Things To Do / Bristol
23 things to do in Bristol this week, January 26 – February 1 2026
Monday: Album Listening Party – Erotic Secrets of Pompeii, Spirited Bristol
Art rock band Erotic Secrets of Pompeii are holding a listening party for their latest album Pitchfork Libra. The band will also have an intimate acoustic performance for all those in attendance at Spirited, Bristol.
The band will be hosting their listening party at Spirited on North Street – photo: @elderfloweryouthphoto
Monday: School of Activism presents: Everyone is Responsible, People’s Republic of Stokes Croft
The School of Activism is holding a screening of Filmgruppe Chaos’s 2024 short film Everyone is Responsible. Shot on black and white film, it explores the history of German film activism and today’s political conditions.
The film will have a full screening at People’s Republic of Stokes Croft. Photo: School of Activism
Monday: Jack Campbell: Work in Progress, the Robin Hood
As part of Bristol Comedy Festival, comedian Jack Campbell tries to tackle the subject of the history of human migration on a Monday evening above a pub in Bristol.
Jack Campbell joins a series of other comedians as a part of Bristol Comedy Festival – photo: Esme Buxton
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Monday-Thursday: The History of Sound, Watershed
Oliver Hermanus (Living) chronicles a decades-spanning romance centered around the power of music, starring an electric Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor. Opens Fri 23 Jan. Tickets £6.00 – £11.50.
The History of Sound – photo: Watershed
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Monday-Saturday: Bristol Comedy Festival, various venues
The second annual Bristol Comedy Festival returns. Expect everything from intimate work-in-progress gigs in bars to some of the biggest names in UK comedy including local legends Mark Watson and Jayde Adams.
Jayde Adams at Bristol Old Vic – photo: Barbara Evripidou
Tuesday: Punch Needle Wall Art Class, Small Bar
Held at Small Bar on King Street, this workshop will teach you the basics of punch needle embroidery while creating an original wall art design.
A lesson in punch needle crafting on King Street. Photo: Paige and Wynter
Tuesday: Riddim – Reggae/Dub Session, The Canteen
This monthly live Roots Reggae and Dub session is hosted by drummer Alex Dawson and guests are invited to jam with the house band, encouraging singers, MCs and musicians to show off their talents.
The Roots Reggae/Dub session returns to the canteen hosted by Alex Dawson. Photo: Alex Dawson
Wednesday: Martyn Joseph, Lantern Hall
Following the release of his 2024 album This is What I Want to Say, Welsh singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph returns to Bristol with new material. For fans of Bruce Springsteen, expect an evening of heartfelt songs, sharp wit and deep connection.
Martyn Joseph returns to Bristol following his 2024 album This is What I Have to Say. Photo: Pipe Records Ltd
Wednesday: Satellite of Love Presents: Edward Tripp and Sophie Shepard, Loco Klub
Satellite of Love runs monthly events at Loco Klub to offer a platform for local and touring poets. This show features Northern Irish comedian Edward Tripp and Sophie Sheppard, a poet from Weston-Super-Mare.
The monthly events at the Loco Klub offer a platform for local and touring poets – photo: Satellite of Love
Wednesday: Magick Innit Presents: Marian Green ‘A Witch Alone’, The Bristol Fringe
Special guest speaker Marian Green gives a talk about her experience as organiser of Quest conference and author of over 20 books on magick and witchcraft.
Magick Innit is a welcoming, friendly space to learn, meet others and get connected with like minded practitioners. Photo: Magick Innit
Thursday: ATTIC Teas: Breathe and Brew, Arnolfini
A guided tea experience using grounding breathing techniques to connect to the healing effects of the tea’s calming compounds. Brew and mindfully drink tea together while enjoying the practice of artist Emma Talbot.
