Things To Do / Bristol
16 things to do in Bristol this week, May 11-17 2026
Monday: Barrington Levy, Exchange
Reggae icon Barrington Levy brings his unmistakable voice and decades-spanning catalogue to the stage, celebrating a legacy that helped shape dancehall and roots reggae.
Tuesday: JOY. presents: The OBGMs + support, Moor Beer Co
The OBGMs fuse punk, rock, and hip-hop into an electrifying sound that’s garnered critical acclaim for “The Ends.” Known for their ferocious live performances, they’ve shared stages with heavyweights like Alexisonfire, Death From Above, PUP, and Billy Talent.
The OGBMs + support photo: The OBGMs
SPONSORED
Tuesday: Double bill comedy from Ignacio Lopez and Steffan Alun, The Gaffe Comedy Club
Spain’s best export, Live At The Apollo star Ignacio Lopez, and award winning bisexual Welshman, Steffan Alun, bring you a first-peek performance of their explosively funny new stand up shows. Catch their double bill night of comedy at The Gaffe.
Ignacio Lopez – photo: The Gaffe Comedy Club
Wednesday: Future Forward, Spike Island
Future Forward is designed for leaders who care deeply about people and planet, and who are navigating profound change. The event combines visionary talks with interactive experiences to explore what a thriving, low‑carbon and resilient future could look like – and the kind of leadership needed to deliver it.
Temwa event – photo: Temwa
SPONSORED
Wednesday: Flight Of Fancy: An Alternative Comedy Night, The Gaffe Comedy Club
Harriet Dyer (Live at The Apollo, Cats does Countdown) and Emma Hughes (2025 Bristol Comedy Competition finalist, rising star of the South West scene) bring together some of their favourite weirdos to test out new tom foolery at The Gaffe Comedy Club. How wonderful.
Flight of Fancy – photo: The Gaffe Comedy Club
Wednesday: A Meal That Matters, Elmgrove Centre
With the aim of nurturing better futures for disadvantaged young people, the evening will feature a three-course dinner from Josh Eggleton’s Team Canteen, alongside food from Peg’s at Sonny Stores, Pash at The Lido and more, as well as talks from young members and networking with other socially minded businesses and organisations.
A meal that matters photo: The Mazi Project
SPONSORED
Wednesday-Saturday: PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD at Bristol Old Vic
Part tribute act, part feminist reclamation, part fever dream, this Edinburgh Fringe smash-hit show is a ★★★★★ (The Stage) experimental comedy about power, patriarchy, band t-shirts, daddy issues, and three sisters who didn’t want to be a band – but it was their destiny.
Philosophy of the world photo: Bristol Old Vic
Thursday: Analogue Lounge, Lost Horizon
Analogue Lounge links live improvisation with vinyl-only DJ sets for a deep dive into jazz, dub, broken beat and soulful club sounds. This edition welcomes Ezra Collective collaborator Joe Armon-Jones for an eclectic DJ set packed with groove-heavy selections and late-night energy.
Analogue Christmas party – photo: Lost Horizon
SPONSORED
Friday: Wild Foxes, Watershed
A promising young boxer survives a deadly accident thanks to his friend Matteo. After recovery, mysterious pain begins consuming him, jeopardizing his boxing career in a world where weakness isn’t tolerated.
Wild Foxes – photo: Watershed
Friday: Rock the 80s, Tobacco Factory
Rock the 80s have been entertaining festival & large event audiences since 2010 and in recent years, performing their widely acclaimed show in many significant locations such as Stonehenge, Castle Roc with Jason Donovan, Newcastle United’s St James’ Park, plus numerous theatre shows around the UK.
Becky Williams – photo: Tobacco Factory
SPONSORED
Friday: The Christophers, Watershed
The children of a once famous artist hire a forger to complete some unfinished, long ago abandoned canvases.
