Things To Do / Bristol
25 things to do in Bristol this week, September 22-28 2025
Monday: Could Should Might Don’t: How we think about the future, Bookhaus
As the avenues of our future constantly change, author Nick Foster has delved deep and created a guide on how one should think about the future. Discuss his upcoming book as you join others for an evening of thought and reflection.
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Monday – October 11: Starter for Ten: A New Musical, Bristol Old Vic
Fingers on buzzers! After a sell-out run in 2024, the bright, big-hearted and “truly brilliant” (★★★★★ Broadway Baby) new musical is back in Bristol, with its “joy, comedy and 80s nostalgia” (★★★★ WhatsOnStage) dialled up to 11. Don’t miss it.
Starter for Ten – photo: Bristol Old Vic
Monday: Dongnae x Higher Ground x Vine Trail, Dongange
One of Bristol’s finest Korean restaurants, Dongnae, joins forces with Manchester-based restaurant Higher Ground and local wine importers Vine Trail for a one-off tasting menu, celebrating the late summer harvest.
Kyu Jeong Jeon and Duncan Robertson opened their second Korean restaurant on Chandos Road in 2024 – photo: Benjamin Rush
Tuesday: Gather & Glow, Fire & Ice
Join Ben Scarfo (@bhaktihaus) for a “serene” breathwork journey, followed by the chance to create a seasonal tablescape with the support of members from the Belle de Jour team. This is a one-of-a-kind celebration of wellness, floristry and nature.
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is needed now More than ever
Tuesday: Democracy in Your Party?, People’s Republic of Stokes Croft
Bristol comes together to discuss rumours surrounding secretive disputes and unofficial factions within Jeremy Corbyn’s newly formed Your Party.
People’s Republic of Stokes Croft is a grassroots level, socialist education group run by volunteers – photo: People’s Republic of Stokes Croft
Wednesday: M(H)AOL + Mallory Hawk, The Louisiana
The feminist post-punk trio arrive and the North Carolina-born musician arrive in Bristol for a night of unforgettable bold explorations and enchanting music. The M(H)AOL trio are known for their community-driven live shows that spark conversations around themes of gender, queerness and healing.
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Wednesday: The Best of The Fringe! The Gaffe Comedy Club
Critically acclaimed comics perform the best bits from their 2025 Edinburgh Fringe shows, right here in Bristol! This Wednesday, The Gaffe hosts Jamie D’Souza (“incredibly personable” ★★★★ – Three Weeks), Kit Loyd (ISH Edinburgh Comedy Award best newcomer nominee) and Amy Mason (“absurd and unapologetic” ★★★★ – Fest Mag).
Best Of The Fringe – photo: The Gaffe Comedy Club
Wednesday to Sunday: Encounters Film Festival, Bristol Beacon, Watershed and Arnolfini
A five-day celebration of films, filmmakers and “bold storytelling” with the festival returning for its 30th edition in 2025. From a reflective conversation with Michel Gondry and Charlie Kaufman to masterclasses, screenings and a lot more hosted across Bristol Beacon, Watershed and Arnolfini.
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Thursday: Home is Where the Art Is, Loco Klub
An art auction where paintings are sourced from international and local artists, with all proceeds going towards building homes for the homeless community in Bristol. An initiative by Help Bristol’s Homelessness in 2018, the auction will be hosted by actor and BBC Radio presenter Joe Simms.
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Thursday to Sunday: Bristol Cocktail Weekend, multiple venues
A celebration of the many fine cocktail-serving venues in the city, all attendees can enjoy a cocktail for £6 and a mocktail for £5 at venues participating in the Bristol Cocktail Weekend.
Bristol and Bath Rum Distillery on Park Street is one of the participating venues for Bristol Cocktail Weekend’s 2025 edition – photo: Bristol and Bath Rum Distillery
Thursday to Sunday: Fat Rice, Glassboat
Kit Lee’s Malaysian street food stall, Fat Rice, will be popping up for four days at the Glassboat on Welsh Back. Expect old favourites like the Penang prawn mee, nasi lemak and the debut of Fat Rice’s version of the Malaysian classic dish, char kuey teow.
