Things To Do / Bristol
29 things to do in Bristol this week, December 15-21 2025
Monday: Lemondaze, Cafe Kino
With the band’s September ‘(o)type’ single release, and sharing stages with the likes of Bdrmm, Mass of the Fermenting Dregs and Ride, Lemondaze end a busy year with a UK run playing some of their biggest headline shows to date.
Lemondaze – photo: Underground
Monday to Sunday: Kindred Pop-up Shop, 17 Midland Road
A selection of artists and markets will gather under one roof, each showcasing their own set of handmade collections. Some of the items available at this pop-up will include ceramics, paintings, cards, prints, and illustrative accessories and homeware.
Ceramics at Kindred Pop-up shop – photo: Jenny Jasper
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Monday: James Yorkston, The Jam Jar
Experience an evening of masterful songwriting with James Yorkston at The Jam Jar. Known for his rich storytelling and heartfelt performances, Yorkston will bring his unique blend of folk and warmth to this intimate Bristol venue.
James Yorkston – photo: Crosstown Concerts
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Monday-Thursday: The Shining, Watershed
A writer takes a job as a winter caretaker at an isolated (and haunted) hotel. After he and his family move in for the winter, the hotel’s spirits slowly drive the writer mad. Tickets £6.00 – 11.50. Until at least Thu 18 Dec.
The Shining – photo: Watershed
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Monday-Thursday: Cover-Up, Watershed
Cover-Up is a political thriller that traces the explosive career of Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Seymour Hersh. Tickets £6.00 – 11.50.
Cover Up – photo: Watershed
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Monday-January 10: Antarctica at Bristol Old Vic
This Christmas, prepare to be whisked away on an unforgettable journey to Antarctica with Olivier-Award winning theatre company Little Bulb (Four Seasons, Hibernation, CBeebies’ The Nutcracker). Expect clowning, puppets and plenty of snowy surprises – the perfect festive show for ages 3–7! Now on ’til 10 Jan.
Antarctica – photo: Bristol Old Vic
Monday: Christmas Origami Bauble Making Workshop, The Lost & Found
In this vibrant and origami class, you will have the opportunity to create your very own fun and colourful origami baubles. You’ll learn the art of folding paper to craft beautiful decorations that are perfect for adding a spruce of colour to your home or a unique gift for someone special!
Bauble making workshop – photo: Lost & Found Clifton
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Monday-January 10: Treasure Island: A New Musical Adventure, Bristol Old Vic
With swashbuckling pirates, swordfights and sea shanties aplenty, an adventure of a lifetime awaits at Bristol Old Vic this Christmas! From the writers of the West End sensation The Great British Bake Off Musical, get friends and family together for some theatre magic with Bristol Old Vic’s latest blockbuster festive production. Ages 7+.
Treasure Island – photo: Bristol Old Vic
Tuesday: Create Together — Cute Arts & Crafts Sessions, Club395
Paint, crochet, mask-make, clown around, code a game, sketch, or just hang out – it’s all welcome. Create Together is Bristol’s free weekly open studio where anyone can drop in, try something new, and meet other creatives.
Club395 – photo: The Bristol Creative Co
Tuesday: Spirited Blues Jam, Spirited Bristol
New monthly blues jam at Spirited on North St, all welcome. Come along to jam or kick back with a dram and enjoy some music from the house band.
Blues Jam – photo: Spirited Bristol
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Wednesday: Christmas Comedy Special, The Gaffe Comedy Club
There are no silent nights at The Gaffe Comedy Club this week! Embrace the season to be jolly with award-winning MC Mark Cram, the “absurd and unapologetic” Amy Mason (★★★★ – Fest Mag), TikTok sensation and creator of BBC’s Hack Attack Fred Barber, and Screen Rot podcast host Jacob Hawley.
Christmas Comedy – photo: The Gaffe Comedy Club
Wednesday: Christmas Dog Life Drawing, The Crafty Egg
Get ready for a festive, relaxed art session where you sketch real dogs of all shapes and sizes as they move and pose, guided by an artist. Enjoy treats, warm-ups, creative exercises, chilled music and a chance to socialise with fellow dog and art lovers.
