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Christmas light trail around Bath
Where: Westonbirt Arboretum
About: Westonbirt’s brand new illuminated trail returns for 2022! This year they invite you to witness the wonder, hilarity and general commotion that comes with playful Elves creating Westonbirt’s spectacular illuminated trail.
With new light displays to discover and mischievous elves to meet, this is Enchanted Christmas as you’ve never seen it before.
Price: £19 per adult or £11 per child
Suitable for children: Yes
The Enchanted Garden of Light - American Museum
Where: American Museum Bath
About: Bath's American Museum is hosting a macigal Christmas experience that is a must-visit for families with their Enchanted Garden of Light. Travel through the museum's stunningly illuminated gardens and marvel at magnificent festive creations as you get in the festive spirit.
Running from 1st - 31st December you will be able to take a trip down the winter trail, grab some warming food and drink at the Colorado Lodge and even pick up those important Christmas decorations at their on-site pop-up shop.
Price: £19.50 per adult or £12 per child, under 5s go free
Suitable for children: Yes
Ice Skating at Bath On Ice
Where: Royal Pavilion in Royal Victoria Park, Bath.
About: Bath’s famous Christmas ice skating experience has returned for 2023/2024 and is a great family activity if you’re looking for things to do in Bat this December. Located in Bath’s Royal Victoria Park, you can take to the ice and skate under the dazzling illuminations before warming up with seasonal drinks in the cosy bar area.
Dates: 17th November - 3rd January 2024
Price: £13.50 per adult or £12 per child
Suitable for children: Yes
Play a round of Glow Golf
Where: Royal Pavilion in Royal Victoria Park, Bath.
About: Sharing the space with Bath On Ice, Glow Golf is another brilliant Christmas activity to try your skills at in Bath. Take to their adventure golf course with glow-in-the-dark balls and enjoy showing off your crazy golf skills under the stars of Bath’s night sky. Buy a drink from the on-site Moguls Bar and keep warm with a hot chocolate or mulled wine whilst you play.
Price: TBC
Suitable for children: Yes
Enjoy a winter walk around Bath
Where: Various locations around Bath including Bath Skyline, Sydney Gardens, Dyrham Park.
About: The winter frost is here but don’t let that stop you from getting out into the great outdoors and taking in the wonderful sights that Bath has to offer at winter. Wrap up warm in your big winter coat, put those walking boots on, and head out on a festive stroll around some of Bath’s best walking routes. From Bath’s scenic Skyline to Sydney Gardens, there is plenty of easy-to-access winter walks for you to take a trip on around Bath this Christmas.
You can even watch our video showing the best winter walks around Bath below as we take you on a multi-stop trip around the city’s best routes or read our article HERE.
Price: Free although some National Trust properties require an entry fee.
Suitable for children: Yes
Visit Bath’s Artisan Christmas market
Where: Queen Square, Bath.
About: Bath’s biggest independent market is taking place every day in Queen Square from 25th November until 19th December. Featuring a host of brilliant handmade and independent sellers, you can buy a festive array of Christmas goods that you won’t find anywhere else. The Bath Artisan Market will also have artisans and street food operators so you can keep warm whilst touring the market and doing your Christmas shopping.
If you're stuck on what to get for someone this Christmas then make sure to visit the market because you may just find the perfect Christmas gift from one of their excellent independent sellers.
Price: Various
Suitable for children: Yes
Sip a cocktail at Bath’s Christmas bars
Where: Various bars around Bath including Abbey Hotel, Framptons, and The Bird.
About: Catching up with friends and family over Christmas cocktails and drinks has never felt so good after we were unable to do so last year. In 2021 Bath’s bars, pubs, and restaurants are playing host to the festive crowds throughout the city with plenty of venues transforming themselves into winter wonderlands and serving up delicious Christmas drinks to enjoy late into the night.
Watch our video below on Bath’s best Christmas bars and get out with friends and family to celebrate the start of the best time of year!
Price: N/A
Suitable for children: No
Visit Santa at one of Bath’s grottos
Where: Various places around Bath. Click below to find out all the places where you can meet Santa in Bath.
About: Santa is hard at work preparing for his trip around the globe on Christmas Day but he is making a special stop in Bath this Christmas to say hello to all the boys and girls of Bath. Find out where to visit Santa at one of his cosy grottos in Bath by clicking HERE and book your visit to meet Father Christmas.
