When the spooky pumpkin lanterns of Halloween are taken down, many of us focus on looking forward to the festive season – with Christmas only a matter of months away. And when weather gets a bit chillier, there’s nothing quite like wrapping up warm, grabbing a hot drink, and heading out for a bit of a wander among the Christmas lights.
Just imagine trees wrapped in a warm yellow glow, light tunnels that look like they may transport you to another world, and huge lanterns in all shapes and sizes – from fairytale to festive themes. Fortunately for us here in Bristol, there’s a great selection of Christmas illuminations and light trails/experiences to enjoy, either within the city or a little drive away.
Whether you simply want to wander through town and do a bit of evening Christmas browsing, or spend a good few hours soaking in all the sights – we’ve compiled a list of local light events you can enjoy. They’re sure to get you in the Christmas spirit…
Bristol Christmas lights
When: November 24-January 5, 2024
Throughout the season we’ll be sharing stories of Christmas light displays that have been created by homeowners and local communities – check back to read more soon.
Clifton Village and the City Centre usually boast dazzling light displays that transform streets into winter wonderlands while you go about your evenings. You can stroll through Park Street, Queen Square, and even across the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, to enjoy thousands of twinkling lights – all making for magical backdrops for evening strolls around the city.
Avon Valley
When: December 6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,27,28,29,30,31, 2024 (5.30-8.30pm)
Where: Pixash Lane, Bath Road, Keynsham, BS31 1TP
Avon Valley’s Christmas Nights Light Trail returns for 2024. You’ll be able to follow and interact with the light trail around Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park, as its lake and trees are used as yet another spectacular magical festive backdrop.
As is the case with Avon Valley’s light trail, organisers are collaborating with an award-winning event lighting specialist to “illuminate your Christmas at Avon Valley”. You’ll also be able to ride the miniature railway – ‘The Elf Express’, explore ‘Dinosaur Valley’ and its animatronic inhabitants as they are brought to life at night (some wrapped up in winter scarves no less), and there will be plenty of festive options for food and drink – including mulled wine and s’mores.
Westonbirt
When: November 29-December 1, December 6-8, December 12-15, December 18-24, December 26-31 (multiple time slots between 4.30-8pm)
Where: Westonbirt Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury, GL8 8QS
Westonbirt Arboretum’s Enchanted Christmas also returns this year, for a ‘magical family-fun experience full of Christmas lights, illuminated trees, activities, and more’. The Christmas light trail is just one junction up from Bath on the M4, so just a little drive from Bristol.
This year, organisers have teamed up with award-winning, internationally acclaimed light trail producers behind Christmas at Kew, Christmas at Bedgebury and Christmas at Blenheim, to bring visitors a “light trail never-before-seen at Westonbirt”. There will be more than a million twinkling lights, as well as seasonal sounds to discover.
The new trail will also feature a magical glimpse of Father Christmas, luminous birds delicately balanced on branches, colourful neon trees, sparkling tunnels of light and the arboretum filled with all the colours of the rainbow. You’ll be able to grab a seasonal snack or drink from the Christmas village or from hand-picked street food vendors – there’s spiced drinks, hot chocolates, and toasted marshmallows galore.
Longleat
When: Selected dates from November 9, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Where: Longleat Safari and Adventure Park, Warminster, BA12 7JS
Longleat’s Festival of Light returns for 2024, celebrating its tenth anniversary with ‘journey through time’ as the theme. Visitors will be able to explore the evolution of the earth, from the age of the dinosaurs to present day. This year’s lantern trail is described as a “historical wonderland just waiting to be explored”.
Guests can become time travellers and capture family memories with kings and queens, a giant 12-metre clock, spectacular colours of The Arabian Nights, or the House light show in celebration of Longleat opening its doors 75 years ago. Other lanterns include a great pyramid of Egypt, and even a 10-metre-high Roman Colosseum complete with chariots and gladiators.
Longleat’s Festival of Light also boasts Britain’s biggest singing Christmas tree, a Santa Train, storytelling in the Longhouse (alongside some feathery friends), festive house tours, and all of the other wonders of the park.
Sudeley Castle & Gardens
When: Selected evenings from November 22-December 30, 2024
Where: Sudeley Castle & Gardens, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JD
Now in its ninth year and a little further from Bristol, Sudeley Castle’s Spectacle of Light boasts a new illuminated trail around the castle grounds. New for 2024 is The Sleeping Beauty who, organisers say, has fallen into a deep sleep for 100 years – “the spell will not be broken until the heroic Prince finds and awakens her. Meet the wicked fairy who has cast a spell on the Princess, and the good fairies trying to save her”.
There will also be plenty of festive food and cheer, as you sip festive warmers of spiced mulled wine and sprinkled hot chocolate while you wander the trail around the grounds. Hot food and doughnuts are also available from the Castle Terrace, and there will be a Christmas gift shop for the ultimate festive inspiration.