Things To Do / Bristol
34 things to do in Bristol in July 2026
July 1, 4 & 12: Gloucestershire T20 fixtures, Seat Unique Stadium
Former T20 Blast champions Gloucestershire take on Northamptonshire, Surrey and Glamorgan at Ashley Down in the remaining fixtures of this season’s tournament.
July 2-5: Bristol Film Festival summer season, Mall Gardens
This year’s screenings feature Paddington, Brassed Off and Jaws, and also include a strand of films with links to Bristol and slightly further afield including Hot Fuzz, The Titfield Thunderbolt and Some People.
July 3: Beyond the Binary: Justice, Equality and Community, the Robin Hood
A collaboration between ALICE Project and Bristol Pride will see a panel discussion exploring the impact of the Supreme Court ruling on trans lives in our city, a dance workshop and an afterparty.
July 3: Bristol Palaeobiology Festival, Wills Memorial Building
This event chaired by Alice Roberts will feature short videos about palaeobiology discoveries at the University of Bristol, as well as discussions about where does life come from and how did mass extinctions shape modern life?
July 4: St Paul’s Carnival
It may have been cancelled this year by its official organisers, but that will not stop the St Paul’s community from filling the streets with Afro-Caribbean culture.
July 5: Reading Rave, Clifton Observatory
Bristol is set to turn into a “giant reading nook for all” with readers encouraged to put their phones away and get lost in a book in Clifton, hosted by Offline Club.
July 5: Pints of Knowledge, Loko Club
Pints of Knowledge is a series of public talks that brings experts, researchers and “big thinkers” into pubs to share their ideas. In Bristol, four talks are taking place exploring subjects ranging from the hidden stories behind football shirts to class warfare in the 1500s.
July 8: EatDrink24/7 2026 Launch Party, Wiper and True Brewery & Taproom
Bristol24/7’s much-loved annual publication showcasing the city’s restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars and independent shops is bigger, better and more delicious than ever. At the launch party, enjoy exclusive food collaborations, a vibrant DJ set from Femmes on Decks, a unique Wiper and True beer, and much more.
July 8: Palestine Film Fundraiser: It Must Be Heaven, Arc
A fundraising screening hopes to support Gaza families and Bristol-based Palestinians, alongside the sale of homemade Palestinian food.
July 8-12: Bristol Seafood Week, various venues
The brainchild of Josh Eggleton, Bristol Seafood Week was founded in 2024 to foster deeper connections with regional waters while celebrating sustainable sea produce, local producers, chefs and restaurants.
SPONSORED
July 9-12: The Enormous Crocodile, Bristol Old Vic
This mischievous musical based on Roald Dahl’s snappy book has top-tapping tunes, a rib-tickling script and a menagerie of puppets. Perfect for the whole family. “Wild, whimsical, and wonderfully wacky” (★ ★ ★ ★ ★ London Theatre Reviews).
The Enormous Crocodile – photo: Bristol Old Vic
July 10-12: Sistaland, Chew Valley Lake
A three-day lakeside festival “for women, trans women and non-binary creatives navigating the film and creative industries”. Sistaland promises “a space for honest conversations, real connection (and) creative expansion”
July 11: Pride Day
Pride Day sees an annual march through the city centre, a party on the Downs and the official after-party at the O2 Academy; all in glorious celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
July 11&12: Children’s LitFest, various venues
A new festival from the team behind Clifton LitFest will bring authors, illustrators, performers and creative workshops together for a free weekend celebrating books and storytelling.
July 13: Full Court Press roastery coffee bar opening, Oxford Street
FCP’s new bar in St Philip’s will have a large range of coffee on the menu – all roasted on-site and available to buy in pre-weighed individual doses.
SPONSORED
July 13-18: Black is the Color of My Voice, Bristol Old Vic
This “nothing short of sensational” five-star show sold out Bristol Old Vic eight times over in 2024. Now it’s back by popular demand. Don’t miss this compelling insight into Nina Simone’s life – and a fascinating period in history – punctuated with her most iconic songs performed live.
