Top 10 Independent, Festive Activities in Bristol

Top 10 Independent, Festive Activities in Bristol

Fancy something a little bit festive in the run up to Christmas? Below we've collected together 10 of our favourite indie festive experiences for you and your family and friends to get stuck into. Ho ho ho!

10th Dec - Sh*t Art Club Christmas at Bristol Improv Theatre

This is an hour long comedy art workshop where you will produce terrible festive art! It's the perfect time of the year to make some bad art! Ever wanted to be an artist, but worried that you'll need years of training? Well worry not. Welcome to Sh*t Art Club, the only art club where you make bad art… on purpose. Let the eccentric host lead you through creative warm ups, exercises and more until you find yourself staring at the worst piece of art you've ever made in this interactive and immersive show. The perfect blend of a cultured art workshop with the absurdity of an interactive comedy show. Art meets comedy, not to be confused with 'sketch comedy'. 

11th Dec - Festive Craft & Flea Market at Bristol Folk House

Fancy a craft and flea market at the iconic folk house, just off Park Street? Well look no further - with a wide variety of vendors you're sure to be able to pick up lots of Christmas inspo and pressies at this long-running fair, nestled in the heart of the community.  

15th Dec - Lower Redland Road Street Christmas Party

Lower Redland Road's independent businesses have come together to launch their first ever Christmas Street Party. The free event, closed to traffic, will see The Bristol Artisan, Burra and Wild Oats celebrate our community with a unique festive street celebration full of activities for the family. Take advantage of late store opening and enjoy a range of family friendly treats including wreath making classes from Bristol based florist Grandfields at The Bristol Artisan, festive-themed takeaway food and drink at Burra, and carol singing at Wild Oats.

17th Nov - 2nd Dec - A Christmas Carol at Arnos Vale Cemetery

Red Rope Theatre Company return to the Anglican Chapel for the 5th time following their four sell out Gothic Horrors performed at Arnos Vale Cemetery.

This November they're bringing you this fantastically gothic horror inspired version of Charles Dickens famous 'A Christmas Carol' adapted by award winning writer Matt Grinter.

Poverty, disease, and hunger are three things that Ebenezer Scrooge has little concern for. The rich are indulgent and ignorant, the poor are dying around them. Three spirits will come to visit… you can't escape the truth when it's haunting you!

26th Nov - KASK WINE Festive Wine Tasting 

Kask’s epic Christmas wine tasting, KASK's annual Christmas Wine Tasting Event has quickly become legendary thanks to the generosity of pouring, the range of wines on offer, and the friendliness of KASK's team – there's no stuffy wine talk here. Taste 40+ wines, picked to be perfect for the Christmas season, (we suggest having a big breakfast), then make your orders for your Christmas wine, ticking one thing off on your list before December even starts!

Their tastings are always super popular, especially their annual Christmas tasting, in which the whole venue (inside and garden) is laid out with more than 40 wines, selected to be perfect for Christmas Day. From Champagne to Pet Nat fizz's (including one which KASK says is perfect alongside your morning Chocolate Orange), to whites, rosés, oranges and reds (KASK say go light red for Christmas Dinner and a heavier red for falling asleep in front of the fire), there's a huge range of different styles and flavours. And don't forget dessert wine and even a plum-infused saké, which apparently tastes just like Christmas pudding.

26th - 27th Nov - Made In Bristol Gift Fair 

The Made in Bristol Gift Fair brings creativity to the festive season with three gift-packed shopping weekends at the Bristol Beacon.

Made in Bristol throw open the doors of the iconic Bristol Beacon for three bumper weekends packed full of local talent.

With 200 beautiful stalls, over six floors, across three weekends you are sure to find the perfect present and enjoy that lovely creative buzz that Bristol does so well. 'Tis the season to be jolly indeed!

In its 14th year, the Made in Bristol Gift Fair hosts the finest designers, ceramists, illustrators, knitters, wood-workers, jewellers and artists from across the region all under one golden roof.

3rd Dec - St Werburgh's City Farm Winter Fair 

Located on the main Farm site on Watercress Road, this festive event will provide a wonderful, wintery atmosphere for local traders to promote and sell their wares. The Farm will be selling hot food and drinks, hosting a line-up of live music and entertainment, and offering a range of FREE seasonal family activities throughout the day. They are also welcoming back their infamous Mulled Wine and Hot Chocolate bar!

 Estate of the Arts Open Studios & Makers Market 

3rd - 4th Dec, Open Studios & Makers Market at Estate of the Arts 

Bristol's market of the unexpected, the beautiful and the lovingly made.

Over three Winter weekends, dozens of makers stalls will be nestled amongst the rabbit warren of artists studios and makers workshops, where you can discover not only incredible and imaginative gifts but also how they were made.

The yard stage will be hosting live acts throughout the day, from some of the cities best up and coming bands and performers. The perfect festive trip!

 

9th Dec - Wild Winter Feast at Co-Exist Kitchen, Community Kitchen

Coexist Community Kitchen is super excited to be running another Wild Winter Feast this year.

There will be an insane 4 course menu plus welcome drink, made with foraged & wild ingredients including lots of fermented joy taken from the wild world around us. Menu to be announced soon!

This is an alternative festive soiree – bringing in the magic of winter: the darkened days and long nights filled with enticing aromas, flickering candlelight, enchanting stories and beautiful music.

The evening will be a delicious spectacle- woven with music and storytelling. The incredible Corinne Harragin will be bringing us on a beautiful journey with stories of wintering, feasting, connection & imagination.

9th Dec - aMAZIng Winter Feast Fundraiser at Trinity Community Arts

Set in Bristol's historical Trinity Centre, the evening will celebrate The MAZI Project's achievements over the past year, and includes a special performance from singer and ambassador Charli Brix and a speech from a very special guest. All in a Wintery and candle lit setting.

The team in the kitchen will be led by former head chef of Casamia, Summer Sharkey, and two of the aMAZIng young people we support. This four-course Winter feast will be the dining experience in the heart of the city you've been waiting for.

The MAZI Project, is a youth led organisation empowering and nourishing Bristol's disadvantaged young people. They support care leavers, young asylum seekers, youth recovering from homelessness and fleeing domestic violence. By delivering recipe kits and cooking workshops, The MAZI Project uses the notion of the dinner table and breaking bread, to reduce isolation, build confidence and make those in need feel cared for and extraordinary.

We hope you've enjoyed our top 10 wintery indie activities - we've also (of course) got our festive market on the 17th & 18th December - at the back of our big shop in Cabot - and it would be wonderful to see you there!

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