Things To Do / Bristol
37 things to do in Bristol this week, April 21-27 2025
Monday: Black Bristol on Film, The Cube
After a successful showing at the Watershed last year, this event will share a series of short films which shed light on different moments in Black Bristol 1980s and 90s history. Film directors Rob Mitchell and Colin Thomas will be around to take some questions at the end.
Monday: Sam Outlaw, Hen & Chicken
Fresh out of California, Sam Outlaw is returning to Bristol with his latest country album, Terra Cotta.
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Monday-Thursday: Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story, Watershed
Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story provides a final testimony from the controversial author as she reflects upon her extraordinary life for filmmaker Sinéad O’Shea’s camera.
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Monday-Thursday: Last Swim, Watershed
It’s summer in London. On her final day of freedom, Ziba, a promising British-Iranian teen, leads her friends on an eventful journey, while secretly grappling with a life-changing decision. Until at least Thu 24 April.
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Monday: Rock Climbing Open Weekend, Mendip Activity Centre
Experience the excitement of rock climbing and abseiling! From April 18 to 21, celebrate the Easter Bank Holiday with 20 per cent off rock climbing and abseiling sessions at Mendip Activity Centre.
Tuesday: FINNEAS, Bristol Beacon
Billie Eilish’s equally-as-talented brother will be hitting the Beacon to perform tracks from his self-produced second album For Cryin’ Out Loud.
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Tuesday-Saturday: Into The Woods, Redgrave Theatre
St Mary’s Players returns with a timeless classic. James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods brings together beloved storybook characters in a captivating tale. Wishes come true for a Baker, his wife, Cinderella, and Jack—but at an unexpected cost. An unforgettable modern classic.
Wednesday: For The Love Of Rugby Live, Bristol Beacon
Former Leicester Tigers Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are coming to St George for a live show of their popular sports podcast For The Love Of Rugby.
Thursday: Vibe underground launch, Basement 45
A new events company has come to Bristol promising to platform the ‘best underground talent while supporting grassroot venues’. They’re kicking off with a 140 v dnb night.
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Thursday: Thursday Night Comedy, The Gaffe Comedy Club
Live comedy every Thursday night in central Bristol – for a fiver! Featuring some of the best comedians on the UK circuit and rising stars from the South West, big laughs guaranteed at The Gaffe. Tickets are just £5 or pay-what-you-want to support Bristol’s new independent comedy venue.
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Thursday: Ellie Taylor, Bristol Beacon
Star of Ted Lasso, Live at the Apollo and host of Bake Off The Professionals, Ellie is back with a new stand up show! Catch her covering how to keep the spark alive in marriage (it involves pressure washers), plus her stint as nation’s sweetheart (very much her own words) and much, much more!
Photography by Karla Gowlett
Friday: Lyra Poetry Festival, various venues
A poetry festival that brings together the best in regional writing to celebrate words over creative workshops, webinars and live performances. There will be a ‘special Bristol tribute’ to late poet Benjamin Zephaniah on Sunday that’s not to be missed.
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Friday: Friday Comedy Club, The Gaffe Comedy Club
The Gaffe’s Friday Comedy Club acts this week are Sikisa (Off Menu podcast, Live at Apollo, Comedy Central), Walter Jack (The Joke Clinic) and Morgan Rees (toured with Lucy Beaumont and Jayde Adams, writes for Mock The Week and 8 Out of 10 Cats).
Friday: Sing Out Bristol, Bristol Beacon
The South West’s biggest LGBTQ+ choir is coming back to St George to sing songs, across several genres and decades, about love.
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Friday: Tristan Perich & Ensemble 0, Bristol Beacon
Tristan Perich’s Open Symmetry pares Ensemble 0 down to just 3 musicians playing the resonant metal bars of 3 vibraphones with a glistening ensemble of 20 speakers, each playing their own musical part of the composition. 1-bit sound is Perich’s core musical language, each composition an experiment in sonic colour, shape, and form.
Saturday – Sunday: Bristol Radical History Festival, various venues
Now in its seventh year, the 2025 Bristol Radical History Festival will see four exhibitions, two film screenings and over 20 talks across three venues on everything from housing, anti-colonialism and international collaboration.
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Saturday: Ian Prowse & Amsterdam, Lost Horizon
Ian Prowse, former frontman of indie rock band ‘Pele’, and Amsterdam are coming to Lost Horizon on April 26th to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the album ‘Does This Train Stop On Merseyside?’. They will be joined by very special guest John Rush.
Saturday: Improv taster session, Bristol Improv Theatre
The Bristol Improv Theatre company are running one of the bimonthly taster sessions for newbies looking to dip their toes in before they fully commit and sign onto a course.
