It’s the last month before the big one. Christmas is around the corner, but that doesn’t mean you should retreat inside and cosy up under a blanket until then. There is plenty to get up to this November, like the long-awaited Christmas markets and the opening of several new restaurants! So, it’s time to wrap up, explore the city and beyond, and check out our guide to the best things to do in Bristol this November to make for an unbelievably fab month.
1. Sip on mulled wine in an igloo at Bristol Christmas Market
Bristol Christmas Market makes its grand return on November 1 to Broadmead. This year’s market is set to run for seven very festive weeks, coming to an official close on December 23. During its run, visitors will get to peruse the offerings of over 50 festive stalls packed full of gifts, festive treats, unique crafts, and more, alongside numerous bars and food stalls. Plus, the market will again be home to Christmas Igloos and Ski Gondolas!
2. Have a cracking Christmas with ‘Wallace & Gromit’
Cet into the festive spirit with the ‘Wallace & Gromit: A Cracking Christmas Experience’ at The Friary Building. From November 16 to December 24, it has been transformed into a brand-new festive experience, where you can help Wallace save Christmas by getting his latest gadget – the Christmas-O-Matic – up and running. Afterwards, head to the Cracking Christmas Cafe for post-Christmas shopping cheese sandwiches and cake.
3. Experience the magic of a Candlelight concert
Candlelight concerts combine breathtaking live music performances with the enchanting glow from thousands of candles to make for an unforgettable winter plan. Relive iconic on-screen moments with a magnificent Hans Zimmer (November 9) tribute and hear your favourite Coldplay tunes (November 23) performed on strings. But there’s something for everyone at these magical candlelit concerts.
4. Follow the oldest arts trail in Bristol
The Totterdown Arts Trail marks its 24th year as Bristol’s longest-running arts trail on November 16 & 17. The free annual event invites you inside Totterdown houses, studios and community spaces. Over 100 local artists will exhibit their work, offering everything from pottery and sculpture to handmade jewellery, prints, and textiles. From 11 am to 6 pm, both days, spot those taking part in the arts trail by the orange Ducksy flags flying above, while estate agent-style boards (this year’s trail is sponsored by Boardwalk) point the way.
5. Take an enchanting trip to Longleat
Longleat’s legendary Festival of Light returns with more life-size lanterns than ever before from November 9 to January 5, 2025. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, witness the great pyramids of Egypt, dodge a dinosaur’s roar, and cheer on chariots at the 10-metre-high Roman Colosseum at this historical lantern trail.
Elsewhere at Longleat, you can meet ‘Britain’s biggest singing Christmas tree’ and grab the Santa Train to the North Pole. Longleat House will also be even more luminous this year – a phenomenal light show will bring its historic facade to life each evening, synchronised to festive music. (To get the best view, make sure to follow the Garden trail.) You can learn more here.
6. Witness a firework display this Guy Fawkes Night
With Guy Fawkes Night falling on a Sunday (November 5) this year, the weekend will be full of celebrations. Bristol is hosting several firework displays in green spaces and will see magical, glowing eruptions take to the sky. Head on over to Clifton Observatory (November 2 & 5) where one of Bristol’s most iconic views will be lit up from 6pm. While on the other side of the city, on November 6, you’ll find Bristol’s biggest firework display in Downend.
Other local displays include Fireworks Night at Doubletree By Hilton Cadbury House (November 1); Festive Fireworks at DeVere Tortworth Court (November 1); Fireworks at Weston-super-Mare Cricket Club (November 2); Low Noise Fireworks at Old Down Country Park (November 4 & 5); Bonfire Night at Victoria Park (November 5); Fireworks Display at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club (November 8); Fireworks Night at Ashton Park School (November 8); Fireworks to Music at Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park (November 8 & 9); Fireworks at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex (November 8); and Sparkle & Shimmer Fireworks Show at Puxton Park (November 9).
7. Tuck into the ‘Crisp Tasting Championships’
The Robin Hood on St Michael’s Hill is hosting the inaugural Independent Crisp Tasting Championships on Saturday, November 2 – and you’re invited to try all the packets. Include a diverse selection of crisps from over 30 UK independent brands – like Savoursmiths, The British Crisp Co., Made for Drink, Nim’s, and Wholesome Crunch – the event kicks off at 4pm. Special guest judges from Bristol’s food and drink scene will also be in attendance to crown the ‘Best Independent Crisp’, plus categories for everything from ‘Most Unique Flavour’ to ‘Best Spicy Crisp’ and more.
