Things To Do / What's On
23 things to do in Bristol this week, February 16-22 2026
Monday: Take on the Daffodil Trail for Marie Curie, Cabot Circus
There’s only one chance to give someone the best possible end of life, which is why Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end of life charity, is calling on people across Bristol to support its 40th Great Daffodil Appeal by joining a family-friendly daffodil trail.
– photo: Marie Curie
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Monday: The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Redgrave Theatre
This interactive, family fun show follows the three billy goats on their wild and wacky adventure, as they bravely cross the rickety bridge to greener pastures. But who will they meet along the way as they TRIP TRAP over the bridge? With lots of catch songs and funky songs to clap along to, it’s a great introduction to theatre for little ones!
The Three Billy Goats Gruff – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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Monday: Chinese Classics Cookery Class for Adults, Cooking It!
Get ready for a fully hands-on Chinese cooking workshop in Bristol where you’ll craft iconic dishes and learn techniques you can take home.
Chinese Classics Cookery Class – photo: Cooking It !
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Tuesday: Michelin Star Recipes & Molecular Science Cookery Class, Cooking It!
Ready to dive into the high-end world of gastronomy? Join Cooking It for a hands-on Michelin star cooking class in Bristol where adults explore molecular cuisine and restaurant-quality technique.
Michelin Star Recipes – photo: Cooking It!
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Tuesday-Saturday: BOXVILLE at Bristol Old Vic
This half term, step into BOXVILLE – an interactive theatre adventure for ages 4+! Explore a world built from sustainable cardboard, craft-along with the story, and meet creatures galore in this fun, hands-on family show.
Boxville – photo: Bristol Old Vic
Wednesday: Squidge, The Wardrobe Theatre
A disillusioned and cynical teaching assistant meets her match in a troubled little Irish Traveller. Squidge follows Daisy as she navigates her new job in a South London state school. When she is assigned a young Irish traveller to help with his reading she finds hope in an unlikely friendship.
Squidge – photo: Tiggy Bayley
Wednesday: Courtney Hadwin, Louisiana
Courtney Hadwin released her debut album in 2025 and has millions of followers across social media, but still remains mostly known as a 13-year-old in 2018 when she auditioned for America’s Got Talent.
Courtney Hadwin is touring in support of her debut album, ‘Little Miss Jagged’ – photo: Courtney Hadwin
Thursday-February 28: Bristol Light Festival, various venues
Bristol Light Festival has swiftly become an early annual highlight. 2026’s iteration will once again will see a free citywide celebration as artists showcase their work at various locations.
Thursday: Desiree Burch, Wardrobe Theatre
“There comes a day when you look around and wonder ‘is the world a raging bin fire or is it perimenopause?’” asks Desiree Burch ahead of her Golden Wrath Tour. “The answer, my friend, is ‘yes’.”
Desiree Burch is coming to the Wardrobe Theatre – photo: Desiree Burch
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Thursday: Elvana: Elvis Fronted Nirvana, O2 Academy
Elvana is the world’s finest Elvis tribute to Nirvana! From the bowels of Disgraceland, rock ‘n’ roll icons of the afterlife are raised from the dead. Rock ‘n’ roll meets grunge as Elvis fronts Nirvana and gives the band the front man it’s been missing since 94.
Elvana underwater – photo: O2 Academy
Thursday: Fine + guests, Strange Brew
After a sell-out show at the Cube, Fine is returning to Bristol as a full band. The Copenhagen-based singer-songwriter blends samples, acoustic and electric instrumentation, creating “ethereal” melodies.
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Friday: Martin Kemp – Back to the 80s, Bristol Cathedral
Martin Kemp is hosting a throwback night, promising tracks from Duran Duran and Chaka Khan to George Michael and Madonna.
Expect a mix of the decade’s biggest anthems featuring hits from Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, George Michael and Madonna – image: Martin Kemp
Friday: Dune! The Musical, Bristol Music Club
This Edinburgh Fringe show is in Bristol for one night only, providing a songwriting soundtrack to the sci-fi epic Dune.
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Friday – February 26: The Secret Agent, Watershed
A university professor travels from São Paulo to the seaside city of Recife during Carnival week, hoping to reunite with his son. He soon finds out he’s been tailed and spied on by neighbours in his new refuge, leaving him no possible escape from the tentacles of corruption. Tickets £6.00 – £11.50
The Secret Agent – photo: Watershed
Saturday: Mystery Ensemble presents: The Music of Lord of the Rings, St George’s Bristol
Modern orchestra Mystery Ensemble are taking to St George’s for what promises to be an “immersive evening guiding you through a sonic journey where elves sing, hobbits dance and the shadows of Mordor loom in the distance.”
