The Best Christmas Events In Bath and Beyond In 2024
If you’re looking to kick start the festive season in Bath and wondering what’s on this year, you’ve come to the right place!
There are lots of Christmas events in Bath and beyond this year – from festive Christmas markets to Santa’s Grottos and glittering Christmas light trails.
If you are in Bath or the surrounding area during the festive season and looking for things to do at Christmas in Bath (and beyond), you won’t be disappointed.
I’m always looking for Christmas events near me so that we can try something new each year – while we have two small believers at least!
To save you a lot of time searching, we have compiled this helpful list for you.
So – what’s going on at Christmas in Bath this year?
**Not all of the Christmas events in Bath 2024 dates have been released yet so keep checking back for updates. This post contains affiliate links. If you book something using one, we may earn a small commission but at no extra cost to you**
* If you happen to be heading into London this Christmas – here are some of the best Christmas shows this year.
- The Snowman – an absolute must-see when in London at Christmas with kids.
- Elf – The Musical.
- Potted Panto – 7 classic pantos in 70 minutes.
- Jack and the Beanstalk – classic pantomime at the London Palladium.
See also our guide to things to do with kids in London at Christmas.
These are the Christmas events in Bath (and beyond) happening in 2023
Santa’s Grottos in Bath
Looking for places to see Father Christmas in Bath and the local area? The great news is that there are lots of Santa’s Grottos and places to see Father Christmas. It’s one of the most festive things to do in Bath with kids.
Before that….if you’re going to be away on holiday over the festive season, you might be looking for a Santa’s Grotto further afield. We have a great post on 100+ Places to See Santa in the UK.
But here’s where to see Santa in Bath and beyond this Christmas:
Apex Hotel
Address: Apex Hotel, James St W, Bath, BA1 2DA.
Dates: 4th and 18th December 2022.
Tickets: Tickets are £20.00 per adult, £15.00 per child (2-15) and £10.00 per child under 2.
Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park
Address: Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park, Pixash Lane, Bath Road, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1TP.
Dates: 3rd to 24th December 2022.
Tickets: From £10.00 per person.
Avon Valley Railway
Avon Valley Railway Santa Special
One of the best children’s Christmas events in Bath.
Address: Avon Valley Railway, Bitton Station, Bath Road, Bitton, Bristol, BS30 6HD
Dates: 26th November to 24th December 2022.
Tickets: From £13.00 – £20.00 per person. Under 1 – FREE.
If you love the idea of seeing Father Christmas on a train, see here for a complete guide to Santa Trains in the UK! You might also like to check out the Polar Express train rides in the UK.
Longleat
Address: Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW.
Dates: 5th November to 8th January 2023.
Tickets: From £19.95 per child and £6.95 per adult.
Wookey Hole
Address: Wookey Hole Caves, The Mill, High St, Wookey Hole, Wells, BA5 1BB.
Dates: Weekends from 26th November to 1th December then 17th to 24th December and 27th December to 1st January 2023.
Tickets: From £19.95 per adult and £16.45 per child (3 – 14). Under 3 – £4.00.
Dobbies Garden Centre
Santa’s Grotto at Shepton Mallet
Address: Dobbies Garden Centre Shepton Mallet, Fosseway Industrial Estate, Mendip Ave, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4PE.
Dates: 24th November to 24th December 2022.
Tickets: £7.00 per person booked online or £8.00 on the day.
English Heritage
There are some lovely English Heritage properties near Bath and some of them usually have some lovely Christmassy things to do in Bath. Keep an eye out for updates on their website.
If you like visiting English Heritage properties, we would recommend getting an English Heritage membership. Just a couple of visits to English Heritage properties will cover the cost of the pass and will get you into many of the special events for free.
Also checkout what National Trust properties in Bath and the local area because they also usually have some festive events on. Don’t have a National Trust membership? Now might be the time to get one.
Christmas lights in Bath (and beyond)
There are a couple of exciting Christmas light trails in Bath this year. You can also wander around some of the towns and villages surrounding Bath and check out their light displays. If you happen to be heading into London, here is where you can find the Christmas light displays in London.
We love a Christmas light trail. There are loads happening all over the country (see more Christmas light trails here).
If you are thinking of heading further afield, we can highly recommend the Blenheim Palace Christmas lights.
Bath Christmas lights
Address: Around central Bath. See the exact locations on Welcome to Bath.
Dates: 2nd to 31st December 2022.
Tickets: Adult – £16.00, Child (4-15) – £12.00. Under 3 – FREE.
Longleat
Address: Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW.
Dates: 5th November to 8th January 2023.
Tickets: Adult – £39.95, Child (3-15) – £29.95. Under 3 – FREE.
