Things To Do / Bristol
20 things to do in Bristol this week January 5-11 2026
Monday: Only Up, The Louisiana
Only Up! The freshest 80s-inspired jazz fusion act, featuring high-flying melodies and wild solos by four of Bristol’s most up-and-coming musicians!
Only Thing – photo: The Louisiana
SPONSORED
Monday-Thursday: Sentimental Value, Watershed
Sentimental Value is an intimate and moving exploration of family, memories, and the reconciliatory power of art. Tickets £6.00-£11.50.
Sentimental Value – photo: Kasper Tuxen | Watershed
SPONSORED
Monday-Thursday: Peter Hujar’s Day, Watershed
Ben Whishaw and Rebecca Hall star in the masterful new film from Ira Sachs, arichly cinematic rendering of the meeting of acclaimed photographer Peter Hujar and writer and artist Linda Rosenkrantz. Tickets £6.00-£11.50.
Peter Hujar’s Day – photo: Watershed
SPONSORED
Monday-Saturday: Don’t miss Treasure Island: A New Musical Adventure 🌊✨🎶, Bristol Old Vic
From the writers of the West End sensation The Great British Bake Off Musical, get friends and family together for some theatre magic with Bristol Old Vic’s latest blockbuster festive production. “Nothing short of a hoot” (⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Guardian). Ages 7+.
Treasure Island – photo: Bristol Old Vic
SPONSORED
Monday-Saturday: Antarctica at Bristol Old Vic
Grab your hats and scarves and join Olivier Award-winning theatre company Little Bulb (Four Seasons, Hibernation, CBeebies’ The Nutcracker) for a brrr-illiant festive show for ages 3–7. Full of clowning, puppets and snowy surprises, Antarctica is “a seasonal slam dunk” (⭐⭐⭐⭐ Bristol 24/7). On now ’til 10 Jan.
Antarctica – photo: Bristol Old Vic
Tuesday: Silly Little Zine Night, Cafe Kino
“Fancy spending a wholesome, weird and wonderful evening scribbling and chatting?” That’s the question from the organisers of Silly Little Zine Night. “Whether you’re feeling chaotic, creative or just want to meet some lovely humans, this is your space to play, make and laugh.”
Silly Little Zine Night photo: The Wonky Line Cult
Wednesday: Bristol QPOC social, Wiper & True
A meet-up for Queer people of colour celebrating the group’s third anniversary at the brewery’s site in Old Market, with a card-making workshop and plenty of cake.
Bristol QPOC Socials’ 3rd Anniversary Social – Bristol QPOC Socials
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Wednesday: NT Live: The Fifth Step, Redgrave Theatre
After years in the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, James becomes a sponsor to newcomer Luka. The pair bond over black coffee, trade stories and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences. But as Luka approaches step five – the moment of confession – dangerous truths emerge, threatening the trust on which both of their recoveries depend.
The Fifth Step – photo: Redgrave Theatre
Thursday: The Drag Dungeoneers, Bristol Improv Theatre
“One of the silliest shows in Bristol”, the Drag Dungeoneers is a live show adventure featuring some of the city’s “finest drag nerds”.
The Drag Dungeoneers – photo: Myfairladdie on Flickr
Friday: Any Questions, M Shed
BBC Radio 4’s flagship political discussion programme is coming to Bristol. Each week the show, first broadcast in 1948, visits a different part of the UK with a panel of four speakers who answer questions from the audience.
Mshed exterior photo: MShed
Friday & Saturday: Buena Bristol Social Club, The Jam Jar
Bristol’s own tribute to the Buena Vista Social Club will not only perform tracks from the famous album but also promise a brand new “Cuban-Bristolian elegy” to Massive Attack.
Buena Bristol Social Club- Ataque Masivo -photo: The Jam Jar
Saturday & Sunday: Tales from the Wasteland, Tobacco Factory Theatres
If you’re looking for an improvised post-apocalyptic adventure comedy, then this is for you.
