Things To Do / What's On
63 Things to do in Bristol in May 2025
May 1-May 11: Peter Brown exhibition, 17 Midland Road
Peter Brown, otherwise known as ‘Pete the Street’, was the featured artist on Bristol24/7’s January/February 2025 magazine cover. In a new exhibition at 17 Midland Road, presented by Messums Org, a selection of his plein-air paintings of Bristol will be on display.
May 1: Land of the Free, Waterstones
Born and raised in Bristol, novelist Allana Raine King, was writing her first novel before she prematurely died in 2018 after contracting encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. After Allana’s passing, her grandmother Lorraine Martin completed the novel, writing in the style of Allana – two writers connected by one extraordinary story. The futuristic story is set in a tribal homeland that follows Rocky as he struggles to break free of the oppression of traditional expectations
SPONSORED
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.
May 2: Fossils and Geology of the Frome, Snuff Mills
The Frome Valley stretches for 20 miles, dating back 300m years in time. Join Steve England on a fascinating journey back in time along the Frome Valley in east Bristol. Discover how the dinosaurs evolved, how the rocks were formed and discover the fossils within the valley.
SPONSORED
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.
SPONSORED
May 2- 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.
is needed now More than ever
May 3: Gardna ‘Time to Move’ day party with Gentleman’s Dub Club, The Prospect Building
Gardna kicks off Summer 2025 with a giant Summer day party of multi-genre artists featuring Gentleman’s Dub Club, Eva Lazarus, Critical Sound and many more.
SPONSORED
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).
SPONSORED
May 3-5: 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!
May 4: Easton Punk Fest, various locations
A selection of punk ragers will be held at our three BS5 venues – The Lion, The Chelsea Inn and The Plough. Each night offers something different and is run by a different local promoter. Artists include System of Slaves, Disciple B.C. The Blunders.
May 5: 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.
May 6: 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.
May 7: 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.
May 8: 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. After the tour, enjoy a traditional cream tea.
May 9: Self Love Unleashed with LuinLuland, The Tobacco Factory
54-year-old Lu Featherstone aka Luinluland 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.
SPONSORED
May 9: Motel Destino, Watershed
Under the burning sky on a roadside on the coast of Ceará, Motel Destino is the scene of dangerous games of desire, power, and violence. One night, the arrival of young Heraldo changes everything…
May 9-25: Inside Feelings, Centrespace
The exhibition featuring art exploring mental health and introspection is back, featuring work from 19 Bristol-based illustrators.
May 9-June: Tapestry of Black Britons, Arnolfini
The Tapestry of Black Britons is a six-metre woven artwork that explores Black British history from the Roman era to the present. The tapestry was curated by Paula Ogun Hector and woven by Dash + Miller, a textile company based in St Philip’s.
May 10-11: Paint Fest, Spring Street
Local homelessness charity Help Bristol’s Homeless will be hosting a Paint Festival in Bedminster with an array of featured artists, lively DJs and great food.
SPONSORED
May 10: Saturday Night headliners ft Pierre Novellie & Alexandra Haddow, The Gaffe Comedy Club
Harriet Dyer (Live At The Apollo) hosts two of the hottest acts on the UK comedy circuit at The Gaffe Comedy Club: Alexandra Haddow (“charmingly confessional” – Guardian) and Edinburgh Fringe favourite, Pierre Novellie (“Dawn of a major talent” – Guardian; “big presence…He will go far” – The Times).
May 10: 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.
SPONSORED
May 10: Dean Friedman, Trinity Community Arts
Hailed by critics and fans, alike, as one of the finest songwriters of his generation, Dean Friedman has achieved legendary status for chart-topping hits, Ariel, Lucky Stars, Lydia and more. “Soundtrack of our lives!” – NYTimes. Join Friedman for an evening of powerful, poignant, hilarious songs about the ordinary and extraordinary lives we share.
May 10: 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.
SPONSORED
May 10: 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.
SPONSORED
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.
May 11: 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.
May 12-May 25: Translated By, various venues
The new literary festival celebrating translators and translated literature will kick off at Storysmith with a discussion between Hasan Blassim and translator Jonathan Wright on Blassim’s new short story collection SOLOLAND.
May 13: In Conversation with Sir Michael Palin, St George’s
Sir Michael Palin, of Monty Python fame, will be in conversation with Mike Gunton, creative director of BBC Studio’s Natural History Unit, at a special event to raise money for St George’s.
SPONSORED
May 13: Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Bristol Beacon
Founded in 1973, the Philippine Philharmonic were one of the first Asian orchestras to receive international recognition. With their award-winning conductor Grzegorz Nowak, they present a colourful programme that opens with a new piece by Jeffrey Ching, specially commissioned for this tour, and features some of the greatest classics of the balletic repertoire.
May 13: Mother Earth & Mental Health, The Station
Environmental activist Mya-Rose Craig will be joined by fellow activist Tori Tsui for a wide-ranging discussion about climate justice as part of 5×15 Bristol’s “In Conversation With” series.
May 14: Hark, How Women Listen, Arnolfini
Twice Wainwright Prize-longlisted author Alice Vincent will be speaking about her latest book, Hark, How Women Listen, in conversation with this year’s Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, Harriet Baker,
SPONSORED
May 14: Jayde Adams: work in progress, The Gaffe Comedy
A brand new hour of jokes from Bristol legend, Jayde Adams! Jayde is a writer, actress, singer, producer and a multiple award winning comedian. Don’t miss this chance to watch as she tries out new material and crafts her next show, live at The Gaffe Comedy Club!
