Things To Do / Bristol
27 things to do in Bristol this week, May 19-25 2025
Monday: Witness the organ find its voice, Bristol Cathedral
Experience history in the making as Bristol Cathedral’s organ is played again after a two-year restoration. This event will feature Harrison & Harrison managing director Andrew Scott sharing the intricate process behind shaping the organ’s voice.
Bristol Cathedral’s organ is said to be one of the finest examples of the English Romantic organ to be found anywhere in the world – photo: Bristol Cathedral
Monday-Wednesday: Pint of Science Festival, various venues
Pint of Science is an annual worldwide science festival which brings researchers to your local pub to share their scientific discoveries. In Bristol, topics include brain science at Wiper & True, diamond batteries at Left Handed Giant and cancer innovations at the Steam Crane.
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is needed now More than ever
Tuesday: Kiota open mic, Wardrobe Theatre
An evening of performances by the Kiota Community, inviting those from the Global Majority with poems, songs, stories or other forms of artistry to sign up for this open mic night.
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Tuesday: Robert Macfarlane, The Station
Stanfords bookshop are bringing natural history writer Robert Macfarlane to The Station to discuss his new book, Is a River Alive?
Tuesday: Pazzo x BANK, BANK
The Totterdown restaurant welcomes the team from Pazzo to the kitchen for a special evening of Italian food cooked over fire.
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Tuesday: A Twelve Point Plan to Improve Irish Happiness – book launch, The Star Fishponds
Join author Arun Sharma for the launch of A Twelve Point Plan to Improve Irish Happiness, a collection of poems clawed from his memories of growing up in the warzone that was the 80s and 90s in the North of Ireland. Followed by a trad Irish band from 8pm.
Wednesday: Prima Queen, Thekla
Prima Queen head to Bristol (where Louise Macphail [one half of the transatlantic indie-pop duo alongside Kristin McFadden] grew up) following the release of their debut album, The Prize.
Wednesday: Abigoliah Schamaun, Hen & Chicken Studio
US comedian Abigoliah Schamaun describes her standup show, Legally Cheeky, as charting her journey “in a heart-warming tale of highs, lows, twists and turns as she recounts the year that shook her and her partner Tom to the core”.
Wednesday: Charity dinner with Noor Murad and Josh Eggleton, The Mount Without
The MAZI Project is aiming to raise £35,000 throughout May to support marginalised 16- to 25-year-olds facing food insecurity across Bristol. This dinner promises “an unforgettable evening of culinary excellence in support of food justice”.
The Mount Without is the former St Michael on the Mount Without Church at the foot of St Michael’s Hill – photo: Evoke Pictures
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Thursday – June 22 – Only Expansion, Watershed
An award-winning audio walk by artist Duncan Speakman, that takes you out onto the streets of Bristol – combining the sound of your surroundings with recordings of environments from across the globe. Showing from Friday May 23 – Sunday June 22. To celebrate its arrival Watershed is also hosting a free artist talk on Thursday May 22.
Thursday: Historical Walk: Bristol Abolition, start at M Shed
Discover the names and places associated with Bristol’s thousand-year fight to end the city’s involvement in slavery, from Saxon times to the 19th century.
This is the current scene next to the plinth on which Colston’s statue stood until earlier today. pic.twitter.com/gaDLK20U9t
— Martin Booth (@beardedjourno) June 7, 2020
Thursday: Tongue Fu: Laboratory Sessions, Cube
Tongue Fu describes itself as “a new experiment from the UK’s leading spoken word and music improv show… creating fresh experiments at the intersection of spoken word, music and live improvisation”. This evening’s featured guests are Malaika Kegode and Danny Carlo Pandolfi, with host Chris Redmond.
Malaika Kigode and Jakabol on stage in Outlier at Bristol Old Vic – photo: Paul Blakemore
Thursday: Arnolfini Late, Arnolfini
An evening of poetry, dance and music set against the backdrop of Barbara Walker’s Being Here, “this special Arnolfini Late invites you to experience the exhibition through a new lens – where art, community and live performance come together in celebration of Walker’s work”.
For more than 25 years, Barbara Walker has been making “intensely observed and empathetic figurative work that creates space for Black presence, power and belonging” – photo: Lisa Whiting
Thursday-Saturday: Boudica, Tobacco Factory Theatre
Bristol School of Acting present Tristan Bernays’ Boudica; telling the story of a queen, a warrior and a rebel.
