Things To Do / Bristol
23 things to do in Bristol this week, December 1-7 2025
Monday: FatBelly Sound: Open Decks, The Crown
The Crown’s iconic open decks makes a return in the capable hands of FatBelly Sound. All genres and capabilities welcome, whether you’re a DJ, an MC, or just someone looking for an excuse to go out on a Monday.
FatBelly Sound’s open decks welcome all genres and capabilities – photo: FatBelly Sound
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Monday-Thursday: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Watershed
Contemporary cinema’s favourite detective Benoit Blanc returns in Rian Johnson’s sharply penned and devilishly fun reinvention of the classic whodunit. Until at least Thu 4 Dec. Tickets £6.00 – £11.50.
Wake Up Dead Man – photo: Courtesy of Netflix
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Monday-December 24: Meet Santa at St. Nicholas Market, Corn Street
HO HO HOOOO – this year St Nick’s Market host their very own Christmas Grotto in the historic Exchange Building. St Nick has decided to return to the Market after a long winter making gifts with the elves… If you’re looking for somewhere to take the kids to visit Santa and receive their gift from the main man himself, where better than St Nick’s in the heart of the Old City. Visits are £7 per child including a gift – book now to avoid disappointment.
Santa at St.Nick’s – photo: Bristol City Council
Monday-December 31: Enchanted Christmas, Bristol Ice Rink
Using cutting-edge technology, guests join the Christmas elves on a festive adventure to the North Pole to help save Christmas from the wicked Krampus. From multiplayer games in Santa’s workshop and training virtual reindeers, to mesmerising light trails and discovering the sparkle of the Northern Lights on a VR ride, Enchanted Christmas is full of fun and magic for all the family to enjoy.
The session features interactive games and VR experiences – photo: Immersium Experiences
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Monday-December 25: St.Nick’s Christmas Market, Corn Street
St Nick’s is proud to be part of the Christmas shopping experience in Bristol, offering something a little different and more personal than you might find on the high street. Whether you want to potter through their outdoor market offer, which now hosts wooden Christmas chalets, or dive through their maze-like warren of homeware, clothing, jewellery and food in the indoor markets – St Nick’s is the place to soak up the festive atmosphere while ticking off your Christmas list. This year the market also hosts a Santas Grotto!
Tuesday: Satellite of Love: Martin Rieser ‘Self Portrait with Animals’, John Sebastian Lightship
Martin Rieser launches his new illustrated pamphlet from Bristol Books, ‘Self Portrait with Animals,’ with support from Sophie Dumont, Lisa Lopresti, Agata Palmer, Naomi Madlock, Pete Weinstock and David Punter.
Martin Rieser’s new pamphlet – photo: Bristol Books CIC
Tuesday: Porridge Radio, Trinity Centre
Porridge Radio are concluding 10 years together with a final farewell tour. The indie, experimental art-rock will be playing at Trinity Centre for their last ever Bristol show.
Porridge Radio wil play Bristol for the final time in December – photo: Crosstown Concerts
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Wednesday: SANAM (Beirut), Bristol Beacon
SANAM (Beirut) deliver an electrifying blend of psych, krautrock, jazz-noise and traditional Egyptian song, fused with Arabic poetry and raw improvisation. Their boundary-pushing soundscapes and haunting vocals mark them as one of the most vital avant-rock bands around. An intense, unforgettable live experience.
SANAM – photo: Bristol Beacon
Wednesday: Mo Dotti + Crimewave, The Lanes
Mo Dotti comes to warm The Lanes with radiant, sun-soaked Los Angeles popgaze. Their fuzz credentials and melodic charms are up there with dreamy, noisy greats like MBV, Cocteau Twins and Slowdive + scene peers No Joy and Dummy – catch ‘em on a stage this size while you can.
Crimewave’s sets merge shoegaze with electronic music – photo: Crimewave
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Wednesday: Dreamers, Watershed
In a UK immigration removal centre, Nigerian migrant Isio finds hope in an unexpected love that gives her the strength to fight a broken system. Previewing Wed 3 Dec. Tickets £6.00 – £11.50.