Experience a guided tea experience that will nourish the body, soothe the mind and excite the spirit – photo: ATTIC Teas
Thursday: SOFT BUTCH w/Colleyna and LEXX, The Jam Jar
Soft Butch is a somatics-infused night celebrating all butchness for women, non-binary and transgender people to dance freely together. Colleyna has been refining their craft on the pole for over ten years and has performed all over the world. LEXX is the creator and DJ for Soft Butch, regularly gathering crowds of over 500 people.
Attendees can expect steamy and sensual dancefloor somatics with tantalising pole artistry. Photo: Soft Butch
Friday: Otala, The Croft
Otala are a post-rock quintet based in London. The group are coming to the Croft following the release of their EP Fire! To The River.
Otala’s most recent release ‘Fire! To The River’ explores ambient and gentle folk guitar licks. Photo: Otala
Friday: An Evening With Sophie Calon in Bristol, Waterstones
Sophie Calon discusses her recent book Long Going, a memoir exploring childhood with her witty, eccentric father and his drink-fuelled disintegration.
‘Long Going’ explores Sophie’s father’s career as a celebrated lawyer and his subsequent tragic disintegration due to alcoholism – photo: Waterstones
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Friday & Saturday: Horrible Histories The Concert, Beacon Hall
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
Saturday: Dry Run 2026 by Ravers2Runners, Lost Horizon
Bristol’s annual sober pub run where your team’s route takes you on a pub crawl. At each stop, you can sample an alcohol free or low abv drink of your choice and at the end of the run participants return to Lost Horizon for street food and music.
This fresh take on the pub crawl sees small teams of runners head from venue to venue – image: Ravers2Runners
Saturday: Prohibition Party: Let’s Party Like It’s 1926, O2 Academy Bristol
A 1920s themed show hosted by Swing’it that reimagines the prohibition era’s speakeasies and jazz bar, encouraging the audience to dress up. The show will also feature cabaret host Champagne Charlie, burlesque star Jolie Papillon and the Gatsby Girls.
The night aims to imitate the illegal bars of the Prohibition era, the Great Gatsby’s elegant parties and the origins of jazz – photo: Swing’It
Saturday: Teachings in Dub – Ital Power X Freedom Masses, The Trinity Centre
Teachings in Dub’s first soundsystem meeting of 2026 features Ital Power, bringing their deep spiritual vibration to the Trinity Centre. They will be meeting Freedom Masses, the original dub advertisers from Manchester.
The event promises to be a rootical session full of unreleased dubs and upful vibes – image: Teachings in Dub
Sunday: Listening Circle, La Ruca
A place to discuss relatable topics with peers, The Listening Circle is intended as a small-scale antidote to the echo chamber we socially and digitally fall into.
A space to discuss relatable topics, collectively practising active listening and compassionate understanding – image: Bristol Listening Circle
Sunday: Beaded Plant-Making, The Stag and Hounds
A workshop focusing on designing and making your own beaded faux plant using pots, wire, beads and moss.
A relaxed, creative evening making beaded faux plant using pots, wire, beads and moss – image: Lumen Collective Events
Sunday: Sunday Shrimp w/ Leewok & Curly Waters + Special guests, Mickey Zoggs
A free entry gig with feel-good Sunday tunes hosted by oddball music enthusiasts Leewok & Curly Waters.
Attendees can expect alternative pop, trip-hop and disco house – image: Leewok & Curly Waters
Sunday: Crime Scene Improvisation, Tobacco Factory Theatres
The award-winning crime comedy that’s never the same twice! With more than a decade of sell-out performances, the five-star hit who-dunnit solves an outlandish murder invented by the audience. No one knows who the killer is: not even the cast!
Crime Scene Improvisation – photo: Andrew AB
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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 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 4: Raclette & Alpine Wines tasting, Carouse Wines
Bringing Après Ski to Totterdown! Raclette served by The Cheese Connection paired with five wines from the Alpine regions Jura & Savoie. Relax and be guided by the professionals.
