Christmas in Bristol 2022 – 11 fabulous ways to feel festive

The lights are twinkling in the trees, the baubles are up and the Bristol Christmas Markets are in full swing. Yes, Christmas in Bristol is well and truly here! During the holiday season, I’m happy to feel festive in Bristol at Christmas, exploring all that my home town has to offer. Here are top Bristol Christmas events worth experiencing this holiday season.

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1. Christmas Markets in Bristol

Christmas markets? You may have visited them in Germany, but did you know we have plenty in Bristol too? While walking through the Bristol shopping quarter I was definitely feeling the festive spirit. At the centre of it all there’s the Jäger Barn, where the shoppers of Bristol were having a drink in the bubble igloos and ski gondolas, amid the Christmas baubles and wooden carved figures of giants, elves and reindeer.

The wooden chalets selling food and gifts stretch up towards the Cabot Circus shopping centre and there are stalls selling local crafts at the Broadmead end. For 2022 the market stalls are open 4 November – 23 December 10am-7pm and food stalls 10am – 10pm

You may also enjoy: Visiting the Christmas Market in Bath

But that’s not all – there are plenty more seasonal markets around Bristol for you to enjoy.

St Nicholas Market

The indoor St Nick’s Market (open 9.30 – 5pm or 6pm on Saturday) is a great place to stock on unique gifts from Bristol’s indie traders, but the outdoor markets along Corn Street will also take on a festive flavour in the run up to Christmas.

For the best of Bristol food, vintage and gifts, the 2022 Christmas outdoor markets on Corn Street will run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 13 December, then daily until Christmas eve (open 10.00 – 5pm or 6pm on Saturday) In addition the regular street food markets run Tuesday and Friday 11am – 2.30pm and the Farmer’s Market runs each Wednesday 9.30am – 2.30pm. More info: St Nicholas Market website

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Millennium Square – vintage winter wonderland

There’s a vintage winter wonderland with carousels and family friendly fairground rides as well as the SkyView wheel in Millennium Square, near the harbour side. I’m not normally a great one for fairground rides, but I really enjoyed a few turns on the SkyView Wheel, especially the view over the harbour and lights of the square looking so colourful down below. Yes, I was the one saying “Can we go on it again?”.

There isn’t a skating rink this year – instead try Propyard for indoor ice skating and ice bumper cars. But there are plenty of food stalls in Millennium Square selling everything from German Bratwurst and Cheesy Krakauer to Vegan street eats and hot Belgian waffles.

Finzel’s Reach – food markets

In the run up to Christmas, the Finzel’s Reach Market is the place to try local street food, with markets on Wednesdays offering a huge range of street food over the lunchtime period (11am – 2pm) and on Fridays the food market showcases local producers (11am – 2pm). Feast on globally inspired street food inspired by Sri Lanka, Asia and BBQ, or stock up for your Christmas table with local beers and ciders as well as artisan sausages and cheeses.

More Outdoor Christmas Markets in Bristol

Broadmead Better Sundays Christmas Market – In the four Sundays running up to Christmas 2022, Broadmead’s Shopping Quarter will host 20 local and sustainable traders at this ethical market. Dates: Sunday 20 November, 4,11,18 December 2022

Bearpit Festive Market – On Sundays in the pedestrianised Bearpit at the bottom of Stokes Croft, there will be 50 stalls including local producers and makers, with live music. Dates: Sundays 18 November – 18 December 2022

For a full list of Bristol Christmas Markets, including some of the neighbourhood one day events selling local crafts and good, check out the Visit Bristol website.

2. Christmas shopping in Bristol

For shoppers working their way through the Christmas shopping list, the central Bristol shopping centres of Cabots Circus and Broadmead will have most of your needs covered. Cabot’s Circus is sporting a stunning Christmas light display with a Giant Father Christmas outside House of Fraser.

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For atmosphere, you can’t beat Clifton Village, where the elegant Georgian townhouses and stylish boutiques make a charming atmosphere and plenty of opportunity to shop for that party frock or pair of sparkly heels.

