Top 6 Family Christmas Days Out in Bristol
Explore six unforgettable family Christmas events in Bristol — magical grottoes, a festive train ride and immersive animal & grotto experiences — each with full details including dates, times, addresses, ticket links and parking info
Updated 08/12/2025
Welcome to a merry round-up of the best family-friendly Christmas events in the Bristol area! If you're looking to treat your little ones to some festive magic, you've come to the right place.
From enchanted grottoes to charming steam-train rides and animal-themed Christmas fun, Bristol comes alive this time of year. Below you’ll find six top events — each described in full detail (description ~250 words each) with date, time, address, website link, ticket link and parking info — so you can plan with ease and dive into the festive spirit.
Almondsbury Garden Centre Christmas Grotto
Step into a world of festive wonder at Almondsbury Garden Centre’s Christmas Grotto — ideal for families seeking a cosy, immersive holiday experience. From the moment you arrive, you are guided by playful elves through five enchanting rooms filled with twinkling lights, festive props and interactive surprises, leading you ever closer to the heart of the magic: Santa’s secret workshop. Children pass through a “Naughty or Nice” scanner, settle for a story time with the cheeky elves, then finally meet Father Christmas himself.
In that long-anticipated moment, each child receives a special gift to take home, making this more than just a photo-op. The venue, conveniently located just off Junction 16 of the M5 (five minutes from Cribbs Causeway), makes it easily accessible for families travelling from Bristol and the wider South West. Tickets must be booked in advance, and the website emphasises that adults accompanying must also purchase a ticket. Babies in arms may be admitted free if they do not require a gift.
Tickets: via official website
Dates: 29 Nov 2025 to 24 Dec 2025
Hours: Timed slots throughout the day; arrive at least 10 minutes before your slot
Address: Almondsbury Garden Centre, just off Junction 16 of the M5, Almondsbury, Bristol, UK
Parking: On-site parking available at the garden centre. Extra time recommended during busy periods
The garden centre itself has onsite parking, though visitors are advised to allow extra time during the busy festive period. Arrival ten minutes before your booked slot is required, as late arrivals may not be admitted. The experience is tailored to be engaging, fun and memorable for children of varying ages. Whether you’ve visited grottoes before or this is your first time, this event delivers a special, purposeful journey through festive magic.
Avon Valley Railway – Santa Specials Festive Train Ride
All aboard for festive fun at the Avon Valley Railway’s “Santa Specials” — a charming steam train ride and Santa meet-and-greet that brings Christmas magic to the rails. Families board at Bitton Station and journey through scenic countryside for around 50 minutes, during which Santa visits the carriages, hands out festive treats and helps create warm holiday memories.
The venue is clearly laid out: Bitton Station, Bath Road, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6HD. You can select the date and time, choose your compartment or table, and secure your seats online in advance. Parking is available on-site at the station, making it convenient for families driving in. What makes this event special is the combination of vintage train travel, festive excitement and a visit from Santa – all bundled into one memorable outing.
Tickets: via official website
Dates: 23 Nov 2025; 29–30 Nov; 6–7 Dec; 13–14 Dec; 19–24 Dec 2025
Hours: Various departure times; online booking allows choosing date/time slot
Address: Bitton Station, Bath Road, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6HD
Parking: On-site parking available at Bitton Station
The theatre of riding on a heritage railway adds a ‘wow’ factor for younger children, while older siblings and grown-ups enjoy the novelty too. The online ticketing emphasises advance booking to avoid disappointment. With departure times listed (often morning, midday, afternoon), winding your schedule around this outing is quite straightforward. If your family loves train adventures and festive atmosphere, this event offers something different from the usual grotto experience.
Bristol Zoo Project – Merry & Wild Christmas Experience
If you want something a bit different than the usual grotto, this event blends animals, trails and seasonal fun. At Bristol Zoo Project this Christmas the “Big Gift Hunt” trail encourages children (and grown-ups) to roam the park, find giant presents hidden across the grounds, solve riddles and match them to animals.
Ticketing is online in advance; parking facilities are available at the venue though check the zoo website for specifics. The experience is designed to immerse children in both wildlife and seasonal adventure – spotting cheeky clues, seeing special animal treats and entering prize draws once the trail is completed.
Website & Tickets: via official website
Dates: Sat 29 Nov 2025 – Sun 4 Jan 2026
Hours: Generally 10:00-17:00 (check for specific times)
Address: Bristol Zoo Project, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol BS10 7TP
Parking: Parking available at the venue (check website for details)
What sets this apart is the mixture of festive activities with genuine animal-encounter opportunities. It’s perfect for families who want a day-out with variety: the trail plus meeting some of the resident animals, fresh air and room to roam. Since the window runs through to early January, you have more flexibility than some single-date grotto slots. It’s well-suited if you want to combine a zoo visit with your Christmas outing. Pre-booking is strongly recommended.