8. Listen to the leaves crunch in these local areas
In need of a change of scenery? Why not take a trip out and switch off from the world with a walk across a blanket of leaves? There are a ton of beautiful routes right on our doorsteps and you’ll be surprised where you can get to in less than an hour’s drive. Watch the leaves turn and fall across Somerset, whether it be in the woods near Weston-Super-Mare or from the top of Cheddar Gorge, it’ll definitely give you all the autumn feels and you’ll be glad to have some fresh air. Check out the best autumn walks near Bristol here.
9. See a huge floating Earth at Bristol Cathedral
Luke Jerram’s legendary, floating model of Earth, Gaia is at Bristol Cathedral from October 15 to November 9. Also illuminating us will be an exhibition and a four-week-long series of events – including a performance of Hayden’s Creation on November 2. Coinciding with Gaia’s stay, Bristol Cathedral is hosting ‘Up Late’ musical performances – inducing ‘Folk’ (November 1) and Electronica (November 8), alongside a themed pop-up bar. You learn more here.
10. Explore We The Curious without kids
We The Curious has announced the first after-hours, 18+ evening in four years – withover ‘200 intriguing things’ across the science museum’s two floors. On November 8, it will open itself exclusively to Bristol’s big kids in the evening. Play at being invisible, climb inside a giant bubble, and dance with an inflatable robot… all without having to make way for children first. Plus, there’s going to be a DJ, bar and party prizes! To see everything available at this after-dark event head here.
11. Glide into winter by going ice skating
With the return of the markets, we’ll be embracing everything Christmassy this November – including mulled wine, mince pies and ice skating! Alongside the return of Bath on Ice at Royal Victoria Park on November 15, Icescape Tropicana is back in Weston-super-Mare in November 1, while Planet Ice in Bristol offers ice skating all year round (including Christmas Day!)
12. Head down to Vintage Winter Wonderland
Back at Millennium Square from mid-November to early January (closed Christmas Day), the Vintage Winter Wonderland brings a helter-skelter, dodgems and other vintage funfair games back to Bristol. You’ll find an après chalet-style bar, food stalls and plenty of festive cheer on the Harbourside too.
13. See the Clifton Christmas tree switch-on the lights
Every year, the whole of Clifton lights up for Christmas in November. And at its heart, sits a huge 50-foot Norwegian Spruce tree decorated with 5,000 LED lights, 100 baubles and wrapped boxes of Christmas presents. The lights will switch on November 20 in The Mall Gardens at 6.30pm. Beforehand there’ll be community carol singing from a local choir, while Clifton Village traders will stay open late afterwards.
14. Enjoy a nostalgia-filled expedition to the ‘UK’s largest immersive art experience’
Wake The Tiger, the world’s first amazement park, is tapping into the nostalgia of Christmas from November 9 to January 5. RETRO-MEGA-MAS is set to add a surreal bucketload of sentimentality – with toy cars queuing to enter, a room filled with giant Rubik’s Cubes and an invasion of ‘80s slushy maker, Mr. Frosty. Plus, festive androids will entertain with acapella performances of holiday classics! To learn more head here.
15. Wander around Britain’s wonderful ‘Waterfall Country’
Autumn, we love nothing more than heading out on hikes this time of year. One of Britain’s most glorious sights, Waterfall Country, is no more than a two-hour drive from Bristol. Situated on the south-westerly edge of the Brecon Beacons (or Bannau Brycheiniog), the area is well known for its unusually high number of waterfalls.
You’ll find three of the grandest, most gorgeous and closest on the Afon Mellte. Sgwd Clun Gwyn (the ‘fall of the white meadow’), Sgwd Isaf Clun-gwyn (the ‘lower fall of the white meadow’) and Sgwd y Pannwr (the ‘fall of the woollen washer’) will keep you mesmerised for hours. If you want a Hollywood-level famous waterfall, however, you’ll have to visit Henrhyd Falls – these were actually used in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises as Batman’s iconic hideout, the Batcave.