The best of Bristol’s Christmas shows in 2022

Somehow, we’ve almost reached that fabulous, festive time once again.

Bristol 24/7 presents a bumper selection of Christmas shows, for fans of pantomime, theatre, comedy and improv, circus and cabaret, film, music and more…

Pantomime

• Cinderella – December 4-31, Bristol Hippodrome

The flagship of Bristol’s panto events, this year’s offering at the Hippodrome looks set to delight and thrill with a firm family favourite.

Lauren Hampton stars as Cinderella, returning star Andy Ford is Buttons, and Craig Revel Horwood is likely to steal the show as the Wicked Stepmother.

Cinderella – photo: Bristol Hippodrome

• Aladdin – December 7-31, Redgrave Theatre

Starring Amanda Salmon, Richard Burman and Vince Williams, Aladdin will be flying into The Redgrave Theatre for panto season. There will be entertainment (and audience participation) the whole family can enjoy.

• Dick Whittington – December 7-10, Newman Hall

Clifton Amateur Dramatic Society present “a fast and furious rendition” of the much-loved fairy tale, with songs and laughs aplenty.

• Aladdin – December 8-January 8, 2023, Theatre Royal Bath

Tom Lister, Nick Wilton and award-winning Bath panto favourite Jon Monie come together for a brand new version of the classic tale. Audiences can expect special effects, slapstick delights and a magic carpet ride to remember.

Aladdin – photo: Theatre Royal Bath

• Sleeping Beauty – December 10-31, The Playhouse Weston

The Playhouse hosts a traditional fairy tale panto for 2022, packed with family-friendly comedy, song and dance numbers and magic. Stars include Vicki Michelle and Derek Moran.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjtIBxBoEka/

• The Emperor’s New Clothes, December 17, The Cube

Owl on the Roof theatre present a “vivid outlandish adult pantomime” that tells the story of “unreasonable landlords, financial insecurity and saucy grandmothers”. Expect a lot of clowny moments, laugh out loud humour and bags of audience interaction. There will also be a free-for-locals community show at the company’s rehearsal space/theatre at Broadwalk Shopping Centre, Knowle on December 18.

Photo: Roof Owl Theatre

Theatre

• A Christmas Carol, November 17-December 2, Arnos Vale

Red Rope Theatre Company return to the Anglican Chapel for the fifth time, following four previous sell-out gothic horror shows at the venue: Dracula, Turn of the Screw, Frankenstein, and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

A Christmas Carol – photo: Red Rope Theatre

• The Nutcracker, November 24-January 7 2023, Bristol Old Vic

This year’s hugely anticipated Bristol Old Vic Christmas blockbuster is written by Tom Morris, at the conclusion of his last season as artistic director. Billed as “a wild theatrical re-telling” of the beloved story, it’s likely to be packed with sparkle, and spectacle, throughout.

• MDH: Puppets Do a Movie, November 25-January 22 2023, The Wardrobe Theatre

The masters of the theatrical mash-up return. From the creators of Drac & Jill, Oedipuss in Boots, Rocky Shock Horror and more.

MDH Puppets Do a Movie – photo: The Wardrobe Theatre

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Read more: The Wardrobe Theatre to resurrect smash-hit dark comedy mash-up for Christmas

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• The Snow Queen, December 1-January 15 2023, Tobacco Factory Theatres

The big Christmas show at Tobacco Factory Theatres will transport audiences to a snowy Nordic landscape, as they join Gerda on an adventure through ice, plenty of magic and a bicycling reindeer.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkjNljzMSU0/

• Belle and Sebastien, December 2-January 8 2023, The Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic

A Travelling Light and Bristol Old Vic co-production aimed at families with young children (4+ is the recommended age), this is a wintery tale of love and friendship featuring a seven year old boy, and his dog.

Belle and Sebastien – photo: Travelling Light

• Midnight Mole, December 9-31, the egg, Theatre Royal Bath

From the creative team behind the hit show Snow Mouse (set to return yet again in January 2023) comes a beautiful tale of one mole and her nocturnal friends, aimed at babies and pre-school children.

• Five Children and It, December 9-January 15 2023, the egg, Theatre Royal Bath

The welcome return of this imaginative and rollocking good fun version of the classic E. Nesbit story.

Five Children and It – photo: Paul Blakemore

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Read more: Review: Five Children and It, The Egg, Theatre Royal Bath

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• BS3 Santa, December 13-23, Tobacco Factory Theatres

Billed as the intersection between theatre and ‘An audience with: Father Christmas’, this show is created and performed by comic actor Stewart Wright with actor, circus artist and singer-songwriter Ben Kirby, who appears as Sven the Reindeer Handler.

BS3 Santa – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

• Christmas Tales with Granddad, December 16 2022-January 2 2023, The Wardrobe Theatre

The return of an enchanting, fireside family show from Pickled Image for children aged 3-8 and their families. Expect magical puppetry and a heartwarming feel.