Tales From The Wasteland: Post-Apocalyptic Improv – photo: Lee Pullen
Sunday: Breathless, Watershed
Part of a series celebrating the emergence of the French New Wave comes Jean-Luc Godard’s debut feature from 1960.
Nouvelle Vague – photo: Watershed
And coming soon…
SPONSORED
January 14: The Wonder Years, The Prospect Building
The Wonder Years are bringing the No Closer to Heaven 10 Year Anniversary Tour to the UK, and The Prospect Building is lucky enough to be one of just four very special stops. Joining them are their friends Free Throw and Gully Boys.
The Wonder Years – photo: Kelly Mason
SPONSORED
January 14: Grant-Lee Phillips, Bristol Beacon
Grant-Lee Phillips brings his rich, evocative songwriting and warm, expressive voice to Bristol. Blending folk-rock, Americana and lush acoustic textures, his live show is a heartfelt journey through stories of love, memory and life’s subtle moments. A beautifully intimate performance from a masterful storyteller and musician.
Grant Lee – photo: Bristol Beacon
SPONSORED
January 24: Ria Lina: Riabellion, Redgrave Theatre
Following her killer debut tour, Riawakening (Top Ten Best Stand-up Shows of 2024 – Telegraph), the wickedly funny Ria Lina realised she wasn’t just awake, she was ready to rebel. Expect a relentless stream of hilarity as Ria explores the state of the world, the eternal battle of the sexes, and the delight of throwing life up in the air after years of following the rules.
Ria Lina – photo: Rachel Berkowitz
SPONSORED
January 30 & 31: Horrible Histories The Concert, Bristol Beacon
For the very first time, your favourite songs and actors from CBBC’s Horrible Histories TV series are coming to Bristol Beacon on 30 & 31 January. Bring your singing voices for a truly Horrible show! It’s the ultimate first concert for kids, for everyone aged 5 to 105!
Horrible Histories the concert
SPONSORED
February 2: Miles Kane, O2 Academy
Following the release of his sixth studio album, Sunlight In The Shadows, Miles Kane heads out on a run of 2026 UK and EU dates. Sunlight In The Shadows is 12 tracks of psyche infused rock n roll. Layered with lush, screeching guitars and packed to the brim with hooks, the album delicately toes the line between raw, energetic rock and laid-back crooning anthems, all with a sprinkling of Miles’ signature rippled tremolo guitar and a whole lot of fun.
Miles Kane – photo: O2 Academy
SPONSORED
February 2: Yann Tiersen, Bristol Beacon
Experience the evocative world of Yann Tiersen, the iconic composer behind Amélie and Good Bye Lenin!, as he brings his rich, cinematic music to Bristol. Blending piano, violin and layered textures with emotional depth and poetic resonance, Tiersen’s live performance is an intimate, unforgettable musical journey.
Yann – photo: Aurélie Scouarnec
SPONSORED
February 20: Smith/Kotzen, O2 Academy
Smith/Kotzen, made up of Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen, take their show on the road following the release of their No.1 album Black Light / White Noise.
Smith Kotzen – photo: O2 Academy
SPONSORED
June 24: Super Furry Animals, Canons Marsh Amphitheatre
Fans of the offbeat Welsh legends have another chance to catch Super Furry Animal’s return as they are announced to headline Bristol Sounds on Wed 24 June 2026. They’ll be joined by the excellent Getdown Services and Gwenno.
Super Furry Animals – photo: Crosstown Concerts
SPONSORED
June 28: Royel Otis, Canons Marsh Amphitheatre
Bristol Sounds is closing its 2026 run with a bang. Royel Otis, the duo whose emotionally loaded, nostalgia-fuelled anthems have a massive global following, will headline the final night of the Harbourside series on Sunday 28 June 2026.
Royel Otis – photo: Crosstown Concerts
Main photo: Bristol QPOC Socials
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