Based on Silver Street in the city centre, Bristol School of Acting is the UK’s newest drama school – image: Bristol School of Acting
Thursday-June 14: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Summer Festival, Bristol Old Vic Weston Studio
Eight plays across four weeks in one venue in what promises to “a celebration of collaboration and creativity” as Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s graduating directors and designers take the artistic reins. “From dystopian farms and clinical drug trials, to absurdist friendships and revolutionary politics, expect a smorgasbord of contemporary brilliance.”
Weston Studio is Bristol Old Vic’s studio theatre – photo: Charcoal Blue
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Friday – Sunday: Back To Mine – The Secret Valley, Chew Valley
A very special boutique VIP mini-festival from Back to Mine (Pike’s Ibiza) at Nature’s Spectacular, an amazing venue with breathtaking views of Chew Valley Lake. Friday features Mixmag 2024 DJ of the year Sam Divine. Saturday stars Gok Wan, the world’s number one celebrity DJ, while Sunday closes with internet sensation Fish56Octagon and Bristol’s own Roni Size. Three days of Ibiza music, food, VIP booths, entertainment and dancers, with accommodation, parking, taxis and shuttle buses – this is one not to miss.
Friday: Totorro, Rough Trade
Much-loved French math rock quartet Totorro return to Bristol, with Stealth Cat and Monet joining as support.
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Friday: Friday Night Comedy Club, The Gaffe
Laugh away your weekday woes at The Gaffe’s Friday Comedy Club! MC Harry Allmark shepherds a stellar crew through the comedy waters: Andrew White (“rampantly engaging” – The List), Mel Owen (“one to watch” – The Scotsman), and Micky Overman (“silly and powerful” – Broadway Baby). Earlybird tickets are just £10.
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Friday: Dial M For Menu – comedy, mystery and a three-course dinner
It’s back – a delicious dinner brought to you by culinary experts at The Old Market Assembly and theatre by masters of improvised comedy Closer Each Day Company. This dream team brings you a food and interactive theatre experience that will have you dialling M for more.
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Friday: Nicole Mitchell / Neil Charles / Mark Sanders, Bristol Beacon
Join world renowned flautist Nicole Mitchell for an evening of jazz in Bristol. A visionary in the Afrofuturist movement, Nicole interweaves jazz, gospel, blues and African percussion into a sound that is both evocative and deeply rooted in tradition. Joining her are two of the UK’s most compelling improvisers, Mark Sanders and Neil Charles.
Friday-Sunday: Bedminster Beer Trail, various venues
Thirteen locations across BS3 are once again joining forces for the Bedminster Beer Trail with each venue doing their own beer-focussed events and all pouring the exclusive trail beer collaboratively brewed with New Bristol Brewery.
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Friday – May 29: The Phoenician Scheme, Watershed
Wes Anderson lovers rejoice! His latest black comedy The Phoenician Scheme, featuring a star-studded cast, is screening at Watershed from Friday May 23, fresh from Cannes.
Credit: Courtesy of TPS Productions/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.
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Friday – Bank Holiday Monday: Free, family friendly entertainment, Mendip Basecamp
Mendip Activity Centre’s nationally award-winning family adventure campsite, Mendip Basecamp, reopens this weekend. This year, there’s even more free entertainment! May Bank Holiday weekend features traditional storytelling, festival-style live music with Kid Kyena, and a Kaboom percussion workshop.
Saturday: Code of the Streets 20th Anniversary, Rumors Lounge Bar and Pub
To mark the 20th year, it will be hosting a number of events with its main event on Saturday, May 24 at Rumours Lounge and Bar. Featuring: Pure Vibes, Ganzi, DJ Fagan, Sim Citi (Ujima Radio) and the founder himself DJ Style (BBC Radio Bristol).
Saturday: Dot to Dot, various venues
This year is the 20th anniversary of Dot to Dot with a lineup including The Horrors, Fat Dog, Sprints, Big Special, Honeyglaze and Jacob Alon playing across 19 different stages from the Academy to Zed Alley.
Sunday: THX 1138, Watershed
THX 1138 is George Lucas’ dystopian futuristic story about a man struggling to escape a robot-like society that forbids sex and enforces human assimilation.
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Saturday: Farm Boy, Redgrave Theatre
Following successful UK tours and a critically acclaimed run in New York, Michael Morpurgo’s compelling sequel to War Horse returns to the stage in this delightful, family-friendly show combining drama, storytelling, and original music-a moving account of the changing face of the English countryside and a beautifully crafted reminder that stories really can reach out across the generations.
