70 things to do in Bristol in May

FESTIVALS

Until May 9: Bristol Food Connections Festival, various locations
Eight days of food-themed happenings laid out across the city, aiming to change how we think about food. 
www.bristolfoodconnections.com 

Until May 31: Bristol Walking Festival, various locations 
Britain’s largest urban walking festival, with over 160 walks from 80 organisations. 
www.bristol.gov.uk/page/adult-care-and-health/bristol-walk-fest-2015 

May 14-24: Mayfest, various venues
Always a many-headed beast, Mayfest is a brilliantly diverse annual festival of contemporary theatre. 
www.mayfestbristol.co.uk

May 16 & 17: Bristol Gin Festival, Paintworks
The UK’s largest gin festival finally comes to Bristol, with over 80 gins to sample. 
www.bristolginfestival2015.eventbrite.com

May 23: Dot to Dot, various venues
Dot-to-Dot celebrate their 10th birthday with dozens of acts across seven venues. 
www.dottodotfestival.co.uk

May 23 & 24: Love Saves the Day, Eastville Park
Taking over Eastville Park for one hedonistic weekend, LSTD bring a brace of monster lineups.
www.lovesavestheday.org

May 23 & 24 – Vegfest, Lloyd’s Amphitheatre
Europe’s biggest vegan festival returns, with more than 150 stalls, live music and DJs until late.
www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk

May 29-31, Lau-Land, Colston Hall 
Folk trio Lau curate a three-night mini-fest, featuring workshops, talks and performances.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/lau-land

May 29-31: Temples Festival, Motion
Bristol’s heavy metal festival returns to Motion, with more than 75 bands spread across two stages. 
www.templesfestival.co.uk

THEATRE

Until May 23: Directors’ Cut season, Brewery Theatre
The tyro directors learning their craft at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School get their moment in the sun.
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/

May 4-8: Futures, Wardrobe Theatre
New play by Bristol company Stone’s Throw Theatre, graduates of the Bristol Acting Academy.
www.thewardrobetheatre.com

May 6-9: God of Carnage, Alma Tavern Theatre
A gripping play about the crumbling of middle-class manners.
www.almataverntheatre.co.uk

May 8: A Strange Wild Song, Circomedia
In Nazi-occupied France, three schoolchildren find a lost American soldier in the ruins of their village. 
www.circomedia.com/events-at-st-pauls-church.html 

May 12-16: Tartuffe, Factory Theatre
North Bristol’s top non-pro company The Kelvin Players make their Tobacco Factory Theatres debut.
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/detail/tartuffe/

May 14-24: Mayfest, various venues
Always a many-headed beast, Mayfest is a brilliantly diverse annual festival of contemporary theatre.
www.mayfestbristol.co.uk

May 19-23: Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man, Bristol Hippodrome
Dance thriller by the acclaimed choreographer based on Bizet’s opera Carmen.
www.atgtickets.com/shows/matthew-bournes-the-car-man/bristol-hippodrome/

May 22: Stalin’s Daughter, Redgrave Theatre
The true story of how Svetlana Alliluyeva spent the final years of her life in – yes! – Clifton.
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/detail/stalins_daughter1/

May 27: Constellations, Bristol Old Vic
Following sold-out runs at the West End and Broadway, Constellations heads out on a full UK tour.
www.bristololdvic.org.uk/constellations.html

COMEDY

May 6: Live Comedy, Greenbank pub, Easton
Canadian émigrée and rising talent Mae Martin headline. 
www.bristolpunchline.com 

May 8&9: Milton Jones, Colston Hall
The punmeister, surrealist and R4 fave returns for more delightfully daft one-liners short stories. 
www.colstonhall.org

May 16: Jarlath Regan, The Comedy Box
Laconic, deadpan Dubliner, Regan has a fine onstage manner – articulate, confident but never cocky.
www.thecomedybox.co.uk/site/301.asp?catID=1301&ct=date

May 20: A Man Walks into a Bar, Lazy Dog
Headliner Max Dickins brings his arsenal of surreal, nonsensical gags in the Milton Jones vein.
www.facebook.com/bristolpunchline

May 26: Phil Hammond, Factory Theatre
Real-life doctor and stand-up Phil Hammond puts the fun back into being ill. 
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/detail/phil_hammond_games_to_play_with_your_doctor

May 27: Susan Calman, Factory Theatre
The award-winning comedian presents “a show about being older, wiser and liking yourself.” 
ww.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/detail/susan_calman_lady_like_uk_tour

FILM

May 6-24: Come the Revolution season, Watershed
Screenings, discussions and special events to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Malcolm X.
www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/season/329/come-the-revolution

