Things To Do / Bristol
32 things to do in Bristol this week, May 5 – 11 2025
Monday: Bristol Murder Mystery, 80 Explore Lane
You and your friends, armed with just your phones and your courage, become the star detectives for a day in a mysterious murder case. You will walk the streets, investigating every corner for a clue as you feel the adrenaline rush in your blood as you collect pieces of evidence and get closer to finding the murderer.
SPONSORED
Monday: Paddlesports Bank Holiday Open Weekend
Get ready for warmer weather with 20% off all Kayaking, Canoeing and Stand Up Paddleboarding sessions with SUP Bristol and Mendip Activity Centre! Join us the 3rd-5th May for our Bank Holiday Open Weekend to try out a new sport, get outdoors and experience fun for all levels. Spaces are limited, so make sure you book today!
Monday: Monthly Life Drawing Class, Trinity Henleaze URC Church
Join us for our hour and a half long life drawing session. All abilities welcome, whether you have never done life drawing before or you live and breath it, this is a place to relax and enjoy yourself! Please bring your own art supplies however there will be tables and biscuits provided.
is needed now More than ever
SPONSORED
Monday-May 12: Parthenope, Watershed
When tragedy strikes, and carefree romances lose their thrill, the youthful Parthenope decides to seek a deeper sense of purpose.
Photo – Watershed
SPONSORED
Monday- July 13: FRAMERATE: Pulse of the Earth, Watershed
Spread across multiple screens and taking over the whole gallery space, step into this haunting and meditative immersive artwork by award-winning UK artists ScanLAB Projects.
SPONSORED
Tuesday-Saturday: Legally Blonde, Redgrave Theatre
BMCC is bending and snapping with their production of Legally Blonde The Musical. It follows Elle Woods, who transforms her life after being dumped by her boyfriend Warner. Determined to win him back, she charms her way into Harvard Law. Facing challenges from peers and professors, Elle discovers her potential and aims to prove herself with the help of new friends.
Tuesday: Vins de France: A Guided Tasting with Simple Pairings, Bruhaha
An evening of French wine discovery, guided by local wine expert, Leon from Spiegel & Peach. Taste your way through five hand-picked wines from across France — including the Loire Valley, the South West, and the Languedoc — each with small, thoughtfully paired bites to bring out the best in every glass.
SPONSORED
Tuesday: Federico Albanese, Bristol Beacon
Renowned for blending classical influences with contemporary sounds, Federico Albanese incorporates plaintive piano, cello, and drums to create compositions that feel both timeless and experimental. Inspired by his surroundings, his latest album captures a sense of freedom, weaving the essence of place into evocative, genre-defying music.
Tuesday: Bristol Laptop Orchestra: post-everything, The Elmer’s Arms
Bristol Laptop Orchestra (BLO) is taking over The Elmer’s Arms bringing some sonic experimentation. Digital chaos meets live improv. An extended performance of unexpected sampling and the transformation of noise into structured disorder.
Wednesday: QUEERIES, The Cider Box Tap Room
Hosted by House of Boussé’s resident artists Gender Criminal and Xanthe, this discussion will explore how media can be a tool for empowerment, self-discovery, and social change. Giving voice to underrepresented communities and shape cultural narratives, the power of personal storytelling and challenging societal norms.
Wednesday: Nobody Can Give You Freedom tour, Malcolm X Community Centre
Previews of the documentary Nobody Can Give You Freedom and discussions of the book will be coming to Bristol. The film features interviews with Malcom’s daughter Ilyasah Shabazz, George the Poet, Marc Lamont Hill and more.
SPONSORED
Thursday: Tom Rogerson and Taz Modi, Bristol Beacon
Two visionary composers, Tom Rogerson (Brian Eno, Three Trapped Tigers) and Taz Modi (Portico Quartet, Submotion Orchestra), join forces for a unique evening of post-classical, jazz, and electronic exploration. Tom Rogerson’s ability to blend structure with spontaneity, paired with Taz Modi’s signature mix of cinematic piano, electronica, and delicate string arrangements makes for an evening of musical intricacies.
Thursday: VE Day 80 Celebration, Kingswood Heritage Centre
Step back in time with a guided tour led by one of their expert curators, who will take you through the museum’s fascinating World War II exhibits. Hear stories of the local community during wartime, explore our authentic air raid shelter, wartime artefacts, and displays that bring the 1940s vividly to life.
SPONSORED
Thursday: Thursday Night Comedy, The Gaffe Comedy Club
As the weather cools down, the Gaffe heats up with a great night of local comics for the price of a pint – we’re coming up to Fringe season, so expect the best of the South West as they bring the party and hone their material for their journeys up to Scotland.
Friday: Self Love Unleashed with Lu in Luland, The Tobacco Factory
54-year-old Lu Featherstone aka Lu in Luland is an ‘Accidental Middle Age Influencer’ podcaster. In this show you’ll laugh out loud, while shedding a tear as she regales you with stories such as The Tale of the Dickpic that changed everything and a wild 6000 mile adventure across America on Susie, her 32ft vintage bus, throwing vibrators from the window as she drove through the bible belt.