Alpine Wines & Raclette – photo: Carouse Wines
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February 4: Lucinda Williams, Bristol Beacon
Lucinda Williams brings her fierce, genre-defying roots to Bristol, blending blues, country, folk and rock with raw, poetic songwriting. The Grammy-winning trailblazer performs classics like Car Wheels on a Gravel Road and Crescent City alongside newer material, delivering an unforgettable evening of grit, emotion and unforgettable voice.
Lucinda Williams – photo: Danny Clinch | Bristol Beacon
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February 11: Wine & Chocolate Tasting with Zara’s Chocolates, Carouse Wines
We’ll be pairing chocolates with the perfect wine, plus pouring glasses whilst you roll your truffles expertly shown by Zara. One for the lovers and Galentine’s groups.
Valentines wine & chocolate – photo: Carouse Wines
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February 13: Paris By Night By Candlelight, The Mission Theatre
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Paris by Night, a romantic candlelit evening of music that captures the soul of the City of Light. From the smoky cafés of Edith Piaf to the refined elegance of Poulenc and the dreamlike soundscapes of Debussy, the Bristol Ensemble celebrates the timeless beauty of French music under the stars – the perfect way to share this special night!
Paris By Night – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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February 14: Valve Sound System, The Prospect Building
The mighty Valve Sound System heads to The Prospect Building this February for its biggest show since returning. On February 14th, drum & bass royalty Dillinja unleashes the Valve rig for a full-scale takeover, with a two-area lineup: Simula, Kasra, SMG, DJ Hazard, Lemon D, A.M.C, Bryan Gee and more.
Valve – photo: The Prospect Building
SPONSORED
February 14: Queen’s Valentine’s Night Special, St George’s
This Valentine’s Day, take the pulse-racing power of Queen, fused with the thrill of live orchestra, inside the elegant intimacy of St George’s Bristol and…boom! It’s a Kind of Magic!
Join the Bristol Ensemble as they reimagine Queen’s greatest hits with lush harmonies and dramatic flair, from Bohemian Rhapsody to Don’t Stop Me Now.
Queen – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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February 15: Comedy & Reggae, Redgrave Theatre
Following two consecutive sell-out years, Black Comedy UK proudly presents the return of Bristol’s most popular Valentine’s event. This year, we’re celebrating love, laughter and the legacy of one of reggae’s most iconic artists, the legendary Bob Marley. Get ready for an unforgettable night of comedy and live music.
Comedy & Reggae – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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February 15: Power Town Festival, The Prospect Building
Power Town Festival on Sunday 15 February 2026 (1pm to 11 pm), at Strange Brew, Bristol is a celebration of the creativity, talent, and culture of Bristol’s vibrant community. Features: Donae’o; Kenny Allstar (Radio 1Xtra); Kwazi (Glastonbury Festival); Bristol home-grown artists; City DJ clash. £15 or £5 daytime only.
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February 16: Exciting Science, Redgrave Theatre
This Brand New, Exciting & Educational show will amaze and astound all ages from four years & upwards, as we put the “Exciting” back into “Science” (see what we did there!). With fun and fact filled experiments, watch in amazement as we recreate a volcanic eruption; turn a vacuum cleaner into a missile launcher or take aim at you with our smoke blaster!
Exciting Science – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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February 20: Dimension, The Prospect Building
On February 20th, The Prospect Building welcomes one of drum & bass’s most forward-thinking artists. Dimension lands for a special late-night session, running deep into the early hours with a 2AM finish, delivering high-energy selections, immersive production, and an extended journey designed for true fans and late-night dancers.
Dimension – photo: The Prospect Building
SPONSORED
February 17-21: 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
SPONSORED
February 24: OCEAN in concert, Bristol Beacon
OCEAN in Concert is a breathtaking live experience that celebrates the wonders of our blue planet. A screening of the feature documentary, narrated on film by Sir David Attenborough, combines stunning cinematography with a moving score from Academy Award-winning composer Steven Price (Gravity) performed live by Welsh National Opera Orchestra, conducted by Robert Ziegler.
Ocean With David Attenborough – photo: Keith Scholey |©Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios
Main photo: Kay/ Ravers2Runners
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