Last updated: 20 August 2026
Bristol Christmas Market 2026 returns to the city centre from 6 November to 23 December 2026, bringing wooden festive chalets, Christmas food, gifts, seasonal drinks and entertainment to Broadmead. The market is free to enter and sits right in the middle of Bristol Shopping Quarter, making it particularly easy to combine with Christmas shopping at Broadmead and Cabot Circus. Visit Bristol currently lists the 2026 market as open from 10am until 10pm daily.
This guide covers the confirmed 2026 dates and opening times, where the market is, what to expect, food and drink, parking, trains, buses, accessibility, family visits and nearby attractions. It also explains some important transport changes affecting Broadmead from August 2026. Event details can change, particularly individual stall, entertainment and Christmas-week opening times, so check the official Bristol Christmas Market website shortly before travelling.
Bristol Christmas Market 2026 quick overview
Bristol Christmas Market occupies Broadmead in Bristol Shopping Quarter, one of the city’s principal retail districts. Rather than being isolated in a park or ticketed enclosure, the chalets become part of the pedestrianised shopping streets, with high-street shops, cafรฉs, Cabot Circus and The Galleries immediately around them.
The official market operator describes a market of more than 40 festive stalls, supplemented by seasonal food, drinks and the Jรคger Barn Bar. Recent editions have also featured private Ski Gondolas and a life-sized hot-air-balloon dining experience.
For 2026, Visit Bristol has confirmed the event will take place from Friday 6 November until Wednesday 23 December.
Bristol Christmas Market 2026 key facts
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Bristol Christmas Market |
| 2026 dates | 6 November โ 23 December 2026 |
| Location | Broadmead, Bristol Shopping Quarter |
| Postcode | BS1 1UX |
| Published opening hours | 10amโ10pm daily |
| Admission | Free |
| Booking required? | No for general market entry |
| Recommended visit | Around 1ยฝโ3 hours |
| Main attractions | Christmas stalls, food, drinks, Jรคger Barn Bar and festive experiences |
| Nearest main station | Bristol Temple Meads |
| Parking | The Galleries and other city-centre car parks |
| Accessibility | Outdoor city-centre setting; see detailed section below |
| Official operator | Bristol Christmas Market / Relevention Ltd |
| Market contact location | Broadmead, Bristol, BS1 1UX |
Bristol Christmas Market 2026 dates
The confirmed dates are:
Friday 6 November 2026 to Wednesday 23 December 2026.
This gives visitors almost seven weeks to visit, including seven weekends before Christmas.
The market finishes before Christmas Day, so anyone visiting Bristol between Christmas Eve and New Year should not assume the Broadmead market will still be running.
Bristol has other Christmas events and markets during the festive season, so it is worth distinguishing the main Bristol Christmas Market in Broadmead from St Nicholas Market’s Christmas trading and other temporary festive attractions around the city. Bristol City Council, for example, has confirmed St Nick’s outdoor Christmas Market from 20 November to 24 December 2026.
Bristol Christmas Market opening times
Visit Bristol currently publishes the following 2026 opening times:
Monday: 10amโ10pm
Tuesday: 10amโ10pm
Wednesday: 10amโ10pm
Thursday: 10amโ10pm
Friday: 10amโ10pm
Saturday: 10amโ10pm
Sunday: 10amโ10pm
The official market website’s latest detailed information at the time of checking still relates to 2025 and shows that, historically, gift stalls have closed earlier than the food stalls and bars. This is worth remembering if your priority is Christmas shopping rather than an evening drink.
Opening arrangements can also be different on the final day. Check the official market website before making a special journey on 23 December.
Where is Bristol Christmas Market?
Bristol Christmas Market is held in:
Broadmead
Bristol Shopping Quarter
Bristol
BS1 1UX
Broadmead is the pedestrianised retail area immediately west of Cabot Circus and north of Bristol’s Old City.
