Upcoming Events

A live sand show from the winner of International competitions in a unique experience to immerse yourself in the magical world of fairy tales based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen and some Christmas stories. Small grains of sand will be turned into majestic pictures and images.

Life in Sherwood Forest isn’t all nuts and berries for Rob, a runaway and our reluctant hero, especially when the Sheriff 's sickening soldiers are on his tail! When he stumbles upon a Very Merry Band, will they march to the beat of his drum in the fight for justice and freedom? Suitable for ages 6+. Full times and performances available online.

An all-star comedy line-up, an optional one or three course meal, and dancing to cheesy floor-filler classics until the early hours with after-parties courtesy of FAME & The Big Disco. There will be dozens of fantastic comedians and comperes from across the UK and the rest of the world. Top names this year include Laura Lexx, Javier Jarquin, Sally Anne Hayward and Jarred Christmas!

Enjoy three magical Christmas experiences at Winter Wonderland - explore enchanting caves lit by 100,000 lights, visit Santa's North Pole Grotto for a special gift, and enjoy a Grinch-inspired Christmas circus show in the Theatre.

Meet Santa and enjoy a delicious home cooked breakfast in The Herb Garden Restaurant. Children will be given their own festive gift to take home and enjoy. There is also the opportunity to take your photo with Santa after breakfast. Spaces are limited so early booking recommended. Adults go free (maximum of 4 adults/child). Adults are able to purchase breakfast on the day as well.

A dedicated slot in the calm and curiosity led soft play space with calming lower volume music, easy ground floor access, zero judgement zone, lots of sensory toys and clean soft play equipment, an opportunity to build a support network with other parents.

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 under the soft white flakes. Sliding, tumbling and laughing, they explore the winter wonderland together and keep each other safe and warm from the winter…

Once onboard the whistle will sound and you’ll depart on your fifty minute train ride. Whilst travelling, you can enjoy a mince pie or festive biscuit and Santa will pass through the train greeting everyone. Then, when you return to Bitton Station each family group will meet Santa again and all good boys and girls will receive an Avon Valley Railway donkey-themed plush toy (suitable from birth). There will also be the chance for your family group to take photographs…

With stories and multi-sensory fun for children aged 2-5 years. Each session starts with a story before using different materials, sounds and games to make something to take home.

A great way to get those broken household objects and toys working again - the skilled volunteers can try to fix electrical and mechanical items, furniture, clothing, toys and more. Donations to cover running costs are always welcome.

A great way to get those broken household objects and toys working again - the skilled volunteers can try to fix electrical and mechanical items, furniture, clothing, toys and more. Donations to cover running costs are always welcome.

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 with him and there is a special post box if your child would like to leave a letter for him. In addition, each child will…

Explore the garden and watch as the 12 Days of Christmas comes to life. With magical interpretations that will enchant children and adults alike, this family-favourite carol will be sure to put everyone in a festive mood. In addition, the Palladian bridge will be dressed for the occasion, and the Tea Cabin stocked with festive treats.

Enter the festively decorated Dovecote to meet St Nicholas, hear a special Christmas story, and receive a Christmas gift. Up to eight children at a time will be able to get cosy as they take part in a fun story time and receive a small gift. Suitable for children ages 3-10 years, must be accompanied by an adult (free); booking essential. 

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 children can look out for tiny fancily dressed fabric deer hiding in each room. In addition, there will be pear-themed decorations, a large outdoor Christmas…

Continue your Christmas shopping and support local makers with a range of handmade goods on offer at the market. There will be different stallholders each weekend with plenty of opportunity to browse a wide variety of products including textiles, recycled wood, jewellery, and handmade dog treats. In addition, there will be carols and music each afternoon.

With exhibitors including food and drink, gifts and crafts, Hayesfield students and local charities. Refreshments including mulled wine available and local choirs performing to add to the festive atmosphere.

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.

Visit the house at Christmas, see the rooms dressed for the festive season and enjoy the traditions and celebrations of a Georgian Christmas told through stories and poems throughout the house as part of the immersive experience. Under 18 free with accompanying adult.

Species-specific course focusing on garden birds for those who have completed Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release Courses and/or have some good foundation knowledge of the rehabilitation of garden birds. The course will include the ecology and biology of garden birds relevant to their assessment and triage for treatment, rehabilitation and release, care of garden birds whilst in captivity, some of the common reasons for admissions of garden birds to vets and wildlife centres, and the care of nestling and fledgling garden…

Celebrating a journey through the diversity of American landscapes, history and culture in this contemporary, immersive experience, where visitors join in and share their own stories. There will be large-scale-travel games, theatrical sets, and an array of American road-trip memorabilia, as well a chance to get up close to an original 1958 Harley Davidson Duo Glide motorcycle, on loan from Haynes Motor Museum. Explore the origins and stories behind the cultural phenomenon, and be transported across thousands of miles on…

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.

Enjoy a magical experience, receive a gift and meet Father Christmas in an interactive experience with professional actors. Help the elves wake Father Christmas and hear a story of how they plan to make this year the best Christmas ever. Then have your photo taken with Father Christmas and his magical musical elf Sprinkles. Children and adults both receive a gift. Suitable for ages 3-12 years.

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 recommended. Adults go free (maximum of 2 adults/child).

An opportunity to meet the animals, Vallas sheep walk, face painting, train rides, chicken sale, machine display, children's fun fair and festive food market.

Meet Charlie the Christmas Clownfish (Santa’s underwater representative) this Christmas and write a ‘fishmas’ letter to Santa too.

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 the region and beyond. The Christmas sculptures include: Fleece Navidad by Jessica Perrin, Snowfall Symphony by Amrit Singh and Shaun the Tree-t by Megan Heather…