Old Down Estate – Visit Santa & Pets Corner
Just outside Bristol, Old Down Estate offers a comfortable country-park setting for a festive outing. Their “Visit Santa” experience runs from 20 – 24 December 2025, during which children meet Santa in his decorated grotto, receive a hand-picked gift chosen by Santa, have a family photograph taken and also gain access to the Estate’s Pets Corner where animals can be visited and fed.
New for 2025: adults now visit for free (with children’s tickets at £15) and the grotto has moved into the Pets Corner area. This experience blends the traditional Santa grotto with animal-interaction opportunities, making it especially suitable for families who enjoy outdoor space and a less intense environment than city-centre venues.
Tickets: via official website
Dates: 20 – 24 Dec 2025
Hours: Multiple times throughout each day
Address: Old Down Estate, Foxholes Lane, Tockington, Bristol BS32 4PG
Parking: On-site parking at the Estate
With the limited five-day window and slots filling fast, advance booking is essential. The inclusion of the gift, photo opportunity and Pets Corner visit elevates this from a quick stop to a fuller outing. Note that full Country Park access may not be included in the basic ticket – check details.
Cabot Circus – “A Christmas Grotto: Santa O’Clock”
In the heart of Bristol city centre, Cabot Circus presents an up-to-30-minute immersive grotto experience titled “Santa O’Clock”. Running from Friday 28 November to Wednesday 24 December 2025, this event invites families into a story-driven world where the Grandfather Clock in the shopping hub leads you into the Clockmaker’s Workshop, where elves and the owl “Tickety Twoo” invite children to help restore the magic of Christmas time.
The journey ends in the Santa and Wishes room, where children meet Santa and his helper, take home a cuddly keepsake reindeer, craft a “Time for a Wish” and capture photo memories. Tickets start from £12 for children, and £2 for accompanying adults; babies-in-arms are free (optional gift add-on). This event is ideal for families who are combining shopping, lunch plus a festive stop in one convenient location.
Website & Tickets: via official website
Dates: 28 Nov – 24 Dec 2025
Hours: From around 10:00 each day; specific slot times booked online
Address: Cabot Circus, Broad Street, Bristol BS1 3BX
Parking: Cabot Circus has onsite multi-storey parking (charges apply)
The city-centre setting makes it easy to slot into a broader outing. Because the session lasts only about half an hour, it’s a great shorter experience for younger children or for pairing with other nearby activities. With the immersive story, props and keepsakes, it offers more than a simple “meet Santa” set-up. Pre-book early to secure preferred slots.
Westonbirt Arboretum – Enchanted Christmas Light Trail
The Enchanted Christmas Light Trail at Westonbirt Arboretum is one of the most breathtaking festive events near Bristol, attracting families from across the region each winter. Set within the stunning grounds of the National Arboretum, this after-dark experience transforms the forest into a glowing world of twinkling lights, music, and festive storytelling. The illuminated trail winds through Westonbirt’s majestic trees, guiding visitors on an enchanting one-mile walk filled with interactive displays, sparkling tunnels, and immersive projections that bring the woods to life.
Each year, the light trail features a unique theme — with glowing installations, playful elves, and gentle surprises hidden among the trees. Families can stop along the way to enjoy festive food and drinks, from roasted chestnuts to hot chocolate, while listening to Christmas carols echoing softly through the forest. Children are especially delighted by Santa’s woodland helpers, who pop up along the trail to share riddles and cheer. The atmosphere is warm, magical, and perfect for making lasting Christmas memories together.
Website & Tickets: via official website
Dates: 29 Nov – 22 Dec 2025 (weekends and selected evenings)
Hours: 4 pm – 9 pm (timed entry slots)
Address: Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, GL8 8QS
Parking: Free parking with event ticket
The event is designed with accessibility in mind, featuring wide, stroller-friendly paths and clearly marked routes. Westonbirt also provides free parking with every ticket, making it a stress-free evening for families traveling from Bristol. As one of the region’s most visually stunning holiday experiences, the Enchanted Christmas Light Trail is an unmissable part of the festive season — combining nature, creativity, and Christmas spirit into one unforgettable night
Each of these six events offers a distinct approach to Christmas family fun in and around Bristol. Whether you’re after a magical walk-through grotto, a vintage train ride with Santa or a full festive park experience with animals and activities, you’ll find something delightful here. Because these events fill up quickly, booking in advance is highly recommended.
Also, check for any special requirements (such as arrival times, slot lengths, pram accessibility) and plan for parking and traffic around the busy season. So wrap up warm, bring along your festive spirit and enjoy a memorable day out with loved ones this Christmas!