May 14: Sweet Bone Girl, East Bristol Books
Writer and theatre maker Esme Allman will be celebrating the launch of her debut poetry pamphlet, Sweet Bone Girl, in an evening that will include readings and live music.
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.
May 15: Spring Soirée, The Square Club
All are invited to this year’s Square Club Spring Soirée for live music, free food and drinks and a peek into what it’s like to be a member.
May 16: Last Train to Expo 67, The Jam Jar
This club night is set to feature some “gorgeous Jamaican vintage classics” alongside ska and Latin soul.
SPONSORED
May 16: Patrick Wolf, Bristol Beacon
Patrick Wolf, the visionary singer-songwriter and producer, emerged as a prodigy within the British experimental electronic movement in the early 2000s. This year Wolf returns to Bristol for an unmissable live show ahead of his highly anticipated new album Crying The Neck, blending folk, electronic and orechestral elements creating a genre-defying sound.
May 17: Florence Adooni, The Jam Jar
To celebrate their 11th birthday, the Jam Jar have invited Franfra Gospel superstar Florence Adooni back for another exciting night of Ghanaian music.
SPONSORED
May 17: Donny Benet, SWX
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 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.
May 18: Sustainable Wedding Fair, Sparks
This free wedding fair places the spotlight on sustainable designers and traders including Marcie K Designs, Flaming Moth Vintage and Busy V Bakery.
May 19-May 21: Pint of Science, various locations
Pint of Science is a grassroots non-profit organisation that provides a space for researchers and members of the public alike to come together, be curious and chat about research in a relaxed environment outside of mysterious laboratories or daunting dark lecture theatres.
May 20: Kiota Open Mic, Wardrobe Theatre
Poets, singers, dancers and artists from the global majority are invited to step to the stage at one of Kiota’s quarterly open mic nights and connect with fellow creatives.
May 21: The Strangers, Bookhaus
A Guardian Book of the Year, The Strangers links the stories of five prominent Black men from history – actor Ira Aldridge, explorer Matthew Henson, philosopher Frantz Frank, activist Malcolm X and much-loved LGBTQ+ footballer Justin Fashanu – and explores how they each navigated the cultural landscapes they lived in. Critically-acclaimed author Ekow Eshun will be at Bookhaus to discuss his book further.
May 22: Stuart Laws, Alma Tavern and Theatre
A year on from when he brought his debut stand up show to the Alma, Stuart Laws is returning with a new show that takes stock of his new autism diagnosis.
May 22: Whose Rhyme Is It Anyway?, The Lansdown
The Lansdown Pub in Clifton will host an electric array of local poets for a special night where the wordsmiths will be expected to perform or “risk being trapped in the woods forever”.
May 23: I Fagiolini: Colossal Baroque, St George’s
Four special doubling choirs will be spread around the concert hall to perform Orazio Benevoli’s 17th century compositions which were originally written for spatially separated choirs.
SPONSORED
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.
May 23: Nicole Mitchell/ Neil Charles/Mark Sanders, Bristol Beacon
An Afrofuturist and a compelling jazz flautist, Nicole Mitchell is coming from America to Bristol to perform alongside drummer Mark Sanders and bass player Neil Charles in what promises to be an ‘evening of electrifying and exploratory jazz’.
May 23-25: Back To Mine, Chew Valley
A new music festival is coming to Bristol! A grab bag of DJs will perform across the three days, including headliners Sam Divine, Gok Wan and Roni Size.
May 24: Duvet Vous? 26th Birthday, Lost Horizon
Bristol party promoters Duvet Vous will be celebrating their 26th birthday alongside special guest Justin Harris.
SPONSORED
May 24: Farm Boy, Redgrave Theatre
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.
May 25: Page of Swords, St Catherine’s Trading Estate
Hosted by the Mazi Project, Page of Swords is a monthly community space for people to read radical books. Hot drinks and soup will also be on offer.
SPONSORED
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!
May 26: The Farmer & The Clown, Trinity Centre
A deaf-accessible retelling, by local theatre company Flibbertigibbet, of the classic children’s story by Marla Frazee.
May 27: Collage in the Crypt, Mount Without
Bristol-based artist Libby Anderson will be leading a collage-making workshop in the Mount Without crypt.
May 28: The Big Picture, Bristol Megascreen
The premiere of The Big Picture, a documentary from Arthur Cauty about the Bristol IMAX, is one of the headline events at this year’s Forbidden Worlds Film Festival. The festival will run until June 1.
May 29: We Care Week Showcase, Bristol Beacon
We Care Week as a “week-long celebration of care experienced young people and foster carers in Bristol”. On the week’s penultimate day, young care experienced people from across the city will share spoken word, poetry and original songs.
May 30: Sam Ballantine & The Whiskies, Bristol Fringe
Local jazz music cover band will be bringing their characteristic “swinging uptempo jump blues” to the Fringe.
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!
May 31: Bristol Homegrown Musikal Explosion, Bristol Beacon
Presented by Ujima, Kulture Konnek and All Out Entertainment, popular 1970s Bristol reggae band, Black Flamez, have reunited for an “electrifying live show” after a 10-year break.
And coming soon…
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!
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.
Main photo: Flibbertigibbet
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
