A Guide to Christmas Shopping in Bristol
Christmas shopping doesn't have to be stressful. Follow our guide and let us help you find those perfect gifts.
By Maisy Farren | Updated Oct 25 2024
Whether you’re looking for a tiny pop-up selling locally designed fashion or a whopping great mall with everything under one roof – this city really is the shopping capital of the South West. Shopping in Bristol comes in all shapes and sizes and this is your guide for the best shopping experience this Christmas in Bristol.
The Bristol Pop-Up Shop at The Galleries
The Bristol Pop-Up Shop is back at The Galleries Shopping Centre in Bristol City Centre for yet another year of festivities. The shop will be bursting with gifts from 100 talented local makers, artists and designers; the perfect place to get started on your Christmas shopping! Customers can shop 7 days a week for all their gifts and Christmas treats from a huge range of products by some of Bristol's best creative businesses.
From luxury gifts for someone special, to fun and creative stocking fillers, you'll find something for everyone on your Christmas shopping list. The Bristol Pop-Up Shop's mission is to offer an exciting, unique shopping experience that truly makes a difference to both the local businesses they bring together and the customers who buy from them.
Find them on the ground floor this year with the usual range of gifts created by Bristol's finest designers and makers.
Christmas Shopping at Old Down Estate
Head along to this exclusive Christmas shopping event in the Manor, Old Down Country Park, Tockington, Bristol where you'll discover a treasure trove of unique presents for your loved ones. From handcrafted ornaments to fashion accessories, there's something special for everyone on your list.
VIP Experience: Tuesday 19th November | 5pm-9pm | £10pp (Members £8pp)
A luxurious VIP experience on the evening of Tuesday 19th November, where you can sip on a glass of mulled wine and finish a delicious mince pie while enjoying a private shopping spree before anyone else! Tickets for the VIP experience will be £10pp. (Members tickets are £8).
Main Event: Wednesday 20th November | 10am-5pm | FREE
Can't make it to the VIP evening? Don't worry, our Christmas shopping extravaganza continues the following day, Wednesday 20th November. Explore unique gift options, festive decorations, wrapping station, and more. This will be a free event and no ticket is needed.
Further Information: Christmas Shopping Events
Bristol Christmas Market
Bristol’s good cheer extends to our Christmas Markets, stretching from the Harbourside all the way to Bristol Shopping Quarter. This year, the Bristol Christmas Market, (November 1st to December 23rd 10.00am - 10.00pm) will be better than ever with the exciting new addition of the Christmas Express kids' train ride. The popular escape room and The Candy Factory will all return and be located on Merchant Street. With 35 stalls, including familiar favourites and exciting new additions for 2024, there will be plenty to explore. The food offerings will feature customer favourites such as Yorkshire Pudding Wraps, Churros, and Bam Bam Vegan.
Entertainment throughout the trading period will include singers, bands, and DJs creating the perfect Christmas atmosphere. Children will enjoy bubble-blowing fairies, balloon artists, and of course Santa will make a few special visits in December. This year, Ski Gondolas can be hired for drinks packages, with new and exciting drinks available in the Jäger barn bar.
Check out Bristol's other festive markets: Christmas markets in and around Bristol 2024
Shop Bristol
A Bristol Christmas is here! ‘Shop Bristol’ is a new City Centre retail shop in Cabot Circus where you can find locally-made, unique gifts for the whole family.
From the 1st of November 2024, next door to the Apple store in Quakers Friars, you’ll find a new pop-up retail space and information point for tourists and visitors to Bristol. This new shopping experience is brought to you by the team at PRIOR, Visit West and Cabot Circus. Inside, you will find the work of over 35 local Bristol artists and hundreds of products that represent Bristol. There will be a workshop area for festive craft sessions and an area dedicated to tourist information from Visit West under the Visit Bristol brand for all your what’s on in Bristol needs during the festive season.
