Christmas celebrations in Bristol

If you fancy a Christmas trip this year, Bristol is the place to go. The city is full of seasonal fun, whether you like shopping, entertainment or winter activities.

According to VisitBristol, there are more Christmas events in Bristol than ‘Wensleydale cheese consumed by loveable locals Wallace & Gromit!'. This is definitely true and the city is packed with festive highlights worth exploring, regardless of your age and interests.

Shopping for gifts is an inevitable activity for many people in December. It is no secret that it can be a bit tiring, so make sure to enjoy yourself along the way. Fortunately, the atmosphere in Bristol is amazing at this time of year with beautiful lights and decorations all around. At Cabot Circus, visit the Bristol Christmas Market where unique gifts and homemade crafts will be sold from quaint wooden chalet-style stalls. This year, a covered Food Village has been introduced with treats including popular Yorkshire Pudding Wrap, to fuel you through a day of Christmas shopping.

A magical winter wonderland

If you like being outdoors and taking in the seasonal feeling by being a bit active, you should visit The Mall Cribbs Causeway and experience their magical Winter Wonderland. Including the largest outdoor ice rink in the South West, it allows you to dance, jump or just skate around at a leisurely pace. This is the perfect place to bring kids to get into the festive spirit. After an active hour, you should head to Santa's Enchanted Ice Castle. Once inside, you can jump on the magical Christmas train and enjoy the delicious selection of treats from Santa's little helpers.

Wander a traditional Christmas Market

From early November until 22nd December, you can explore The Original German Christmas Market. Consisting of 38 chalets decorated with festive greenery and colourful lights, this is where you'll find everything you'll need for Christmas. In addition to all of the traditional treats, gifts and ornaments for sale, the market offers a giant advent calendar, beer gardens and delightful food and drinks. If you're just attending one Christmas event in Bristol, this is undoubtedly the one to choose.

After a cosy day at the traditional market, what better is there to do than catch a seasonal play? Take the kids to Redgrave Theatre to see A Starry Night – A Navtivity Tale. This beautiful, playful and fresh adaptation takes the traditional mystery cycle and includes a rich assortment of stars, puppets, magicians, slapstick, poetry and singing. Fun for all the family, that'll leave you with festive cheer! . If you prefer concerts rather than the theatre then head to Colston Hall for Paddington Bear and The Snowman. . These well-loved family stories, accompanied by a live orchestra, will surely delight your entire family.

Party at the Spiegeltent

Even though Christmas might be the biggest family holiday of the year, that doesn't mean you can't have a little fun with your friends as well. Head off to the Spiegeltent for a truly entertaining pre-Christmas experience. This time of year the colourful, circus-like tent is literally bursting with amazing events. Live music, cabarets, parties and comedy, all appropriately themed for the season, awaits you.

As you see, a trip to Bristol in December will provide you with what you need for Christmas, and more. At the Radisson Blu Hotel, Bristol, located in the heart of the city centre near the harbour area, you can enjoy contemporary accommodation and be in close proximity of the city's seasonal events.