This central location is one of the market’s practical advantages. You are not travelling out to a dedicated showground: the market sits among Bristol’s everyday city-centre shops, shopping centres, cafรฉs and public transport links.
What to expect at Bristol Christmas Market
The experience is more like a festive extension of Bristol’s central shopping district than a self-contained attraction.
Wooden chalets line parts of Broadmead while larger food and drink areas add focal points where visitors tend to stop rather than simply walk through.
Expect the character to change noticeably during the day.
Morning and early afternoon are better suited to browsing stalls and combining the market with ordinary Christmas shopping. After dark, the lights, decorated chalets, bars and food stalls become much more prominent and the market takes on more of an evening social atmosphere.
The operator describes more than 40 stalls selling gifts, crafts and seasonal products, alongside festive food and drink.
A large decorated Christmas tree has traditionally formed one of the market’s visual centrepieces, while the market area uses extensive festive lighting and decorations.
Because Broadmead remains a working shopping area throughout the event, expect the busiest periods to coincide with Bristol’s wider Christmas-shopping peaks, particularly Saturday afternoons and the final few weekends before Christmas.
Main things to see and do
Browse the Christmas market stalls
Shopping remains at the centre of the market.
The market operator lists products including jewellery, soaps, ceramics, decorations, sweets, confectionery, cheese, accessories, wooden puzzles and seasonal gifts among previous and recurring trader categories.
The exact traders can vary, so treat any stall list published before the event as a guide rather than a guarantee.
A useful approach is to walk through the entire market before buying. Broadmead’s layout makes it easy to double back once you know what is available.
Try the festive food
Food is a substantial part of Bristol Christmas Market rather than an afterthought.
The operator lists foods such as:
- German Bratwurst
- Yorkshire pudding wraps
- hog roast
- noodles
- crรชpes
- doughnuts
- churros
- sweet treats
as typical market offerings.
Availability and individual traders can change for 2026.
Visit the Jรคger Barn Bar
The Jรคger Barn Bar is one of Bristol Christmas Market’s most recognisable features.
It uses Bavarian-style chalet dรฉcor and traditionally serves drinks including German Glรผhwein, mulled cider and hot chocolate, alongside alcoholic and soft-drink alternatives.
The bar is more suited to visitors looking to extend their market visit into the evening than those making a quick shopping trip.
The operator has previously scheduled live music from Thursday through Sunday. A full 2026 live-music timetable had not yet been published when this guide was checked, so do not rely on the previous year’s programme for 2026 dates.
Book a Ski Gondola
One of the more unusual features is the collection of private Ski Gondolas.
The operator says the gondolas previously operated at a European ski resort before being repurposed for the Christmas market. They can seat up to six people.
The gondolas require a separate reservation and are not included simply because the main market is free to enter.
Visit Bristol advises visitors wanting a Ski Gondola or Festive Balloon Dining reservation to contact the market booking team.
The operator currently states that gondola sessions last around 80 minutes, with a maximum capacity of six. The gondolas are not heated, so dress for outdoor winter temperatures even when you have booked one.
Festive Balloon Dining
Another bookable experience is a decorated, life-sized hot-air-balloon basket.
The operator describes this as a small-group food-and-drink experience accommodating up to eight people.
This should be considered a separate paid experience rather than part of general market admission.
If this is important to your visit, reserve in advance rather than expecting availability after arrival.
Look out for Christmas entertainment
Past editions of the market have included Santa appearances, choirs, musicians, stilt performers and other roaming entertainment.
However, the operator’s currently published entertainment listings are largely from previous seasons, so specific performers should not be presented as confirmed for 2026 until the new programme is released.
Is Bristol Christmas Market free?
Yes. General admission to Bristol Christmas Market is free.
Visit Bristol includes the 2026 market among Bristol’s free events.
You can therefore walk through the stalls and enjoy the general market atmosphere without purchasing an admission ticket.
