Bristol’s giant The Elf on the Shelf®, Isambard Kingdom Brunelf, lands in the city

Published On: December 1st, 2023

Bristol’s enormous The Elf on the Shelf® Scout Elf® lands in the city today, courtesy of the big man in red’s pals at Redcliffe & Temple BID.

Following a city-wide call-out to name the city’s The Elf on the Shelf®, the Bristol’s elf’s name has been revealed as Isambard Kingdom Brunelf, or Brunelf for short.

From today, Friday 1 December, until Sunday 24 December, the enormous 15 ft tall The Elf on the Shelf®, wearing the iconic red suit and hat with white trim, white collar and mittens, will appear atop several of the city’s buildings at super-secret locations.

Isambard Kingdom Brunelf, aptly named after Bristol’s best-known civil engineer, was named by @jesspointon_ on Instagram who responded to the BID’s call-out on social media. The newly-named 15ft Scout Elf® marks a new feat of engineering to add to the original Brunel’s legacy.

Coming and going before the city awakes, residents are encouraged to get up and find the new spot the Scout Elf® takes. The elf will be moving to new, top secret locations across the city throughout December.

While Brunelf’s exact locations will remain hush-hush upon Santa’s request, daily clues as to where Bristol will find them will be shared on the Redcliffe & Temple BID’s social media channels. At each location, fans will witness some classic cheeky fun.

Those lucky enough to glimpse the first sighting of the Scout Elf® helper on Friday 1 December will have the opportunity to grab a Love Bristol gift card from one of Santa’s helpers!

The creation of Bristol-based prop and puppet maker Jenny Simmons, the 15 ft The Elf on the Shelf® has been developed over a two-month timeframe in Jenny’s workshop in Bedminster. A partnership between Redcliffe & Temple BID, the puppet maker and The Lumistella Company’s official The Elf on the Shelf® teams in both the US and UK, Bristol’s elf will accurately represent the one, the only The Elf on the Shelf®.

Steve Bluff, Head of Redcliffe & Temple BID, said:

“What better way to say Merry Christmas to Bristol than with a giant 15 The Elf on the Shelf®! It’s fantastic to support local talent on the national, and now international stage – and we can’t wait to delight workers, residents and visitors this festive season with a big old Christmas CRACKER – all while bringing festive fun to some of our city’s undiscovered areas.”

Jenny Simmons, puppet maker behind Brunelf’s creation, said: “This has been such a lovely project to work on in the lead up to Christmas! It’s been really great seeing so many positive reactions from people, I can’t wait to see Brunelf spreading a bit of cheer and getting up to cheekiness in the city!”

Residents are encouraged to blow a kiss and BID Brunelf farewell, as the elf will fly away on the 24 December when they hear Santa’s bell… but not before a final Christmas treat at one of the city’s most-loved venues on the weekend before Christmas. ‘Tis the season after all.

To follow Bristol’s The Elf on the Shelf® adventure and to keep up to date with all the merrymaking across the city, follow Redcliffe & Temple BID on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.