A sit-down with Santa will definitely be at the top of the kids’ list for things to do in Bath this Christmas so find out more and don’t miss out!
Price: Various
Suitable for children: Yes
Attend a Christmas wreath making class
Where: Different locations around Bath including Bath College and The Grapes.
About: A Christmas wreath is the most traditional and well-recognised Christmas decorations you can own, but have you ever tried making your own? Bath’s Christmas creators are putting on a host of festive wreath making classes for you to get involved in all over the city throughout December as experts guide you through the process on how to make your own Christmas floral decoration to hang from the front door.
This is a perfect adult Christmas activity with many venues also providing Christmas drinks and nibbles to enjoy whilst you work away.
Price: Various but averaging around £40pp.
Suitable for children: No
Christmas shopping around Bath
Where: Check out the various shopping areas around Bath HERE.
About: Bath is renowned for its brilliant shops, and even without the famous Christmas market this year, there is still plenty of chain and independent shops to visit in and around Bath this Christmas full of excellent Xmas gifts for friends and family.
Spend an afternoon exploring Bath’s various shopping areas including SouthGate, Milsom Place, Walcot Artisan Quarter, and more before heading out for a festive meal into the city’s culinary scene.
Price: N/A
Suitable for children: Yes although they may get a bit bored after a while!
Dine festive for a cosy Christmas meal
Where: Find out more about festive dining locations in Bath below.
About: In the build-up to Christmas there are plenty of excuses to meet up with friends, family, and loved ones for a delicious festive meal. But where should you go? Bath is home to a range of excellent restaurants across a variety of settings, but there are a few destinations that are at the top of the list if you want to enjoy a first-class Christmas meal in the city.
Check out our pick of the best festive dining venues in Bath HERE or by clicking below and trust us when we say that you won’t be left disappointed - or hungry!
Price: Various priced locations around Bath depending on your budget.
Suitable for children: Yes
Watch Bath Rugby at The Rec
Where: Pulteney Mews, Bathwick, Bath BA2 4DS
About: Live sport and Christmas go hand-in-hand in England with plenty of exciting sports to watch over the festive period. Bath Rugby will be taking to the hallowed turf at The Rec once again this festive period with games against La Rochelle, a Boxing Day clash against Gloucester, and the visit of Exeter in the Gallagher Premiership all taking place throughout December. Whether you’re a die-hard Bath Rugby fan or have never been to a rugby match before, a trip to The Rec is a great Christmas experience for all to try.
Price: Various
Suitable for children: Yes
Stay in luxury at Bath’s best hotels
Where: Variety of hotels around Bath including Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, DoubleTree by Hilton, and many more.
About: If you’re visiting Bath from afar or live in the city and want a break from the confines of everyday life then a much-needed overnight stay at one of Bath’s best luxury hotels could be the perfect thing for you this Christmas. Bath’s hospitality scene boasts some of the best hotels anywhere in the UK and with Christmas, just around the corner, the majority of these venues have spared no expense in decorating themselves for the festive period.
Check out our pick of the best hotels in Bath by clicking below and book your overnight stay in the city.
Price: Various depending on budget
Suitable for children: Yes
Head to the theatre for the panto
Where: Theatre Royal, Saw Cl, Bath.
About: Nothing says Christmas like a trip to the panto and this year Bath’s Theatre Royal is putting on a brilliant performance of the classic fairytale Cinderella. Dani Harmer (Tracy Beaker) stars in the return of pantomime to Bath as the stage lights up for Xmas once again in 2021 after the cancellation of panto shows around the country last year.
Get into the Christmas spirit and make sure a night at the theatre is one of the activities on your list of things to do in Bath this Christmas.
Price: Various depending on your ticket type
Suitable for children: Yes
Watch a festive show at The Forum
Where: 1A Forum Buildings, St James Parade, Bath BA1 1UG
About: Bath's famous theatre showhouse has produced an outstanding array of Christmas shows perfect for those wanting to get in the festive spirit with a trip to see an exciting show.
Throughout December, The Forum are putting on a first-class variety of star-studded Christmas performance from their central Bath location including shows with Jules Holland, A Christmas to remember theatre production, and so much more.
Perfect for those visiting the city on a Christmas break or residents of the city seeking to delve into Bath's festive scene.
Price: Various shows available.
Suitable for children: Yes