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Sunday: Dis Poetry: A Tribute to Benjamin Zephaniah, Bristol Beacon
This ‘special Bristol tribute to Benjamin Zephaniah’ will feature reflections from the late poet and creative’s friends and family as well as readings of several of his works, including his Poem for St Pauls which he first performed in the city in 1983. This is part of the Lyra Poetry Festival.
Sunday: It’syourlossbabe, Clifton Down
A picnic for bereaved young people aged between 18-30 to share and hold space with others who have experienced loss and grief.
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Sunday: Bristol Fashion Show, The Prospect Building
Join us for an unforgettable evening of style, creativity, and community. Enjoy a complimentary drink, a dynamic three-hour fashion showcase, and explore our vibrant marketplace. With live DJs, performers, inspiring speakers, and a fully stocked bar, experience a night where fashion, charity, and community unite.
And coming soon…
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April 28: Nature Walk, Mendip Activity Centre
Join Mendip Activity Centre for “Spring in the Woodland” the first in series of two hour nature walks exploring the hidden treasures of the Mendip Hills National Landscape.
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April 30: Pulman and Stilgoe, St George’s
Fascinating Aida’s Liza Pulman and piano virtuoso Joe Stilgoe bring their acclaimed show of musical classics and humour to St George’s Bristol on 30 April. Old fashioned glamour in the company of two modern-day musical greats. “Oooo…it’s SO good” – Dawn French
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April 30- May 3: Curtains, Redgrave Theatre
The Colonial Theatre. Boston. 1959. The curtain is about to go up, but the real drama is happening backstage! With a disastrous opening night, a resentful cast and a murdered leading lady, everyone’s a suspect. Can you solve the murder before the curtain closes? Performed by Bristol Musical Theatre.
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May 2: Bristol Folk Festival, St George’s Bristol
‘An exciting sound that literally drags the audience out of its seats’– The Herald. Ground-breaking, chart-topping, enthralling folk. Mohsen Amini (BBC Radio Folk Awards Musician of the Year) leads this explosive trio in a bold, storming, strobe-filled live show to open Bristol Folk Festival. ‘Incredible’ Rolling Stone.
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May 2-4: Spike Island Open Studios 2025
From 2–4 May, enjoy behind-the-scenes access to Spike Island’s pioneering ecosystem of creative communities over a vibrant weekend of exhibitions and events. Discover our community of over 70 studio artists and creative businesses, get involved with workshops from Spike Print Studio, and be inspired by installations, performances, screenings and much more across our 80,000-square-foot former tea-packing factory.
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May 3: Gardna’s Time To Move Summer Day Party x [SEQUENCES], The Prospect Building
This May, Bristol’s own Gardna is launching Bristol Summer with an epic, multi-genre all-day event at The Prospect Building, headlined by the powerhouse sounds of Gentleman’s Dub Club. Expect a high-energy, festival-style lineup featuring Eva Lazarus, Danny Byrd & DRS, all set against a backdrop of great local food, drinks and sunshine!
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May 3: Katherine Priddy & Martin Simpson, St George’s Bristol
Godfather of folk, blues, and one of the world’s finest acoustic guitarists Martin Simpson joins one of the UK’s brightest lights Katherine Priddy for a special double concert. Simpson has garnered no less than 32 BBC Folk Awards, Priddy has just played her first BBC Proms. The concerts form part of Bristol Folk Festival (2 – 4 May).
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May 4: Love International 10 Year Club Tour, The Prospect Building
This May Bank Holiday, Love International takes over The Prospect Building Courtyard for an unmissable party. As part of their 10 Year Club Tour, they’re throwing an open-air event with a stellar lineup featuring Palms Trax, Shanti Celeste, Midland, Crazy P, and residents Dave Harvey, Ellie Stokes, and Chez De Milo. Get ready for high-energy vibes and top-tier tunes – it’s the ultimate way to kick off the summer!
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May 10: 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.
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May 7: modernlove, Thekla
Irish indie-pop rockers modernlove are hitting the road again in 2025 with a headline tour leading into their hotly anticipated debut album campaign. The first single from the new album is out now, go and check it out! Catch them live at Thekla this May – grab your tickets now!
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May 10 & 24: MadStillNess X The Psychedelic Society
A sensory journey blending music, movement, and cacao to reconnect mind and body. Rooted in neuroscience, Jungian psychology, and Tantra, these workshops bridge nightlife, wellness, and queer sober spaces—offering a space to play, express, and find stillness.
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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.
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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.
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May 30: Gloucestershire v Kent Spitfires (T20 Cricket)
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 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!
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July 25: Siren Bristol
Bristol’s annual Siren Series is back at the Harbourside Amphitheatre for three days of electrifying, sun-drenched Day Parties! Friday’s Bloc Party event is sold out, while Saturday sees RUN host Bristol’s biggest DNB Day Party – RUN All Day. Closing out the weekend, dance music legends Sasha & John Digweed deliver an exclusive three-hour B2B summer set on Sunday.
Main photo: St George’s Bristol
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