A Festive Voyage: Christmas at SS Great Britain

Experience the magic of the season above and below the waves

Wander through a shimmering sound and light installation in the historic dry dock, step on board to discover how passengers and crew marked the season at sea, before cosying up in the Promenade Deck for story time with Old Father Christmas. Meanwhile in the dockyard, warm your cockles with hot chocolates and mince pies as our roving musicians perform carols, shanties and familiar tunes. There’s plenty of Christmassy delights to discover at the SS Great Britain. 

An audience with Old Father Christmas 🎅 

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.

Dates: 6-7, 13-14, 20-23 Dec
Times: 11am, 1pm, 3pm – first-come, first-served
Location: Promenade Deck

A Journey to Foreign Lands – light & sound installation 🌊
Descend into an underwater dreamscape by Squidsoup. Suspended orbs fill our historic dry dock with light and sound, reimagining the ship’s voyage from wintry seas to golden, sun-drenched lands – a mesmerising journey of discovery beneath the waves.

Dates: 27 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026
Times: In line with usual opening hours
Location: Dry Dock

Festive Music in the Dockyard 🎵
Let our merry musicians guide you through the dockyard with traditional carols, sea shanties and festive pop favourites. Our roving performers 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.

Dates: 6-7, 13-14, 20-23 Dec
Times: 11am, 1pm, 2pm
Location: Dockyard