News / Bristol
26 things to look forward to in Bristol in 2026
From cricket to Tricky, Martin Booth rounds up some highlights of the year ahead
1. Bristol Beer Factory
They have already moved their brewery, and sometime in 2026 it will be time to move the Bristol Beer Factory taproom, but only a few doors up North Street from their current home.
2. Bristol Comedy Festival
The second annual Bristol Comedy Festival will bring a bright start to January. The 2026 lineup includes Jayde Adams, Mark Watson and Maisie Adam.
3. Bristol Legends
This is the big one. Bristol Legends is an inaugural event from Bristol24/7 that will recognise and uplift the best of Bristol, culminating in a unique celebration at Ashton Gate on March 6.
4. Central African Forest
Central African Forest is due to open at Bristol Zoo Project in the spring. It means that the gorilla troop will finally be able to move from the former zoo in Clifton into a new home.
5. Chungking Express
Watershed’s previous screening of Chungking Express to mark its 30th anniversary sold out in 2025. So now is your chance to see Wong Kar-Wai’s masterpiece again on the big screen.
6. Dockyard Museum
The Dockyard Museum at the SS Great Britain will be closed and then reopen in 2026 as a new “immersive experience” telling the stories of many of the famous ship’s passengers and crew.
7. Feedback by Olukemi Lijadu
On show from January 31 to May 3, Feedback at Spike Island will be the largest solo exhibition by artist, filmmaker and DJ, Olukemi Lijadu, developed through research in Chicago, Lagos and Bristol.
Feedback centres around a film drawing on the concept of audio feedback “as a metaphor for the circulation of rhythm, memory and cultural codes within the African diaspora” – photo: Olukemi Lijadu
8. From Ashes
“Come and help us excavate a paper city from beneath the ash,” says the team behind From Ashes, an event that will see a miniature version of Bristol revealed at M Shed on February 21 and 22.
9. The Greatest Showman
A new stage version of The Greatest Showman is getting its world premiere at Bristol Hippodrome in March. Disney promise an “exhilarating musical adaptation”.
10. Fifty years of Aardman
M Shed will host a major Aardman retrospective in 2026 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of our city’s most famous exports; with animation treasures also due to be hidden throughout Bristol Museum.
11. Holysseus Fly
Ishmael Ensemble lead singer, co-writer and pianist Holly Wellington, aka Holysseus Fly, is set to release her debut album in 2026 after making a name for herself as a solo artist.
12. Lily Allen
Following the release of 2025 album West End Girl, Lily announced a tour in which she will perform the album in its entirety at Bristol Beacon on March 17.
13. Macbeth
Directed by Tobacco Factory Theatres’ artistic director Heidi Vaughan, this new production of Macbeth comes to the North Street theatre from February 19 to March 28.
14. Martin Parr
The first exhibition at the Martin Parr Foundation gallery in 2026 will be photos from the late photographer’s famous series The Last Resort, taken in the seaside town of New Brighton between 1983 and 1985.
15. Ocean in Concert
The UK premiere of Ocean in Concert, a “breathtaking live experience” takes place at the Beacon on February 24, with a film narrated by David Attenborough accompanied by a full orchestra.
16. Odeon Luxe
Moving into the space vacated by Showcase Cinema De Lux, Odeon Luxe is due to open in Cabot Circus in February with luxury recliners and extra legroom.
17. Red Roses vs Wales
Women’s Rugby World Cup winners England take on Wales in the Six Nations at Ashton Gate on April 25. Bring your cowboy hats and roar on the Red Roses to victory.
England previously played Wales at Ashton Gate in 2023 – photo: JMP
18. Roni Size & LTJ Bukum
Drum’n’bass pioneers Roni Size and LTJ Bukem come together for a night at Crane. They will be joined in the Prospect Building’s second space by Dynamite MC.
19. Rough Trade
There are only a handful of Rough Trade shops in the world, including Bristol’s on Nelson Street, which in 2026 is due to expand into the empty unit next door.
20. Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom
This new animated feature film from Aardman will be Shaun the Sheep’s third appearance in cinemas. The Beast of Mossy Bottom is due to be released worldwide in time for Halloween.
21. The Streets
Bristol Sounds returns in June with the Streets playing A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full for the first time ever; and the Kooks, Super Furry Animals, OMD and Royel Otis performing on other nights.
22. Temple Meads eastern entrance
The opening of the new entrance will coincide with the opening of the University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, which promises to have “inclusive shared spaces”.
23. Tricky
Tricky, one of Bristol’s most celebrated musical exports, is set to return to his hometown for a “rare and historic” one-off live performance at the Beacon on May 17.
24. Uniqlo
After the excitement of M&S opening in Cabot Circus in November, this year sees Uniqlo opening. The Japanese-founded shop now has more than 2,500 outlets across the world.
25. The Unthanks
The Unthanks have been announced as one of the headliners of this year’s Bristol Folk Festival from May 1 to 3, with other acts including Amadou Diagne, Ye Vagabonds and the Breath.
26. Women’s T20 World Cup
There will be sixes aplenty as the County Ground in Ashley Down becomes one of the host venues for the Women’s T20 World Cup, which runs from June 12 to July 5.
Main photo: Lois Booth
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