The Christmas lights are up and the 50 ft Christmas tree towers impressively over the Mall Gardens, but the prize for over-the-top Christmas decorations has to go to The Ivy, which every year surrounds its honey-stone portico with garlands of decorative greenery and twinkly lights. More info: DiscoverClifton.co.uk

If you’re looking for something a bit more arty in the centre of Bristol, explore the area around the aptly named Christmas Steps, where the Christmas lights have been turned on and you can get a flavour of medieval Bristol. The steps once led down to Bristol’s Harbourside where merchants ships from around the world unloaded their cargo onto the quayside and into sugar warehouses, like the one that is now Hotel du Vin.

The Christmas Steps Arts Quarter is now full of small independent businesses on the steps and Colston Street at the top, and it’s worth continuing up the steps to Perry Road for the art galleries and other creative businesses there. More info: ChristmasStepsArtsQuarter.co.uk

I also enjoy shopping on Park Street, where there’s a winning mix of upscale high street brands and independents. My favourites are local institution Bristol Guild for arty gifts and Diana Porter, if you want to splash out on unique and hand made contemporary jewellery.

You may also enjoy: Bristol Gifts: 50 gifts that say you love Bristol!

3. Christmas Craft Markets in Bristol

For original gifts that are unique and often made in Bristol, visit one of the many craft markets around Bristol in the run up to Christmas. For a detailed list of what’s on when see our calendar listing at the end of the article.

Bristol Beacon Made in Bristol Gift Fair – Saturdays and Sundays 26 Nov – 11 Dec 2022 – with 5 floors of gifts by Bristol artists and makers.

Bristol Pop up Shop in The Galleries (First Floor 25 Union Galleries) – Daily until 24 December 22 – a huge range of gifts from 100 of Bristol’s finest designers and makers.

St Nicholas Market – Open daily – an indoor market in the city’s old Corn Exchange with the largest collection of independent retailers in the city.

Wiper & True Christmas Market – Old Market Tap Room 4 December 12-6pm – a one day market of local makers and food producers, washed down with real ale from the brewery and tap room.

Propyard Winterland Market – weekends in Dec and daily 19-23 December – together with the ice skating and ice bumper cars, the winter market will include stalls selling clothing, art, candles, homeware and aromatherapy.

Estate of the Arts Christmas Market Bedminster – 3 & 4 Dec, 17 & 18 Dec 11am – 6pm – maker’s stalls among the artists studios, with hot food and live music.

Future Leap Festive Market 1-3 Gloucester Rd Fri, Sat, Sun through December 10am – 5pm – sustainable Christmas market in the Gloucester Rd independent shopping district.

4. Foodie ways to get festive in Bristol

It seems that minced pies and mulled wine are everywhere and now is the time to savour them, before the Christmas flavours are swept away with the diet books and clean eating of January. Look out for seasonal flavours, such as chestnut ice cream at my favourite gelataria Swoon on College Green, or indulge in a warming hot chocolate at Mrs Potts on Park Street.

For something that will warm away the winter chill, Bristolians love to head for Pieminister who have several branches around the city, serving their award winning pies. Find their two restaurants on Broad Quay or on Stokes Croft, to try their Festive Christmas pies. There’s also a food stall at St Nicholas Market, where you can buy the pies to take away, or eat at their tables in the market.

Read about 20 fun things to do in Bristol with your friends

My favourite pies are the incredibly tasty The Beautiful Game, with venison, bacon and red wine, but my other choices included Mistlemoo (steak and port), The Cracker (turkey and cranberry) or Christingle (veggie parsnips, chestnut and cheese). If you’re eating Vegan, they have you covered with The Good Elf, with tofu “turkey”, cranberry and port.

For dining that feels very celebratory but won’t break the bank, I love Klosterhaus in the centre of Bristol, which always puts on a stunning show with their decorations. Set in a Medieval friary and Quaker meeting house, it’s a restaurant and bar in the tradition of the grand European bistros, with a German flavour in the menu. They are also taking bookings for lunch on Christmas Day, with a luxurious Christmas menu.