May 14: My Secret World – The Story of Sarah Records, Cube
Documentary about possibly most indie of all indie labels, featuring Q&A with co-founder Matt Haynes.
www.cubecinema.com/programme/event/my-secret-world-the-story-of-sarah-records,7916/

May 19: The Pirates of Penzance, various cinemas
Gilbert and Sullivan enthusiast Mike Leigh directs his first stage opera for the English National Opera.
www.eno.org/enoscreen

May 21: Lifeforce, At-Bristol planetarium
Naked space vampires try to take over the world in the latest screening from Bristol Bad Film Club.
www.bristolbadfilmclub.co.uk/2015/03/25/lifeforce-1985-21st-may-bristol-planetarium/#more-1479

May 28-June 8: Hot Tub Cinema, Paintworks
Splash about in a state of mild inebriation while watching films including The Lion King and Grease.
www.hottubcinema.com

May 29: Stand By Me, Stock Exchange Bakery
Cannoli & Gun’s second event is Rob Reiner’s classic coming-of-age drama, with sweet pies.
www.cannoliandgun.co.uk/category/upcoming-events/

May 30: Nosferatu, Arnos Vale cemetery
FW Murnau’s silent expressionist vampire classic from 1922 screened in suitably spooky surroundings. 
www.backyardcinema.org.uk

MUSIC & CLUBS

May 4: Belle and Sebastian, Colston Hall
After twenty-odd years, Britain’s most bookish BRIT-bagging band have gone a bit experimental. 
www.colstonhall.org/shows/belle-sebastian-3 

May 5: Laura Marling, Colston Hall
Laura Marling’s musically intense Short Movie weaves neo-Brit folk with fiercely angular rock.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/laura-marling-2

May 7: CW Stoneking, Trinity
Stoneking finger-picks his way through some traditional calypso sounds from new album Gon’ Boogaloo.
www.3ca.org.uk/whats-on/trinity/2015/cw-stoneking

May 10: Nordic Giants, The Lantern
Mysterious duo Nordic Giants unfurl their debut album. One for fans of Mogwai and Sigur Ros.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/nordic-giants 

May 11: An evening with Julian Lloyd Webber, St George’s
The cellist and brother of Andrew recounts anecdotes from his life.
www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk/event/an-evening-with-julian-lloyd-webber/

May 12: Paper Aeroplanes, The Fleece
With previous comparisons to Fleetwood Mac, Paper Aeroplanes change tack with their new album.
www.thefleece.co.uk/event/paper-aeroplanes-special-guests

May 15: Tyler the Creator, 02 Academy
The Frank Zappa of rap, controversial cult producer Tyler the Creator continues his delirious evolution.
www.o2academybristol.co.uk/event/74695/tyler-the-creator-tickets 

May 18: Little Hurricane, Crofters’ Rights 
‘Dirty superblues’ boy/girl twosome from San Diego are a better-looking White Stripes. 
www.croftersrights.co.uk/event/little-hurricane-crofters-rights-18-05-15

May 19: Lion Babe, Thekla
Looks like Beyonce, sounds like Erykah Badu: Lion Babe guarantees a crisply-produced R&B party. 
www.theklabristol.co.uk/live/490/lion-babe 

May 22: Let It Roll, Lakota
The official warm-up event for the world’s biggest drum and bass festival, Czech Republic’s Let It Roll. 
www.lakota.co.uk/events-tickets/171-kinetic-presents-let-it-roll-warm-up-in-bristol-featuring-valve-sound-system

May 30: So Solid Crew and The Bug, Old Crown Court 
UK Garage leg-ends So Solid Crew double headline with Ninja Tune heavyweight The Bug.
www.facebook.com/events/593192667488965

ART

May 9-10: BS9 Arts Trail
Explore venues in Stoke Bishop, Westbury-on-Trym and Henleaze.
www.bs9arts.co.uk

May 9-30: Wildscreen Photography, Grant Bradley Gallery
Astonishing, never-before-seen images donated by some of the world’s best wildlife photographers. 
www.grantbradleygallery.co.uk

May 16-17: Southbank Arts Trail
In a part of town renowned for its depth of creative talent, BS3’s arts trail is one of the biggest and best. 
www.southbankbristolarts.co.uk 

May 21-24: Salaam Shalom, Colston Hall foyer
A unique exhibition showcasing work by local and national British Muslim and Jewish artists. 
www.salaamshalom.org.uk

BOOKS

May 17: An English Trip, Cube
An evening of psych-soaked space rock and spoken word as John Doran reads excerpts from his memoir.
www.cubecinema.com/programme/event/an-english-trip,7585