You pay individually for:
- food
- drinks
- shopping
- separately bookable experiences
- any attractions that introduce their own charge
This makes the market particularly useful for visitors who want to include it as part of a wider Bristol day out rather than making it their only destination.
Tickets, prices and booking
There is no general admission ticket for Bristol Christmas Market.
You also do not need to reserve a time slot just to browse the market.
Advance booking is relevant principally for private experiences such as the Ski Gondolas and Festive Balloon Dining. Visit Bristol currently directs booking enquiries to bookings@bristolchristmasmarket.com.
The market operator warns that its booked gondola and balloon experiences are non-refundable and requests at least 48 hours’ notice when asking to move a booking, although alternative availability cannot be guaranteed.
Prices checked: 9 August 2026.
Because no general entrance fee applies and individual food, drink and experience prices can change, this guide does not quote unverified individual trader prices.
How long should you spend at Bristol Christmas Market?
For the market alone, allow around 1ยฝ to 3 hours.
Around 60โ90 minutes can be enough if you simply want to browse the chalets, buy a drink and see the main market.
Allow two to three hours if you want to shop properly, stop for food and spend time in the bar.
A half day works well if you combine the market with Cabot Circus, St Nicholas Market or Bristol’s Old City.
A full day is worthwhile if you continue towards the Harbourside and add one of Bristol’s major attractions.
A pre-booked gondola or balloon experience will naturally extend your stay; the operator currently allocates around 80 minutes for those sessions.
Who is Bristol Christmas Market best suited to?
Families with children
The free-entry format is useful for families because there is no pressure to stay for a fixed length of time.
Children can enjoy the lights, decorations, food and general Christmas atmosphere even if parents only plan a relatively short visit.
The busiest Saturday periods may be less comfortable with very young children or pushchairs, however.
Young children
Daylight and early afternoon visits tend to be easier than peak evening periods.
Broadmead is largely pedestrianised, making it more straightforward than a market threaded along normal roads, although busy shopping crowds still require care.
Teenagers
Teenagers can combine the market with Cabot Circus and central Bristol shopping, making it particularly practical for mixed-age family groups.
Couples
The evening market, bars and bookable gondolas make Bristol Christmas Market well suited to couples wanting a festive city-centre evening.
Older visitors
A daytime visit should usually offer easier movement and less crowding.
Because the market is outdoors, winter temperature and rain may have more impact than at an indoor attraction.
Solo visitors
The market’s city-centre location makes it easy to visit alone without committing to a ticketed experience or organised session.
Groups
Small groups can book the private Ski Gondolas, which accommodate up to six people, or the balloon experience for up to eight.
Visitors with limited mobility
The Broadmead market occupies a central pedestrian shopping area rather than a field or rural event site. However, the market operator does not currently publish sufficiently detailed 2026 accessibility information covering every temporary stall and feature, so visitors with specific requirements should contact the organiser before travelling.
How to get to Bristol Christmas Market
By train
The principal railway station for visitors coming from outside Bristol is Bristol Temple Meads, at Station Approach, BS1 6QF.
Temple Meads has step-free access to all platforms, lifts, accessible toilets, Passenger Assistance and an induction loop.
From Temple Meads you can continue to Broadmead by bus, taxi or on foot.
For many visitors, walking is straightforward, but allow roughly 20โ25 minutes depending on your pace and exact route.
By bus
Broadmead is one of Bristol’s major bus destinations, but there is an important change for Christmas 2026.
From 30 August 2026, 25 bus services are being rerouted away from some of Broadmead’s busiest streets. Buses will no longer use stops on Union Street, The Horsefair or Penn Street. Replacement and upgraded stops include Fairfax Street, Broad Weir, Lower Castle Street and Bond Street.
This means old travel guides, old Google snippets and even advice from previous Christmas markets may send 2026 visitors to superseded stops.
Check TravelWest shortly before travelling.