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Saturday: Saturday Night Comedy Headliners, The Gaffe
Get your Saturday night started with MC Burt Williamson (“hilarious at every turn” – The Scotsman) and two rising stand up comedy stars: Andrew White (“rampantly engaging” – The List) and Micky Overman (“silly and powerful” – Broadway Baby). Plus, stick around afterwards for late night comedy with a secret line-up!
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Sunday – June 2 Magical May Half Term at Wookey Hole
Wookey Hole is the place to be this half term! From 25 May to 2 June, families can enjoy magical cave tours, a brand-new circus show, live entertainers and roaring dinosaurs. Book online in advance to save up to 20%*—a spellbinding adventure awaits! T&C’s apply.
And coming soon…
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May 25: Exciting Science, Redgrave Theatre
This Brand New, exciting and educational show will amaze and astound all ages, as it puts the “exciting” back into “science”. With fun and fact-filled experiments, watch in amazement as the E.S crew recreate a volcanic eruption, turn a vacuum cleaner into a missile launcher or take aim at you with a smoke blaster.
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May 26-30: May Half Term at the Roman Baths, Bath
Create unforgettable family memories as you explore the ancient world of Roman Britain at the Roman Baths in Bath. See history come to life as you meet our costumed characters, follow our children’s activity trail or dig for historic treasures in our all-new Archaeology Adventures experience (advance booking recommended).
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May 30: Gloucestershire v Kent Spitfires (T20 Cricket), Seat Unique Stadium
The Vitality Blast returns to Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol as Gloucestershire defend their Vitality Blast T20 Champions title for the very first time. Secure your Early Bird tickets for the family and attend this Friday night fixture during the half-term holidays.
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June 3: Cat Power Sings Dylan ’66, Bath Forum
Step back in time as Cat Power recreates Bob Dylan’s 1966 Royal Albert Hall concert. In the original performance, Dylan switched from acoustic to electric midway through, forever altering the course of rock and roll. Last November, at the Royal Albert Hall, Cat Power reimagined Dylan’s historic set and she’s heading to Bath for another unforgettable live performance.
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June 7: Mozart and More, Trinity Henleaze
Join the Bristol Ensemble for an evening of delightful classical music exploring both the timeless and inventive. Featuring Mozart’s Duo Concertante in a rarely heard sextet arrangement, alongside the elegance of Haydn, and Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte, bringing a modern twist. Pre-concert talk and interval drink included in the ticket price.
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June 7-14: Festival of Nature, Millenium Square
Celebrate Bristol’s wonderful watery wildlife with the Festival of Nature – a long-running free festival for all ages. This year’s events include screenings, lunchtime art classes, a family-friendly rave, fishing taster sessions, dragonfly making workshops, a nature-themed club night, a pop-up wetland in Millennium Square, and much more.
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June 12: Richter and Vivaldi: A Glorious Summer, Bristol Cathedral
Join the Bristol Cathedral Choir and Bristol Ensemble at Bristol Cathedral as they unite for a stunning performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria, known for its uplifting choral energy. The evening will also feature Max Richter’s reimagining of The Four Seasons and pieces from contemporary composers such as Ola Gjeilo and Arvo Pärt.
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June 19-August 2: Henry V, Temple Church
Bristol’s favourite “Site Specific Theatre Masters” (Bristol24/7) Insane Root make their joyful return in 2025, with a thrilling and unique all-female/non-binary version of Shakespeare’s Henry V specifically created for Bristol’s iconic Temple Church, a haunting, bombed-out medieval ruin.
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August 14: Fanny Lumsden, Exchange
Hailing from rural Australia, Fanny Lumsden is an ARIA Award-winning singer-songwriter known for her sharp storytelling and fresh take on country and folk. With a sound that blends country roots with indie sensibilities, she’s carved out a distinctive voice that’s both grounded and adventurous. Fanny plays the Exchange, Bristol on August 14 – tickets are on sale now!
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August 27: Hilltop Hoods, Electric Bristol
Hilltop Hoods are pioneers of Australian hip-hop, blending sharp lyricism with hard-hitting, sample-driven production. Known for their tight flows and live precision, they’ve helped shape the sound of independent hip-hop in Australia and beyond. They come to Electric (formerly SWX) this August, tickets are on sale now.
Main photo: Prima Queen
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