Things To Do / Bristol
23 things to do in Bristol this week, August 18-24 2025
Monday: Voices of Resistance – Poetry from Palestine, Bookhaus
In collaboration with human rights organisation Amos Trust, Bookhaus will be hosting three esteemed Palestinian writers to come in and read their works. On the bill for the night are Dareen Tatour’s, Mohammed Mousa and Fadi Murad.
Fadi Murad is an actor, performer and writer from Jerusalum. He focuses on sound, text and movement to explore themes of absence and identity – photo: Fadi Murad
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Monday-Thursday: Together, Watershed
Years into their relationship, Tim and Millie (played by real-life married actors Dave Franco and Alison Brie) find themselves at a crossroads as they move to the countryside. With tensions already flaring, an encounter with an unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love and their flesh…
Together – photo: NEON
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Monday-Sunday: Strawberry Line Bike Ride & Picnic Time
Cycle The Strawberry Line in the sunshine, enjoying scenic views, and tucking into a delicious homemade picnic. Bikes, route briefing, safety tips, and tasty treats provided – just show up, ride traffic-free paths, and relax into a perfect day outdoors.
The Strawberry Line – photo: Yuup
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Monday- September 1: The Hothouse Laboratory, Watershed
This summer exhibition brings one of Bristol’s favourites – Air Giants – into Undershed with their giant friendly robotic inflatable plants taking over the whole space.
Hothouse – photo: Sandra Ebert
Tuesday: Upchuck + MERCY ROOM, The Lanes
In case you were in need of a middle of the week headbaging session The Lanes has got you sorted. Upchuck is a five piece band from Atlanta, formed from connections made in skateboarding, construction, and teenage delinquency. They will be joined by MERCY ROOM, a corrupted hardcore band from Bristol, who released their first EP in the Spring.
Shortly after the release of their debut album Sense Yourself, Upchuck embarked upon a break-neck string of live shows, touring alongside the likes of Fuzz, Amyl and the Sniffers, Negative Approach, OFF!, and Subhumans – photo: Upchuck
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Tuesday: Cass McCombs, Bristol Beacon
Cass McCombs brings his quietly powerful live set to Bristol Beacon’s Lantern Hall on Tuesday 19 August. Known for blending heartfelt indie-folk, rock, and Americana, McCombs delivers intimate songwriting full of emotional depth. Plus support from Mike Bones of NYC based Weak Signal.
Cass Combs – photo: Bristol Beacon
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Tuesday-Sunday: Komoot Treasure Hunt: Win up to £32,500, Across Bristol City
Win up to £32,500 in cash prizes with komoot’s treasure hunt in Bristol! We’ve placed prizes around the city: On Aug 19, 21, 23, and 24, we’ll share the routes where they’re hidden. Find one first and the money is yours!
Wednesday: Mood States exhibition by Annabel Merrett, Glenside Hospital Museum
Featuring a dozen head sculptures, each representing different mood states, the collection offers a physical manifestation of the mind’s inner workings, assuring viewers they are not alone in their darkest thoughts.
All visitors to the Mood States exhibition will be offered the chance to paint a mini brain to take home – photo: Glenside Museum Hospital
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Wednesday: Fire & Water Magique and illusion show, Wookey Hole
Prepare to be mesmerised as Magique returns to Wookey Hole with its 2025 show, Fire & Water. Featuring jaw‑dropping illusions, spectacular pyrotechnics and aquatic effects, this family‑friendly spectacle will dazzle all ages. Doors & bar open 18:00, show at 18:30. Tickets from £9.99
Magique – photo: Wookey Hole
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Thursday: Comedy For A Fiver at The Gaffe Comedy Club
Stand-up comedy for £5 – every Thursday night at The Gaffe Comedy Club! A different line up every week, featuring some of the best comedians on the UK circuit and rising stars from the South West. Start the weekend early with big laughs at Bristol’s home of comedy.
Emanuel – photo: Leo/The Gaffe Comedy Club
Thursday: The Art History of Howl’s Moving Castle with Helen McCarthy, Hen & Chicken
In another of Seed’s talks, be captivated by the twists, turns, and heart of Studio Ghibli’s Howl’s Moving Castle, a film that redefined bravery and love for generations. Helen McCarthy dissects the film’s themes and unique style, giving audience member’s an opportunity to ask questions and learn more.
The 2004 Japanese animated fantasy film has gone down as a cult classic – image: Hayao Miyazaki
Friday: The Greatest Showman outdoor screening, Queen’s Square
Pack a picnic, bring a blanket or camping chair and sing along with The Greatest Showman under the stars. Loosely based on the life of Phineas Taylor Barnum, orphan turned legendary American entertainer. The musical grapples with themes of social prejudice, discrimination and being othered.
