62 awesome things to do in Bristol in August

FILM

August 8: The Valley of Gwangi, Victoria Park
Bristol Bad Film Club bring you their annual outdoor cinema screening.
www.bristolbadfilmclub.co.uk/category/upcoming-screenings/

August 13: Thou Wast Mild and Lovely + director Q&A, Watershed
Second of two films this month from indie experimental filmmaker Josephine Decker. 
www.bristol247.com/channel/whats-on/film-01/drama/thou-wast-mild-and-lovely-director-qa?time=1439420400

August 16: Raging Bull, Watershed
The ‘shed’s August Sunday brunch Robert De Niro season continues with this Oscar winner.
www.bristol247.com/channel/whats-on/film-01/drama/raging-bull?time=1439679600

August 20-23: Cyclescreen – Bristol Bike Film Festival, Watershed
Highlights include a screening of Bicycle and a cinematic study of Eddy Merckx.
www.watershed.co.uk/news/cyclescreen-bristols-bike-film-festival

August 21: Aladdin, The Khan Cavern
Movies’n’nosh specialists Cannoli & Gun’s latest event gets you a Middle Eastern buffet feast.
www.bristol247.com/channel/whats-on/film-01/animation/cannoli-gun-aladdin?time=1440111600

August 21: The Devil Rides Out, Cube
Celebrate the life of the late, great Christopher Lee with his own favourite Hammer horror.
www.bristol247.com/channel/whats-on/film-01/horror/the-devil-rides-out?time=1440111600

August 23: The Godfather Part II, Watershed
The greatest sequel of all time.
www.bristol247.com/channel/whats-on/film-01/drama/the-godfather-part-ii?time=1440284400

August 29: The Princess Bride, Blaise Castle
Rob Reiner’s great comic fantasy is a perfect choice for Bristol Sunset Cinema’s inaugural screening.
www.bristol247.com/channel/whats-on/film-01/comedy/bristol-sunset-cinema-the-princess-bride?time=1440802800

MUSIC & CLUBS

August 1: London Afrobeat Collective, The Exchange
A unique, global sound from some of the most talented young artists in Afrobeat.
www.exchangebristol.com/whats-on/events/1-aug-15-london-afrobeat-collective-exchange/

August 1: Blast Summer BBQ, Motion
Outdoor summer BBQ featuring Logan Sama and Big Narstie.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-blast-summer-bbq-tickets-17182944650

August 1: Jamaica Rum Tings, Lakota
Congo Natty and Buggsy will perform to celebrate Jamaican Independence.
www.lakota.co.uk/events-tickets/204-wray-nephew-presents-jamaica-rum-tings

August 7: Soul Shakin’, The Gallimaufry
Ben Summers and Ian Williams play original Northern Soul and sixties club soul.
thegallimaufry.co.uk/music-events/

August 7: Tun up!, Big Chill
Mr Benn, Dub Boy and Titan Sound bring carnival shenanigans to Big Chill.
wearebigchill.com/event/tun-up/

August 7-28: Terrace Sessions, Colston Hall
A host of events put on by Bristol’s best party organisers.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/terrace-sessions-2015/

August 11: Less Than Jake, The Marble Factory
The pop/punk veterans return to Bristol. Expect lots of gems from their rich back catalogue. 
marblefactorybristol.com/#events

August 15: Seth Lakeman, Tyntesfield
The folk artist plays a special gig at the beautiful National Trust property.
www.sethlakeman.co.uk/gigs/2015/tyntesfield 

August 20: Shlomo, Colston Hall
An energetic show from the internationally acclaimed beatboxer.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/terrace-sessions-2015/

August 20: Syd Arthur, The Exchange
The Canterbury group demonstrate that psychedelic jazz is alive and well.
www.theexchangebristol.com

August 28: Bedmo Disco presents Inkswel, The Love Inn
The Australian producer draws on three decades of US dance music.
www.theloveinn.com

