Things To Do / Bristol
25 things to do in Bristol this week, July 27-August 2 2026
Monday: School of Activism Presents: Our Land, Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft
A film screening of Our Land, a documentary by Orban Wallace about the right-to-roam movement, focusing on campaigners but also featuring interviews with landowners. This will be followed by a casual discussion.
Our Land – photo: Headfirst
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Monday-September 2: Cracking Films, Gromit!: 50 Years of Aardman, Watershed
We celebrate 50 years of Bristol’s global animation stars, Aardman, with a summer of their cracking films.
Cracking films – photo: Watershed
Tuesday: Natalie Bennett: Change Everything, Bristol Folk House
Former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett discusses her new book Change Everything, about how we can – and must – rethink, repair and rebuild society.
Natalie Bennett – photo: House of Lords
Tuesday: Traitors, The Louisiana
Traitors are a duo who combine garage rock, blues and psychedelia to create riff and rhythm driven sounds. They are supported by Who Killed Bunny, a Bristol based psychedelic indie rock band, and Honeyglow, an Alt, Riot Grrrl band.
Traitors – photo: The Lousiana
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Tuesday-Thursday: Toto the Ninja Cat, Redgrave Theatre
Based on Dermot O’Leary’s best-selling children’s book, illustrated by Nick East, this purr-fectly thrilling tale is filled with original music, laugh-out-loud fun, and extraordinary puppetry, promising fun for the whole family.
Toto The Ninja Cat – photo: Redgrave Theatre
Wednesday: Benin International Musical, The Jam Jar
This is the Bristol debut of the Cotonou collective, who are influenced by Vodou worship dance, BIM blend traditional Beninese rhythms with Afro-funk, guitar fuzz, hip hop vocal chops, gospel power and radio-ready anthems.
Benin International Musical – photo: Benin International Musical
Wednesday: Matt Hobs and Chelsea Birkby: previews, The Gaffe Comedy Club
Previews of Matt Hobs’ show ‘100% Badgers 2: Badgers vs Hedgehogs’ which follows his critically aclaimed 2025 Fringe show, and multi-award winning comedian Chelsea Birkby with ‘Chelsea Birkby: Is In Full Control The Entire Time’. Both comedians will soon be going up to Edinburgh for the Fringe.
Matt Hobs and Chelsea Birkby – photo: the Gaffe Comedy Club
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Thursday: Laughing Matters, Bristol Beacon
Laughter does good at Laughing Matters, a one-night-only comedy spectacular in support of SWEDA. With Bridget Christie, Elis James, Rose Matafeo, Daniel Kitson, Mark Thomas, Athena Kugblenu and Priya Hall sharing the stage, it’s a rare chance to see some of Britain’s finest comedians together, all for a fantastic cause.
Laughing Matters – photo: Bristol Beacon
Thursday: Les Caravanes, The Croft
Les Caravanes is a travelling folk club led by Sam Grassie (broadside hacks) and Mataio Austin Dean (Shovel Dance Collective). The evening encompasses various styles of traditional and modern folk music.
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Thursday-Saturday: Sylvie Baker: In sight, KIT FORM
Sylvie Baker’s debut solo exhibition of her oil and acrylic paintings which explore the almost mythical movement and shape of animals. Preview is open to everyone.
In Sight – photo: Sylvie Baker
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Friday: DECKS ON THE DECK: BABBA, Grain Barge
Enjoy a summer of free, world-class DJ sets on the top deck of Grain Barge, featuring perfect sunny vibes, unbeatable drink deals and panoramic harbour views. Merseyside-raised babba (Rach), now residing in Bristol, delivers high-energy sets across the city. Expect percussive house, UK bass, electronic and tech-house tracks – peppered with rolling basslines and groovy melodies.
BABBA – photo: Tobacco Factory
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Friday: Swing From Paris, Redgrave Theatre
Swing From Paris are a virtuoso all-string jazz quartet bringing the spirit of 1930s–50s Paris to life with stylish swing, gypsy jazz and tango. Inspired by legends including Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, they’ve performed at major UK and European festivals and on BBC TV and radio.
Swing from Paris – photo: Redgrave Theatre
Friday: Summer Lates, Bristol Zoo Project
Explore Bristol Zoo Project after-hours with live music from acts including the Kingsdown Quartet and performances from Circomedia, animal talks, and food and drinks. Also happening on August 14.