For a cheeky post shopping drink, head to Dirty Martini, a stylish cocktail bar on Corn Street, where the Happy Hour Martinis and selected cocktails are half price. They have some fun Christmas cocktails too – choose from the Christmas Martini with cranberry juice and orange bitters, Santa’s punch, with rum and pomegranate or The Snowman, with creme de cacao and gingerbread syrup.

If you’re not going to make it to the slopes this year, you can still get that Après Ski buzz at the pop up ski bar Piste at 14 Kings Rd in Clifton Village. The bar has been transformed with retro themed skis and sledges, moose heads and old school signs. Piste will be open daily, 2pm – 11pm into the New Year.

No self respecting West County Household would be without their cider at Christmas and you can order in from the Bristol Cider Shop for a drink on Christmas afternoon in front of the telly. For 2022 they have a cider advent calendar, cider tasting kit and plenty of other gifts for cider lovers. Everything can be delivered in the UK and gift subscriptions are also available.

Check out things to do in Bristol Old City – what to see and where to eat

5. Christmas gifts and festive treats from Bristol

We Bristolians love to support our independent businesses and there is so much creative stuff going on around the city that there’s really no need to look elsewhere.

For that lad-or-lass-about-town in Bristol

Your West Country lad-or-lass-about-town will enjoy enjoy a night out in Bristol with the Love Bristol Gift Card. Created by 3 of the city’s BIDs (Business Improvement Districts) you can purchase the gift card online and both e-cards and physical cards are available. Spend the gift card at over 100 different food, drink, shopping, accommodation and attraction venues around Bristol City Centre.

Perfect to fund a great day or night out in Bristol and Gift Cards are available from £25. My favourite places to spend the gift card include Mrs Potts Chocolate Shop, Klosterhaus, the Florist, Spicer + Cole, The Old Vic, Bristol Harbour Hotel & Spa, but there are many more. A Love Bristol Night Out Gift Card is also available.

For the couple who have everything

Yuup is the place to find unusual local experiences that are ideal for gifting – perfect for those who don’t need more “stuff” in their life but would appreciate a fun activity they can enjoy together.

You can purchase a Yuup gift card so they can choose their experience later, with anything from foodie workshops, crafts or health and wellbeing. There are lots of festive pre-Christmas activities too, such as wreath making, Christmas card printing or chocolate workshops.

For chocaholics in Bristol

Zara’s chocolates are made in South Bristol and are an essential stop for high quality, hand made chocolates that make a perfect gift for the discerning chocaholic.

Everything is made small scale in the shop’s open kitchen with selection boxes, chocolate bars and some unique Christmas themed treats, such as baubles and chocolate lollies to add to the stocking fillers. Pop into their shop on North Street or order for home delivery. They also offer gift vouchers and run chocolate workshops and events.

If you are shopping in north Bristol, I also love the selection or bars and bonbons at Bar Chocolat in Clifton Village, a fine place to stop for a hot chocolate while shopping in the pretty and atmospheric Georgian village.

For the lovely lady who needs a treat

Treat the lovely lady in your life who’s been slaving over a hot turkey, to a little bit of me-time after Christmas, with a voucher for a spa day.

One of my favourite spas is The Lido, tucked away in the back streets of Clifton Village. This Victorian outdoor pool has been restored, with the addition of a spa, steam rooms, sauna and bar / restaurant, making it one of the most atmospheric spa settings in Bristol.

The pool is heated to 22-25 degrees celsius, making it suitable for swimming year round, with the steam rooms, hot tub and sauna to warm up for that bracing hot-cold-hot Nordic spa experience. Their swim and dine experiences are especially popular (from £50) with a couple of hours in the pool and spa followed by a bite to eat in the poolside restaurant.

For beauty addicts in Bristol

For the most colourful nails in town, treat her to a Christmas mani at the Gossip Nail bar, a fun, friendly, cruelty free nail salon in Old Market just 10 minutes walk from Cabots Circus. You won’t find basic nails here, it’s all about cute manis and fierce nail art. (Cute Mani from £40)

For a different view of Bristol

For a different perspective on Bristol, a balloon flight offers a bit of adventure without breaking into a sweat and can be enjoyed in the spring when the weather gets warmer.