FESTIVALS

August 1: Redfest, St George Park
Laid Blak and Makala Cheung headline with food, drink and markets galore.
www.redfestbristol.co.uk

August 1: Quins Fest, Bristol Harlequins RFC
Live music, guest ciders, BBQ and live entertainment.
www.quins.co.uk/news/harlequins-summer-festival

August 6-9: Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Ashton Court
Europe’s largest ballooning event is an amazing spectacle, with fun activities on the ground too.
www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk/

August 22: Severn Seas Festival 
A celebration of the sea shanty scene in Bristol and beyond. Music and boat rides.
www.facebook.com/severnseasfest

August 22 & 23: Bristol International Kite Festival, Downs
Prepare for a sky full of wind-powered wonders, including a wind orchestra.
www.kite-festival.org.uk/

August 26 – September 6: Bristol Festival of Puppetry, Tobacco Factory Theatres
The fourth edition of the biennal puppetry festival.
www.puppetplace.org/festival/

THEATRE

August 4: Cinco Coisas, Trinity Centre
This show about child psychiatry includes storytelling, clowning, dance and play.
www.3ca.org.uk/whats-on/trinity/2015/cinco-coisas

August 4-8: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Hippodrome
The highly-acclaimed National Theatre production comes to Bristol.
www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-curious-incident-of-the-dog-in-the-night-time/bristol-hippodrome/

August 4-9: Mice on Skates, Tobacco Factory
A blend of physical theatre, songs and puppetry for young kids and families.
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/detail/mice_on_skates/

August 5-8: The Engineer’s Corset, Redgrave Theatre
Based on the life of Brunel to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the suspension bridge.
www.theengineerscorset.co.uk/

August 5-8: A Thousand Seasons Past, Museum Square
Be transported back to Bristol’s haunting history in an open-air theatre.
www.bristololdvic.org.uk/thousandseasonspast.html

August 15: Robin Hood, Wild Place Project
A hilarious musical show in the open air by Cambridge Touring Theatre.
www.wildplace.org.uk/plan-your-visit-events/robin-hood

August 27: Cake, Tobacco Factory
A non-verbal object and puppet theatre show.
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/detail/cake/

August 31 – September 5: Annie, Hippodrome
This version of the classic musical stars Craig Revel-Horwood.
www.atgtickets.com/shows/annie/bristol-hippodrome/

COMEDY

August 1: Stand Up and Boogie, Riproar Comedy 
Comedy night featuring comic/magician Danny Buckler and London comic Paul Ricketts.
www.riproarcomedy.co.uk/?id_page=237

August 7-8: Alan Hudson, Smoke & Mirrors
Comic-cum-magician who mixes stand up, magic and mind reading into his cabaret sets.
www.smokeandmirrorsbar.co.uk/buy-tickets—what-s-on.html

August 21-22: Resident’s Night, Jongleurs
Featuring Canadian comic Allyson Smith as well as James Redmond who brings some unexpected twists.
www.jongleurs.co.uk

BOOKS

August 6: The Amazing Human Body Detectives Science Workshop, Foyles
Join author Maggie Li on a mad and magical tour of the human body.
www.foyles.co.uk/events

August 20:  Animal Science with Nicola Davies, Foyles Cabot Circus
The zoologist and author offers an eye opening introduction into the science of animals.
www.foyles.co.uk/events

August 27: Bristol Book Club, The White Bear, Kingsdown
This month’s titles are The Hitchhiker’s Guide and The Age of Innocence.
www.meetup.com/the-bristol-book-club 

EVENTS

August 2: Shake Bristol Art Fair, Start The Bus
Stalls offering a wide selection of comics, zines, clothes and prints.
www.facebook.com/events/710892675723870/

August 15: Brunel Square Market, Great Western Dockyard
Seasonal food and craft market selling local produce.
www.ssgreatbritain.org/

August 23: Make Sunday Special, Stapleton Road
Stapleton Road’s first ‘Make Sunday Special’ is set to be a big one including dancing and food.
www.3ca.org.uk/activities/community