Dreamers – photo: Watershed
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Wednesday: Adam Riches as Sean Bean in ‘The 12 Beans of Christmas’ The Gaffe Comedy Club
Nothing yells Yule louder than Sean Bean in full on medieval mode, challenging you all to a sackful of seasonal games, hellbent on getting you all giddy. Join Edinburgh Comedy Award Winner Adam Riches for a (k)night of chaotic buffoonery.
Adam Riches – photo: The Gaffe Comedy Club
Wednesday: A Night At The Musicals, Thekla
A Night at the Musicals is a high-energy club night featuring non-stop hits from beloved stage productions. Expect a singalong party with classics and modern musical numbers—from Hamilton and Wicked to Grease, Les Mis, Matilda and Disney favourites.
This club night will celebrate all the musical theatre big hits – photo: Thekla
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Wednesday: Everything Everything, The Prospect Building
Everything Everything head to The Prospect Building on Wednesday 3rd December for a special 10th Anniversary celebration of their acclaimed album ‘Get to Heaven’. Expect an unforgettable live performance, fan favourites and deep cuts. Support on the night comes from Lime Garden.
Everything Everything – photo: The Prospect Building
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Thursday-January 10: Treasure Island: A New Musical Adventure, Bristol Old Vic
With swashbuckling pirates, swordfights and sea shanties aplenty, an adventure of a lifetime awaits at Bristol Old Vic this Christmas! 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. Ages 7+.
Treasure Island – photo: Bristol Old Vic
Thursday: Year of the Rabbit Fundraiser for NeonDaisy, The Old England Pub
Join the explosive fundraiser featuring four dynamic bands delivering raw, alternative energy — with headline act Year of the Rabbit leading the charge along with Limited Ltd, Mess and No Empire.
Year of the Rabbit are headlining the fundraiser for NeonDaisy – photo: Year of the Rabbit
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Friday: A Burt Lash Cabaret, The Gaffe Comedy Club
Hosted by Bristol’s very own Drag Idol finalist Burt Lash, A Burt Lash Cabaret shines the spotlight on everything cabaret has to offer – from dazzling drag and side-splitting comedy to live music, burlesque, and beyond! Every show is different, every act is unforgettable. Hosted by The Gaffe Comedy Club.
A Burt Lush Cabaret – photo: The Gaffe Comedy Club
Friday: PPianissimo Series: PPianissimo, Bristol Music Club
David Gordon and John Law, both known for crossover work between jazz and classical, will be at Bristol Music Club presenting totally new works part composed part improvised on the spot, exploring strange scales and chords and creating a world of beauty and mystery.
Bristol Music Club is celebrating the intersection of classical and jazz music – photo: Bristol Music Club
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Friday-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
Saturday: Rites of Hadda, Hermeticus, DJ Pete Webb, Cafe Kino
Sax, drag and rock and roll from the charismatic, chaotic and truly inspiring Rites of Hadda. Anarcho, Gothic, Psychedelic Witch Punks will be taking over Cafe Kino in Bristol.
Queer rock outfit Rites of Hadda will be among those taking to Cafe Kino – photo: Rites of Hadda
Saturday: Paint by Numbers, Thekla
Thekla will be opening its doors to the inaugural launch of Paint By Numbers, an all-dayer featuring the likes of Porij, Bloodworm and My First Time.
My First Time will be playing Thekla’s new day festival – photo: Cloe Morrison
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Sunday: GirlyPop Live, The Prospect Building
GirlyPop Live sleighs into The Prospect Building this week for a sparkle-packed Christmas party. Taking place Sunday 7th December, the event delivers festive fun, live tribute performances to pop icons, roaming performers, glitter glam stations, bubbles, confetti, and sweet treats, with nonstop sing-along pop energy.
