Upcoming Events

Featuring four Thomas Gainsborough portraits and 18 contemporary artists, the first in a new programme of contemporary art exhibitions. The paintings will be presented as key components of a group exhibition of portraiture featuring 18 contemporary British artists selected by guest curator Ingrid Swenson MBE. The exhibition is intended for reflection on the experience of artists and their sitters or subject in the act of making the artwork, and to consider what similarities and differences there may be for the…

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 their gift shop receipt.

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 crafts. 

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 Family Activity Guide.

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 Family Activity Guide.

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 and storytelling sessions at the weekends. 

For preschool children and their parents or carers. Free for accompanying adults. No adult unaccompanied by a toddler will be admitted. 15, 16 & 17 October: Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood; 22 October: Room on the Broom; 29 October: Tabby McTat; 5 November: Lili & Lolo and ABC with Kenny G; 12 November: Molang the best of season 5; 19 November: Wandering Wenda D, E, F; 26 November: The Highway Rat; 3 December: Sarah & Duck Christmas Collection; 10 December: Stick Man

Light trail featuring giant illuminated lanterns around the grounds as well as the UK’s biggest singing Christmas tree, Santa train, safari drive-through and festive tours of the house.

Paint four ceramic baubles with designs of your choice whilst enjoying some live music and a glass of fizz. In addition, the Cafe will be open to purchase snacks, mince pies or festive bakes. Your baubles will then be glazed and fired by our team of potters, ready to hang on your tree and treasured for years to come. They will be ready for collection 1 week after the event. Suitable for ages 16+ years.

Based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film, the story of the World’s favourite nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane is even more magical than ever before featuring dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs. Suitable for ages 7+ years.  

Based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film, the story of the World’s favourite nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane is even more magical than ever before featuring dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs. Suitable for ages 7+ years.  

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.

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…

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.

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.

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…

The Unforgettable Behaviour exhibition showcases 39 photographs from previous Wildlife Photographer of the Year collections, displaying some of the most incredible animal behaviour moments ever captured on camera. The photos show an extraordinary range of surprising, and often deeply moving, acts by animals. They have been chosen to allow visitors to connect with animals they might never otherwise see and to inspire everyone to care about the world around us. The collection includes the works of several American photographers, with…

See the resident falcons, hawks and owls and enjoy a flying display (11am and 2:30pm), see three different species in the sky with commentary from one of the team. Tickets are valid for the whole day, to allow you to come and go as many times as you like.

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 decorations. 

Featuring four Thomas Gainsborough portraits and 18 contemporary artists, the first in a new programme of contemporary art exhibitions. The paintings will be presented as key components of a group exhibition of portraiture featuring 18 contemporary British artists selected by guest curator Ingrid Swenson MBE. The exhibition is intended for reflection on the experience of artists and their sitters or subject in the act of making the artwork, and to consider what similarities and differences there may be for the…

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 their gift shop receipt.

Pop-up photoshoot with Lenka Wills. Capture stunning photos of your baby or family perfect for Christmas cards and gifts.