Brunelf, the giant 15ft tall Elf on the Shelf is returning to Bristol this festive season. In the coming days and weeks, the huge version of the popular Christmas character will be visiting some of the city’s most iconic locations.
Known as the city’s Scout Elf, The Elf on the Shelf is a much larger version of the smaller Scout Elves which visit families during the festive season and report back to Father Christmas, as part of an ever growing tradition in many a household. From Friday, November 22, to Tuesday, December 24, Bristol’s giant Scout Elf, Brunelf, will embark on a new Christmas adventure around the city – and this year promises some all new surprises.
In partnership with Redcliffe & Temple BID, Bristol City Centre BID, and The Lumistella Company (home to The Elf on the Shelf Santaverse), the festive installation – which proved immensely popular last year – will be inviting families, residents and visitors to explore the city’s landmarks ‘in a whole new way’. Brunelf will visit a series of handpicked locations, each chosen to ‘showcase Bristol’s unique character and community spirit’.
These locations are:
- No. 17 Park Street – November 22-25
- Old Fire Station – November 25-27
- Ritorno Lounge – November 27-29
- Bristol Temple Meads – November 29-December 2
- 70 Redcliffe Street – December 2-5
- The Wellhead – December 5-9
- Cheese Lane Shot Tower – December 9-12
- The Planetarium at We The Curious, Millennium Square – December 12-16
- Bristol Hippodrome – December 16-20
- Bristol Old Vic – December 20-24
Alongside Brunelf’s Christmas adventure, there’s an opportunity to participate in the new-for-2024 ‘Elfie’ competition. Simply snap a selfie with the Bristol Scout Elf and post it to Instagram using the hashtag ‘#BristolElfie’, while tagging @bristolbid and @redcliffeandtemplebid.
Each post enters participants into a draw to win a £500 Love Bristol gift card.
What’s more, throughout this time period, the official Scout Elf will be making a number of surprise appearances at various locations across Bristol, including a meet-and-greet and story time. Residents and visitors will need to keep their eyes peeled for these pop-up events, however, as Brunelf won’t be around for long.
More than 21 million Scout Elves have been sold since 2005 and the brand has garnered some 8.5 million fans on social media. Elf on the Shelf is now considered a Top 10 holiday character across the UK and the US.
Following the success of the campaign spearheaded by Bristol in 2023, the giant Scout Elf is expanding his Christmas cheer to Liverpool and Croydon with their individual Business Improvement Districts, where residents can expect their own festive surprises and competitions.
Vicky Lee, Director of Bristol City Centre BID, said: “The Elf on the Shelf® has quickly become a holiday favourite for the city and this year we’re excited to take it to new heights and new spots. It’s all about celebrating Bristol and making the festive season unforgettable for everyone who visits.”