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat 10:00am - 7:00pm, Sun 11:00am - 5:00pm
Bristol Shopping Quarter
In the heart of the city centre, Bristol Shopping Quarter is home to hundreds of shops, from high street favourites and designer names to independent boutiques, plus great restaurants, cinemas and bars. Centred around Broadmead, The Galleries, The Arcade, Cabot Circus and Quakers Friars, this huge shopping area has high street names and independents aplenty, a diverse range of stores that's difficult to beat. There is also a great selection of cafes and restaurants serving such a wide variety of cuisines you can eat your way around the world!
This Christmas, Cabot Circus is also bursting with festive fun and unexpected surprises. Join Wallace & Gromit for A Cracking Christmas Experience, tee off at Tree Top Golf or try and get out at Escape Hunt. From luxury fragrances at Sunnamusk to quirky finds at Miniso, Cabot Circus has got your Christmas gift list covered. Whether you’re looking for presents, gourmet bites or epic experiences, Bristol Shopping Quarter celebrates Christmas brilliantly and quite simply has everything you need for the perfect Christmas shopping trip.
Christmas opening hours visit: Bristol Shopping Quarter website
Clifton Village
Clifton Village is the most beautiful shopping quarter in Bristol. Stroll amongst wonderful Georgian architecture and take your pick from any one of the many up-market independent shops and boutiques selling jewellery, art, gifts, furniture, fashion, good food and more. Appreciate the area's fine Georgian and Victorian architecture and enjoy its cozy cafés, restaurants and traditional pubs. Be sure to visit the Clifton Arcade, a lovely Victorian shopping arcade in the heart of the village and Whiteladies Road which offers a range of independent shops and restaurants so you are never far from some of the best deals available in Clifton Village. Clifton Village is a beautiful place to do your Christmas shopping and really find that perfect gift.
What's more, when shopping in Clifton, the Clifton Suspension Bridge is just a short walk away, making the perfect interlude to your day around the shops.
Further information: Discover Clifton Village
Christmas Steps Arts Quarter
The Christmas Steps Arts Quarter nestles in a historic part of Bristol City Centre - Perry Rd, Lower Park Row, Colston St, St Michael's Hill, Upper Maudlin St and the Christmas Steps themselves. In ancient times, nautical types would make their way through the narrow alleyways and down the Christmas Steps to sup cider in one of its (then) 6 Inns before setting sail from the quay that was once at the foot of the steps… These days you're more likely to see city workers on their lunch break, grabbing something from one of the many cafes, or popping by to pick up a last minute birthday gift. At weekends, you'll often overhear tourists comparing the Steps to Diagon Alley and Bristolians reminiscing about the joke shop that they used to visit here 40 years ago!
Nowadays, this is the location of unique shops, art galleries, potteries, makers of dresses, shoes, musical instruments, furniture and much more. You might want to select a locally produced piece of artwork or browse the beautiful ceramics and pottery in Blaze, perhaps even buy an investment piece from Clifton Fine Art. Jewellery and fashion lovers will adore anything from I Am Acrylic Parents with young musical prodigies should definitely take a trip to Bristol Violin Shop or maybe you just want to visit the smallest multiplex cinema/video rental shop in the world! It really is a great area to wander, relax, indulge and be inspired…
Made in Bristol Gift Fair 2024
Set against the backdrop of the Bristol Beacon, the Made in Bristol Gift Fair will transform the foyer, Lantern Hall and Simons’ Bar into a bustling marketplace this Christmas. Imagine strolling through a beautiful, independent department store, filled with unique gifts and treasures. You'll find everything you need to make this winter season special. Some 200 talented designers and makers from across Bristol will showcase their work, providing visitors with a wonderful opportunity to shop local and support the city’s artistic community.
Made in Bristol curates a diverse array of handcrafted products from talented local artisans, featuring designers, knitters, woodworkers and ceramicists. Each stall bursts with personality, inviting shoppers to discover individual, special gifts whilst engaging directly with the makers. The fair boasts a lively atmosphere filled with live demonstrations and interactive workshops, ensuring that the quest for unique gifts this Christmas is enjoyable and memorable.
Dates: Saturday 23 November, Saturday 7 December, Saturday 14 December |10:00-16:00