Both Bristol Balloons and Bailey Balloons offer flights or gift vouchers from £129. If you want to get a feel of what it’s like to drift over Bristol in a balloon, read my article about the Bristol Balloon Fiesta.

For the Bristol Christmas tree

No Bristolian Christmas tree is complete without a Bristol Blue Glass bauble or ornament – you can find their shop on High Street near St Nicholas Market or buy online. We also love our Christmas bauble hand painted with Bristol scenes from Other Lovely Things, which we bought at a craft fair, but you can also order them online.

Charity giving at Christmas

While it’s lovely to celebrate Christmas with gifts for our loved ones, I also try to make some charity donations at this time of year. Bristol suffers from a big issue of homelessness and if you’re out and about in the centre you’ll probably observe this.

However you can help with this, through the instant payment donation points you can see around Bristol city centre. Whenever you’re out shopping and see one, consider making a donation, to help local charities make Christmas a better time for those who (like Jesus and his family on that first Christmas) don’t have a place to go.

To donate online my favourite local Bristol charities are Caring in Bristol, St Mungo’s Bristol and The Salvation Army. Also follow the work on instagram of social beautician Natacha at @thebeautyofcaring_uk and hairdresser @eddiestreetcuts who are out and about in Bristol, providing their services to the homeless.

6. Christmas in Bristol with the family

SS Great Britain – There’s always plenty to see and do on Bristol’s leading visitor attraction, so it’s a great choice to keep the family entertained over the school holidays or as a treat for the grandchildren. Look out for the 2022 Victorian Christmas weekends on 3/4 and 10/11 December, when the dockside will be transformed into a festive winter wonderland with Victorian characters and falling snow.

There will be Christmas carol singing and sea shanties and you can meet Old Father Christmas, dressed in his traditional green robes. More info: SS Great Britain Website

M-Shed – This free museum on the harbour side, is a great place to visit with the family over the Christmas holidays with personal stories and objects that highlight Bristol’s past and present. More info: M-shed website

Bristol Aquarium – The aquarium in Millennium Square is always a popular day out, with 40 displays of tropical fish and those from our shores, an underwater tunnel and Urban Jungles with terrapins and freshwater fish. During the school holidays look out for their Christmas Bauble making activity, 12 days of Christmas advent trail and photo meet with Charlie the Clownfish by the Christmas tree. More info: Bristolaquarium.co.uk

We the Curious (formerly At Bristol) – For the 2022 Christmas season, this hands on science centre is closed for repairs following a fire, but check their website for activities that they are running in other locations around Bristol.  More info: Wethecurious.org

Bristol Ice Skating – For ice skating in Bristol over the Christmas period, head to Propyard, where there is a bookable indoor skating session as well as ice bumper cars on Thursdays – Sundays. The Apres Skate Bar will be serving hot chocolate and winter warming drinks and 3 times a day there’s a show with Bjorn, the animatronic Polar Bear. More info: Propyard

7. Christmas in Bristol with the animals

Away in a manger and all that! Animals are a big part of the Christmas story so a visit to some of Bristol’s animal attractions at Christmas seems quite appropriate.

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm just outside Bristol have plenty of Christmas activities from 1 December. Dress up as your favourite nativity character, come for Christmas lunches or meet the reindeer that reside at the zoo.

Wonky Christmas trees are on sale in the Farm shop and festive treats can be found in the Food Barn. There’s an impressive amount of space for the animals around the zoo as well as the range of activities in the play areas and animal experiences.

The zoo houses two African elephants, with a daily elephant keeper talk at 1.30 pm, when Janu and M’changa come inside to try their favourite snack.

You can also see giraffe, rhino, lions and tigers at the zoo as well as plenty of smaller domestic and farm animals with chances to feed, pet and stroke them (not Khan the tiger of course).