Metrobus services also serve central Bristol. The current network includes routes connecting the city centre, Cabot Circus and Broadmead with locations such as Long Ashton Park & Ride, Lyde Green and Cribbs Causeway.
Walking
If you are already in central Bristol, walking is usually the simplest way to reach the market.
Broadmead links naturally with:
- Cabot Circus
- Castle Park
- St Nicholas Market
- the Old City
- The Centre
- the Harbourside
This also makes a market visit easy to integrate into a wider sightseeing route without repeatedly using public transport.
Cycling
Central Bristol has an extensive cycling network and cycle parking is available around the shopping quarter.
Temple Meads itself has substantial cycle storage, with National Rail reporting around 450 spaces at the station.
Do not attempt to cycle through particularly dense pedestrian crowds within the market itself.
By taxi
Taxis are available from Bristol Temple Meads, where there is a taxi rank immediately outside the station. Accessible taxis are also available.
At busy December times, walking or bus travel can sometimes be more predictable than travelling through city-centre traffic.
Bristol Christmas Market parking
There is no dedicated Christmas Market car park, but several city-centre parking options are within the Bristol Shopping Quarter.
The Galleries car park
The Galleries car park is one of the most convenient options because it is directly within the shopping district.
It has 1,000 spaces, with entrances from Newgate and Fairfax Street. Disabled spaces are on Level D and Family First spaces are on Level C. Payment is by card or contactless.
At the time of checking, published charges were:
| Parking time | Charge |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | ยฃ3.20 |
| 1โ2 hours | ยฃ4.80 |
| 2โ3 hours | ยฃ5.80 |
| 3โ4 hours | ยฃ7.80 |
| 4โ5 hours | ยฃ8.80 |
| 5โ6 hours | ยฃ9.80 |
| 6โ7 hours | ยฃ10.80 |
| 7โ24 hours | ยฃ20.00 |
There is also a published ยฃ3.20 after-4pm rate, while a weekday early-bird offer applies to qualifying arrivals.
Normal published opening arrangements are 6.30am until 11pm Monday to Saturday, with last entry at 10pm; Sunday hours are shorter. Always verify Christmas opening hours directly with the car park before relying on a late departure.
Parking prices checked: 9 August 2026.
Bristol Clean Air Zone
Drivers should check their vehicle before entering central Bristol.
Bristol operates a Clean Air Zone 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Vehicles which meet the emissions requirements do not pay, but non-compliant private petrol and diesel cars currently face a ยฃ9 daily charge.
As a general guide, Bristol City Council says charges normally do not apply to Euro 4, 5 and 6 petrol vehicles or Euro 6 diesels, but you should use the official vehicle checker rather than relying solely on a vehicle’s age.
This is one of the most important pieces of advance planning for anyone driving to Bristol Christmas Market.
Park and Ride
Park and Ride can be worth considering during the busiest Christmas-shopping weekends.
Bristol’s metrobus network includes the m2 from Long Ashton, which connects into the city centre via Temple Meads, Cabot Circus and Broadmead. Other metrobus services also connect Broadmead with outer Bristol areas.
Routes and timetables can change, so check TravelWest on the day rather than relying on a timetable copied into a guide months in advance.
Accessibility at Bristol Christmas Market
The market is situated within Broadmead’s pedestrianised city-centre shopping environment rather than on grass or a purpose-built festival field.
That is helpful for many wheelchair and mobility-aid users, but temporary markets inevitably create changing layouts, queues and periods of heavy pedestrian traffic.
The market operator does not currently provide enough detailed 2026 information to verify every point requested by disabled visitors, including:
- provision of dedicated market accessible toilets
- hearing loops at temporary market facilities
- wheelchair loans
- sensory or quiet sessions
- dedicated quiet rooms
- accessible counters at every stall
Those facilities should therefore not be assumed.
Visitors requiring specific arrangements should contact Bristol Christmas Market before travelling.