Self Love Unleashed with Lu in Luland – photo: Lou Featherstone
Friday: Baile Do Brazil – Brazilian Baile Funk Party, Lost Horizon
Party to the best of Baile Funk at one of Bristol’s top venues so you can experience this exciting movement from Brazil in the heart of Bristol with exciting performances from their handpicked DJs.
Photo – Baile Do Brasil
Saturday: Crepe City, Document
Expect to see the city’s best trainer vendors bringing the rarest and most exclusive pairs of sneakers as well as the hottest in streetwear. On top of all of this, Crepe City will also have some delicious street food on site, as well as live performances and a DJ playing throughout the day.
Crepe City – photo: Document
SPONSORED
Saturday: Saturday Night Comedy Headliners, The Gaffe Comedy Club
It’s Saturday night and Pierre Novellie is back (‘Tightly written … the laughs keep coming’ – The Standard). Shepherded by MC Harriet Dyer (‘reinvent[ing] the confessional stand-up’ – Neurodiverse Review), and featuring Alex Haddow and Freya McGhee, come on down for a great night with some rising (and risen) stars.
Saturday: Flower Farmer to Florist, Hartcliffe City Farm
This course is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to grow and arrange your own flowers, whether you’re just starting out, want to improve your skills or get a taste of a career in flower farming. In this session, you will utilise your new cutting and conditioning knowledge to pick your own flowers for a flower arranging session.
Photo – Hartcliffe City Farm
SPONSORED
Saturday: Knives, Thekla
Bristol based punk rockers KNIVES have taken a noisy leap into the UK alternative circuit. KNIVES invite you to experience their debut album ‘Glitter’ in the spring premiering fresh material and videos throughout the year. From this release, fans old and new can expect more of delving into the core of punk, imploring listeners to stand alongside them in confronting those they oppose.
Saturday: Stokes Croft Block Party, Stokes Croft
Set across multiple venues, Stokes Croft Block Party is back, bringing more headliners, more artists, more soundsystems and more everything. Explore genres from DnB, garage, techno, disco, jungle, breaks, psytrance and genres at venues you haven’t yet explored.
Stokes Croft Block Party – photo: Lakota
SPONSORED
Saturday: Blown Away, Trinity Henleaze
The Bristol Ensemble’s wind return to perform two chamber music masterpieces, Strauss’ melodic and lyrical ‘Suite for 13 Wind Instruments in B flat major, Op. 4’ and Beethoven’s tuneful ‘Octet in E flat major Op.103’. Pre-concert talk begins at 6.45pm. Ticket price includes a programme and interval drink.
Saturday & Sunday: Help Bristol’s Homeless Paint Fest, Bedminster
The free event will see artists including Andy Council, Inkie and Pekoe alongside music and food, raising money for Help Bristol’s Homeless who aim to find pioneering practical solutions to homelessness in Bristol.
Sunday: Garden Party, Trinity Centre
Their annual, free, music and arts event features a fantastic mix of local artists, bands, and performers. Garden Party is family-friendly with workshops and activities running throughout the day, with food from local vendors.
Garden party – photo: Trinity Community Arts
And coming soon…
SPONSORED
May 14: Shostakovich 50, St George’s
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of Dmitri Shostakovich, one of the most performed composers of the 20th century. Join us as we celebrate his life and music, featuring the Chamber Symphony in C minor No. 110a, Piano Concerto No.2 in F Op.102, The Gadfly Suite and Waltz No.2.
SPONSORED
May 17: Let’s Talk Dementia, Watershed
Let’s Talk Dementia is a free information event on all things dementia. The event is taking place at the Watershed on Saturday 17th May 10.30am – 4.30pm. Meet dementia experts, join in a dementia friendly activity or go to a short talk. Join at anytime and stay for as long as you would like.
Let’s talk dementia – photo: BRACE
SPONSORED
May 17: Donny Benet, Electric Bristol
More than a decade since the world first fell for his charms, Donny Benét’s new album, number six, is called Infinite Desires, and it’s his most complete musical statement yet. He’s bringing it all to life with the same display of muscular musicality that’s been electrifying audiences around the globe for years.
SPONSORED
May 23-25: Tantra Workshop, The Wild Box
The 2.5-day Tantra from the Heart Immersion, held in Bristol at The Wild Box, from May 23–25, 2025, offers a transformative journey into self-awareness and connection. Guided by psychologist, tantra teacher and founder of Tantra From the Heart, Leonie Louise, participants engage in breathwork, tantric meditations, rituals, and Taoist practices to cultivate emotional balance, intimacy, and life force energy. This workshop is open to all, regardless of experience, relationship status, or background.
SPONSORED
May 24: 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.
SPONSORED
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!
SPONSORED
June 19- August 2: Henry V at Temple Church
Bristol’s favourite ‘Site Specific Theatre Masters’ (Bristol 24/7) 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 mediaeval ruin.
SPONSORED
June 13: Gloucestershire v Somerset (T20 Cricket)
A re-match of the 2024 Vitality Blast Final which saw Gloucestershire claim their first ever T20 title over their old adversaries. Gloucestershire won all three T20 matches against Somerset last term, can they continue the run in Bristol? Early Bird tickets are available now and selling fast!
Main photo: Stokes Croft Block Party
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