The Christophers – photo: Watershed
Friday-Sunday: KINDOM, Three Pools Farm
KINDOM blends queer club culture with restorative retreat vibes across a weekend of DJ sets, drag performances, workshops, sauna sessions and wild swimming. Created for FLINTA communities, the festival centres connection, creativity and collective care alongside plenty of late-night dancefloor energy.
KINDOM fest- photo: KINDOM
Friday-May 31: Upfest, various venues
It’s the return of Europe’s biggest street art festival, with a 17-day cultural programme throughout Bedminster and beyond.
Saturday: Cube Spring Fair, Cube
The Cube Spring Fair brings together local artists, makers and independent traders for a day of handmade crafts, prints, clothing, zines and offbeat treasures. Alongside browsing stalls, there’ll be food, drinks and a lively community atmosphere celebrating Bristol’s DIY creative scene.
SPONSORED
Saturday: Upfest at Tobacco Factory
Tobacco Factory joins Upfest’s much-loved cultural festival. Expect live painting, art battles, DJs and family fun in the Yard on the 16th, 23rd and 30th May – as well as a dedicated exhibition throughout their Cafe Bar and Snug.
Upfest – photo: Tobacco Factory
Saturday: Iconic Silent Discos, Bristol Aquarium
Marking the third edition, following previous sell-out events, guests at Iconic Silent Discos can expect a unique experience of Bristol Aquarium in an after-hours, adults-only danceathon, where an unforgettable soundtrack, buzzing atmosphere, and aquatic magic fuel this night of unadulterated fun.
Aquarium Silent disco – photo: Iconic Silent Discos
Sunday: Aidan Jones – JS Bach, The Gaffe Comedy Club
Award-winning comic and pianist Aidan Jones combines stand-up with live classical music in this work-in-progress show inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach. Blending sharp storytelling, musical deep dives and chaotic humour, it’s a playful take on the life and legacy of one of history’s greatest composers.
Aidan Jones – photo: The Gaffe Comedy Club
SPONSORED
Sunday: Live music – Delta du Bruit, Tobacco Factory
Named after the French roots of New Orleans and the phrase ‘Ca fait du Bruit,’ their sound is a mix of groove and rawness, defying easy categorization and atmospherically fusing country blues, soul, funk, boogie, and jump blues. Free | from 7pm
Delta – photo: Tobacco Factory
And coming soon…
SPONSORED
May 19: Preludes Music Concert at St Mary Redcliffe Church, St Mary Redcliffe Church
Local children from Bristol Ensemble’s award-winning music education programme take to the stage to perform in their annual Preludes Music concert. Preludes Music has been working with children in under-resourced local communities for 15 years, delivering music education and life-enriching cultural experiences to children who have few opportunities to access music and the arts.
Preludes Music – photo: Bristol Ensemble
SPONSORED
May 20: Red Ink: String Masterworks, St George’s Bristol
Experience an evening of powerful string masterpieces with Bristol Ensemble, directed by Leon Bosch. The programme features Barber’s Adagio for Strings, Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro, and Britten’s Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge. Bosch also performs Woodborne’s Red Ink, taking on the rare dual role of soloist and conductor, leading the ensemble directly from the double bass.
Red Ink – String MAsterworks – photo: Bristol Ensemble
SPONSORED
June 25: Billy Fuller, Strange Brew
Billy Fuller (of Beak>) takes his debut solo tour to Bristol this June! Think krautrock-inspired sound with deep, driving grooves. Also known for work with Robert Plant, Fuller blends precision and improvisation, creating tense, atmospheric rhythms that pulse at the core of Beak>’s experimental, ever-evolving live performances. Tickets are on sale now!
Billy Fuller – photo: Billy Fuller
SPONSORED
September 2: White Denim, The Fleece
White Denim, the psychedelic rock, jazz, punk, and blues fuse band, are playing The Fleece this September. Tickets available now!
White Denim – photo: Crosstown Concerts
Main photo: Lost Horizon
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