For rail visitors, Bristol Temple Meads is a Category A step-free station with lifts to all platforms. National Rail lists accessible toilets, passenger assistance, accessible parking and an induction loop.
For nearby indoor respite, individual Broadmead venues have their own access arrangements. For example, Sparks Bristol publishes level ground-floor access, a lift, accessible toilets and a calming pod for neurodivergent visitors.
Food and drink at Bristol Christmas Market
Food is one of the market’s biggest draws.
The official market information lists a broad mixture of savoury and sweet options, including Bratwurst, Yorkshire pudding wraps, hog roast, noodles, doughnuts, churros and crรชpes.
The Jรคger Barn Bar traditionally specialises in festive drinks such as German Glรผhwein, mulled cider and Bailey’s hot chocolate, alongside other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Because food stalls are temporary traders, menus, allergens and dietary choices can vary.
If you have a serious allergy, speak directly to the individual trader rather than assuming that previous-year menu information remains applicable.
Broadmead and Cabot Circus also have numerous permanent cafรฉs and restaurants if you would prefer indoor seating.
Toilets and visitor facilities
Bristol Christmas Market does not currently publish a sufficiently detailed 2026 visitor-facilities guide to confirm that dedicated public toilets, Changing Places facilities, lockers, Wi-Fi or baby-changing facilities are supplied by the market itself.
However, because it sits within Bristol Shopping Quarter, permanent shopping-centre facilities are close at hand.
The Galleries is directly in Broadmead, while Cabot Circus is immediately to the east.
Visitors should use the current shopping-centre information for specific toilet, baby-change and accessibility requirements rather than assuming facilities belong to the temporary market.
There is no reason for most visitors to need luggage storage at the market, and Bristol Temple Meads does not list a left-luggage facility.
Visiting Bristol Christmas Market with children
Bristol Christmas Market is easy to incorporate into a family day because admission is free and there is no fixed visit length.
That gives parents flexibility: if children get cold, tired or overwhelmed by crowds, you can leave without feeling that a substantial admission ticket has been wasted.
For families with babies and toddlers, a morning visit is usually the easier option. Broadmead becomes substantially busier as Christmas shoppers arrive, particularly at weekends.
Pushchairs can be used through the pedestrian shopping area, but dense evening crowds may make movement slower.
Older children may enjoy the lights, Christmas food and entertainment, while teenagers can combine the market with Cabot Circus and the surrounding shops.
If travelling by train with a baby, Bristol Temple Meads provides toilets and baby-changing facilities.
Best time to visit Bristol Christmas Market
Best for quieter shopping: weekday mornings
Arriving shortly after the market opens gives you the best chance to browse before lunch and after-work crowds build.
Best atmosphere: after dark
For Christmas lights and the strongest festive atmosphere, visit from late afternoon onwards.
December sunset means there is no need to arrive especially late to see the market illuminated.
Best compromise: weekday around 3pmโ6pm
You can begin while the market is relatively easy to browse and stay as the lights become more prominent.
Busiest time: Saturday afternoons and evenings
Expect the greatest pressure on parking, restaurants and the central shopping streets during December Saturdays.
Final weekend before Christmas
This can be particularly busy as Christmas shopping reaches its peak.
If your main objective is buying gifts rather than nightlife, an earlier November or early-December weekday is the more comfortable choice.
Is Bristol Christmas Market worth visiting in the rain?
Yes, but plan differently.
The market is predominantly an outdoor experience. Rain makes lingering at outdoor stalls less appealing and can concentrate visitors around sheltered food and drink areas.
One advantage of the Broadmead location is that you are surrounded by permanent shops and shopping centres, so it is easier to alternate outdoor market browsing with indoor shopping than at an isolated outdoor Christmas market.
Bring a waterproof outer layer rather than relying solely on an umbrella in crowded sections.
Nearby Christmas markets
Do not assume Bristol Christmas Market is the city’s only festive market.
