Launches Black Friday | 28 Nov 2025 | SPARKS, Broadmead, Bristol | runs through December

[button] BOOK TICKETS HERE

Your mission: infiltrate the festive fulfilment centre and reprogramme the algorithm with joy.

Christmas has changed. The elves are gone, replaced by gig-workers and robots. An overzealous AI drone keeps a close eye on the workers’ productivity, using big data to optimise joy into profit.

You and your team have infiltrated the festive fulfilment centre by posing as temporary workers. But really, you are there to rewrite the code and reprogram the system itself.

Highlights:

· 60-minute immersive escape-room experience

· Solve team puzzles, discover clues from a rebel worker, reboot the system, and decide what's next

· Challenge the A.I. and reclaim the festive spirit

🎟 Book your slot now »

WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE:

Welcome to Escape Christmas, a joyless dystopian Christmas that you would rather not imagine but that is not too far away either.

Step into a smart, festive fulfilment centre where workers audit presents to ensure they meet key metrics: shininess | sentiment | profitability. You’re A.I. supervisor will onboard you into the job, and then your shift begins. But little do they know that you are on a mission:

· Discover clues from a previous rebel worker

· Gain access to values, tools and wisdom

· Evade surveillance and reprogramme the system…

· And decode what should happen next

It’s a capitalism meets theatre meets escape room meets dystopian Christmas special!

Plan your mission:

· When: Launches Black Friday, 28 Nov 2025, runs through December

· Where: SPARKS, Broadmead, Bristol City Centre

· Duration: Approx. 60 minutes + short debrief

· Team size: 4 – 6 participants recommended

· Tickets £18.50 per person. Contact us for details of our “pay what you can” sessions

· Age guidance: 18+ (younger groups by arrangement)

· Accessibility: The experience is wheelchair-accessible; if you have other access requirements, contact us and we’ll try and help

🎟 Book Tickets Now >>

WHY ESCAPE CHRISTMAS?

Because joy shouldn’t be automated.

In a world where algorithms decide what we buy, who we love and how we celebrate, even Christmas isn’t safe from big data and global extraction.

Escape Christmas invites you to playfully challenge the idea of automation, control, and consumerism, and rediscover the human side of joy.

About the Capitalism Escape Room project:

Escape Christmas is part of a wider creative initiative, The Capitalism Escape Room Project, exploring new ways to imagine post-growth futures.

Created by Slowmentum, the Escape Room Team, in collaboration with The Studio and SPARKS, we aim to turn critical ideas about technology, economy, and climate change into playful, participatory experiences.

For us, this is more than a game. It's about rethinking economic systems for a future where people, planet, arts, and culture can all thrive.

FAQs

Need to know?

· How long is the experience?

About 60 minutes of gameplay, plus a short debrief.

· Can I come in costume?

Festive attire encouraged, especially for group bookings!

· Is it scary?

It’s atmospheric rather than frightening – expect tension, not terror.

· Is it accessible?

Yes. We aim to make the experience accessible to all participants. Please contact us for specific access needs.

· Is there an age limit?

We recommend 12+ for unaccompanied players, and family groups of any age are welcome.

· Can I book for a team or company event?

Yes! Group and corporate packages available. Email info@slowmentum.org.uk to arrange a private session.

· Is it environmentally sustainable?

We are using recycled materials, timber, and pre-loved objects to build the game wherever we can. We are delighted to partner with Sparks, a beacon for reuse and home to the Global Goals centre.

· Where is my money going?

The project is being underwritten by City Global Futures, a local consultancy business. In the longer term, we are seeking to establish a Community Interest Company (CIC) to run the programme. Any profits arising from Escape Christmas will support the ongoing project development.

Created by

· Stephen Hilton & James Martin: Slowmentum and City Global Futures

· Sunnie Martin: Scenic

· Claudia Firth: University of Bristol

· Justin Stathers: Create an Escape

With special thanks to:

· Kate Arthurs

· Kilter Theatre (Olly & Caroline)

· Sparks, Bristol

· The Studio, Bath

www.capitalismescaperoom.org