Landscape Garden, Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, BA2 5AH
Website: Christmas at Prior Park
Tickets: Included with standard admission (National Trust)
Parking: On-site parking available (National Trust visitors’ car park).
On-site parking makes logistics simpler. Since the event runs only on selected days early on, it’s a good idea to check dates in advance and aim for a quieter midweek slot if you prefer less crowd. This event offers a serene and scenic contrast to more high-energy markets or theatre shows — perfect for a reflective outing, capturing festive photos or enjoying a winter walk with extra sparkle.
Christmas Through the Ages at Dyrham Park
Transport yourself through time this Christmas at Dyrham Park with Christmas Through the Ages. From 21 November 2025 through to early January 2026 (with short closures on 24/25 December), the house and estate are decorated to reflect different eras of Christmas celebrations — from Tudor feasts to Victorian trees to 20th-century traditions. Visitors can wander grand rooms showing how festive décor changed over centuries, follow family trails in the 270-acre parkland, visit the café with seasonal treats and soak in the winter atmosphere.
The estate offers wide open space, historic architecture and a calmer setting compared to city-centre events — ideal for families wanting outdoors plus holiday magic, or anyone looking to escape the hustle. Standard admission covers the event; no extra ticket beyond entry is required. The on-site parking makes the visit convenient. Because the timings are daytime only (10:00–16:00) you can easily plan a relaxed visit before dusk.
Dates: 21 November 2025 – 4 January 2026 (Closed 24 & 25 December)
Hours: 10:00–16:00 (on listed days)
Address: Dyrham Park, Dyrham, South Gloucestershire, SN14 8HY
Website: Christmas Through the Ages at Dyrham Park
Tickets): Free event (admission applies)
Parking: On-site car park available.
Whether you’re keen on history, architecture or simply a sweet festive outing in the countryside just outside Bristol, this event brings a rich blend of heritage and Christmas spirit to your seasonal calendar.
From bustling markets to breathtaking performances, Bristol’s 2025 Christmas season is full of warmth, creativity, and holiday spirit. Whether you’re shopping for gifts, enjoying theatre magic, or exploring festive attractions, these events offer something special for everyone.
Plan ahead, book early, and let Bristol fill your December with unforgettable moments, glowing lights, and joyful memories.