Black is The colour Of My Voice – photo: Bristol Old Vic
July 14-August 8: Notting Hell, Wardrobe Theatre
Back this summer due to popular demand, Notting Hell is a mash-up parody from the makers of Moulin Scrooge and The Good, The Bad & The Coyote Ugly.
July 14-16: Tony, Mount Without
Impermanence founding member Alessandro Marzotto Levy presents his new solo show, promising “a physical act of resistance to the neglect, violence and fear acted upon our planet and people”.
July 15-18: Black is the Color of My Voice, Bristol Old Vic
Following a sell-out run in 2024, this show inspired by the life of Nina Simone returns to Bristol Old Vic.
July 17-19: Bristol Harbour Festival
Festival organisers say they will be “bringing a reimagined footprint to Bristol that puts the water right back at the heart of the celebration” this year, hoping to turn the refreshed layout “into a living stage – packed with back-to-back entertainment, dockside moments and maritime magic”.
July 17-22: Liam Hart: Haunting of the House, Centrespace
Liam Hart is an artist with a multi-faceted realist and surrealist drawing and painting practice that looks at what he terms “the intersection between mental health and the psyche”.
July 18: Factory Tapes, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Factory Tapes is an annual presentation of stories woven together with songs that have been chosen and will be performed by the Tobacco Factory’s resident community choir, the Factory Singers.
SPONSORED
July 18-September 13: SENTIENTS, Watershed
A collection of groundbreaking video games and virtual reality. From raging wildfire to the vision of an owl, from a river to multiple galaxies, SENTIENTS is about being something else.
Sentients – photo: by Watershed
July 21: Blues jam, Spirited
A new monthly blues jam at Spirited on North Street. Everyone welcome. Come along to jam or kick back with a dram and enjoy some music from the house band.
July 21-August 1: Miss Saigon, Bristol Hippodrome
In the last days of the Vietnam War, 17-year-old Kim meets and falls in love with an American GI named Chris but they are torn apart by the fall of Saigon.
SPONSORED
July 22-26: Cinema Rediscovered 2026, Watershed
The 10th birthday edition of Cinema Rediscovered – the UK’s leading celebration of newly-restored films, forgotten gems and classic revivals.
Cinema rediscovered – photo: Watershed
SPONSORED
July 24-26: 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 Daisy Chapman and Supervision, alongside children’s entertainment and workshops.
Mendip Mini Fest – photo: Mendip Basecamp
July 25: Bristol Cider Week opening party, SS Great Britain
Ahead of August’s Bristol Cider Week, join fellow drink lovers for an evening of tastings, cheese and music on the top deck of the SS Great Britain.
July 28: 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.
SPONSORED
July 28-30: 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
July 31: The Sound of West End Musicals, Downs
An open-air celebration of West End hits with a full live orchestra, including songs from Wicked, Les Misérables, Chicago and The Lion King.
July 31: 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.
SPONSORED
July 31: 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
July 31: 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.
And coming soon…
SPONSORED
August 7-9: BBC Proms 2026, Bristol Beacon
The BBC Proms are back in Bristol, transforming the city into a celebration of world-class live music. From the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Paraorchestra to ‘Round Midnight, Tenebrae and the National Open Youth Orchestra, this year’s programme showcases the breadth, ambition and joy of one of the world’s greatest classical music festivals.
Bristol Sounds – photo: Bristol Beacon
SPONSORED
August 23: CBeebies House Party LIVE! Bristol Beacon
Get ready for the ultimate family celebration as CBeebies House Party LIVE! comes to Bristol Beacon. Join favourites Andy Day, Evie Pickerill, Nigel Clarke, George Webster and Hey Duggee for an hour of songs, dancing, bubbles, giant jellies and magical surprises. Bursting with fun, laughter and a special CBeebies Bedtime Story, it’s the perfect first live show for little ones.
CBeebies House Party – photo: Bristol Beacon
SPONSORED
September 1: Brakes, Strange Brew
English rock band Brakes are heading to Strange Brew on September 1st.
Brakes – photo: Crosstown Concerts
SPONSORED
September 10: The Selecter, The Fleece
English ska revival band The Selecter are coming to The Fleece on September 10th!
The Selecter – photo: Crosstown Concerts
Main photo: Dominik Bargiel
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