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Friday-Sunday: BBC Proms 2025: Bristol
Saturday and Sunday at the BBC Proms: Bristol weekend include powerful and varied programmes from world-class orchestras. Experience music from Mozart to Arvo Pärt with Britten Sinfonia and take a tour of Italian compositions with the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera. Don’t forget – for the most authentic Proms experience, grab a promming (standing) ticket for only £8 + bf!
Britten Sinfonia Prom – Bristol Beacon
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Saturday: Saturday Night Headliners at The Gaffe Comedy Club
The Gaffe’s resident MC Harriet Dyer (Live at the Apollo) hosts Josh James (Essex Comedian Of The Year, tour support for Babatunde Aléshé and Mo Gilligan) and Bobby Mair (8 Out of 10 Cats, Russell Howard’s Good News) for a brilliant night of stand-up comedy.
Saturday headliners – photo: The Gaffe Comedy Club
Saturday: Old City Sounds, various venues across Old City
Old City Sounds is returning for the August Bank Holiday, from midday till late on Saturday 23 August. Wander along the numerous streets and you will find toe-tapping jazz and traditional Irish folk to immersive DJs and heart-pounding alt-rock. Hopefully all in the sunshine.
The Old Vic was bustlign with people attending the Old City Sounds in 2024 – photo: Julian Preece
Saturday & Sunday: Forwards Festival 2025, The Downs
Forwards Festival will be bringing summer to a close with the best acts around, including Barry Can’t Swim, Confidence man, English Teacher and The Last Dinner Party. It may also be your last chance to get reasonably priced tickets to see the Grammy award-winning artist Doechii who’s meteorically ascended into the stratosphere.
Grammy-award winning hip hop artist Doechii will be headlining Sunday – photo
Sunday: Carib-Asian Food Sunday, The Star Fishponds
TV pair and couple Sherrie Eugene and Pat Hart have become well-known for melding their respective cultural foods of South Asia and the Caribbean. The couple make a regular appearances through the South West and now they’re returning to The Star, Fishponds.
The couple have a cook book collating their best recipes – photo: Carib-Asian Cookery
Sunday: East Bristol Brewery Trail, east Bristol
Did you know Bristol has the most amount of breweries per 100,000 people in the entirety of the UK? We have 4.9 per 100,000, meaning you’ve got a lot of beers to try. The East Bristol Breweries Trail has made that feat slightly easier with their tour of east Bristol.
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Throughout August: Summer Lates at The Roman Baths
Experience the UK’s most iconic ancient site in a new light 21 July – 31 August. As the sun sets, explore The Roman Baths by torchlight, relax with a drink from the bar and create unforgettable memories.With NEW live music sessions Friday – Sunday, this promises to be an unforgettable Summer!
And coming soon…
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September 8: Redgrave Theatre Showcase
Join us for a vibrant evening of live music and spoken word performances at the Redgrave Theatre Showcase. The event will feature 4 talented musicians and 4 spoken word artists from the local community, offering a platform for fresh voices and original creativity. The full line up can be found on the Redgrave Theatre website.
Redgrave Theatre Showcase – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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September 12: Far Caspian, Strange Brew
Following the release of his album ‘Autofiction’ Far Caspian comes to Bristol this September. His gauzy indie rock is a fan fave. Don’t miss this one, tickets are on sale now.
Far Caspian – photo: Crosstown Concerts
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September 12: Soul Kinda Wonderful, Redgrave Theatre
SOUL KINDA WONDERFUL are the UK’s No. 1 tribute to the legendary DRIFTERS, award winners at the National Tribute Awards 2013, 2016, and 2017. Their show combines THE DRIFTERS’ greatest hits along with other classic Motown and Soul favourites from artists such as The Four Tops and The Temptations. This is Soul and Motown at its very best.
Soul Kinda Wonderful – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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September 27: Scott Lavene, The Louisiana
Scott Lavene is as English as pork pies and pasties, dunked biscuits in Yorkshire tea. Last year’s album
Disneyland in Dagenham was full of Essex, East End poetry, and classic English post punk. Catch him next month at The Louisiana. Tickets are on sale now.
Scott Levene – photo: Crosstown Concerts
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October 6: Sissoko, Segal, Peirani and Parisien: Les Egares, Bristol Beacon
Les Égarés unites Ballaké Sissoko (kora), Vincent Segal (cello), Vincent Peirani (accordion) and Émile Parisien (sax) in a rare, genre-blurring performance. Blending jazz, chamber, traditional and avant-garde influences, they craft fluid, poetic soundscapes of virtuosity and soul. A captivating, unmissable experience for lovers of subtle, boundary-defying music.
Les Egares – photo: Bristol Beacon
Main photo: Old City Sounds
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