Christmas Dog Drawing – photo: The Crafty Egg
SPONSORED
Wednesday: Kate Rusby, Bristol Beacon
Celebrate the season with folk favourite Kate Rusby as she returns with her festive “Christmas Is Merry” tour. Expect traditional South-Yorkshire carols, winter songs, and Christmas classics, all delivered with warmth, sparkle, and heartfelt charm. Her voice and uplifting band make this a magical, joy-filled holiday experience.
Kate Rusby – photo: Bristol Beacon
Thursday: Merry Queer Community Night!, Kit Form
Queer Community night is a sober space for queer and trans individuals and allies to connect with others, play board games and make radical art together.
Queer community night – photo -Kit Form
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Thursday: Christmas Comedy Special, The Gaffe Comedy Club
Paul Hilleard (2024 BBC New Comedy Award Winner) hosts The Gaffe’s Christmas Comedy Special on Thursday with the “charmingly confessional” Alex Haddow (The Guardian), “force of nature” Pam Ford (★★★★ – The Scotsman) and brilliant Mike Sheer (as seen on BBC, Hulu, and Harold & Kumar Get The Munchies)!
Christmas Comedy – photo: The Gaffe comedy Club
Friday: Chaps and Straps – Queer Line Dancing, Strange Brew
Chaps and Straps is an opportunity for LGBTQIA+ people to come together and dance! Small Willy Nelson, local drag king, will guide you through a series of line dances suitable for the most novice of dancers, to your favourite queer country anthems.
Chaps & Straps – photo: Strange Brew
SPONSORED
Friday: Boogie Down Bristol, O2 Academy
Boogie Down Bristol returns for another roadblock Christmas party, with one of the biggest UK soul acts of the 1980s. Music from Loose Ends and special guest DJ Norman Jay MBE (Good Times) with support from DJ Style and Felix Joy.
Boogie Bristol – photo: O2 Academy
Saturday: T’is the Season with Femmes on Decks, Arc Bar
Expect pure grooves, spanning from disco, house, techno, garage, old skool anthems, funk, soul and all those feel-good sounds that hit just right.
T’is the season – photo: Femmes on Decks
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Saturday: Sleigh Fever, O2 Academy
One of the country’s biggest day time discos, Day Fever, has got people partying across the UK and Ireland, get ready to dance the day away in this Christmas special ‘Sleigh Fever’. With perfect party music, personally curated by Jon McClure of Reverend and the Makers, Vicky McClure, Jonny Owen and the gang it’s time you joined the Day Fever family.
Sleigh Fever – photo: O2 Academy
Saturday: Creative Movement Lab, The Island
Bristol Creative Movement Labs are hosting monthly sessions for dance artists in Bristol to gain experience in facilitating, trying out ideas, sharing work and giving feedback.
Movement Lab – photo: Bristol Creative Movement Labs
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Saturday – January 4: Wish Upon A Starfish at Bristol Aquarium
Discover the magic of the ocean this Christmas. Make wishes for a sustainable ocean future, meet Charlie the Christmas Clownfish and follow the Fishmas Trail, included with admission, alongside talks, feeds, and thousands of creatures to explore. All indoors for a perfect undersea safari whatever the weather!
Wish Upon A Star – photo: Bristol Aquarium
Sunday: Adult Portrait Club, Arnolfini
Spend a relaxed Sunday afternoon in the galleries drawing faces and meeting new people. Portrait club welcomes everyone, even those that say they can’t draw! Complete beginners are welcome and all materials and drawing boards will be provided.
Adult Portrait Club – photo: Giuliana Terran
SPONSORED
Sunday: Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Bristol Beacon
Expect a joyous, high-energy night as Jools Holland and his famed Rhythm & Blues Orchestra return to Bristol, joined by special guest Imelda May. With dazzling live soul, blues, jazz and boogie-woogie, vocal power from regulars and guests, and an irresistible groove, this is a winter concert that’ll have you dancing in your seat.
Jools Holland – photo: BBC Archive
Sunday: Winter Solstice Celebration, Stockwood open space
Join Stockwood open space at 4:00 PM for a fantastic evening under the stars. Come together to celebrate the longest night of the year with nature and social activities,whilst embracing the spirit of the season.