Wild Place – Run by Bristol Zoo which has now closed its Clifton site, Wild Place is on the edge of Bristol, offering wildlife discovery and outdoor adventures with seasonal themed trails and play areas. Wild Place is home to lemur, giraffe, cheetah, zebra, eland and you can check the website for details of self-led trails, animal talks and a winter walking safari.

If you’d like to take the kids to the farm over the Christmas holidays St Werburgh’s City farm is open daily 9am-4pm (free) and there’s a winter fair 3 December 2022. Windmill Hill City Farm is open daily 9am-4pm (free) and has some Christmas events in December.

8. A Theatrical Christmas in Bristol

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to the panto or Christmas show, preferably with lots of cheesy Bristol jokes that likely only us locals will understand. In Bristol there are numerous entertaining and thought provoking theatrical shows, including some that are suitable for younger children.

Bristol Old Vic’s The 2022 staging of The Nutcracker reworks the festive favourite, where toys come to life, nutcrackers talk and mice lurk under the floorboards. But this is a bold and wildly theatrical re-telling, with magic, adventure and show-stopping musical numbers. Until 7 January.

We attended the Bristol Old Vic’s Nutcracker and loved this modern retelling of the popular tale. Claire is at home on Christmas Eve, but her busy parents just don’t have time for her – she’s looking for change! The mysterious clockmaker Mr Choke, who seems to be able to manipulate time, visits her house and gives her the Nutcracker toy. As Claire sleeps all kind of magical stories unfold in her dreams.

The Princess Curly Pearly is locked in a tower but makes friends with a dancing clown, the Queen of the Mice places a curse as revenge for her dead mice children and Claire’s toys come alive including Action Man and Baboon with a spoon. There’s a dark edge to the fairy tales but it all has a festive and happy ending, as Claire and her family wake up on Christmas morning.

The cast gave an amazing performance, as they sang, danced and played different instruments, while each bringing to life multiple characters. It’s the first time I’ve been in the new Bristol Old Vic bar for a while and I loved the new extension to this historic building, that creatively blends the old with the new.

Also at Bristol Old Vic, but aimed at younger audiences, Belle and Sebastien is a family fairytale, about a boy and a dog who run away to the mountains. The mischievous and playful pair journey against a backdrop of snowy mountains in a story of love and friendship. Until 8 January.

The Hippodrome’s Christmas shows are always worth seeing –  their 2022 panto of Cinderella features some well known TV and comic personalities. Join Cinders as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her very wicked sisters and meets her dashing Prince Charming.

Tobacco Factory Theatre offers The Snow Queen, a folk tale set to rich acoustic music, where we hop on board a Nordic Sleigh and fly through the sky with a bicycling reindeer. Join Gerda as she adventures to the Frozen North, to save her friend from the icy clutches of the Snow Queen. Until 15 January.

Also at the Tobacco Factory is BS3 Santa, a comic audience with Father Christmas who is joined by his reindeer handler Sven. This 40 minute show offers improvisation, interaction, music and sleigh bells for all ages. 13-23 December 10.15am and 11.30am

The Redgrave Theatre in Clifton Village is running two Christmas shows. Robin Hood and Marian are deep in Sherwood Forest, taking from the rich to give to the poor. This explosive musical adventure for the whole family brings sword wielding, dragons and archery to life. Select dates until 2 December.

Also at the Redgrave is Aladdin, a traditional pantomime that takes us on a magic carpet ride, with all the silly jokes, special effects, toe tapping tunes and colourful costumes that we’ve come to love at Christmas. Until 31 December.

The Wardrobe Theatre in Old Market is running MDH: Puppets do a Movie as an alternative, adults only Christmas Show. It’s an absurd, dark comedy mashup in which a villainous master-criminal and his furry puppet accomplices take over a skyscraper, only to be thwarted by a street-wise cop who is determined to save Christmas. Until 22 January.

9. A musical Christmas in Bristol

We always try to fit in a visit to St George’s Brandon Hill for one of their concerts in the week before Christmas, from the community choirs where we always seem to have a friend performing. The choirs are pleasingly colour coordinated, often looking as if they’ve chosen all the colours from the Quality Sweets tin.

