What's on in Bristol: November and December 2026

November 2026

Ongoing until 31 January: The Secret Life of Colour

Saturday 24 October 2026 to Sunday 31 January 2027 | Art, science and natural history exhibition | Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Road | Adults £9; concessions and ages 4 to 16 £6; under-fours £1; advertised prices include a voluntary donation.

Explore colour through works by artists including Andy Warhol, Bridget Riley and Hokusai, alongside minerals, ceramics, carnival costume and natural-history objects. This exhibition is ticketed separately from general museum entry; check opening hours when booking.

3 November and 1 December: Floating Harbour history walk

Tuesdays 3 November and 1 December, 10.30am | Guided harbour walk | Meet at the M Shed information desk | Standard £8; concessions £6; book ahead.

Follow the Floating Harbour and New Cut with volunteer guides, exploring Bristol's dockside industry, maritime history and regeneration. Arrive five to ten minutes before the start and wear comfortable footwear for uneven waterside surfaces.

From 6 November: Bristol Christmas Market

Friday 6 November to Wednesday 23 December | Seasonal shopping, food and entertainment | Broadmead, Bristol city centre | Stalls 10am to 7pm; food and bars 10am to 10pm.

Browse more than 40 stalls for gifts, food and seasonal treats. The programme also includes live entertainment and attractions, with private gondola experiences available to book separately through the market's own website.

6 November and 4 December: The Bristol Tapestry Talk

Fridays 6 November and 4 December, 2pm | Local history talk | Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Road | About 35 minutes; tickets from £5; booking recommended.

Discover the community project that recorded almost a thousand years of Bristol history in 27 embroidered scenes. Completed in 1976 with contributions from 90 people, the tapestry stretches across four panels measuring 22 metres in total.

14 November: Blaise winter market and garden cafe

Saturday 14 November, 9.45am to 3pm | Community market and garden gathering | Blaise Community Garden, Blaise Estate | See the museum programme for visitor details.

Meet the Blaise Community Gardeners at their winter market and cafe. Explore the working garden with its fruit and vegetable areas, ponds and beehives, and enjoy homemade treats. Dogs on leads and accompanied children are welcome.

14 November: The World in Bristol

Saturday 14 November | Community celebration, performances and family activities | Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Road | Check the museum event page for the day's arrangements.

Meet some of the communities that shape Bristol through cultural stalls, creative workshops, performances and hands-on activities. The programme brings together people with connections to countries across the world in a celebration of the city's diversity.

From 27 November: Cinderella: A Fairytale

Friday 27 November 2026 to Saturday 2 January 2027 | Family theatre, ages 5+ | Bristol Old Vic, King Street | Preview tickets from £11 including the £1 booking fee; other performances vary.

An ensemble retelling combines live music and mischief with the darker edges of the Grimm fairytale. Allow around two hours including an interval. Signed, relaxed, captioned and audio-described performances are listed in the theatre's calendar.

From 28 November: The Snowy Day

Saturday 28 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 | Dance and storytelling, ages 1 to 5 | Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic | Preview prices from £11 child and £13 adult, including booking fee; later prices vary.

Polka Theatre and Can't Sit Still adapt Ezra Jack Keats' picture book into a visual winter adventure suitable for deaf and hearing audiences. The show lasts 30 minutes, followed by ten minutes of stay-and-play; selected relaxed performances are available.

December 2026

5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 December: Museum Santa's Grotto

Selected Saturdays and Sundays, 5 to 20 December | Family Christmas activities | Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Road | One child £15; additional children £12; adults free; timed booking through the museum.

The workshop experience includes storytelling, a winter museum trail and activity goody bag, plus a 15-minute meeting with Santa and a gift. An instant-film photograph costs an additional £5 if wanted; the surrounding galleries are free to explore.

10 December: Colour in Chinese ceramics and glass

Thursday 10 December | Curator talk and collection tour | Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Road | Standard ticket £15, including entry to The Secret Life of Colour; check the booking page for the start time.

Kate Newnham, Senior Curator of Visual Arts, explores the meanings and techniques behind the colours of Chinese ceramics and glass. Discover how glazes and glassmaking expressed status, fashion and the natural world through the museum's Asian art collection.