Things To Do / Bristol
34 things to do in Bristol this week, May 12-18 2025
Monday: Songs of the Bulbul, Mount Without
With five-star reviews from the Guardian, the List and the Scotsman, this show by Aakash Odedra, with choreography by Rani Khanam and music by Rushil Ranjan, is not be missed. Songs of the Bulbul features Odedra performing a dance inspired by an ancient Sufi myth about a bulbul bird.
Odedra is the founder of the Leicester-based dance company Aaakash Odedra Company – photo: Aaakash Odedra Company
Monday: Translated By, Bristol; various venues
The first literary festival dedicated to translated books and celebrating translators kicks off in Bristol on Monday thanks to the efforts of author translator Polly Barton and two of Bristol’s best-loved independent bookshops, Gloucester Road Books and Storysmith.
The festival kicks off with a discussion between author Hassan Blasim and Jonathan Wright who has translated Blasim’s latest book, Sololand – image: Translated By, Bristol
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Monday-Thursday: Riefenstahl, Watershed
A captivating insight into the private estate of Leni Riefenstahl, who became world-famous with her Nazi propaganda film Triumph of the Will, but kept denying any closer ties to the regime.
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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.
Tuesday: Gaelynn Lea, Exchange
After a stellar NPR Tiny Desk performance in 2016, Gaelynn Lea is back with her fiddle as she tours her latest album Music from Macbeth.
Gaelynn Lea is a folk artist from Minnesota
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Tuesday: Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Bristol Beacon
The Philippine Philharmonic are regarded as one of the finest orchestras coming from Southeast Asia. With their award-winning conductor Grzegorz Nowak, they present an exciting and colourful programme full of classical favourites, including The Lark Ascending, a suite from Bizet’s opera Carmen and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite.
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Wednesday: Sweet Bone Girl, East Bristol Books
London-based writer and theatremaker Esme Allman is coming to Bristol to launch her debut poetry collection, Sweet Bone Girl, which examines ‘the intricate dynamics of desire as it intertwines with Black womanhood, negotiating the boundaries of history, culture and identity’.
Sweet Bone Girl is Esme Allman’s debut poetry collection – image: East Bristol Books
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Wednesday: Jayde Adams: Work-in-progress, The Gaffe Comedy Club
Bristol local legend Jayde Adams (Funny Women Award winner, Alma’s Not Normal, Ruby Speaking) brings her new work-in-progress to The Gaffe for three special nights of new material. Her shows are always hugely popular so get your tickets now before they sell out!
Wednesday: Even Calmer days, Bristol Aquarium
Every Month, Bristol Aquarium is hosting ‘Even Calmer’ days where all music and children’s rides will be turned off to reduce loud noises. May’s calm day is on Wednesday.
Bristol Aquarium is the only aquarium in the UK to feature a giant botanical house – photo: Martin Booth
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Thursday: Tom Rogerson and Taz Modi, Bristol Beacon
Two visionary composers, Tom Rogerson and Taz Modi, join forces for an evening of post-classical, jazz, and electronic exploration. Tom Rogerson has toured with Three Trapped Tigers and crafts deeply expressive solo work. Taz Modi, known for his work with Submotion Orchestra and Portico Quartet, brings his signature mix of cinematic piano, electronica, and delicate string arrangements.
Thursday: Aftermirth, Wardrobe Theatre
A comedy club which you can bring your kids to! Starting this Thursday, organisers promise that at these monthly daytime Aftermirth comedy shows, parents should feel free to breastfeed and soothe little ones with no-one moaning or muttering if the baby cries.
Thursday-Friday: The W.I.G. of Life, Alma Tavern and Theatre
The W.I.G. of Life: A Conference is a new ‘laugh-out-loud’ interactive show that explores the nature of human life in the advent of advanced technology.
The W.I.G. of Life: A Conference is an interactive theatre piece about human life and our responsibilities towards nature photo: Psychonaut Theatre
Thursday-Sunday: Crime Fest, various venues
The sixteenth Bristol CrimeFest will sadly be the last, co-hosts Donna Moore and Adrian Muller have announced. So make sure to come down for what will be an unmissable and once-in-a-lifetime series of events celebrating crime fiction.
John le Carré is this year’s ‘ghost of honour’, with his sons visiting Crime Fest to celebrate the beloved spy thriller writer – photo: Wikimedia Commons
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Friday: Friday Comedy Club! ft. Josh Glanc, The Gaffe Comedy Club
Start the weekend with a big serving of comedy! This week’s show stars Bristolian Jessie Nixon (BBC New Comedy Awards, ‘Skills way beyond her years’ – Comedy Ladder), viral comic Juno Jones and headliner Josh Glanc (Comedy’s Up Late, Skit Happens, ‘An extraordinary talent’ – The Scotsman)
Friday: Stand Up For The Weekend, Hen and Chicken
BBC New Comedy Award-winner and British Comedian Of The Year Dan Tiernan will be at the Hen and Chicken alongside fellow comedian Dave Chawner and compere Meryl O’Rourke.