GirlyPop – photo: The Prospect Building
Sunday: Shire Santa Dash, Shirehampton
Whether you have little ones in pushchairs, plan to dance your way around or are looking to set a record time – its a great event for everyone! All profits go to ensuring and enhancing the Christmas lights in Shirehampton.
Hundreds of Santas run to raise funds for Shirehampton Christmas lights – photo: Shire Christmas Illuminations
And coming soon…
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December 9: Christmas Concert Spectacular, Redgrave Theatre
Experience Christmas magic at Clifton College Chapel with guest musicians and talented students. Enjoy a dazzling blend of music and light as the chapel transforms through an immersive show featuring orchestras and bands. This festive event takes place at Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ, this season.
Christmas Concert – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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December 13: London Symphony Orchestra, Bristol Beacon
The London Symphony Orchestra, led by Sir Antonio Pappano with soloist Antoine Tamestit, returns to Bristol Beacon for a luminous concert of music featuring Musgrave’s Phoenix Rising, Walton’s Viola Concerto, and Vaughan Williams’ London Symphony. A deeply atmospheric and richly textured orchestral evening.
London Symphony Orchestra – photo: Bristol Beacon
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December 20: Sleigh Fever, O2 Academy
One of the country’s biggest day time discos, Day Fever, has got people partying across the UK and Ireland, get ready to dance the day away in this Christmas special ‘Sleigh Fever’. With perfect party music, personally curated by Jon McClure of Reverend and the Makers, Vicky McClure, Jonny Owen and the gang it’s time you joined the Day Fever family.
Sleigh Fever – photo: O2 Academy
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December 21: Children’s Christmas Carnival, St George’s
Bristol Ensemble presents their family-friendly Children’s Christmas Carnival at St George’s, hosted by Kiera-Marie Somers. Enjoy instrument introductions, Howard Blake’s The Snowman narrated by Turlough Convery, indoor snowball fights and appearances from Bristol Ballet dancers, plus festive Christmas favourites and Disney hits for a festive celebration holiday celebration!
Childrens Christmas Carnval – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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December 21: Alabama 3, O2 Academy
Get ready for a celebration of Alabama 3’s 1997 debut album, Exile On Coldharbour Lane and their sophomore album, La Peste, alongside a selection of greatest hits, as they return to O2 Academy Bristol.
Alabama 3 – photo: O2 Academy
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December 22 & 23: Christmas special with Roderick Wiliamms, St George’s
Join Britain’s leading baritone Roderick Williams and the Bristol Ensemble for a festive concert featuring Corelli, Caccini, Vivaldi and Bach, alongside Christmas favourites such as Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and White Christmas. With seasonal readings, sparkling medleys and Williams’s renowned velvet tone, this uplifting evening offers a delightful mix of fun, flair, and virtuosity!
Roderick Williams – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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December 31: NYE at Ashton Court Mansion
Bristol’s iconic mansion comes alive for a final night of circus, music and mayhem. Featuring headline performances from future-dub duo Omega Nebula and powerful live soul beats from Bristol favourites Dr Meaker. Guests can expect spectacular walkabout performances, lots of bass and pure Bristol energy.
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February 3: Imani Erriu, Watershed
Just Announced! Imani Erriu is touring the UK in the new year to celebrate the release of the second book in the Sunday Times bestselling celestial Heavenly Bodies series. From TikTok romantasy phenomenon Imani Erriu the new book ‘Fallen Stars’ is published on the 27th November. Sign up now for early access to the presale, which begins Monday 24th November at 10am.
Imani Erriu Author – photo: Alessia Erriu
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February 5: Ken Yates, Exchange Basement
Ken Yates is an award-winning singer-songwriter known for his introspective storytelling and his signature blend of folk, indie, and rock influences. Following the release of his new album ‘Total Cinema’ Ken comes to the UK for the first time. Touring next Feb coming to Bristol on the 5th. Tickets are on sale now.
Ken Yates – photo: Crosstown Concerts
Main photo: Shire Christmas Illuminations
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