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 7 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 40 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. Help build new micro-homes for Bristol’s homeless
This one-night-only, world-first charity concert—where every ticket directly builds micro-homes for people experiencing homelessness—Global DJ James Hype will bring his explosive SYNC show to Bristol Beacon on Saturday, November 22. Delivered in partnership with local charity Help Bristol’s Homeless, BillyChip Live will be one of just two UK performances by the recent Hï Ibiza resident this year. Bristol Beacon will transform into a 360-degree venue for the one-of-a-kind event, surrounding Hype with fans on all sides for a fully immersive performance.
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 of Bridgerton with a magnificent string tribute on November 26 at Bristol Cathedral. 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 25th year as Bristol’s longest-running arts trail on November 15 & 16. 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 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 8 to January 11, 2026. This year, it’s celebrating iconic British sights with Wallace & Gromit and friends! From a 15m tall Tower Bridge to Stonehenge and Shaun the Sheep’s own Mossy Bottom Farm, discover the UK’s most famous landmarks in lantern form.
6. Witness a fantastic firework display
With Guy Fawkes Night falling on a Wednesday (November 5) this year, the awkward decision on what weekend to celebrate has split opinion. But one of the most jaw-dropping fireworks displays near Bristol has to be Chepstow Fireworks on Saturday, November 1. Bigger and brighter than ever, expect live bands, street food, fairground rides, a lively Bierhaus, and not one, but two dazzling displays to end the night in style. To get your tickets, head here.
7. Catch this ‘cutting-edge’ Bristol festival
After last year’s triumphant return, Simple Things Festival will once again take over Bristol venues for a day and night (Saturday, November 8) of boundary-pushing live and electronic music. As one of the UK’s most forward-thinking music festivals, expect a “playground of cutting-edge sounds”—including Dry Cleaning, Factory Floor, Rich(ard) Dawson, These New Puritans, Iglooghost and a showcase of favourite acts from World Snooker Champion, DJ and Bristol resident Steve Davis.
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 at 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. Catch Clifton’s literary extravaganza
Clifton LitFest welcomes more than 70 speakers spanning politics, photography, memoir, protest and the future of storytelling, from November 14 to 16. Among the 50+ events are headline appearances from Kate Humble, Caroline Lucas, Peter Frankopan, Jonathan Dimbleby and Deborah Moggach. Plus, acclaimed photographer Martin Parr opens the festival on Friday evening with a rare autobiographical event, reflecting on his life behind the lens.
10. Swing by the new, female-only festival for creatives
A new female-only festival, SISTALAND, brings together creative speakers and hands-on workshops for its debut edition. Taking place on November 11 & 12 at The Prospect Building, the two-day event brings together women, trans women and non-binary creatives for a radically inclusive gathering. Those taking part include: BBC comedy director Tia Salisbury, outspoken critic Katie Cadwell, rising filmmaker Sara Harrak, survival expert Megan Hine, AAA games writer Kim MacAskill and disability inclusion consultant Abbie Hills. Plus, SISTALAND’s workshops blend hands-on learning, open dialogue and practical skills for active participation!
11. Glide into winter by going ice skating
Credit: Maryna G, Shutterstock
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 14, 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
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 Tuesday, November 12, in The Mall Gardens between 5 and 7 pm. Beforehand, there’ll be community carol singing from a local choir, while Clifton Village traders will stay open late afterwards.
14. Singalong to ABBA’s greatest hits on the Bristol stage
Sensational, feel-good musical MAMMA MIA! is set to visit Bristol in November—Judy Craymer’s ingenious vision of staging ABBA’s timeless songs to a sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads unfolding on a Greek island idyll. This irresistibly funny show will take to the Bristol Hippodrome from November 11 to 22.
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.