Your Guide to Christmas at Brunel’s SS Great Britain

A Festive Voyage: Your Christmas Guide at Brunel’s SS Great Britain

Set sail for a festive voyage with Brunel’s SS Great Britain, home of the first great ocean liner and the heart of Bristol’s maritime history. 

This Christmas, we’re inviting you to experience the magic of the season both above and beneath the waves. From an awe-inspiring light and sound installation in the dry dock to storytime with Old Father Christmas aboard ship, seasonal feasts in the First-Class Dining Saloon, and festive music filling the historic dockyard – Bristol’s number one visitor attraction is ready to welcome you and your crew. 

So whether you’re a local or visiting our city over the Christmas period, there’s plenty of ways to celebrate the season with us. Here’s a rundown of our highlights: 

Beneath the Waves: Light & Sound Installation

27 November 2025 – 4 January 2026 | Free with admission 

Descend into the historic dry dock and immerse yourself in an underwater sensory experience like no other. Created by internationally renowned artists Squidsoup, Beneath the Waves sees hundreds of suspended orbs transform the space into a luminous seascape, tracing the SS Great Britain’s voyage from the icy depths of northern waters to the warm, golden shimmer of distant shores. 

Storytime with Old Father Christmas

December 2025, times vary | Free with admission 

Gather on the Promenade Deck and settle in as Old Father Christmas shares captivating tales of Christmases past. Discover how the festive season was celebrated through the ages – from Victorian traditions aboard the SS Great Britain to yuletide customs from times gone by. A cosy, magical experience for all the family. 

Festive Music in the Dockyard

December 2025, times vary | Free with admission 

Let our merry musicians guide you through the dockyard with traditional carols, sea shanties and festive pop favourites. Our roving performers – including Filton Concert Brass Band, Bristol A Capella, Bedminster Singers, and the Port of Bristol Shanty Crew – will fill the Great Western Dockyard with seasonal cheer. Join in for a sing-along or simply soak up the atmosphere with a warm drink in hand.

Festive Wreath Workshop

Sunday 30 November, 2-4pm | £65 per person 

We’ve partnered with the expert florists at Heart of BS13 Flower Farm to deliver a Festive Wreath Workshop. Your ticket includes a one-day pass to the SS Great Britain site, before settling down to get crafty with all the flowers, foliage and materials required to make a stunning, sustainable wreath. Perfect to display at home, or – even better – gifted to a loved one.

Go Aloft! Gift Vouchers

March-October 2026 | £35 per person 

History buffs and adrenaline junkies, rejoice! Go Aloft – SS Great Britain’s exhilarating Rig Climb Experience – is returning in March 2026. You can now purchase a gift voucher experience for the daredevils in your life. The vouchers are available to purchase online, just in time for Christmas shopping! 

Golden Glow Christmas Lights Switch-On

Thursday 27 November, 5-6:30pm | Free to attend 

Join us for the Christmas lights switch-on in Brunel Square, heralding the start of our festivities! Hot chocolates, mulled wine and warm mince pies, performances from SHE Choir Bristol, appearances from Old Father Christmas and Mr Brunel, and – of course – a glistening 26ft tree generously sponsored by our corporate partner, Renishaw. What better way to step into the Christmas spirit? 

Christmas Shopping at SS Great Britain 

Our gift shop is bursting with opportunities for Christmas presents – from stocking fillers to stunning legacy items made from wood recovered from the ship’s deck (yes, really!) and plenty of nautical novelties for your office Secret Santa.