Festivals

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Let's start off with the big man himself - where can you see Father Christmas in the Bristol and Bath area?

Sail with Santa

Well, you could find him taking a bit of a trip around Bristol's docks, as the ferry boat company offers its Sail with Santa cruises.

Trips take place on 8,9,15,16, 22, 23 and 24 December, leaving the city centre at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. The price is £8 and for that children also get a gift and adults a mince pie. Reservations at bristolferry.com or 0117 9273416.

Also at the docks you can join Santa and carol singers over mulled wine and hot roasted chestnuts on the ss Great Britain on 1 December. Activities include walnut gilding, jewellery making and decoupage boxes, there are prizes for children with homemade Christmas cards for Brunel.

Santa trains

Santa obviously likes to try out different modes of transport because he can also be found on the Avon Valley Railway at Bitton every weekend from 25 November to Christmas Eve.

Santa on the rails at Bitton

Accompanied by his helpers, the man in red will make his way along the steam train, stopping to talk to the children and, providing they have been good, giving them each a present. Parents are not neglected as everyone will also receive a mince pie or festive biscuit.

The six mile round trip takes approximately one hour, during which time you can enjoy the splendid views of the Avon Valley from the old fashioned carriages and experience the unique sights, sounds and smells of a bygone age.

Up to six trips depart throughout the day and tickets are priced from £7 each for children and adults. It is advisable to book in advance tel: 0117 932 5538.

Gardens and shopping

Cadbury Garden Centre at Congresbury is a popular spot for youngsters to meet up with Father Christmas, he'll be there every day until Christmas Eve after arriving in style to open his grotto in November on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

Opening times Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays 11am - 5.30pm, Wednesdays 11am - 7pm, Saturdays 9.30am - 5.30pm and Sundays 10am - 3.30pm. Christmas Eve 10.30am - 2.30pm. Cost £5 per child, which includes a badge and choice of unwrapped present.

Winter Wonderland at Cribbs

You can also find him at his castle at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway as part of the Winter Wonderland activities, which includes the shopping centre's seasonal outdoor ice rink. Costs start at £4 and he's there from 10am - 7pm every day except Sunday when he finishes work at 5pm and from 17-21 December he's at The Mall until 8pm.

Father Christmas will also be meeting youngsters at The Galleries in Bristol's Broadmead shopping centre from now until Christmas Eve. Up to 26 November he's at home to visitors from 11am-4pm, from 3-10 December from 11am - 4.30pm and from 10 December from 10.30 - 4.30pm. Saturdays he's there from 10am - 6pm and on Sundays from 10am to 4.30pm.

National Trust - Tyntesfield

In North Somerset the National Trust is holding Christmas events at its property at Tyntesfield.

On Saturdays and Sundays throughout December you can take part in a Christmas trail to find Father Christmas, following the clues around the grounds. There will also be festive entertainment and the shop and kiosk will be open. 

The events on the 1, 2, 8,9, 15 and 16 December take place from 10am to 4pm.

Carol services are also taking place in the estate's Chapel at various dates throughout December - visitors are asked to bring a torch! 

National Trust - Dyrham Park

Meanwhile, at the NT's property at Dyrham Park, just outside Bath, Santa will be making a visit over the weekend of 15 and 16 December from midday to 4pm to hear Christmas requests. Includes a small gift. 

The same weekend a festive trail will also be taking place throughout the park from midday to 4pm, followed by a warming drink. Meet at visitors reception and you'll need sensible footwear. And there will also be Children's Christmas Workshops with Andrew and Gaynor from noon until 4pm during the weekend. 

Festive donkey at Horseworld

Horseworld

Two children’s Christmas Parties take place at HorseWorld at Whitchurch on 15 and 16 December. A fun packed afternoon from 2pm – 5pm will include admission into HorseWorld, a Christmas buffet, party games, quizzes, competitions and a special guest appearance from Father Christmas. Each child will also receive a Christmas present to take home. Cost 12.50 per child or £10 for Junior HorseWorld Members. For more information call 01275 832425 or email info@horseworld.org.uk

Bristol Zoo

Visit Santa in his magical Victorian-style grotto at Bristol Zoo Gardens and hear stories of his Christmas antics. Each child will receive a personalised present. He will be at the zoo on the weekends of 1-2 and 8-9 December from 11am until 3pm and he will also be there on weekdays from 15-23 December.

The zoo is also hosting an outdoor ice rink for the first time this year. The 350 square metre rink is open from November 16 until January 13 with skating slots available from 10am until late in the evening.

The zoo is also hosting its popular annual seasonal sing-a-longs on Tuesday 19, Wednesday 20 and Thursday, 21 December from 6pm – 8pm. The nights won’t be silent as the crowds gather along with two local choirs each evening to sing everyone’s favourite carols.

Gingerbread houses

On Saturday, 15 December from 1-4pm The Architecture Centre at Narrow Quay in Bristol's docks is holding a special family workshop for budding architects and their parents.

Budding architects can build a house

Gingerbread may not be the best house-building material, but it's certainly environmentally and kid friendly! A German tradition going back many years, gingerbread is thought to be the oldest biscuit there is - the spices are said to warm the blood (perfect for a cold winter’s day) and the ginger helps to preserve it.

An exciting way to spend a winter’s afternoon, and to provide a festive centrepiece for your Christmas table booking is essential, contact 0117 922 1540 or www.architecturecentre.co.uk

Cinekids

A children's fantasy tale to delight youngsters comes to Bristol's Watershed media centre on Saturday, 15 December.

As part of the centre's Cinekids events for 8-12 year-olds you can catch a screening of Wolfang Petersen's The Neverending Story. After the film, which starts at 1pm, youngsters can learn how to bind a book in which a personal Neverending Story could be written. Fee: £2 per child/£3.50 per adult (adults must be accompanied by a child).

Bath museums

Bath and North East Somerset Council’s museums are hosting a series of seasonal family events at weekends in the run up to Christmas. With a Resident’s Discovery Card, local residents and their families can benefit from free entry to the Fashion Museum and Roman Baths.

On Sunday, 2 December, visitors are invited to show their flair for design by creating decorations for ‘The most fashionable Christmas tree in Bath’ at the Fashion Museum. This free family event takes place between 11am and 12pm and then again between 1.30 and 3pm, at the council-run museum at the Assembly Rooms in Bennett Street.

The Victoria Art Gallery in Bridge Street is holding a Young@Art Club activity for 3-11 year olds the following weekend, on Saturday, 8 December.

Regency Christmas at Jane Austin Centre

Design and make Christmas cards for family and friends for a Cracking Christmas between 10.30am-12pm and 1.30-3pm. To book a place ring 01225 477244. The cost is £3.50 per child in advance, all children to be accompanied by an adult.

Find out all about the Roman season of Saturnalia at the Roman Baths on Sunday, 9 December in a free family drop-in event between 10am-1pm and again between 2-4pm.

Jane Austen Christmas

Celebrate Christmas Jane Austen style. From 17 November until Sunday, 23 December The Jane Austen Centre in Bath is putting on its ‘Christmas greens’, decorating the Jane Austen Centre in Regency style, warming the Negus and awaiting its guests.

This special Christmas exhibition illustrates how Jane, her family and friends amused and entertained themselves during the festive season. Games such as spillikins, cup and ball, bullet pudding and snapdragon were very popular and you can learn how they were played.

A new feature for the exhibition this year is ‘Queen Charlotte’s Christmas Tree’, – it was a Regency invention, first introduced into England by the wife of George III in 1800. Visitors will be able to see how it was originally decorated in the Royal household.