Fat Rice is known for its scrumptious Malaysian bowls, which owner Kit Lee has been serving at Bristol street food markets for years – photo: Fat Rice
Friday: Secret Set, Chez Marcel
The second night of a newly launched live music series at Chez Marcel on Broad Street, with this edition edition promising acts from two surprise artists. Each ticket includes a free drink from the restaurant’s menu.
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Friday: St Nick’s Block Party, St Nick’s Market
A collaboration between Menu Music and Pieminster, which will see one of Bristol’s most bustling venues shut down and turn into a party for one night only. All money earned during the party will be donated to suicide prevention charity, CALM.
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Friday: Eat Your Own Head, The Croft
One of the Croft’s first shows after reopening, the gig promises alternative rock music with hints of post-hardcore. Join the band for a night of unforgettable music, with Bristol-based trios Downrad and Public Burning also set to perform at the event.
Eat Your Own Head released their debut album ‘Neck-Deep In The Blyth’ in 2022 – photo: Eat Your Own Head
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Friday: Last and First Men by Neon Dance, Bristol Beacon
Experience the UK premiere of Last and First Men by Neon Dance at Bristol Beacon. A powerful fusion of film, music, and dance. With Tilda Swinton’s narration, Jóhann Jóhannsson’s haunting score, and bold choreography, this visionary performance imagines humanity’s distant future in an unforgettable, immersive event.
Last & First Men – photo: Bristol Beacon
Friday: Bristol Fairtrade Fortnight at Sparks Bristol
Congratulations to Bristol ceramic artist, Emily Gibbard, for winning the Fairtrade Project Award 2025. From Friday you can visit Sparks to see the ceramic installation celebrating the role of female coffee producers and take part in the interactive element of sculpting your own coffee beans! The installation is designed to increase awareness and buying of Fairtrade in Bristol and features a semi-abstract coffee grower sculptured from shapes made on the potter’s wheel.
See Me Hear Me Touch Me artwork & photo by Emily Gibbard
Saturday: Busy Minds Hub fundraiser, Bridge Farm
A day of fundraising for community arty projects, through workshops, wellness initiatives and a diverse range of market stalls. The event includes sewing, painting and pigment and somatic movement workshops, to name a few.
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Saturday & Sunday: UG25 Opening, The Underground
Ghetts, Sir Spyro & Footsie, Sicaria and Anything But Becky are some of the artists performing for the opening weekend of the Underground, this time in collaboration with Nu: motive.
DJ Flight an icon in the Drum & Bass scene is one of the many artists to have performed at The Underground – photo: Benji Chapman
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Saturday: Discovery Day, We The Curious
Step into a world of discovery with hands-on activities, games, challenges and mini-talks led by researchers from the Universities of Bristol and Bath. From climate change and AI to law, theatre and engineering, meet the people tackling some of today’s most pressing questions. A free, family-friendly day out packed with science, creativity and fun.
Discovery Day – photo: FUTURES
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Saturday – October 31: Pumpkin Patch, Avon Valley
The South West’s biggest PYO pumpkin patch and speciality squash market opens Saturday 27th September. Fire the Apple Cannon, team up for Cornholing and enjoy a fireshow with street food, seasonal drinks and snacks. The patch lights up at night and comes alive with live music. Dog friendly. Free parking.
Avon Valley – photo: Giulia Spadafora
Saturday: The Bus Stop day party
A new off-grid pop up venue on Stokes Croft, with more than 400 expected to be in attendance for a day of fun and frolic. The venue’s first party will be led by Frontline, who will kick off their UK tour here in Bristol.
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Saturday and Sunday: FODA festival, Arnolfini
A celebration of food ideas, where the best names in hospitality unite for insightful conversations over two days. A string of market stalls will also be available for festival attendees to visit, alongside the opportunity to hop on board the Pony Farm bus for the first ever time.
FŌDA, is a festival of food ideas, that will open to all members of the public for the first time, previously held only for members of the hospitality industry – photo: FŌDA
Saturday & Sunday: Celebrating River Joy, Bristol Aquarium
A final screening of the Rave on Avon documentary celebrating River Avon, with the chance to participate in a Q&A session with the director Charlotte Sawyer & Mrs Meg Avon. The event will also mark the launch of a new art and photography exhibit titled River Joy.
