Things To Do / Bristol
34 things to do in Bristol this week, July 14-20 2025
Monday: Sophie Duker and Kate Dolan, Wardrobe Theatre
Before heading off to Edinburgh Fringe, nationally-acclaimed comedians Sophie Duker and Kate Dolan return to the Wardrobe stage, giving Bristol a sneak peek at what they’ll be debuting in Scotland.
Monday: David Nicholls, St George’s
The author, and University of Bristol graduate, behind global bestsellers like One Day and Starter for Ten is back in the city to celebrate the paperback release of his latest hit: You Are Here.
The 2024 bestseller follows two divorcees who find each other on a walking trip – image: Hachette
Monday-Tuesday: Pigeon Maiden, Temple Church
This new play by Millie Haldane explores our relationships to violence, innocence and ‘the male gaze’.
Pigeon Maiden is the latest offering from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School graduate Millie Haldane – image: Millie Haldane
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Monday-Thursday: The Other Way Around, Watershed
After 15 years together, Ale and Alex have come up with the crazy idea of throwing a party to celebrate their break-up – like a wedding but the other way around.
The Other Way Around – photo: Watershed
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Monday-Thursday: Pavements, Watershed
As Pavement reunite for their sold-out 2022 tour, a Hollywood biopic, stage musical, and museum exhibition emerge in tribute—blurring fact and fiction in a genre-bending chronicle of the band’s legacy directed by Alex Ross Perry.
Pavements – photo: Watershed
Tuesday: Bristol Drugs Project Creative Communities Summer Showcase, Bristol Beacon
This summer showcase will spotlight performers from BDP’s community programmes who will be singing South African a cappella songs, delivering impactful spoken word and even debuting a reggae medley.
The Bristol Drugs Project supports adults recovery from alcohol and drugs misuse – photo: Bristol Drugs Project
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Tuesday-Saturday: Last Rites at Bristol Old Vic
Travel from the UK to India in Last Rites, a stunning fusion of visual storytelling, electrifying movement, and an immersive soundscape you can feel as well as hear. This is theatre like you’ve never experienced it before. “As real, raw and beautiful as it gets” ★★★★★ The Reviews Hub
Last Rites – photo: Bristol Old Vic
Tuesday-August 7: Coe Gallery Summer Exhibition, City Hall
Coe Gallery is a pop-up art gallery that celebrates First Nations art and artwork from Australia. From Tuesday until early August they will be in Bristol for their summer exhibition, celebrating some of the best work in their collection.
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Wednesday: Fascist Yoga book launch, Bookhaus
Are the origins of postural yoga linked to mysticism and Nazism? Artist and historian Stewart Home argues it is in his newest book Fascist Yoga, published by Pluto Press. The blurb reads: ‘From cult leaders to brainwashed followers, TV celebrities and fake gurus, the story of yoga has involved some of the strangest currents of humanity. Today, the Covid pandemic has activated elements within the modern yoga movement to espouse far-right conspiracies, and QAnon’s fascist political programmes mirror some of yoga’s key early proponents. In this new exposé, Stewart Home shows that nothing is sacred.’
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Wednesday: Eric Rushton at The Gaffe Comedy Club
Eric Rushton (Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year, Channel 4 Sean Lock Comedy Award), brings a new work-in-progress show to Bristol this week. With rave reviews for his 2024 Edinburgh Fringe show, Rushton is celebrated for his blend of self-deprecating humour and keen observations.
Eric Rushton – photo: The Gaffe Comedy Club
Thursday: Suntou Susso, Bristol Tree Craft
Sunto Susso, a West African griot and son of famed griot Mamudou Susso, will be performing original kora music inspired by his Gambian roots and British home.
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Thursday-Sunday: Wine and Cheese Flight at KASK
Description: Experience a guided wine and cheese tasting at KASK, a Bristol wine bar specializing in sustainable, minimal intervention wines. Sample three unique wines paired with locally sourced cheeses, while learning to craft your own tasting notes. This relaxed, informative session is ideal for wine enthusiasts and novices alike.
Wine and Cheese Flask at Kask – photo: YUUP
Friday: No Scrubs club night, The Lanes
Do you miss the 90s and early 2000s? The era of Lauryn Hill, Sade, Boys II Men Aaliyah, T-Pain and Destiny’s Child? The Lanes has got you covered with a night of hip hop and r&b throwbacks.
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Friday: Amelia Hamilton: Forget Me Not (Edinburgh Fringe Preview and Album Launch)
Rapping sensation Amelia Hamilton (BBC Radio featured artist, BBC New Comedy Awards nominee 2024), previews her debut Edinburgh Fringe show and album at The Gaffe this month! ‘Forget Me Not’ combines Amelia’s blend of wit, charm, and musical talent for a high-energy show with ‘a proper gag in every line’ (Chortle).
Amelia Hamilton – photo: The Gaffe Comedy Club
Friday: Willow Maddocks, Church of St Thomas the Martyr
Upcoming Bristol-based folk singer Willow Maddocks takes to the stage for her first headline performance.
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Friday-Sunday: Harbour Festival
The biggest party along the harbour is back, with the Longest Johns, the Gnawa Blues All Stars and Eternal Taal among this year’s performers.
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Saturday: Gromit-themed family fun day, Brabazon
Kick off the summer holidays by heading to a fun family day out at Brabazon on Saturday as part of the Gromit Unleashed 3 trail – and meet ‘The Birds’ sculpture. Try your hand at circus skills, get creative at free art workshops and enjoy live music from 10am to 4pm.
Saturday: It’syourlossbabe, The Greenbank
It’syourlossbabe is a Bristol-based community group for people aged 18-35 to connect over shared experiences of grief.
