Events for 2nd December 2024

Create cosy Christmas crafts, gallop with hobby-reindeer and snuggle up for a festive story with Father Christmas in his magical grotto. The experience lasts 50 minutes and includes a photo opportunity with Father Christmas and a gift; aimed at children aged 3-12 years.    Booking essential via the website or call 0344 249 1895.

Create cosy Christmas crafts, gallop with hobby-reindeer and snuggle up for a festive story with Father Christmas in his magical grotto. The experience lasts 50 minutes and includes a photo opportunity with Father Christmas and a gift; aimed at children aged 3-12 years.    Booking essential via the website or call 0344 249 1895.

An enchanting winter’s tale for the very young. Winter has arrived and the woods are covered in white. A child hurries to put on their winter clothes so they can run outside and play in a sparkly new world. Just when they are starting to feel a bit lonely, they find a sleeping mouse buried […]

Father Christmas is making a special stop to read a Christmas story to the children and give them a gift. Children will be greeted by Christmas helpers and led into our beautifully decorated Servant’s Hall where Father Christmas will read them a story. They will have a chance to talk to him, have a photo […]

Join artist Antonia Ramsey to have an immersive, playful and fun art making session exploring artists of the past and present to create the artists of the future inspired by the current exhibitions and works of famous artists. Suitable for under 5’s and their grown ups (children must be accompanied by an adult); please book […]

The house will be dressed with festive decorations from seven different eras from Tudor times right up to the 20th century including a new 1980s room filled with colour, fun and authentic items from the decade of decadence. Visitors can work out which room matches which period, helped by decorations, yuletide customs and objects, and […]

A brand new installation, a vast constellation of love and light, held within the centre of the Abbey. Warm, welcoming, with depth, height, glowing, and shining – the exhibition will contain up to 103 individual stars of different sizes and geometries, all surrounding the largest, central star, that represents Christ never dimmed. The constant.

An exciting dog trail with the delightful dogs from Alice Tait’s storybook No, Nancy, No! a Dog Chase in New York. Explore the American garden and find all the dogs in their Santa hats, using Alice’s beautifully illustrated map as your guide. With fun story-themed activities to collect at the end of the trail.

The Museum has been inundated with some very mischievous Christmas elves and your help is needed to keep an eye on them! From having snowball fights and tinkering under the bonnet to driving a car and a pint-size pit crew, can you spot all of the elves on your visit? Included with Museum entry.

Meet Santa as he reads a Christmas story. Children will also be given hot chocolate (or alternative) and freshly made cookies whilst they listen to the story, and a festive gift to take home. There is also the opportunity to take your photo with Santa after the story reading. Spaces are limited so early booking […]

Family art trail to find twelve ewe-nique sculptures at locations across the zoo. It’s the perfect festive activity, free for visitors and packed full of baa-rilliant adventures! In collaboration with Aardman, and in partnership with global art producer, Wild in Art, each sculpture, standing at 160cm tall, has been individually designed by artists from across […]

Willow reindeers will be prancing around the garden, the Bakehouse will be ready for Christmas post with a letter writing station and north pole postbox, and there will be Christmas trees twinkling in every corner. The Cloister will be hosting a Community Christmas Tree festival with trees decorated by local groups using handmade and upcycled […]

Frenchay Forestry will be selling their Christmas trees in the Aerospace Bristol car park and as a special offer, anyone who purchases a tree can claim 15% off anything in the gift shop when they show their receipt. Similarly, those who shop in the gift store can enjoy 10% off their Christmas tree by presenting […]

The perfect place to practice your skating and show off your moves! With wintery music, a cosy bar and seasonal drinks, be transported in to a winter wonderland.

Enjoy some festive retail therapy in a beautiful, historic setting. The High Street Shop is hosting a Christmas pop-up shop in the village's Manger Barn. Not usually open to the public, this historic space will be the setting for a sparkling Christmas ship, where you'll be able to buy quality, sustainable gifts and local artisanal […]

Aa family-focused exhibition, showcasing over 60 dragon-themed objects from the Museum’s collection. Explore the stories and symbolism of dragons across China, Japan, and Korea through our family-friendly activities. Design your own dragon to hang in the ‘Dragon Gallery’; write your own dragon myth; and learn more about their history through the Fun Facts Trail and […]

Aa family-focused exhibition, showcasing over 60 dragon-themed objects from the Museum’s collection. Explore the stories and symbolism of dragons across China, Japan, and Korea through our family-friendly activities. Design your own dragon to hang in the ‘Dragon Gallery’; write your own dragon myth; and learn more about their history through the Fun Facts Trail and […]

Fairytales meet a Victorian Christmas in this immersive storytelling experience, perfect for both the young and the young at heart. Discover the three bears' Christmas feast, follow Hansel's trail to the tea-room and listen to some fairy tales in the Library. Throughout Christmas there will be a free activity sheet to keep little minds occupied […]

Wander through a magical backdrop of illuminated trees, discover a trail of remarkable light art sculptures, low level soundscapes, interactive illuminations and a specially commissioned light show. This year, the route is longer, with more installations and plenty of entertainment as well as food and drink around the Bandstand. Entry via the Westlecot Road entrance; […]