Bath is preparing for a packed festive season, with Christmas markets, light installations, ice skating, theatre and plenty of opportunities to step into the world of Raymond Briggs’ much-loved The Snowman.
The festive programme brings together seasonal favourites across the city, from Peter Pan on Ice and Beauty and the Beast to afternoon teas, light trails and the twinkling chalets of Bath Christmas Market.
This year, The Snowman takes centre stage in several of Bath’s Christmas celebrations. Visitors can follow the Snowman Trail through the city, discovering 12 large-scale Snowmen, each inspired by a verse from The Twelve Days of Christmas and brought to life in the iconic style of Raymond Briggs’ character.
At Bath Forum, The Snowman will be shown on the big screen accompanied by music from Bath Philharmonic Orchestra. The venue will also welcome a new production of Peter Pan on Ice in December, featuring Dancing on Ice professionals and transforming the stage into a shimmering sheet of real ice.
The celebrations continue at Victoria Art Gallery, where The World of the Snowman™ opens in November. The family-friendly exhibition brings together The Snowman and his friends in a celebration of the original book and animation.
Elsewhere in the city, Royal Victoria Park will become a winter wonderland with Bath on Ice and Glow in the Dark Golf. Families can visit Santa in his grotto at The Holburne Museum, while No. 1 Royal Crescent offers the chance to step back in time with an immersive candle-lit Georgian experience.
Just outside Bath, Dorothy House Hospice will host Moments of Light, a new large-scale light installation by internationally renowned artist Bruce Munro. Inspired by the stories of people supported by Dorothy House, the installation will feature thousands of illuminated forms glowing softly in the darkness, creating a place to pause and reflect.
Christmas shopping is also firmly on the agenda. Bath Christmas Market will once again fill the city’s Georgian streets with twinkling chalets offering locally made produce, crafts and gifts. Visitors can also explore the city’s side streets and the corridors of Shires Yard shopping centre for independent shops and further gift ideas.
After a day of shopping and festive activities, there is the option to watch the sun set and the city begin to twinkle while bathing in the thermal waters of Thermae Bath Spa’s rooftop pool.
Food is part of the festivities too. The Apex Hotel will serve a Snowman-inspired afternoon tea, while Christmas feasts can be enjoyed in The Grill’s dining domes at The Bird Hotel, Root Bath, the Pump Room Restaurant’s elegant dining room or Gordon Ramsay’s Bread St Kitchen.
With plenty happening across the city, Visit Bath is encouraging visitors to make more than a flying visit. Accommodation ranges from five-star stays at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath Priory and The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel to boutique options including Eight in Bath, Roseate Villa Bath, No. 15 by GuestHouse Hotels and the newly opened Parade Hotel, complete with courtyard spa. Self-catering apartments provide another option for a festive break.
Getting to Bath is straightforward too. The city is less than 90 minutes from London Paddington with Great Western Railway, while those flying into Bristol Airport can transfer to Bath on the Airport Flyer bus.
Once there, Bath’s compact centre can easily be explored on foot, or visitors can wrap up warm and see the city and Bath Skyline from an open-top City Sightseeing Worldwide bus.
Find out more about all the Christmas Festivities through the Visit Bath website.
Feature Image credit to Visit West
