After two years of staying home and remaining COVID-cautious, we cannot wait until the streets of Bristol are filled with twinkling lights and festive fun and the usual Christmas celebrations are back in full swing. While it should be a reminder to continue enjoying the festivities safely, there are plenty of events for all to boost Christmas spirits across the city and beyond.
From Bristol’s Christmas market, to Avon Valley Christmas Nights, to spectacular musicals and more- you don’t want to miss what the city has got coming up this year. Of course one the highlights of the season is always the Bristol Hippodrome panto, which this year stars Craig Revel Horwood, fresh off the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel.
We’ve already compiled a list of handy tips for some of the most highly anticipated events this Christmas season and here’s what in store:
READ MORE: Strictly's Jayde Adams - from working on Asda fish counter to how her sister's death will be on her mind in the ballroom
Christmas Spectacular
December 17 (St George's Bristol, BS1 5RR)
Bristol Ensemble and the 90-strong City of Bristol Choir join forces once again this year to spread Christmas cheer through music. Directed by Roger Huckle, the performance will be led under the baton of conductor David Ogden- featuring Christmas music with choir items and glorious orchestral music.
Tickets can be booked now from £15.
Bristol's Christmas Market
November 4 - December 23 (Broadmead)
Bristol’s Christmas Market will be making its return this November to offer seasonal delights, crafts and more, for those looking for a unique present for their loved ones. Stalls are open until December 23 from 10am to 7pm, while the food and bar area will be available everyday from 10am to 10pm.
The Festival of Light at Longleat
Selected dates from 5th November - 8th January (Warminster)
This year the Festival of Light in Longleat will be showcasing ‘The Wondrous Worlds of Roald Dahl’, which will see the famed author’s most iconic characters and scenes brought to life with 800 lanterns across 30 acres. Running on selected dates throughout the festive holidays until Sunday, January 8, this year’s festival will create illuminated scenes from books including The BFG, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Matilda, The Twits and Fantastic Mr Fox.
Infants two and under can be admitted for free, as well as carers. Tickets can be booked from £29.95. For more information, you can click here.
Avon Valley Christmas Nights
December 2- December 31, 6:00–8:30 PM (Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park, BS31 1TP)
At Avon Valley, there are so many ways to have captivating moments with your loved ones- from interacting with Avon Valley’s light trail and celebrating at the festive disco, riding on the Polar Express Miniature Stream rain to ice-skating and visiting Santa’s Sleigh Surprise Show ‘Christmas Experience’.
Tickets are non-refundable or transferable and tickets must be bought online in advance. In addition, a £2 per ticket surcharge is added if purchased on the day.
Babies in arms can go in for free, while carers who are assisting guests of disabilities can be admitted for £4.95. Other tickets will be available to also book now from £6.95 by clicking here.
Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum
November 26 and December 3, 4:00pm – 9:30pm (Tetbury)
Visit the magical world of breath-taking light spectacles and interactive displays among the majestic trees of Westonbirt Arboretum, with the usual functions to be ready for the general public when entering the trail at 5pm. The trail will also be adapted to suit those with additional needs such as autism.This includes strong flashing lights, loud sound effects and smoke effects- which will be temporarily deactivated.
Infants under 2 can go for free, but will still require a ticket. Tickets for ages 3 and over are also available to book online from £11, which includes a £1 non-refundable booking fee.
Dates
Friday 25 - Saturday 26 November
Friday 02 - Saturday 03 December
Friday 09 - Saturday 10 December
Friday 16 - Wednesday 21 December
You can purchase now via https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/enchanted-christmas
Elf The Musical at Bristol Hippodrome
November 17- November 19 (St Augustine's Parade, BS1 4UZ)
Elf - The Musical is coming to The Bristol Hippodrome for the first time, featuring a large cast and a full-scale live orchestra. Based on the iconic 2003 movie, Elf, starring Will Ferrell- the stage version will feature lively musical features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin.
Tickets are available now from £19 and you can click here for more details.
Cinderella: Pnatomime at Bristol Hippodrome
December 2 - December 31 (St Augustine's Parade, BS1 4UZ)
Star of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, Craig Revel Horwood, was revealed at the pantomime dame earlier in the year and will lead the cast as the Wicked Stepmother, a fitting role for his tough-love judge persona on the dancing show. He has been a judge on all 19 series of the popular BBC1 programme since 2004.
The Snow Queen at Tobacco Factory Theatres
1 Dec 2022 - 15 Jan 2023 (Tobacco Factory Theatres, BS3 1TF)
Tobacco Factory Theatres will be partnering once more with the award-winning New International Encounter and Cambridge Junction to bring a joyful festive experience to life this December.
Sprinkled with powerful acoustic music and a multi-talented cast, the folk tale aims to tell a story of a young girl’s quest to the frozen north to save her best friend from the icy clutches of The Snow Queen.
Tickets are available now from £12 by clicking here.
Christmas at Dyrham Park
1 Dec 2022 - 2 Jan 2023 (Dyrham Park, SN14 8HY)
Who wants to step into a time machine back to the 17th century to celebrate Christmas in the olden years? Christmas at Dyrham will host 17th-century festivities such as a family festive trail linked to winter weddings and gifts. This is because this year’s theme will be 'a 17th-century wedding', which was inspired by former residents William Blathwayt and Mary Wynter who married at Christmas time in 1686.
The event will be running everyday for a month from 10 am until 4 pm. December until January 2023. This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue from £7. You can click here to find out more.
Wilda and the Winter Whirlwind at Redgrave Theatre
November 28 (Redgrave Theatre, Clifton, BS8 3LE)
Cosy up this November with your closest friends and family by embarking on a journey with Wilda who takes on the role as hero to fight the wicked Winter Witch and save her village from impending doom.
For fans of puppetry, song and physical theatre, you can see how you can book tickets from £8 to watch the magical, festive tale by clicking here.
Bristol Improv Theatre Christmas Show 2022
December 8 (The Bristol Improv Theatre, BS8 1LP)
The Bristol Improv Theatre have developed a reputation for putting on hilariously goofy Christmas shows that are aimed to be unapologetically entertaining. For those who enjoy improvised pantomime, the theatre will be bringing shows such as “Pick Your Own Panto”, the puppet show “How the BIT stole Christmas” and last year’s aptly-named “Merry Christmas Despite the current circumstances”.
While a show has not been confirmed yet, they hope to bring the best of local theatre, combined with local ales, mulled cider and fizz in a speakeasy-style bar.
For more updates on tickets and more, you can click here .
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