St Nick’s Christmas Market
Bristol City Council has confirmed the outdoor St Nick’s Christmas Market from 20 November to 24 December 2026, with chalets and umbrella pitches on Corn Street and Wine Street.
That makes it particularly easy to visit both markets during the same trip.
The council currently publishes trading hours of:
MondayโFriday: 9.30amโ5pm
Saturday: 9.30amโ6pm
Sunday: 10amโ4pm.
This market has a different feel from the larger Broadmead operation and adds independent-market shopping to the day.
Nearby attractions
Bristol Christmas Market is particularly well positioned for combining with other city-centre attractions.
St Nicholas Market
St Nicholas Market is a natural second stop because it lies between Broadmead and Bristol’s Old City.
During late November and December 2026 you can potentially combine the main Christmas Market with St Nick’s own Christmas trading on the same walk.
Castle Park
Castle Park lies immediately south-east of the shopping quarter and provides a useful route between Broadmead and the Old City.
John Wesley’s New Room
John Wesley’s New Room is right in the Bristol Shopping Quarter and can provide an interesting historic stop. It is normally open Monday to Saturday, 10amโ4pm, and publishes wheelchair access via ramp along with accessible public areas.
Bristol Cathedral
Continue towards College Green if you want to add some of Bristol’s historic centre to the day.
Bristol Harbourside
For a full-day visit, continue from the Old City towards the Harbourside for museums, restaurants and waterside walks.
We The Curious
This works particularly well for families combining Christmas shopping with an indoor attraction. The venue publishes extensive wheelchair-access facilities, hearing loops, seating and service-dog provision.
Suggested half-day Bristol Christmas Market itinerary
10.00am โ Arrive in Broadmead
Start when the market opens and browse the gift stalls before the main shopping crowds arrive.
11.00am โ Bristol Shopping Quarter
Explore Broadmead and Cabot Circus for conventional Christmas shopping.
12.00pm โ Market food
Return to the market for lunch from one of the seasonal food traders.
1.00pm โ St Nicholas Market
Walk towards Corn Street and explore St Nicholas Market.
If visiting from 20 November onwards, the council-operated St Nick’s Christmas Market should also be running.
2.00pm โ Old City or Castle Park
Continue exploring central Bristol or finish with a cafรฉ stop.
Suggested full-day Bristol Christmas itinerary
Morning
Arrive around 10am and explore Bristol Christmas Market while it is relatively quiet.
Continue through the surrounding shops and Cabot Circus.
Lunch
Eat either at one of the festive stalls or at a permanent city-centre restaurant.
Early afternoon
Walk to St Nicholas Market and Bristol’s Old City.
Mid-afternoon
Continue towards College Green and Bristol’s Harbourside.
Late afternoon
Walk back towards Broadmead as darkness falls.
This lets you experience the market twice: once when the stalls are easy to browse and again when the Christmas lights create a stronger evening atmosphere.
Evening
Stop for a festive drink at the market, or use a pre-booked Ski Gondola or balloon experience.
Local tips for Bristol Christmas Market
Check the bus stop before you travel. The August 2026 Broadmead bus changes mean some stops familiar from previous years will no longer be used.
Check your car against Bristol’s Clean Air Zone. A ยฃ9 daily charge currently applies to non-compliant private cars entering the zone.
Go early for shopping and later for atmosphere. Trying to browse small gift stalls during peak Saturday-evening crowds can be frustrating.
Do not assume every stall stays open until 10pm. Visit Bristol lists the event overall until 10pm, but previous official schedules have closed retail chalets earlier than food and bars.
Book special experiences ahead. Ski Gondolas and balloon dining have limited capacity.
Combine it with St Nicholas Market. The two are close enough to visit comfortably on foot.
Wear proper footwear. Even though Broadmead is an urban paved location, a Christmas-market visit can involve several hours on your feet.
Carry layers. Gondolas are specifically described by the organiser as unheated.