Sunday: Özcan Ateş, Bristol Beacon
The Turkish-born Kurdish musician has lived in Bristol for years and is now making his Lantern Hall debut. The bağlama player will share traditional Anatolian music alongside new folk compositions.
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Sunday: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Redgrave Theatre
The critically acclaimed production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show created by Jonathan Rockefeller features a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets. The production faithfully adapts four stories by author/illustrator Eric Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Busy Spider, and of course, the star of the show – The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
VHC Full Cast – photo: by Russ Rowland
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Sunday: The Best of The Fringe! The Gaffe Comedy Club
More comedians bring the best bits from their 2025 Edinburgh Fringe shows to The Gaffe Comedy Club! On Sunday, you can catch Shalaka Kurup (“masterful command of the room” ★★★★ – Edinburgh Reviews), Thor Stenhaug (‘effortlessly compelling’ ★★★★ – Telegraph), plus a surprise to-be-announced act!
Best of The Fringe – photo: The Gaffe Comedy Club
And coming soon…
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October 1: Playtime! Cheesy Tunes, Redgrave Theatre
Come along for a fun, relaxed participatory theatre sessions with the Last Baguette Theatre Company. Join Ratty and her friends for a fun and gentle introduction to theatre with play-along storytelling, original music, puppetry, theatre games, movement, and lots of imaginative play. Sessions last one hour, and are created for ages 2-6 and their grown ups. Younger and older siblings welcome!
Playtime – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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October 4: Eat Your Own Ears, The Prospect Building
Eat Your Own Ears joins forces with The Prospect Building, presenting Daphni, Ben UFO, Salute, and more on Saturday 4 October. Expect genre-spanning chaos, rare selections, and euphoric, high-energy moments filling the main room, promising an unforgettable night of deep cuts and dancefloor intensity.
EYOE – photo: The Prospect Building
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October 4-6: Halloween, Wookey Hole
As spooky season starts to creep up on us all, Wookey Hole is rolling out a jam-packed Halloween line-up for families across the South West. From fancy dress contests and an Instagram-worthy pumpkin patch, all-new circus shows and a series of very special appearances from a best-selling children’s book author, Wookey Hole truly is THE home of Halloween, and the place to be this October.
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October 6: Sissoko, Segal, Peirani and Parisien: Les Egares, Bristol Beacon
Experience Les Égarés with Ballaké Sissoko & Vincent Segal (kora & cello) and Vincent Peirani & Émile Parisien (accordion & sax). Blurring jazz, trad, chamber, and avant-garde, this quartet crafts a single fluid sound through virtuosity and deep listening. A rare musical communion in a beautifully intimate performance.
Les Egares – photo: Bristol Beacon
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October 11 & 12: West Bristol Arts Trail, various venues
This year 150 artists will exhibit painting, sculpture, prints, ceramics, jewellery, textiles, photography and mixed media in over 46 venues in Clifton, Cliftonwood, Hotwells and parts of Redland on 11 th & 12 th October. The art is affordable and you can chat to the artists.
WBAT graphic – photo: Kevin
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November 3: Pendulum, The Prospect Building
Pendulum are set to ignite The Prospect Building this November. After a 15-year wait, the legends return – armed with Inertia, their most personal, electrifying record yet.. Sixteen tracks. Unfiltered emotion. Catch them live on 3rd November.
Pendulum – photo: Andy C | Crosstown Concerts
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December 2-25: Porridge Radio, Trinity Centre
Final tickets remaining for Porridge Radio’s farewell show at Trinity this December. Get yours now! Porridge Radio are a London based band from the UK, formed in Brighton in 2015 around band leader Dana Margolin. The band’s powerful live performances and rawly emotive lyrics have garnered a dedicated following.
Porridge Radio – photo: Crosstown Concerts
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February 21-26: Of Monsters and Men, Bristol Beacon
Just announced! Of Monsters and Men announce a full UK headline tour for February 2026. They rose from Reykjavík to the global stage with their 2011 debut ‘My Head Is An Animal’. Transforming from Icelandic indie favorites into international chart-toppers. Its breakout single, “Little Talks,” became a generational anthem with over a billion Spotify streams. Join the band at the Beacon next year, tickets on sale now.
Of Mice and Men – photo: Crosstown Concerts
Main photo: Secret Bristol
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