Winter is such a strange season. Frontloaded with seemingly endless activities – from Christmas to New Year’s Eve – only to wake up to nothing but dark and cold nights with no end in sight. Okay, so maybe we’re being a bit OTT, but the wintertime months are tough when they’re not holiday-centric. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do during this season. In fact, we’ve put together plenty of exciting things to do so that winter won’t be bleak in Bristol.
1. Get active in a bar
You can’t go outside as much in winter to play golf or frisbee, ride a bike or go for a jog. It’s a nightmare and why many of us end up at a cosy pub instead – which is never a bad winter’s option either… It’s to warm up with a competitive game with friends over a few drinks.
Head to Sixes for a spot of cricket where you bat against some of the world’s finest (virtual) bowlers. Try your hand at golf with the jungle-themed Treetop Golf or Gareth Bale’s Par 59. Hit the bullseye at the social darts venue, Flight Club. or f*** it let’s go bowling at Lane7, Roxy Lanes and King Pins.
More of a nerd than a jock? NQ64 is a retro gamer’s paradise with classic consoles and arcade games. Gamers can play their childhood favourites from Time Crisis to Pac-Man, Guitar Hero and Street Fighter. Plus, the adult-only venue boasts game-themed cocktails like the Powerstar Martini and the Aku Aku Fruit Punch!
2. Glide onto the rink
Ice skating isn’t just for the festive season. It’s a winter activity that can be enjoyed endlessly. In fact, did you know that you can go ice skating every day at Planet Ice in Bristol? Yes, even on Christmas Day. Enjoy a range of ice-related activities, such as skating lessons and ice hockey.
3. Soak up the atmosphere of a candlelight concert
You step inside of an old Bristol church and hear a string quartet playing your favourite pop songs. Edge closer, what do you see? Wow! Hundreds of flickering candles light your way. It could only be a Candlelight Concert. Cosy up this winter with a wonderful show for everyone. To see what concerts are on in Bristol this winter head here.
4. See the city light up
Winter in Bristol has become a lot more bearable thanks to our city’s annual light festival each year. With its fifth iteration returning to Bristol’s city centre from January 31 to February 9, Bristol Light Festival can brighten even the darkest nights. For 10 dazzling days of light-based artworks, internationally renowned and local artists come together in the South West for a spectacular festival programme.
5. Take a walk in the countryside
Bristol is full of fantastic day trips, but if you’re after a break from the city this winter then nothing beats a winter’s walk – especially one that ends in a pub trip. One of our favourites has to be in the picturesque village of Pensford, where you wander past pretty cottages, beneath the breathtaking Pensford Viaduct and follow the River Chew.
Take a quick detour to the Stanton Drew Stone Circle if you like (especially at Winter Solstice, December 21) – one of the largest stone circles in the country – before returning to Pensford for a pint in The Rising Sun, which is also one of the best beer gardens in the UK… To see our favourite winter walks near Bristol head here.
6. Raise the temperature with a sauna trip
Chase away the winter blues this season with a spa day. We might not have any Roman Baths, like say in Bath, But that won’t stop Bristolians from pampering ourselves! From a dip in the heated pool at the Lido to the steam room at Bristol Harbour Hotel, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a relaxing warm-up.
Hidden away on Windmill Hill City Farm, Orchard Sauna can raise the temperature on a cold winter’s day, overlooking the idyllic surroundings and farm animals. Jump out for a cold water plunge and back into the barrel-shaped sauna to warm up again. That’s one way to boost energy levels!
7. Tuck into a roast dinner
My dad eats a roast dinner every Sunday without hesitation. I can’t match those standards, but during the winter, a big Sunday meal is necessary for fighting off flus and the blues. Home to one of the country’s most famous roasts, The Bank Tavern is a must if you can get a table.
If you can’t wait until winter 2026, however, there are plenty of other brilliant roast dinners to enjoy, from The Christmas Steps to The Kensington Arms. Not in the mood this Sunday? Then check out Bristol’s very best restaurants for all sorts of cuisines.
8. Head inside of a cosy museum
It’s not just that winter is dark, wet and cold, it’s also when many of us are most broke, but thankfully a lot of Bristol museums are free! Whether heading to the M Shed to learn about Bristol life or Bristol Museum and Art Gallery for Egyptian mummies and extinct wildlife, you can escape the great outdoors without spending a penny. We’re pretty lucky here, in fact, as there are dozens of free activities in Bristol perfect for winter.
9. Visit the world’s first ‘Amazement Park’
It’s not an art gallery or a theme park, Wake The Tiger is ‘the world’s first Amazement Park’. From the creators of Boomtown, this multi-layered labyrinth of immersive environments, secret passageways and mesmerising wonders in St Phillips can be enjoyed all year round. But will take you far away from the reality of winter during these colder months.
There are over 27 distinct spaces to discover, as well as the latest mind-bending expansion, OUTERverse, that added an extra 15 spaces for walk-through discovery – with everything from an actual plane to a cosmic kitchen and a seven-metre-high slide. It often has lots of seasonal additions, activities and events on, so keep an eye out for those!
10. Catch a show that will change your life
Winter is famously pantomime season in Britain, with Goldilocks and the Three Bears on at Bristol Hippodrome this December. But you’ll also find & Juliet in January, Only Fools & Horses The Musical in February and more throughout the season. Far from the only place to escape the blustery wind and harsh rain, you’ll find incredible shows at Bristol Old Vic, Tobacco Factory Theatres, The Wardrobe Theatre and Redgrave Theatre.
If theatre isn’t your thing then Bristol’s also full of some incredible cinemas too. Luca Guadagnino’s follow-up to Challengers, Queer has just come out, Robert Eggers’ terrifying Nosferatu is releasing shortly, while Nicole Kidman’s erotic thriller Babygirl is making headlines. Or just go watch Wicked for the hundredth time. You can grab discounted tickets to your favourite films at Vue by heading here.