The music is a mixture of reworked pop favourites, carols and foot-tapping Christmas oldies, with some comic moments and high jinks thrown in, usually led by choirmaster David Ogden. This Christmas look out for Gasworks choir, City of Bristol Choir, Carol and Choral concerts and more in December.

The Bristol Beacon is currently closed for refurbishment, but check out their website for the performances they are putting on at other venues in December. On Bristol’s harbourside you can also find Christmas at the Spiegeltent with live music, cabaret, Christmas parties and kids discos.

10. A spiritual Christmas in Bristol

There’s plenty of fun and celebration at Christmas, but in our household we try not to forget the spiritual part of the holiday. We like to go to Midnight Mass with our extended family and fit in a carol service during Advent.

Bristol Cathedral – Our beautiful cathedral on College Green is even more special during Advent when there are Advent services on all the Sundays in December. Throughout December the cathedral holds carol services including Carols by Candlelight on 16 and 17 Dec, Shoppers’ Carols on 20 Dec and a Festival of 9 lessons and carols in December on 23 and 24 Dec, as well as the Christmas eve and Christmas day Eucharistic services of Christmas.

John Wesley’s New Rooms are a hidden treasure in the centre of Bristol’s Broadmead area. The Grade 1 listed building is the oldest Methodist preaching house, founded by the preacher John Wesley, who together with his brother Charles started the Methodist Christian movement in the 18th century.

In the rooms above the chapel, the old preacher’s lodgings have been transformed into a fascinating museum about the life of John Wesley in Bristol and the times he lived through, including the abolition of slavery.

Christmas activities include lunchtime carols 1pm and Carols by Candlelight 5.30pm on 14 Dec. At the Charles Wesley House nearby there are Christmas tours available on selected date throughout December at 11.30pm, to see the house where Charles Wesley lived and wrote many of his famous hymns like “Hark the herald angels sing”.

Most churches in Bristol will have Christmas Carol services as well as the Christmas religious services, so check what’s on at your local church. At St Mary Redcliffe, activities include a family Christingle Service on 10 Dec and Salvation Army Carol service on 20 Dec.

11. Days out at Christmas

While most of the things I’ve mentioned are within the central area of Bristol, there are some other fun Christmas activities that are just outside Bristol. Some of the best light trails and Christmas activities include:

Westonbirt Arboretum – Enchanted Christmas light trail with interactive displays and playful elves in the forest. Until 10 Dec.

Tyntesfield – This National Trust house is decorated in Victorian Winter fashion and there are carol concerts in the chapel and craft making sessions. Open daily in Dec except 24 / 25 Dec.

Wookey Hole Winter Wonderland – The caves are decked with over 100,000 lights, with a Santa’s grotto and Christmas theme theatre show. Until 1 Jan.

Longleat Festival of light – This light trail brings Roald Dahl’s stories to life, with 800 lanterns against the historic backdrop of Longleat House. Until 8 Jan.

Mendip Activity Centre – The toboggan slope is decked out with fairy lights, coloured flood lights and a snow machine, with twilight tobogganing on dates through December.

Where to stay in Bristol for your festive break

There’s still time to book a cheeky weekend in Bristol to get into the Christmas spirit, eat some great food and shop for unusual and thoughtful gifts, so if you’re looking for a hotel in Bristol, read on for my recommendations;

Best budget accommodation with character in Bristol

If you want stylish accommodation that won’t break the bank, these are the places we recommend for best value, with rooms typically £100 or less per night.

Brooks Guest House (Old City) – A boutique guest house in St Nicholas Market with cosy, contemporary rooms, centrally located in the heart of the Old City. Excellent value for stylish guest house accommodation.

Rodney Hotel (Clifton Village) – The hotel is in a mellow stone Georgian building, in the heart of picturesque Clifton Village. The rooms can be small and the decor a little dated, but this is reflected in the price, and you can’t beat the location.