Christmas Tales with Grandad – photo: Pickled Image

Comedy and Improv

• Live at Christmas, December 16, Bath Forum

A Christmas cracker of a comedy line up, headlined by Dylan Moran, joined by Rosie Jones, Mike Wozniak, Celya Ab, and Bristol’s “all-round vibe magnet” John Robins as MC.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch_59J8oy-W/?hl=en

• Stand Up for the Weekend – Christmas editions, December 3, 10 and 17, Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken Studio

The Comedy Box will be hosting a raft of comedic talent in the run up to Christmas, with headliners Garrett Millerick, Stephen Bailey and Stuart Goldsmith topping the bills. A comedy and dining package is also available for all Saturday nights in December.

• An Unexpected Christmas – the Improvised Christmas Romcom, December 17-23, The Bristol Improv Theatre

“All we want for Christmas is (a suggestion from) you!” – say the BIT team, as they prepare, in as much as they can, for a brand new festive fairytale every night.

An Unexpected Christmas – photo: Bristol Improv Theatre

Circus and CabaretChristmas at the Spiegeltent, November 24-December 20, The Spiegeltent

Celebrating a decade of festive programming in Bristol, the stunning mirror tent hosts a month of circus, cabaret, drag, dancing, music, comedy and even world cup viewing events.

White Mink – photo: Spiegeltent

• Fairytale of Bristol, December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, Loco Klub

The Invisible Circus welcome guests into “a comedic story of rivalling families that unfolds throughout the evening”. Performers and guests will intermingle over a three course meal, special performances and late night dance floor shenanigans.

FairyTale of Bristol – photo: Invisible Circus

• The Great Christmas Circus, December 8-January 8 2023, Sanders Garden Centre, Brent Knoll

Circus Funtasia returns with a festive family show featuring fire breathers, aerialists, comedy, and the jaw-dropping wheel of death stunt.

• The Flaming Feathers Christmas Cabaret, December 22, Loco Klub

A candle-lit burlesque and cabaret show for Christmas, set in the vaults beneath Temple Meads.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjEMVBNsX9Y/?hl=en

Film

• Bristol Film Festival Christmas screenings, assorted dates throughout December, venues vary

Your chance to see variety of Christmas classics in unusual and memorable locations; this year’s screenings include Miracle on 34th Street at Bristol Improv Theatre, The Nightmare Before Christmas at Arnos Vale Cemetery, Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone at Clifton College Chapel, Home Alone, Elf and The Holiday at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, and Gremlins, Die Hard and It’s A Wonderful Life at Avery’s Wine Merchants.

• Love Actually in concert, December 2, Bath Forum

Love it, hate it, love to hate it or hate to love it, the schmaltzy festive romcom endures! This screening is accompanied by a full orchestra performing the soundtrack live.

• All That Heaven Allows, December 4, The Cube

A beautiful slice of Hollywood melodrama from 1955, following the burgeoning romance between a wealthy widow (Jane Wyman) and her gardener, younger man (Rock Hudson), for whom she must make some fundamental life choices.

• The Polar Express, December 5, Life Church Bath

An interactive film event for the whole family, featuring hot chocolate, ice cream, and the invitation to come wearing your pyjamas.

Music

• Bristol Hi-Fi Xmas: Daddy G + Queen Bee + Mr Benn, December 2, Old Market Assembly

A heavy bass-fuelled night to kick off your festive season, to a soundtrack of hip hop, reggae, soul, dancehall, afrobeat, boogie, disco and more. “Assemble your crew, find a spot, sip a liquor, work up a sweat and let the good times roll!”

Bristol Hifi Xmas Bash – photo: Old Market Assembly

• Treefest Carols, December 3, St Mary Redcliffe Church

Carols in front of the uniquely decorated Christmas trees of Treefest, the annual festival held at St Mary Redcliffe Church.

Trees in St Mary Redcliffe Church – photo: Treefest

• Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at Christmas, December 7, St Mary Redcliffe Church

A magical candelit Christmas concert, performed by musicians of the Piccadilly Sinfonietta, including works by Pachelbel, Corelli, Chopin, and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

• Christmas at Tyntesfield, December 13-22, Tyntesfield

From Bristol University singers to Clevedon Choral, the all female Blacksheep Harmony to the all male Owls of Pill, the National Trust property will be hosting a number of festive concerts through the Christmas period.

• Carols by Candlelight, December 16-17, Bristol Cathedral

The Bristol Cathedral choir will be singing in what for many is an inimitable setting and a key signifier that Christmas is wholly upon us. John Telfer (The Archers) joins proceedings with a selection of festive readings, too.

Carols by Candlelight – photo: Bristol Cathedral

• Christmas Spectacular concerts, December 17 and 19, St George’s Bristol

David Ogden conducts the 90-strong City of Bristol Choir and the Bristol Ensemble orchestra in an uplifting programme of seasonal music and readings.

• Handel’s Messiah, December 21, St George’s Bristol

The choir of Royal Holloway join with Bristol Ensemble orchestra to perform Handel’s masterpiece.

• Toddler’s Carols, December 21, Bristol Cathedral

An informal 45-minute carol service aimed at babies, toddlers and pre-school children and their families.

Toddler Carols – photo: Bristol Cathedral

Main photo: Invisible Circus

Read more: Bristol’s best Christmas shows 2021

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