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Saturday & Sunday: The Singing Mermaid, Redgrave Theatre
This hugely popular story by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks is brought to life on stage through beautiful puppetry and performance, with music and songs by Barb Jungr (We’re Going on a Bear Hunt). It’s a perfect show for families this half-term!
Singing mermaid – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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Saturday: John Blek, The Louisiana
Blek is an artist with a story to tell. With his timeless emotive voice and layered fingerstyle guitar you will be transported from scene to scene as his expansive songbook unfolds. The Irish songwriter comes to Bristol next February. Tickets are on sale now.
John Blek – photo: Ciara O Leary Fitzparick | Crosstown Concerts
Saturday: The Big Fish Bash, Easton Christian Family Centre
The event organised by Bristol Hospitality Network, promises a “bold, funky” evening of live music, in support of Aid Box Community. Performers include A Capella group Kettle of Fish and jazz, neo-soul, funk band Deems Experiment.
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Saturday & Sunday: From Ashes, M Shed
From Ashes is “a tender collaborative act of repair and recovery” as visitors help to excavate a paper model featuring thousands of tiny papercraft models of Bristol buildings from beneath a covering of ash as part of a project that originally took place in the Japanese city of Kanazawa.
‘From Ashes’ is a “communal experience rooted in collaboration, attention and repair” – photo: Action Hero
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Saturday: Home Energy Fair, Tobacco Factory
Join Retrofit West at the Home Energy Fair, a one-day event connecting homeowners with the latest in energy-efficient home improvements. This FREE event is packed with expert advice on improvements from damp & draughts, to renewable technology, helping you get started on lowering your energy bills and finding a great local installer to complete your project! Plus there’s plenty to do in our kids’ corner – bring the whole family along for free cake, drinks and activities.
Widcombe Home Energy Fair – photo: Future Leap
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Sunday: Mogwai, Bristol Beacon
Glaswegian post-rock band Mogwai have been making waves in the experimental scene since 1995. They will be performing at the Beacon in what is said to be a “career-spanning set of intensity, precision and emotional depth.”
Mogwai – photo: Bristol Beacon
Sunday: Avona premiere, St Anne’s House
Avona is a new short film exploring Bristol’s relationship with the river and its lifeforms.
‘Avona’ is a new short film and follow-up to the documentary ‘Rave On for the Avon’ – photo: Avona
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Sunday: Baz Warne, Folk House
Baz says; “I wanted to put together a unique event of entertainment and memories in a relaxed setting, not just ‘a book tour’ and not quite ‘a gig’, hopefully more than the sum of its parts. One thing is guaranteed…every night on this run will be completely different!”
Baz Warne – photo: Crosstown Concerts
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Until April 12; The Everyworld, Watershed
In The Everyworld exhibition, artists Andrew and Eden Kötting invite you into an exuberant kaleidoscope of visions, snippets, memories, and collisions. Opens Fri 23 Jan. Tickets pay-what-you-can starting from £5.00.
The Everyworld – photo: Watershed
And coming soon…
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February 25: Eydis Evensen, Bristol Beacon
Icelandic pianist and composer Eydís Evensen has become one of the most captivating new voices in modern classical music. Raised in the windswept northern town of Blönduós, Evensen’s work carries the raw beauty of her homeland, blending cinematic sounds, fragile piano lines, and stirring strings with moments of quiet intimacy.
Eydis Evensen – photo: Bristol Beacon
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March 7: Mozart and Haydn, St George’s
Two of the Classical era’s most brilliant minds – Mozart and Haydn – come together in this elegant and spirited programme that blends charm, wit, and emotional depth. Mozart Serenade No. 6 in D major ‘Serenata notturna’, K. 239 Haydn Sinfonia Concertante in B flat major for violin, oboe, bassoon and cello Haydn Serenade Op.3/5
Mozart Symphony No.40 in G minor K.550
Mozart and Haydn – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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March 18: Beethoven, St George’s
The Bristol Ensemble performs Beethoven’s uplifting Symphony No.6 – the Pastoral, one of classical music’s most vivid celebrations of the natural world. The programme also features Vivaldi’s Springfrom The Four Seasons, Mendelssohn’s evocative Hebrides Overture, and Mozart’s radiant Exsultate Jubilate, brought to life by soprano Chiara Braggion.
Beethoven – photo: Bristol Ensemble
Main photo: Parker Heyl
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