Bristol Zoo Project – photo: Bristol Zoo Project
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Friday: Feast Live – The Sound of West End Musicals, The Downs
The Sound of West End Musicals, featuring a cast of more than 60 performers, a live orchestra, West End singers, dancers, and special guest Gareth Gates.
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Friday: CONSCIOUS CLUB: Sober Silent Disco – Bristol Beer Factory x Talk Club, Tobacco Factory
Tobacco Factory is partnering with Bristol Beer Factory for the first in a series of silent discos… with a twist! Besides offering a chance to meet, move and enjoy delicious locally brewed non-alcoholic beers, they are using this opportunity to support the charities available to anyone in Bristol struggling with substance abuse and mental health. 100% of Clear Head sales during this event will go directly to Talk Club, a Bristol-based men’s mental health charity.
Concious Club – photo: Tobacco Factory
Friday: Screaming Dead, The Thunderbolt
Screaming Dead are a punk rock band from Cheltenham formed in 1980, and reassembled in 2014. They have often been characterized as “horror punk”. They are supported by The Samples, Velocette and The New Dark Age.
Screaming Dead – photo: The Thunderbolt
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Friday-Sunday: Mendip Mini Fest, Mendip Basecamp
This summer, Mendip Basecamp launches Mendip Mini Fests – six family-friendly festival weekends. Expect big-energy and feel-good vibes, without the crowds or big ticket prices! Enjoy bands and artists like Sam Evans and Aardvarks, alongside children’s entertainment and workshops.
Mendip Mini Fest – photo: Mendip Basecamp
Saturday: Martin Kemp’s back to the 80s DJ set, Electric Bristol
A retro-themed afternoon-into-night where Martin Kemp will provide a nostalgic, 80s soundtrack of singalongs and dance tunes.
Martin Kemp – photo: Electric Bristol
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Saturday: Feast Live – Haçienda Classiçal, The Downs
Haçienda Classiçal, bringing the music of Manchester’s legendary Haçienda club together with a live orchestra, DJs, and vocalists, to celebrate their 10 year anniversary.
Sunday: Sober party, Trinity Centre
A sober day party with funk, soul and beats. Featuring Any Jungle In Gals, Anything But Becky and more. There will also be a craft area, market stalls and food trucks.
Sober day party – photo: Trinity Centre
Sunday: David Lynch tribute, SouthBank Club
Presented by Naked Eye Collective, a screening of the film ‘Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me’, the haunting and emotional prequel to the series, will be preceded by an ensemble of musicians who will create a one-off improvised set inspired by Lynch’s dreamlike worlds.
David Lynch tribute – photo: SouthBank Club
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Every week: Edinburgh Fringe Preview Season, The Gaffe Comedy Club
See some of the most exciting comics heading to the Edinburgh Fringe this August! Enjoy brand new shows from the likes of Larry Dean, Kemah Bob, Michael Akadiri, Jayde Adams, and more brilliant acts at The Gaffe Comedy Club and The Robin Hood.
Preview Season – photo: The Gaffe Comedy Club
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Until August 31: Summer Lates, The Roman Baths
Experience The Roman Baths after hours as Summer Lates returns from 20 July to bring a relaxed evening buzz to Bath’s iconic attraction. A short hop from Bristol Temple Meads, the ancient site gets a modern makeover with live music Fridays- Sundays. Open until 10pm every night 20 July – 31 August. Summer Lates 20 July -31 August, daily until 10pm (last entry 9pm)
Summer Lates – photo: The Roman Baths
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Until September 13: SENTIENTS, Watershed
Open your animal eyes. A collection of groundbreaking video games and virtual reality in Undershed.
Sentients – photo: by Watershed
And coming soon…
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August 7-9: Bristol Beacon: BBC Proms 2026
Special concerts in Beacon Hall for BBC Proms 2026 include Friday night with Paraorchestra and Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians as you’ve never heard it before. On Saturday, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra perform a programme of Russian masterpieces and on Sunday, the National Open Youth Orchestra – the world’s first disabled-led national youth ensemble – makes its BBC Proms debut.
Paraorchestra – photo: Bristol Beacon
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August 13-16: Bluey’s Big Play, Bristol Beacon
Bluey’s Big Play is the theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush. Join the Heelers in this live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets. This is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life.
Bluey First Venue – photo : Bristol Beacon
Main photo: Benin International Musical
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