Festive things to do in Bristol in the countdown to Christmas

7 festive exclusive experiences you need to squeeze in before the big day


Last updated on Friday 28 June 2024


The countdown to Christmas is on and there are so many festive activities happening in Bristol that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

From winter illuminations to Christmas wine tasting and everything in between, here are 7 unusual, one-of-a-kind, or exclusive Christmas activities that you can do with independent creative businesses in Bristol:

1. Raclette & wine night at KASK: December 15th, 16th, 22nd & 23rd

Raclette cheese tasting and wine in Bristol

Cheesy does it! Get ready for a melt-in-the-mouth experience that was just made for a pre-Christmas date night or a last-minute catch up with the mates before the year ends.

Bedminster's KASK will be hosting some extra tasty experiences that are coated in creamy, oozy, melted raclette cheese and finished off with three perfectly paired wines! 

Take a trip to the Alps without leaving BS3; Bristol's cosiest wine bar is ready to take you on an Alpine adventure you'll never forget.

Raclette & wine night at KASK, £25 per adult

2. Jaminglish Christmas dinner fusion: Sunday, December 19

Jamaican British Christmas dinner workshop

This Caribbean Christmas dinner workshop will ensure that you never have a dull roast again.

Team up with Just Love Nibbles and her award-winning jerk marinade to create a  Christmas dinner that marries the best of Jamaican and British cuisine into a taste-explosion fusion.

Jaminglish Christmas dinner fusion, £50 per adult

3. Christmas archery: Weekdays, December 14 - December 24

Outdoor archery for Christmas, festive games

Wrap up your festive activities with a different kind of bow this year! Christmas might just have found a new tradition.

Join Brocks Outdoor Adventures and go to battle with your bow and arrow against some unusual targets (think evil snowman) to get you in the festive mood.

Christmas archery, £15 per adult

4. *Festive edition* Scent blending & candle making: Sunday, December 19

Scent blending and candle making in Bristol

What smells like Christmas to you? Fresh pine needles, spiced orange, fresh gingerbread, the memory of a log fire? Fill the house with your own hand-blended Christmas scent with this masterclass in the art of scent blending.

Head to Prior Shop in the heart of Quakers Friars and learn how to carefully select and combine scents, then capture your signature scent in your own wood wick candle. This informal workshop is a great escape from the throes of the city mid-Christmas shop.

*Festive edition* Scent blending & candle making, £30 per adult

5. Insight Ensemble at Ashton Court: Thursday, December 16

Classical music live Christmas event in Bristol

This magically romantic date night is a fantastic way to round off the year. Receive a bottle of prosecco upon arrival and get the VIP treatment with reserved front row seats as sting orchestra, Insight Ensemble, takes you on a magical aural journey.

Enter Ashton Court and delight at its winter illuminated sparkle before sitting back and enjoying themed soundscapes and visuals from Insight Ensemble. This fully immersive experience will take you from timeless classical pieces to freshly commissioned works by current composers and back again.

Insight Ensemble at Ashton Court, £40 for two includes prosecco

6. Christmas wine tasting at KASK: December 16th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd & 30th

Christmas wine tasting in Bristol

Another festive special from KASK, because who could do Christmas festivities better than a wine bar? Grab a group together and head down to Bedminster for this masterclass in wine pairing and learn what'll taste best on the table on the big day.

These wine tasting events will take you through five different wines and will teach you how to perfectly pair wine with each part of Christmas dinner.

Christmas wine tasting at KASK, £26 per adult

7. Light up Bristol's Winter Illuminations at Ashton Court: Every day until Christmas

Winter illuminations and Christmas lights walk in Bristol

Last, but certainly not least, Light Up Bristol's winter illuminations at Ashton Court. Ashton Court has had a brilliant festive makeover and has definitely turned on the glitz for the 2021 festive period.

This immersive walk is great for all the family and is certain to give you some magical photographs to put in your album. You'll also find food and drink in the manor courtyard if you need something to warm you up a little!

Light Up Bristol winter illuminations, from £12 a ticket


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