Things To Do / Bristol
21 things to do in Bristol this week, December 22-28 2025
Monday: The Gruffalo and The Snowman, Bristol Beacon
The Mozart Symphony Orchestra is returning to the Beacon this Christmas with family favourites. With each character in the woodland tale being represented by a different instrument in the orchestra, it’s set to be an interactive experience. The Snowman will be shown on the big screen, with the orchestra providing a live soundtrack.
The Snowman performed by the Mozart Symphony Orchestra – photo: Mozart Symphony Orchestra
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Monday & Tuesday: Christmas Special with Roderick Williams, St George’s
Join Britain’s leading baritone, Roderick Williams, for an unforgettable evening of festive music with the Bristol Ensemble. This glorious concert includes Christmas favourites alongside exquisite works by Corelli, Caccini, and Vivaldi, interwoven with seasonal readings to warm the heart!
Roderick Williams – photo: Bristol Ensemble
Monday-Wednesday: A Shorter Festival of Lessons and Carols, Bristol Cathedral
Bristol Cathedral will be opening for a series of celebrations of the festive season, marking the week of Christmas with readings and carol singing.
The cathedral will be hosting a series of festive carol sessions – photo: Bristol Cathedral
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Monday-Sunday: Eyes Wide Shut, Watershed
Stanley Kubrick’s last film was a career milestone for Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman – and is one of our alternative festive films. Tickets £6.00-£11.50. Until at least Sun 28 Dec.
Eyes Wide Shut – photo: Watershed
Tuesday: Bristol Film Festival presents Home Alone, The Mount Without
Rounding up the festival’s screenings of 2025, Christmas slapstick classic Home Alone will be played in the beautiful scenery of The Mount Without.
Bristol Film Festival is wrapping up its screenings for the year with a festive favourite – photo: Bristol Film Festival
Wednesday: Xmas Eve at The Thunderbolt
Expect a festive and family-friendly evening at the venue featuring a garden fire pit with chestnuts being roasted, followed by a line-up of DJs playing classic hits and seasonal favourites.
The Thunderbolt will be hosting a whole evening of festivities – photo: Alexandra Hill
Wednesday: Folk Session, The Hare On The Hill
Whether you’re an instrumentalist, singer, dancer, or just a listener, come and enjoy British folk music in a relaxed and friendly environment.
The Cotham pub hosts a regular folk session – photo: Hare on the Hill
Thursday: Volunteering at Christmas, Various venues
Caring in Bristol works throughout the year to make a lasting difference to people facing and experiencing homelessness.
Caring in Bristol work to help the homeless every day of the year – photo: Caring in Bristol
Friday: Ya Freshness, The Canteen
Skank in style to the exultant sounds of British King of Ska ! Ya Freshness ! He is only the Artist who has brought the real deal original Jamaican Boss sound to 21st century, for decades, inspiring new generation of Rude boys Skinheads Mods.
Friday: Bandeoke, The Whitmore Tap
Join the lively monthly “Bandeoke” night at the pub — live musicians back up your karaoke moment in a cosy stage-style setting. Entry is free and sign-ups happen on the evening. Expect fun, crowd energy and your chance to shine like a pop star.
Have a go singing with a live band at this Cotham Hill pub – photo: Whitmore Tap
Saturday: Bristol Bears vs Newcastle Red Bulls, Ashton Gate Stadium
A festive fixture for the well-loved Bristol rugby club, the Bears will be taking on the Newcastle Red Bulls at home on Saturday in what is set to be a packed event.
It’s set to be a busy stadium for the Bristol Bears’ home game – photo: Bristol Bears
Sunday: Gnasch Presents: Gnasch, Docile, and Życie + Priest Crippler, The Louisiana
Promising to “unleash festive rage”, four bands are taking to the Louisiana for a night of ‘Doom, Sludge, Grind and Crust’. Just four pounds for a four-set line-up, the gig will be easy on the wallet after the festive spending rush.
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Sunday: Northern Soul Sundays, The Crown Tavern
Bristol Northern Soul Club will be hosting its weekly Northern Soul session at The Crown Tavern in St Jude’s. The night celebrates dancing, a range of soul styles and vinyl records.
Bristol Northern Soul Club hosts events all over the city – photo: Sophia Stefelle
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Until January 1: It Was Just An Accident, Watershed
It Was Just an Accident is a fearless tour-de-force from cinematic luminary Jafar Panahi. Both urgently political and deeply humane, this new moral classic confronts truth and uncertainty, revenge and mercy, head-on. Tickets £6.00-£11.50.
It Was Just An Accident – photo: Watershed
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Until January 4: Wish Upon A Starfish at Bristol Aquarium
Discover the magic of the ocean this Christmas. Make wishes for a sustainable ocean future, meet Charlie the Christmas Clownfish and follow the Fishmas Trail, included with admission, alongside talks, feeds, and thousands of creatures to explore. All indoors for a perfect undersea safari whatever the weather!
Wish Upon A Star – photo: Bristol Aquarium
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Until January 5: Sleeping Beauty, Redgrave Theatre
Polka Dot Pantomimes and the Redgrave Theatre are delighted to announce the Pantomime for the festive season of 2025 leading into 2026 and it’s the pantomime of your DREAMS – SLEEPING BEAUTY. Featuring great songs, dazzling dance routines, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and spectacular special effects, this dream of a pantomime will be an unforgettable experience for children and adults alike.
Sleeping Beauty – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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Until January 10: 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
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Until January 10: 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
And coming soon…
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December 31: Love Saves NYE, The Prospect Building
Love Saves The Day takes over The Prospect Building, Bristol, for the city’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration. The full Brouhaha Stage lands in our Main Room, joined by standout LSTD installations. Expect a spectacular festival lineup featuring Ewan McVicar, Katy B, Oppidan, Special Request, Dr Dubplate, Yung Singh, Y U QT and more.
Love Saves NYE – photo: The Prospect Building
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January 3: 2026 New Year’s Viennese Gala, Bristol Beacon
Ring in 2026 with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Chief Conductor Mark Wigglesworth and soprano Elizabeth Watts for a sparkling New Year’s Viennese Gala. Enjoy iconic waltzes, polkas and marches from The Blue Danube to the Radetzky March, a festive celebration to start the year with music and joy.
New Year’s Viennese Gala – photo: Bristol Beacon
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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
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January 26: NT Live: Hamlet, Redgrave Theatre
Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) is Hamlet in this fearless, contemporary take on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. Trapped between duty and doubt, surrounded by power and privilege, young Prince Hamlet dares to ask the ultimate question – you know the one. Please note this event is a screening.
Hamlet – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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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
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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
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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
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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: Hare on the Hill
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