American Museum & Gardens
The Enchanted Garden of Lights
Address: American Museum and Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath, BA2 7BD.
Dates: 1st to 31st December 2022.
Tickets: Adult – £19.50, Child (5-17) – £12.00. Under 5 – FREE.
Glow Golf
Address: Royal Pavilion, Royal Victoria Park, Bath, BA1 2NR.
Dates: 12th November to 3rd January 2023.
Tickets: Adult – £7.75, Child – £6.50.
In case you are thinking of a Christmas trip to London, we have details on the Christmas lights in London and also some Christmas events in London (as well as general free things to do in London with kids).
Christmas markets in Bath and beyond
We love a Christmas market. We usually try to go to one of the European Christmas markets each year but there are also some fantastic Christmas markets in the UK.
They are a great place to pick up some handmade Christmas gifts. We usually grab a hot chocolate or mulled wine, select a decoration for the Christmas tree and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Here are a selection of the Bath Christmas markets worth a visit this year.
Bath Christmas Market
Address: Abbey Chambers, Abbey Churchyard, 2 York Street, Bath, BA1 1LY.
Dates: 24th November to 11th December 2022.
Tickets: FREE.
Bristol Christmas Market
Address: Bristol Shopping Quarter, 69 Broadmead, Bristol, BS1 3DX.
Dates: 4th to 23rd December 2022.
Tickets: FREE.
Weston Museum Christmas Market
Address: Weston Museum, Burlington Street, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, BS23 1PR.
Dates: 3rd December 2022.
Tickets: Free.
Christmas in Wells
Address: Market Place, Wells, BA5 2RF.
Dates: 17th December 2022.
Tickets: Free.
If you like Christmas markets, you might like to read about the best Christmas markets in London.
Pantomimes in Bath and beyond
One of our favourite things to do at Christmas in London with kids is to visit one of the big Christmas Pantomimes and we’ve also visited a fair few local pantomimes too. Here are the Pantomimes to look out for in Bath (and Bristol) this Christmas.
Theatre Royal Bath
Address: Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath, BA1 1ET
Dates: 8th December to 8th January 2023.
Tickets: From £15.00 to £32.00.
Bristol Hippodrome Theatre
Address: Bristol Hippodrome Theatre, St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol, BS1 4UZ.
Dates: 2nd to 31st December 2022.
Tickets: From £13.00 per person.
Bristol Hippodrome Theatre
Address: Bristol Hippodrome Theatre, St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol, BS1 4UZ.
Dates: 17th to 19th November 2022.
Tickets: From £21.90 per person.
Redgrave Theatre
Address: Redgrave Theatre, Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3LE.
Dates: 7th December to 31st December 2022.
Tickets: From £18.00 per person.
Redgrave Theatre
Address: Redgrave Theatre, Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3LE.
Dates: 26th November 2022.
Tickets: From £8.00 per person.
Christmas Afternoon Tea in Bath
Having afternoon tea is such a British thing to do – but have you tried a festive afternoon tea? It’s one of the best Christmassy things to do in Bath after a day of Christmas shopping at the Christmas markets.
The Pump Room (Bath) – TBC.
Bath Spa Hotel (Bath) – from 1st to 23rd December 2022. From £35.00 per person.
Royal Crecent Hotel & Spa (Bath) – TBC.
Browns (Bath) – TBC.
The Bath Priory (Bath) – 23rd November to 23rd December 2022. £45.00 per person.
You might also like to check out our posts on the best places to have afternoon tea in London and the best afternoon tea in London for kids.
Christmas at hotels in Bath
If you feel like getting away for Christmas and having everything taken care of for you, these are the best hotels to spend Christmas at in Bath.
The Bird Bath
See here for more information on their festive escape.
Bath Spa Hotel
See more info on their Christmas breaks here.
Bailbrook House
View their Christmas offerings here.
The Royal Crescent
View their fabulously luxurious Christmas break here.
For more inspiration on where to stay this Christmas, check out our UK Christmas breaks post.
Other things to do in Bath at Christmas
Had your fill of Christmas events in Bath? How about trying out some of these alternative things to do at Christmas in Bath?
Go and pick out your own Christmas tree at Osbornes Christmas Trees near Colerne Airfield or Rainbow Wood Farm in Bath.
See here for more general ideas for things to do at Christmas. And once you’re done with all of the Christmas days out in Bath and ready to settle down at home, take a look at these Christmas movies for kids.
We haven’t listed all of the things to do in Bath in December so if there are any Christmas events in Bath you’d like to add, please let us know.
If it’s not quite Christmas yet, you might want to check out these Halloween events for ideas or places to go pumpkin picking in Somerset.