Beech House (Clifton) – If you prefer the flexibility of self-catering accommodation, Beech House is an excellent choice, within walking distance of both the city centre and Clifton Village. The decor is stylish and contemporary and there are a choice of small apartments, with the studios offering good value for money.

Best Hotels for friends in Bristol

If you are visiting Bristol with a group of friends, these hotels offer stylish accommodation with plenty of facilities and room options. With plenty of rooms to fill, these hotels operate variable pricing so check different dates for the best rates.

The Bristol (Harbour side) – The perfect harbourside location with a 1960’s modernist facade and boutique-style rooms that overlook the waterfront – ideal for both weekend and business travellers.

Clayton Hotel (Old City) – a modern, contemporary hotel with 255 rooms, behind the facade of the historic Everard’s print works, located in the heart of Bristol’s Old City.

Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel (Old City) – This grand Victorian hotel with 186 rooms has been renovated in contemporary style, decorated with artworks from the city’s street art scene.

Best luxury hotels in Bristol

If you are travelling as a couple and want to treat yourself, these are the places we recommend for a touch of luxury and individual service.

Artists Residence (City Centre) – Located minutes from the city centre in a historic Georgian square, the rooms are individually designed in eclectic, boutique style and full of artworks.

Harbour Hotel and Spa (Old City) – a luxurious hotel and spa, that was formed out of two iconic bank properties in the heart of Bristol’s Old City. The decor is quirky and contemporary, there’s an excellent seafood restaurant in The Jetty and the underground spa features some of the old safe doors in what was formerly the bank vaults. Read my review of Bristol Harbour Hotel

The Avon Gorge Hotel (Clifton Village) – Overlooking Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge, in Clifton Village, this historic hotel has been renovated in contemporary style.

Or, check out more hotels in Bristol to plan your pre-Christmas break.

2022 Christmas in Bristol – What’s On When

Daily

• Bristol Christmas Market in Broadmead and Cabot Circus (until 23 Dec)
• Millennium Square Vintage Winter Wonderland (until 2 Jan)

1 Dec (Thurs)

• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food, music 4pm – midnight

2 Dec (Fri)

• Corn Street Christmas Market & Farmer’s market
• Finzel’s Reach Food Producer’s Market 11am – 2pm
• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food, live DJ 4pm – midnight
• Future Leap Festive Market 1-3 Gloucester Rd 10am – 5pm

3 Dec (Sat)

• Corn Street Christmas Market
• Bristol Beacon Made in Bristol Gift Fair 10am – 5pm
• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food, live DJ 10am – midnight
• Estate of the Arts Christmas Market Bedminster 11am – 6pm

4 Dec (Sun)

• Better Sundays Market Broadmead
• Bearpit Festive Market
• Corn Street Christmas Market
• Bristol Beacon Made in Bristol Gift Fair 10am – 5pm
• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food, music 10am – midnight
• Wiper & True Christmas Market – Old Market Tap Room 12-6pm
• Estate of the Arts Christmas Market Bedminster 11am – 6pm
• Future Leap Festive Market 1-3 Gloucester Rd 10am – 5pm

6 Dec (Tues)

• Corn Street Food Market 11am – 2.30pm

7 Dec (Weds)

• Corn Street Farmer’s Market 9.30am – 2.30pm
• Finzel’s Reach Street Food Market 11am – 2pm
• Tour of Charles Wesley House 11.30am (pre-booked tickets)

8 Dec (Thurs)

• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food, live DJ 4pm – midnight
• Tour of Charles Wesley House 11.30am (pre-booked tickets)

9 Dec (Fri)

• Corn Street Christmas Market & Farmer’s Market
• Finzel’s Reach Food Producer’s Market 11am – 2pm
• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food, live DJ 4pm – midnight
• Future Leap Festive Market 1-3 Gloucester Rd 10am – 5pm

10 Dec (Sat)

• Corn Street Christmas Market
• Bristol Beacon Made in Bristol Gift Fair 10am – 5pm
• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food, Live DJ 10am – midnight
• Tour of Charles Wesley House 11.30am (pre-booked tickets)

