It’s one of the more surreal festive sights you’ll see in the South West. A huge gang of motorcyclists revving their engines and beeping their horns through the streets of Bristol, all dressed up as Father Christmas. It could only mean one thing. That Santa’s on a Bike is back in Bristol for 2024.
Hundreds of Santas, snowmen, elves and reindeer will be riding their festive-decorated bike this weekend (Saturday, December 7). All bikes, trikes and quads are welcome to join in – with a fully L-plate-friendly ride planned. But even if you can’t ride, you’re invited down as a spectator to help raise money for a local children’s charity.
Riders are coming in from Wales, Weston-super-Mare, Bath and beyond to meet at Winterbourne Academy from 10:30am. It won’t set off until 1pm, however, when it will head off on its journey towards Charlton Farm Children’s Hospice. The almost two-hour route will head down such popular locations as Gloucester Road, Park Street, and Cumberland Basin.
Where can I see Santa’s on a Bike?
If you want the best chance of catching the stream of Santas in Bristol, Santa’s on a Bike will follow this route and timings (traffic dependent):
10:30-13:00: Winterbourne Academy
13:05: Bradley Stoke Way
13:10: Passing Willow Brook Centre
13:15: Aztec West Roundabout, A38: Gloucester Road
13:30: Filton Air Balloon Roundabout
13:50: Bearpit Roundabout onto The Haymarket, Rupert Street, Park Street, The Triangle, Jacob’s Wells Road
14:15: Hotwells, Cumberland Basin, Swing Bridge
14:20: Long Ashton Park & Ride
14:30: Failand
14:45: Charlton Farm Children’s Hospice
How do I donate?
If you’d like to donate, Santa’s on a Bike has its own Just Giving page, which you can directly donate to here. All monies go directly to Children’s Hospice South West – who support children and their families who are living with life-limiting conditions. If you want to get involved, you can also ask friends, family or colleagues to sponsor your ride.
There are also Santa’s On A Bike rides in Devon (December 14), Plymouth (December 7) and the Midlands (December 14). To learn more about the ride head here.