Friday: Menu Music, Pieminister
Menu Music is taking over Pieminister once more for a party in a pie shop! The second-ever menu music event will see a very special guest star perform alongside Cola, Who’s Jordan and Corf among others.
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Friday-May 25: Looking Back While Moving Forward, L’Étoile Studio
Daniela Duggan moved to Bristol six years and her latest exhibition, Looking Back While Moving Forward, showcases the journey she’s been on while living here. Her artwork focusses on themes of ‘colour, human connection and the significance of quiet moments in life’.
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Saturday: eat:Bedminster, various venues
The food festival returns to East Street to transform BS3 into a fabulous hub of food traders. Expect cheese, vegan and vegetarian options, and lots of sweet treats!
The annual festival regularly draws hundreds of people to Bedminster – photo: Rob Browne
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Saturday: 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.
Saturday: Return of the Space Cowboy, Wardrobe Theatre
Horatio Gould is touring his sophomore show Return of the Space Cowboy and will be in Bristol for two performances on Saturday evening. His show explores what it means to be a young person looking for purpose in our chaotic world.
Saturday-August 10: Soft Power: lives told through textile art, RWA
This new exhibition, curated by professor Alice Kettle and professor Lesley Millar MBE, explores how cloth can ‘communicate life’s journey’ and diverse groups of people across the world.
Alongside this exhibition, a series of free-to-access creative workshops will be on offer at the RWA – photo: Lasmin Salmon
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Sunday: Biig Time, Strange Brew
Badly kept main-stage-leaping, aspirational indie-rock secrets don’t come much bigger than BIIG Time, the tune machine side-project cranked by DMA’S guitarist, Johnny Took and his brother, PLANET’s singer, Matthew Took, and yet the wait for album news has lasted… until now. The duo has finally, officially announced the release date for their long-awaited debut by releasing its first shoegazey, emphatic, big-chorused single, Bigger Than Nothing.
Sunday: Cotham Hill Street Party, Cotham Hill
Some of Cotham Hill’s best traders will be out on Sunday selling an eclectic array of goods as musicians entertain the crowds.
The Cotham Hill Street Party is always a fun day out – photo: Rob Browne
Sunday: Story Slam, Wardrobe Theatre
Almost 2,000 storytellers have shared stories on the Story Slam stage. Why not come along and share your story too?
Expect the unexpected at Story Slam – photo: Wardrobe Theatre
Sunday: Elf Lyons: Horses, Tobacco Factory
Writer and stand-up Elf Lyons, who holds a BA in drama from the University of Bristol, returns to Bristol with her one-woman show or, as she puts it, “the first ever comedy show performed entirely by a horse”.
And coming soon…
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May 23: Dial M For Menu – 23rd May. Comedy, mystery AND a three-course dinner!, Old Market Assembly
We’re 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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May 23: French Music & Wine Tasting By Candlelight, 1904 Arts Club
Enjoy a unique evening of culture, music, and fine wine in an intimate, candlelit setting. Savor a selection of four exquisite French wines while listening to the beautiful sounds of a live string quartet performing iconic music by the beloved French artist Édith Piaf.
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May 23-25: Tantra Workshop, The Wild Box
The 2.5-day Tantra from the Heart workshop, held in Bristol at The Wild Box from May 23–25, 2025, invites you to explore the transformative power of your life force energy — unlocking creativity, love, and a deeper sense of aliveness. Leonie, the main facilitator, weaves her experience as a psychologist into the Tantra workshop, creating a supportive and nourishing environment for deep personal transformation. During this journey, you’ll be guided through a blend of Tantric breathwork, meditations, sacred rituals, and Taoist Tantra practices. This workshop is open to singles, couples, beginners, and those with experience.
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May 23-25: 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.
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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.
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May 25: Exciting Science, Redgrave Theatre
This Brand New, Exciting & Educational show will amaze & astound all ages, as we put the “Exciting” back into “Science”! With Fun & Fact filled experiments, watch in amazement as we recreate a volcanic eruption; turn a vacuum cleaner into a missile launcher or take aim at you with our 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 28: May Half Term: Shadow Puppet Show & Workshop, John Wesley’s New Room
John Wesley’s New Room presents a special half term event in collaboration with artist Tallulah Swirls. Fall down the Rabbit Hole with Alice in a magical shadow puppetry show with music and colourful projections, followed by a fun workshop where you’ll create puppets for the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party!
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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 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.
Photography by Giulia Spadafora
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June 17: Bright eyes, O2 Academy
American indie-rock band Bright Eyes are coming to Bristol’s O2 Academy this June for one night only! Come along to hear their new album ‘Five Dice, All Threes’, as well as the classics. Don’t miss out, book today!
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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.
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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: Gaelynn Lea
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