11 Dec (Sun)

• Better Sundays Market Broadmead
• Bearpit Festive Market
• Corn Street Christmas Market
• Bristol Beacon Made in Bristol Gift Fair 10am – 4pm
• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food, music 10am – midnight
• Future Leap Festive Market 1-3 Gloucester Rd 10am – 5pm

13 Dec (Tues)

• Corn Street Food Market 11am – 2.30pm

14 Dec (Weds)

• Corn Street Farmer’s Market 9.30am – 2.30pm
• Finzel’s Reach Street Food Market 11am – 2pm
• Tour of Charles Wesley House 11.30am (pre-booked tickets)
• John Wesley’s New Rooms – Lunchtime Carols 1-2pm and Carols by Candlelight 5.30-6.30pm

15 Dec (Thurs)

• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food, music 4pm – midnight
• Tour of Charles Wesley House 11.30am (pre-booked tickets)

16 Dec (Fri)

• Corn Street Christmas Market & Farmer’s Market
• Finzel’s Reach Food Producer’s Market 11am – 2pm
• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food, Live DJ 4pm – midnight
• Future Leap Festive Market 1-3 Gloucester Rd 10am – 5pm
• Bristol Cathedral – Carols by Candlelight 7.30pm

17 Dec (Sat)

• Corn Street Christmas Market
• Bristol Beacon Made in Bristol Gift Fair 10am – 5pm
• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food, Live DJ 10am – midnight
• Estate of the Arts Christmas Market Bedminster 11am – 6pm
• Future Leap Festive Market 1-3 Gloucester Rd 10am – 5pm
• Bristol Cathedral – Carols by Candlelight 7.30pm
• Tour of Charles Wesley House 11.30am (pre-booked tickets)
• St Mary Redcliffe – Festival of nine lessons and carols by candlelight 5.30pm

18 Dec (Sun)

• Better Sundays Market Broadmead
• Bearpit Festive Market
• Corn Street Christmas Market
• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food, music 10am – midnight
• Estate of the Arts Christmas Market Bedminster 11am – 6pm
• Future Leap Festive Market 1-3 Gloucester Rd 10am – 5pm
• Bristol cathedral – Family Carol Service 3.30pm
• St Mary Redcliffe – Festival of nine lessons and carols by candlelight 5.30pm

19 Dec (Mon)

• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food 4pm – 9pm
• Bristol cathedral – La Nativite organ recital 7.00pm (free)

20 Dec (Tues)

• Corn Street Food Market 11am – 2.30pm
• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food 4pm – 9pm
• Bristol Cathedral – Shopper’s Carols 5.15pm (free)
• John Wesley’s New Rooms – Messy Nativity family carols 2pm
• St Mary Redcliffe – Salvation Army Carol Service 7.30pm

21 Dec (Weds)

• Corn Street Farmer’s Market 9.30am – 2.30pm
• Finzel’s Reach Street Food Market 11am – 2pm
• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food 4pm – 9pm
• Bristol Cathedral – Toddler’s Carols 10am & 2pm

22 Dec (Thurs)

• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food, Live DJ 4pm – midnight
• St Mary Redcliffe – lunchtime carols 1.00pm

23 Dec (Fri)

• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food, live DJ 4pm – midnight
• Future Leap Festive Market 1-3 Gloucester Rd 10am – 5pm
• Bristol Cathedral – Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 6pm

24 Dec (Sat)

• Propyard Winterland – skating, bumper cars, food, music 4pm – midnight
• Bristol Cathedral – Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 3.30pm

More information on visiting Bristol

For lots of information on visiting Bristol check out the official tourism website of Visit Bristol.

Need a guide book for Bristol? We recommend The Rough Guide to Bath, Bristol & Somerset.

Read Next

Explore the free things to do in Bristol – 20 things to do that won’t cost you a penny

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Thanks to Visit Bristol for hosting* some of the activities mentioned in Bristol – you can check out their listings of Christmas Things to do in Bristol and follow the conversation on social media #MerryBristmas

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com