August 29-31: 175^th anniversary of Temple Meads, Station Approach
Learn the secrets of the station on tours led by renowned Brunel actor.
www.ssgreatbritain.org/whats-on/brunels-bristol-walking-tours

ART

August 1 – September 1: Withdrawn, Leigh Woods
Five boats, landlocked in the woods, create this engaging installation.
lukejerram.com/withdrawn/

August 1 – September 10: Peter Randall-Page and Kate MccGwire, RWA
The internationally acclaimed artists exhibit together as part of Green Capital.
rwa.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/2015/07/kate-mccgwire-peter-randall-page-/

August 1 – September 14: Karl Blossfeldt – Art Forms in Nature, Bristol Museum
The pioneering photographer focuses on close ups of botanical subjects.
www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/bristol-museum-and-art-gallery/whats-on/blossfeldt-art-forms-nature/

August 1 – October 16: Forward to Freedom, Bristol Record Office
Exhibition of images and papers documenting the struggle against apartheid.
www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/bristol-record-office/whats-on/forward-freedom/

August 1 – November 15: Time and Space, Arnolfini
Richard Long exhibits in his native Bristol for the first time since 2000.
www.arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/richard-long-time-and-space

LGBT+

August 1: Don’t Tell Your Mother, The Phoenix
One of the friendliest and most fun club nights in Bristol.
phoenixbristol.com/

August 3: Karaoke Mondays, Queen Shilling
Resident karaoke legend Rob Dowling offers a choice of 20,000+ songs.
www.queenshilling.com/

August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: LGBT Fitness Club, Hamilton House
Classes tailored to all ability levels, improve your fitness and burn calories.
www.hamiltonhouse.org/lgbt/

August 6: Indigo, Goldbrick House
Women’s networking and social night, newcomers are made very welcome.
www.indigonetwork.co.uk/

FAMILY

August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Mermaid Mondays, Bristol Aquarium
Dress up and hear the resident mermaids’ tales of the sea.
www.bristolaquarium.co.uk/

August 6, 13, 20: Summer Fun on Thursdays, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
Children invited to listen to stories and enjoy hands-on activities.
www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

August 8: Meet Hello Kitty, Cabot Circus
Hello Kitty is on a mission to bring kindness to the world, one hug at a time.
www.cabotcircus.com/events

August 12: Wild Tour of the East Caves, Avon Gorge
Explore the nooks and crannies of the cavernous gorge.
theavongorge.org.uk/education/wild_tour_of_the_avon_gorge_east_caves.html

August 12: World Elephant Day, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
Meet Buta, Janu and M’Changa and their keepers in Elephant Eden.
www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk/

August 15 & 16: Crane Rides, M Shed
Experience a working crane on the dockside with trips inside M Shed largest exhibits.
www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/crane-trips/

FOOD & DRINK

August 5: Bourbon & Rye, Weber and Tring
Whiskey, bourbon or rye? You decide at this monthly tasting event.
www.weberandtrings.co.uk/tasting/

August 7-8: Bristol Cider Festival, Brunel’s Old Station
The Mangledwurzels perform at the 15th annual festival.
www.clstickets.co.uk/category/cider-festivals

August 8: Eat Drink Dance, Motion
A celebratory day and night of eating, drinking and dancing. In partnership with Bristol Eats.
bristoleats.co.uk/event/details/eat-drink-dance/

August 11: Riverford Secret Supper Club, Yurt Lush
A generous feast where vegetables are the star of the show.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/riverford-secret-supper-club-tickets-15597362130

August 26: Americas Tasting, Averys Wine Merchants
A seated tutored tasting with specially selected cheeses from the Arch House Deli.
www.averys.com/product/Americans-Tasting/02288TK?itemCode=02288TK

August 29: Love Food Festival, Westonbirt
Showcasing the best South-West independent food producers, as well as, drinks, an educational children’s area and music.
www.lovefoodfestival.com