Bristol Christmas Festival Dec 5 & 6
2026Free entry

Bristol, Rhode Island

Christmas Festival

Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6, noon to 5pm

Unity Park, 500 Wood Street, Bristol RI

8k+people go
See what's on
A line drawing of the Unity Park mill and smokestack

Local makers and bakers inside the old mill, hot food in the yard, brass bands and carolers. On Saturday we close at five and walk over to the Grand Illumination together.

A family under the light arch
The light arch
A vendor hut hung with wreaths
Makers in the huts
A crowd in the mill courtyard
December 2024

What's on

Saturday, December 5

  1. Market opensMakers and food inside Pivotal Brewing and O'Brien and Brough, and out in the park
  2. Kids' train opensRides around the park all afternoon
  3. Petting zoo opensFour dwarf goats, all afternoon
  4. Face painting opensBy Face Fairy, all afternoon
  5. TubaFrau Hofbräu BandAustrian oompah music
  6. Extension School of Dance
  7. Lou CoutoSinger
  8. Mrs. Katz and her readingsBy the petting zoo
  9. TubaFrau Hofbräu BandSecond set
  10. East Bay Summer Wind EnsembleChristmas brass
  11. VoX, the Voices of ChristmasCarolers
  12. Market closesThen on to the Grand Illumination, Hope Street

Sunday, December 6

  1. Market opensMakers and food inside Pivotal Brewing and O'Brien and Brough, and out in the park
  2. Kids' train opensRides around the park all afternoon
  3. Petting zoo opensFour dwarf goats, all afternoon
  4. Face painting opensBy Face Fairy, all afternoon
  5. East Bay Summer Wind EnsembleChristmas brass
  6. Danceworks School of Dance
  7. Mrs. Katz and her readings
  8. HawkwardRoger Williams University a cappella
  9. Lou CoutoSinger
  10. Market closes

More to be announced.

Christmas at Unity Park

Photos from December 2024.

The Grinch with a visitor
Crowds at the wreath gate
Kettle corn stall
A nutcracker in the giant wreath
Dancers performing for a crowd
Shoppers at the indoor market
A family and their dog
The Grinch dancing with the band
Fire pits after dark
A card and gift stall

Find your way around

Two indoor halls, food in the yard, the stage, the goats and the train. Tap a place on the map or in the list.

WOOD STREET SHAWS LANE Parking Pivotal Brewing Makers inside O'Brien & Brough Makers inside Stage i Restrooms Goats petting zoo Kids' train Way in N

Unity Park, 500 Wood Street, Bristol, RI 02809. Get directions. Not to scale; the layout may change before the day.

Who's selling

The full list of makers and food vendors goes up here the week of the market.

  • M

    Pivotal Brewing

    Craft and artisan makers and packaged food, indoors. Unit 111.

    Both days, noon–5

  • M

    O'Brien & Brough

    More makers and packaged food, indoors. Unit 112.

    Both days, noon–5

  • F

    Food tents

    Hot food cooked on site, under tents in the yard.

    Both days, noon–5

  • ♪

    The stage

    Oompah band, dance schools, Christmas brass, a singer, carolers and a cappella. See the schedule.

    Both days, from noon

  • G

    Petting zoo

    Four dwarf goats.

    Both days, noon–5

  • T

    Kids' train

    Train rides around the park for the little ones.

    Both days, noon–5

  • i

    Info booth

    Questions and directions.

  • R

    Restrooms

    Six portable restrooms plus one accessible unit.

  • P

    Parking

    The lot by Wood Street and nearby streets. It fills up, so expect a short walk.

Sell at the market

We're looking for makers, bakers and food vendors for both days.

Apply for a space

Vendor application

It takes about ten minutes. We read every one and reply by email.

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Questions

Does it cost anything to get in?

No. The festival is free for everyone.

What time should we come?

Any time between noon and 5. The lights look best after 4, when it starts to get dark.

Is it indoors or outdoors?

Both. Part of the market is inside Pivotal Brewing and O'Brien and Brough, and the rest is in tents in the park. Dress for December.

How do I sponsor the festival?

See the sponsor levels, or call James on (860) 941-6134.