May 14-17: CrimeFest, Marriott Royal Hotel
Some of the world’s scariest writers and their readers will congregate in Bristol for the annual CrimeFest.
www.crimefest.com

May 14: Let Me Tell You A Story, Jack!, Crofters Rights
Open-mic night featuring stories, songs, sweets and general shenanigans.
www.letmetellyouastoryjack.wordpress.com

May 19: Bristol in Books literary walk, meet at Central Library
An insightful journey around Bristol and its many absorbing fictional characters. 
www.bristol.gov.uk/page/adult-care-and-health/bristol-walk-fest-2015

May 20: Launch: Bloodie Bones: A Dan Foster Mystery, Foyles Bookshop
Lucienne Boyce immortalises Bristol’s most famous sportsmen – bare-knuckle boxers The Bristol Boys.
www.lucienneboyce.com/diary.html

May 21: Novel Writers, Spike Island
Kirsty Logan discusses her debut The Gracekeepers, in the next monthly instalment of Novel Writers.
www.spikeisland.org.uk/events

EVENTS

May 5 & 24: Bristol’s Burning: The 1831 Riots, M Shed
This fascinating history walk takes in the sites of one of Bristol’s bloodiest smash-ups.
www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed

May 10: Shipshape Craft Fair, Colston Hall
Free craft workshops running all day in addition to over 35 stalls.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/ship-shape-craft-fair

May 12: Tweet Up Bristol, Revolution 
Local Twitterers using their actual mouths to talk to each other. Trolls not welcome.
www.tweetupbristol.co.uk

May 13: Bristol Orienteering Klub Urban and Park Series, Warmley Forest Park
Orienteering is running and adventure. Map and compass in hand, navigate on the hoof against the clock.
www.bristolorienteering.org.uk 

May 15-16: Bristol Bioblitz, Oldbury Court Estate
Help Bristol Natural History Consortium find and identify as many different species as you can.
www.bnhc.org.uk/bioblitz

May 17: Women take to the Rails, M Shed
Ever wanted to drive a steam train? This is your chance, with the help of an all-female crew.
www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/women-take-to-the-rails

SPORT

Until May 31: European Cycle Challenge
Compete for the prize of recording the highest number of bike miles for the city during May.
www.betterbybike.info/campaigns/ecc2015/

May 15 & 24: NatWest T20 Blast, County Ground
T20 cricket returns to Bristol this month for fast-paced, big-hitting, all-round entertainment.
www.gloscricket.co.uk/tickets-on-sale-now/

May 17: Conference play-off final, Wembley Stadium
Bristol Rovers will take on Grimsby Town as they try to return to the football league at the first attempt.
www.wembleystadium.com/Events/2015/Conference-Play-Off-Final/Conference-Play-Off

May 31: Bristol 10k
The Bristol 10k is now one of the fastest growing and most popular of its kind in the UK. 
www.runbristol.com/Events/bristol-10k

LGBT

May 7: Indigo, Goldbrick House
Networking night for LGT women, providing ample opportunities for friendship and fun.
www.indigonetwork.co.uk

May 8: PsychoDrama, Queenshilling
The LGBT night for fans of alternative music which errs on the side of heavy and decadent.
www.pdclub.co.uk

May 22: Glitzy Girls, Queenshilling
Award-winning transgender event, featuring cheesy music and hosted by the fabulous Miss Demeanour.
www.queenshilling.com

May 23 & 24: Pride fundraiser, Bristol Bear Bar
The Bear Bar opens late on the late Bank Holiday weekend to raise funds for Bristol Pride 2015. 
www.facebook.com/bristolbearbar

FOOD & DRINK

Until May 9: Bristol Food Connections Festival, various locations
Food-themed happenings laid out across the city, aiming to change how we think about food. 
www.bristolfoodconnections.com 

May 6: After Hours: At-Bristol
A food-themed evening event in At-Bristol without any kids around.
www.at-bristol.org.uk/afterhours.html

May 6: Steak and lobster evening, The Rummer
8oz rib-eye steak and half a lobster served with chips and salad for £25 per person.
www.therummer.net/event-registration/?ee=30

May 15: Bristol Eats St, Tobacco Factory courtyard
The first in a new themed night market involving Bristol’s best street food traders and assorted other entertainment.
www.bristoleats.co.uk/event/details/bristol-eats-st/

May 16 & 17: Bristol Gin Festival, Paintworks
The UK’s largest gin festival finally comes to Bristol, with over 80 gins to sample. 
www.bristolginfestival2015.eventbrite.com

May 21: Bingo Wings, The Mall
“The tastiest, most Bristolian game of bingo you’ll ever play.”
www.foozie.co.uk/all-food-and-drink-events-list/bingo-wings-the-mall-clifton