Things To Do / Bristol
17 things to do in Bristol this week, July 13-19 2026
Monday: Xav Clarke, Louisiana
Indie rock oddity Xav Clarke launches his new album at his first full band headline show in Bristol; with support from Big Fright and Milly Upton.
Tuesday-August 8: Notting Hell, Wardrobe Theatre
Back this summer due to popular demand, Notting Hell is a mash-up parody from the makers of Moulin Scrooge and The Good, the Bad & the Coyote Ugly.
Notting Hell is described as a “fast, smart and devilishly funny mash-up parody” – photo: Wardrobe Theatre
Tuesday-Thursday: Tony, Mount Without
Impermanence founding member Alessandro Marzotto Levy presents his new solo show, promising “a physical act of resistance to the neglect, violence and fear acted upon our planet and people”.
SPONSORED
Wednesday: Kemah Bob: Love Child (Edinburgh Fringe preview), The Gaffe Comedy Club
Kemah Bob, the acclaimed stand-up (The Guardian’s 10 best comedy shows of 2024) returns with her much anticipated second hour, asking if we ever really stop growing up? “Chest-achingly funny” ★★★★ The Skinny; “a delight to witness on stage” ★★★★ – Fest Mag; ★★★★ The Guardian; “captivating’ ★★★★ DIVA.
Kemah Bob – photo: The Gaffe Comedy Club
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Wednesday-Sunday: Black is the Color of My Voice, Bristol Old Vic
THIS WEEK: Apphia Campbell’s “masterpiece” ( Morning Star) of a play “captivates the audience throughout” ( The Skinny). Inspired by the life of Nina Simone, it features many of her most iconic songs performed live.
Black is The colour Of My Voice – photo: Bristol Old Vic
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Friday: Decks on the Deck: DJ DR.Amaqueen, Grain Barge
Grain Barge presents DJ DR.Amaqueen, spinning everything from post-punk, punkfunk, indie, early hip hop and jungle. Grab a £5 pint of Bristol Beer Factory, head to the top deck, and soak up the harbourside summer-time vibes.
DJ DR.Amaqueen – photo : Tobacco Factory
Friday: Badsista, Strange Brew
Baile do Futuro and Strange Brew join forces to bring Brazilian DJ and producer Badsista and Rotas head honcho Holandês to Strange Brew for the first time.
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Friday: The Odyssey, Watershed
With a star-studded cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya and Charlize Theron, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is the most anticipated film on Letterboxd for 2026.
The Odyssey – photo: Watershed
Friday-Sunday: Bristol Harbour Festival
Festival organisers say they will be “bringing a reimagined footprint to Bristol that puts the water right back at the heart of the celebration” this year, hoping to turn the refreshed layout “into a living stage – packed with back-to-back entertainment, dockside moments and maritime magic”.
The Harbour Festival is one of the biggest annual events in Bristol – photo: Paul Box
Friday-July 22: Liam Hart: Haunting of the House, Centrespace
Liam Hart is an artist with a multi-faceted realist and surrealist drawing and painting practice that looks at what he terms “the intersection between mental health and the psyche”.
Liam Hart, Looking at me too, oil and charcoal on canvas, 2025 – image: courtesy of the artist
Saturday: Factory Tapes, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Factory Tapes is an annual presentation of stories woven together with songs that have been chosen and will be performed by the Tobacco Factory’s resident community choir, the Factory Singers.
This year’s performance’s theme is local history with stories about subjects including the Malago Flood, the Bristol Blitz, Concorde and DJ Derek – photo: Tobacco Factory
SPONSORED
Saturday: SENTIENTS, Watershed
Open your animal eyes. A collection of groundbreaking video games and virtual reality in Undershed.
Sentients – photo: by Watershed
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Sunday: Live Music Sundays: Craig Crofton Trio, Tobacco Factory Cafe Bar
Free, local live music in South Bristol’s community hub. A heavy-hitting funk, jazz and soul trio featuring one of Bristol’s most exciting and visceral saxophonists takes to the stage this Sunday.
Craig Crofton – photo: Tobacco Factory
Sunday: Coaction #1, Cube
“Expect unconventional, circular breathing acoustic drone excursions, including ancient/modern self-built instruments ranging from one, to three pipes – Clarinet, Aulos, Launeddas – and organ-vocal led folk in antifascist style.”
Coaction #1 features music from Madison Greenstone, Lukas De Clerck, Jamie Green and Sade Arellano – image: Cube
SPONSORED
Every week: Edinburgh Fringe Preview Season, The Gaffe Comedy Club
See some of the most exciting comics heading to the Edinburgh Fringe this August! Enjoy brand new shows from the likes of Larry Dean, Kemah Bob, Michael Akadiri, Jayde Adams, and more brilliant acts at The Gaffe Comedy Club and The Robin Hood.
Preview Season – photo: The Gaffe Comedy Club
And coming soon…
is needed now More than ever
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July 20-August 31: Summer Lates, The Roman Baths
Experience The Roman Baths after hours as Summer Lates returns from 20 July to bring a relaxed evening buzz to Bath’s iconic attraction. A short hop from Bristol Temple Meads, the ancient site gets a modern makeover with live music Fridays- Sundays. Open until 10pm every night 20 July – 31 August. Summer Lates 20 July -31 August, daily until 10pm (last entry 9pm)
Summer Lates – photo: The Roman Baths
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July 25: Michelle Wolf, Bristol Beacon
One of comedy’s most acclaimed stand-ups, Michelle Wolf returns with her brand-new show, Best Job in the World. Known for her quick-fire wit, infectious energy and brilliantly sharp observations, the Emmy-nominated comedian delivers an evening of laugh-out-loud storytelling and clever, uncompromising comedy that keeps audiences hooked from start to finish.
Michelle Wolf – photo: Bristol Beacon
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July 28-30: Toto the Ninja Cat, Redgrave Theatre
Based on Dermot O’Leary’s best-selling children’s book, illustrated by Nick East, this purr-fectly thrilling tale is filled with original music, laugh-out-loud fun, and extraordinary puppetry, promising fun for the whole family.
Toto The Ninja Cat – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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July 30: Laughing Matters, Bristol Beacon
Some of the UK’s funniest comedians unite for one unforgettable night in support of SWEDA, the local eating disorders charity. Featuring Bridget Christie, Elis James, Rose Matafeo, Mark Thomas, Athena Kugblenu, Priya Hall and Daniel Kitson, Laughing Matters is packed with big laughs, brilliant storytelling and an incredible lineup, all for a fantastic cause.
Laughing Matters – photo: Bristol Beacon
SPONSORED
July 31: Swing From Paris, Redgrave Theatre
Swing From Paris are a virtuoso all-string jazz quartet bringing the spirit of 1930s–50s Paris to life with stylish swing, gypsy jazz and tango. Inspired by legends including Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, they’ve performed at major UK and European festivals and on BBC TV and radio.
Swing from Paris – photo: Redgrave Theatre
SPONSORED
September 1: Brakes, Strange Brew
English rock band Brakes are heading to Strange Brew on September 1st.
Brakes – photo: Crosstown Concerts
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September 10: The Selecter, The Fleece
English ska revival band The Selecter are coming to The Fleece on September 10th!
The Selecter – photo: Crosstown Concerts
Main photo: Geraint Lewis
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