Have a jolly Queer Christmas in Bristol with our 5 festive date ideas for you to enjoy with your significant other!
If you’re stuck wondering what you should do for date night (or day) in Bristol this winter, look no further! We have you covered with 5 festive LGBTQ+ date ideas to do in Bristol that will get you straight in the mood for Christmas, and maybe other things…
Bristol Christmas Market
Ho ho ho! What could be more jolly than a couple of drinks at the Christmas Market in Bristol? Whether you want a couple of pints, some mulled wine, or maybe even Moonshine! Or if you’re looking for something calmer, get a coffee or Bailey’s hot chocolate. Either way, you and your date are sorted for drinks at the market.
And if you get a bit peckish, the Christmas market is the place to be, with snacks galore – churros, waffles, crêpes, or maybe you want something more filling like a Yorkshire pudding wrap (if you don’t mind getting messy in front of your date! Maybe only do this if you’ve been together a while..) even opt for some traditional brätwurst, better you than us!
Wander around the independent market stalls, look for some quirky presents to start your Christmas shopping, or finish it, depending on how organised you are! Maybe even buy your date a cute keepsake to remember the date by!
Don’t forget to finish the date by finding some mistletoe (or tree branch, let’s be real) and sneak in a cheeky kiss.
Ice Skating in Winter Wonderland
If you’re willing to embarrass (or impress) your date, ice skating in Winter Wonderland is a fun idea that will either break the ice, or you could break a bone on the ice, either way, it will be a date to remember!
Located in Cribbs Causeway, known as one of the biggest Christmas events in the South West, the magical ice rink is bound to get you and your date feeling all sorts of butterflies.
As well as getting you into the festive spirit, you and your date will be able to get close and hold hands and laugh and enjoy yourselves.
So, grab your warmest but most unflattering winter gear, get yourself a date and head to Winter Wonderland in Bristol this Christmas.
Watch a Film at the Watershed
This one is for indie film fans out there! The Watershed on the Bristol Harbourside is an independent film venue, and often shows LGBTQ+ films, and they also did a Queer Vision Film Festival in June and July of this year, showing a diverse range of Queer films, so it really is a great place to frequent.
From November to December they will be showing a range of diverse and quirky films so make sure to take your date to one of their screenings this winter, cosy up and watch a film in one of the most culturally upbeat venues in the South West.
Afterwards, you can carry on the date and have a drink in the bar, overlooking the Harbourside, with Christmas lights reflecting on the water, what could be more romantic? Find out more information about upcoming events and show times here.
Attend a Music Event at Thekla
For those who are local to Bristol, you will have heard of Thekla, the iconic club and music venue that is also a former cargo ship! Thekla is the perfect place to take a like-minded person.
At Thekla, there’s often live music and concerts, so you could take your date to go see their favourite band, or attend a clubbing night. There are usually themed nights around Christmas time so you could dance the night away with your date.
What is more iconic than saying you went to a music event on a former cargo ship?! We know that this isn’t solely a Christmassy event, but it can be a good date idea for this festive season, nonetheless.
Go on Some Vintage Rides at Millennium Square’s Winter Fair
Another one that is similar to Cribbs Causeway’s Winter Wonderland is the Vintage Winter Wonderland on Millennium Square, Bristol. This is a great one if you’re already in the city centre after a busy day out, some last-minute Christmas shopping, or even for a memorable trip.
Take your special someone for a ride on the soaring Observation Wheel, where you will both be able to get a stunning view of Bristol, 40 metres up high and see Bristol all lit up. Make sure to get on some vintage fairground rides such as dodgems, a carousel and the iconic helter-skelter, plus play some games to win your date some prizes, that they’ll carry around for a while but ultimately throw away, let’s face it!
After that, get out of the cold, wander over to the après chalet-style bar, and cosy up with your date with a seasonal drink such as mulled cider or mulled wine, and grab some great wintery food from the numerous food stalls.
Let us know down below if you’ve done any of these date ideas and what you thought of them, otherwise, we wish you all a wonderful festive period here at Nonchalant.
Cheers, Team Nonchalant x
Last Updated on 22nd August 2023 by Nonchalant Magazine
I am a 25 year old writer and poet living in Somerset with my fiancée and cats, I am currently doing my Masters in Creative Writing. I enjoy poetry, books, movies, art, baking and the outdoors.
Find me on: Instagram