It’syourlossbabe – photo: Headfirst
Saturday: Open day, Puppet Place
Puppet Place is one of the largest puppetry hubs in the South West. On Saturday they will be opening up their doors to the general public where they’ll get access to puppetry demos, children’s workshops and more.
Saturday: The Last Dance, Motion
Motion promise a “one-off rave for the ages” at their last ever party before the club closes.
The Last Dance will see 24 hours of music from from 6pm on Saturday to 6pm on Sunday – image: Motion
Sunday: AfroBrunch, Pickle Factory
AfroBrunch will take over the Pickle Factory for the third time, this time with Ethiopian food from Ababo’s Cuisine and Josephine Gyasi and GARÖËSS on the DJ decks. The event doubles as a fundraiser for Nature Youth Connection and Education (NYCE).
This year’s AfroBrunch is proudly raising funds for Nature Youth Connection and Education – image: AfroBrunch
Sunday: Doggone Funny, Ashton Court
The premier canine-friendly comedy club in Bristol, Doggone Funny, is back. All they ask is that dogs are ‘well-behaved’ and that they’re kept on leads. Sunday’s featured guest will be Angie Belcher.
And coming soon…
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July 24-September 1: All New Dinosaur Experience, Wookey Hole
Stomp, roar, and explore Wookey Hole’s unforgettable all new Dinosaur Experience this summer! An epic prehistoric adventure the whole family will love plus all the magic of Wookey Hole. Save 15% when you book online.
Dinosaur Valley – photo: Wookey Hole
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July 25: Bloc Party Bristol, Lloyds Amphitheatre
One of the UK’s most influential indie/rock bands of the last two decades, back in Bristol celebrating 20 years with a set packed with hits from Silent Alarm alongside their greatest. Tickets sold out but resales are available if you move quickly for a big Friday evening party.
Bloc Party – photo: Alastair Brookes
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July 25-27: Born Adventurers, Thoulstone Park
This brand new summer festival is big on adventure and easy for families. Music includes Cut Capers, Hippo Sound System, Amy May Ellis, The ASBO Disco and lots more. Activities like archery, axe throwing, kayaking and zip lining are perfect for kids and teens, while grownups can enjoy a cocktail workshop, sauna and guided meditation.
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July 22-26: Kiss of the Spider Woman, Redgrave Theatre
The Worx Productions returns to Bristol and the Redgrave Theatre with this Tony Award winning musical, with a brilliant book by Terrence McNally and a dynamic score by Kander & Ebb. Compelling, beautiful, funny and moving, the show tells the story of cell mates in a Latin American prison.
Kiss of the Spiderwoman – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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July 26: RUN All Day, Lloyds Amphitheatre
Bristol’s biggest and most notorious drum & bass day party returns for 2025, featuring over 30 artists to soundtrack an unmissable day of raving. One for the history books as Bristol’s longest DNB night present their biggest ever event featuring V Recordings boss Bryan G, TC, Mozey and much more.
RUN All Day – photo: Alastair Brookes
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July 27: An Audience with John Cleese in conversation with Matt Stadlen, Redgrave Theatre
Spend an evening in the company of the legendary comic John Cleese; a man who continues to make us laugh, rock the boat, inspire, and shake things up. John’s highlights are: Cambridge University; the legendary Footlights group; Cambridge Circus; I’m Sorry, I’ll Read That Again; Monty Python; Fawlty Towers; Harry Potter; and James Bond.
John Cleese – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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July 27: Sasha & Digweed, Lloyds Amphitheatre
Signing out Siren’s huge weekend of summertime shows in the harbourside, two pioneers of Electronic Music – Sasha & John Digweed – take us on a journey through sound featuring classic cuts alongside new flavours for a sunset session of Progressive House & Dance Music on the Harbour!
S&JD – photo: Alastair Brookes
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August 13: Delivery, Exchange Basement
Just announced! Melbourne garage-punks Delivery return to Europe. Following a turbo start to the year with the release of their second album Force Majeure via Heavenly Recordings. Alongside a bunch of festival dates in the UK and Europe Delivery come to Bristol next month. Tickets are on sale now.
Delivery – photo: Crosstown Concerts
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August 15-17: Independent grassroots festival, Oxwick Farm
Inglefest is a grassroots, independent music festival just outside Bristol, with three clash-free stages, a friendly community spirit, and an all-local lineup celebrating the South West’s music scene. Expect folk to funk, a scenic countryside setting, and a proper party as the sun goes down. Intimate, affordable, and full of heart.
Grassroots music festival – photo: Inglefest
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August 22: Ocean Colour Scene, Bath Forum
Ocean Colour Scene’s rip-roaring live shows have long been one of the most extraordinary sights in modern rock – communal outpourings of hope and joy which boast the most life affirming sing-a-longs you’ll ever hear. Remaining tickes for their Bath show on sale now.
Ocean Colour Scene – photo: Crosstown Concerts
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August 22-24: BBC Proms 2025, Bristol Beacon
The BBC Proms are returning to Bristol Beacon for the second year! Part of Proms Across the UK, this years Proms Bristol will features five standout concerts, including a unique show by Paraorchestra and The Breath, Late Junction with Verity Sharp, Tess Jackson with Britten Sinfonia, a performance by the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, plus the Danish National Vocal Ensemble at St George’s Bristol.
BBC Proms – photo: Bristol Beacon
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November 8: Simple Things, Bristol Beacon
One of the UK’s most forward-thinking music festivals, Simple Things, returns to Bristol in 2025, transforming the Bristol Beacon and beyond into a musical playground. Daniel Avery is kicking things off Live in Beacon Hall, then over the course of the weekend you can catch the likes of Ceephax Acid Crew, Mechatok, Smerz, Iglooghost, Malibu, The Orielles plus so much more.
Simple Things – photo: Bristol Beacon
Main photo: Rob Browne
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