What to do at Bristol Zoo Project this Christmas

Looking for a festive day out that’s merry, memorable, and wonderfully wild? This Christmas, meander through giant gifts, joyful activities, heart-warming animal moments, and fun for the whole family at Bristol Zoo Project. Wrap up warm, grab your trail sheet, and join us for some Christmas fun!

Take on the Big Gift Hunt

Christmas isn’t just for people, it’s for the animals, too!

Throughout the zoo, from 29 November to 4 January, you’ll find giant presents waiting to be discovered as part of our Merry and Wild festive trail. By solving riddles, you can help us work out which gift belongs to which animal so they can receive a tasty festive treat.

Win festive prizes!

Once you’ve cracked the clues and completed the hunt, hand in your answers to enter our festive prize draw. With amazing prizes up for grabs, from day tickets and memberships to cuddly toys, goodie bags, and even animal experiences, you could win a little festive fancy of your own.

See the animals enjoy their Christmas treats

After you’ve guessed the gifts, watch the celebrations unfold and see the animals get their special treats from our dedicated Animal Team at the daily festive feeds. From big bites to playful pounces, it’s a delightful way to see your favourite species enjoy their merry treats.

Visit the Elves’ Post Office

At weekends and during school holidays, little ones can visit the Elves’ Post Office, where they can write a letter to Santa with a special “wildlife wish,” taking them one step closer to conservation.

Strike a pose for a festive snap

Capture your merry memories across our festive photo moments! Stand in the frame of a giant snow globe, hop onto Santa’s sleigh, stand beneath giant hanging bells, or wander into the twinkling Tipi Grotto. Keep your eyes peeled as you move around the zoo to make sure you find them all.

Warm up with Christmas treats

After your winter walk full of fun, photos, and your favourite animals, take a break with seasonal snacks and festive drinks. Courtyard Café* is serving hot chocolate, mince pies, and festive favourites, while Base Camp Pizzeria** is whipping up seasonal stone-baked pizzas, hot dogs, and comforting winter bites to accompany a perfect view of our cheetahs.

*Open daily from 10am - 4pm

**Open weekends and school holidays from 10am - 3pm

Explore our new habitat

Get up close to roaming birds, endangered reptiles, and colourful beetles in our brand-new Tropical House. Home to 14 new species, including several linked to our conservation work around the world, you’ll be able to spot six species of birds, including Victoria crowned pigeons and superb fruit doves, as well as radiated tortoises, Henkel’s leaf-tailed geckos, and more.

Open 10am-3pm daily.

Discover animals from around the world

At Bristol Zoo Project, you have the opportunity to get up close to incredible species from across the globe. Wander the raised walkway for eye-level encounters with giraffes, watch cheetahs stalk their habitat, and step inside the Lemur Walkthrough for truly unforgettable moments.

Step back in time in Bear Wood

Step back through centuries of British woodland history in Bear Wood, where the story of our forests unfolds, and where once-vanished native species return to roam their ancient home.

Stroll along an elevated treetop walkway that carries you high above 7.5 acres of ancient woodland and see if you can spot wolves, wolverines, and lynx moving through the forest just as they once did thousands of years ago.

Pause at the Bear House cam, where you can see our bears in torpor, a lighter form of hibernation. Our four bears enter their deep sleep around mid-November, and re-emerge in February or March next year, and you get to witness them in their dark, cosy den.

Play outdoors

Little explorers can burn off festive energy in our natural play spaces, from the new Explorers Basecamp to our undercover Fun Fort. There are lots of natural play spaces around the zoo where kids and adults can roam, jump, balance, and climb.

Purchase the perfect Christmas gifts

This Christmas, give a gift that supports conservation, delights animal lovers, and creates lasting memories. Visit our on-site shop for fun and unique gifts, from animal-themed toys, homeware, and books. There really is something for everyone.

It doesn’t stop there, you can also gift unforgettable Animal Experiences, which let people get up close with animals and step into the world of zookeeping.

You can also buy gift vouchers and supporter plaques, where the recipient's name and message become part of one of Bristol Zoo’s habitats, as well as gift memberships, a present that can be enjoyed all year round.

Animal adoptions are also a perfect Christmas gift for animal lovers. From just £50, an adoption lasts for a whole year and includes an exclusive pack for the recipients favourite animal, including cheetah, giraffe, bear, lynx, meerkat, and more.

Save wildlife this Christmas

Your visit to Merry and Wild does more than make magical memories, it helps protect wildlife around the world. Every ticket supports Bristol Zoological Society’s vital conservation projects, helping us in our mission of ‘Saving Wildlife Together’.

So, join us at Bristol Zoo Project from 29 November to 4 January for a festive celebration packed with seasonal magic, animal moments, and family fun.

Come for the magic, stay for the wildlife, and help make this festive season truly meaningful.

Find us just off Junction 17 of the M5, next to Cribbs Causeway.

Under-2s and carers go free!

Book your tickets today!