Use public transport on peak December Saturdays where practical. Parking and roads around a major city shopping district can become significantly busier close to Christmas.
Bristol Christmas Market FAQs
When is Bristol Christmas Market 2026?
Bristol Christmas Market runs from 6 November to 23 December 2026 in Broadmead, Bristol city centre.
What time does Bristol Christmas Market open?
Visit Bristol currently lists Bristol Christmas Market as open 10amโ10pm daily in 2026. Individual retail stalls may operate shorter hours, so check the official market website before a late-night shopping visit.
Is Bristol Christmas Market free?
Yes. General admission to Bristol Christmas Market is free, although food, drinks, shopping and bookable experiences cost extra.
Where is Bristol Christmas Market?
The market is held at Broadmead, Bristol Shopping Quarter, Bristol, BS1 1UX.
What is the nearest train station to Bristol Christmas Market?
The main station for visitors is Bristol Temple Meads. From there, continue to Broadmead on foot, by bus or taxi.
Do you need tickets for Bristol Christmas Market?
No ticket is required for general entry. Separate reservations are required for bookable experiences such as the Ski Gondolas and Festive Balloon Dining.
How long do you need at Bristol Christmas Market?
Around 1ยฝ to 3 hours is sensible for the market itself. Allow half a day if combining it with shopping or St Nicholas Market, and a full day if continuing to Bristol’s Harbourside.
What food is available at Bristol Christmas Market?
Typical market food includes German Bratwurst, Yorkshire pudding wraps, hog roast, noodles, crรชpes, doughnuts and churros, although individual traders and menus can change.
Can you book a Ski Gondola at Bristol Christmas Market?
Yes. The market’s private Ski Gondolas can accommodate up to six people and are separately bookable. The organiser currently describes sessions as approximately 80 minutes.
Is Bristol Christmas Market suitable for children?
Yes. It is a free-entry city-centre event with festive stalls, decorations, food and entertainment. Families with young children may find weekday mornings and early afternoons easier than busy December evenings.
Is Bristol Christmas Market wheelchair accessible?
The market is located within Broadmead’s pedestrianised shopping area, but sufficiently detailed market-specific 2026 accessibility information has not yet been published to verify every temporary facility. Visitors with particular requirements should contact the organiser before travelling.
Is there parking near Bristol Christmas Market?
Yes. The Galleries car park is very close to the market and provides approximately 1,000 spaces, including disabled and family spaces.
Does Bristol have a Clean Air Zone?
Yes. Bristol’s Clean Air Zone operates 24 hours a day. Non-compliant private cars currently pay ยฃ9 per day, so drivers should check their registration before travelling.
Are there other Christmas markets in Bristol?
Yes. Bristol City Council has confirmed St Nick’s Christmas Market from 20 November to 24 December 2026 on Corn Street and Wine Street.
Final verdict
Bristol Christmas Market works particularly well for visitors who want Christmas-market atmosphere without committing an entire day to a ticketed attraction.
Its biggest advantage is the location. You can browse wooden chalets, eat seasonal food and stop for a festive drink, then move straight into Broadmead, Cabot Circus, St Nicholas Market or Bristol’s Old City.
Free entry also makes it flexible for families and short visits.
The main limitation is that it occupies a busy central shopping district rather than an enclosed historic square, so December weekends can become crowded. Visitors travelling primarily for artisan shopping may also want to combine it with St Nicholas Market.
For 2026, the essentials are now confirmed: 6 Novemberโ23 December, Broadmead, free entry, with Visit Bristol publishing 10amโ10pm daily opening.
If driving, check the Clean Air Zone and parking first. If travelling by bus, check the new Broadmead stopping arrangements introduced from 30 August 2026. And if you want a Ski Gondola or Festive Balloon experience, advance booking is advisable.



