Winter Solstice celebration – photo: Stockwood open space | Samuel M
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Sunday: Children’s Christmas Carnival, St George’s
Bristol Ensemble presents their family-friendly Children’s Christmas Carnival at St George’s, hosted by Kiera-Marie Somers. Enjoy instrument introductions, Howard Blake’s The Snowman narrated by Turlough Convery, indoor snowball fights and appearances from Bristol Ballet dancers, plus festive Christmas favourites and Disney hits for a festive celebration holiday celebration!
Childrens Christmas Carnval – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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Until December 24: Meet Santa at St. Nicholas Market, Corn Street
HO HO HOOOO – this year St Nick’s Market host their very own Christmas Grotto in the historic Exchange Building. St Nick has decided to return to the Market after a long winter making gifts with the elves… If you’re looking for somewhere to take the kids to visit Santa and receive their gift from the main man himself, where better than St Nick’s in the heart of the Old City. Visits are £7 per child including a gift – book now to avoid disappointment.
Santa at St.Nick’s – photo: Bristol City Council
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Until December 25: St.Nick’s Christmas Market, Corn Street
St Nick’s is proud to be part of the Christmas shopping experience in Bristol, offering something a little different and more personal than you might find on the high street. Whether you want to potter through their outdoor market offer, which now hosts wooden Christmas chalets, or dive through their maze-like warren of homeware, clothing, jewellery and food in the indoor markets – St Nick’s is the place to soak up the festive atmosphere while ticking off your Christmas list. This year the market also hosts a Santas Grotto!
SPONSORED
Throughout December: Christmas at The Roman Baths
Celebrate the holidays at one of the UK’s most atmospheric landmarks. From torchlit afternoons and festive drinks, to steaming waters and choir performances, The Roman Baths offers an unforgettable winter experience. Younger visitors can pick up a Saturnalia trail and discover how the Romans celebrated the winter festival.
Christmas at The Roman Baths – photo: The Roman Baths
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Throughout December -January 5: Sleeping Beauty, Redgrave Theatre
Polka Dot Pantomimes and the Redgrave Theatre are delighted to announce the Pantomime for the festive season of 2025 leading into 2026 and it’s the pantomime of your DREAMS – SLEEPING BEAUTY. Featuring great songs, dazzling dance routines, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and spectacular special effects, this dream of a pantomime will be an unforgettable experience for children and adults alike.
Sleeping Beauty – photo: Redgrave Theatre
And coming soon…
SPONSORED
December 22 & 23: Christmas Special with Roderick Williams, St George’s
Join Britain’s leading baritone, Roderick Williams, for an unforgettable evening of festive music with the Bristol Ensemble. This glorious concert includes Christmas favourites alongside exquisite works by Corelli, Caccini, and Vivaldi, interwoven with seasonal readings to warm the heart!
Roderick Williams – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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December 31: Love Saves NYE, The Prospect Building
Love Saves The Day take over The Prospect Building, Bristol, for the city’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration. The full Brouhaha Stage lands in our Main Room, joined by standout LSTD installations. Expect a spectacular festival lineup featuring Ewan McVicar, Katy B, Oppidan, Special Request, Dr Dubplate, Yung Singh, Y U QT and more.
Love Saves NYE – photo: The Prospect Building
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December 31: NYE at Ashton Court Mansion
Bristol’s iconic mansion comes alive for a final night of circus, music and mayhem. Featuring headline performances from future-dub duo Omega Nebula and powerful live soul beats from Bristol favourites Dr Meaker. Guests can expect spectacular walkabout performances, lots of bass and pure Bristol energy.
SPONSORED
January 26: NT Live: Hamlet, Redgrave Theatre
Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) is Hamlet in this fearless, contemporary take on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. Trapped between duty and doubt, surrounded by power and privilege, young Prince Hamlet dares to ask the ultimate question – you know the one. Please note this event is a screening.
Hamlet – photo: Redgrave Theatre
SPONSORED
February 3: Imani Erriu, Watershed
Just Announced! Imani Erriu is touring the UK in the new year to celebrate the release of the second book in the Sunday Times bestselling celestial Heavenly Bodies series. From TikTok romantasy phenomenon Imani Erriu the new book ‘Fallen Stars’ is published on the 27th November. Sign up now for early access to the presale, which begins Monday 24th November at 10am.
Imani Erriu Author – photo: Alessia Erriu
Main photo: Chaps & Straps | Strange Brew
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