Things To Do / Sponsored
16 things to do in Bristol this week, August 26-September 1 2024
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Monday: BBC Proms 2024, Bristol Beacon
Part of the BBC Proms weekend at Bristol Beacon this August, Andy Day and his CBeebies friends are teaming up with the Southbank Sinfonia for a musical ocean adventure in Bristol. Perfect for children aged 5 and under, with a standing (‘promming’) ticket you’ll have music to dance to AND space to move around!
CBeebies Prom – photo: Bristol Beacon
Monday: Open mic with Mike Dennis, The Gallimaufry
The stage is open to performers, poets, spoken word artists and everything in between. Hosted by Mike Dennis, Bristol’s very own rapping violinist, you’ll be in safe hands and guaranteed an entertaining evening as he welcomes you to discover some of the city’s finest up-and-coming artists.
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Monday-Thursday: I Saw The TV Glow, Watershed
Jane Schoenbrun’s striking story of suburban horrors and coming of age in the mid-1990s creates a foreboding feeling that unspools across time.
Tv Glow – photo: Watershed
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Monday-Thursday: Kneecap, Watershed
The real-life story of how an anarchic Belfast trio became the unlikely figureheads of a civil rights movement to save and reinvigorate their mother tongue.
Kneecap – photo: Watershed
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Monday-Sunday: We Are Warriors Redcliffe Cave tour
Discover the hidden depths of Bristol this summer with a journey into the mysterious Redcliffe Caves, a sprawling medieval labyrinth beneath the city. As you explore these ancient passageways, you’ll encounter ‘We Are Warriors,’ a breathtaking sound and light installation by In Between Time. Thousands of tiny lights illuminate the rocky walls while the powerful voices of 130 Bristolian women and girls echo through the space, filling the caverns with chants, breaths, shouts, and song. Don’t miss this unforgettable blend of history and art—book your tickets now.
We are Warriors – photo: In Between Time
Tuesday: Nicaragua event, M Shed
A free event for children and families based on the culture of Nicaragua in Central America, is taking place at MShed this August. The event marks the 35th anniversary of the official twinning between Bristol and Puerto Morazan in North West Nicaragua. Come and make a mask inspired by the “Gueguense” traditional dance or create a paper Puerto Morazan prawn, farmed in the shadow of volcanoes.
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Tuesday & Wednesday: Hoo-Ha! 2024, Bristol Beacon
Hoo-Ha! Festival, Bristol’s biggest annual event made for kids, returns to Bristol Beacon this August for two days of music, dancing and fun for little people and their families. After one year off, Hoo-Ha! is back with a bang for 2024, and bigger than ever before. Expect all areas of Bridgehouse to be packed to the brim with shows, shenanigans and spectacles, as well as shows taking place in Lantern Hall. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to get creative with activities, things to discover, see and do. It’s free entry, no tickets required – so come one, come all to the Hoo-Ha party: a hullaballoo of family fun!
Hoo Ha – photo: Bristol Beacon
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Tuesday-Sunday: Constable in Bristol, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
It’s your last chance to see The Hay Wain in Bristol as the National Treasures tour comes to an end on 1 September. Don’t miss out – book your 2-4-1 tickets!
National Treasures – photo: Truth to Nature
Wednesday: Durry, Dareshack
Minnesota sibling duo Durry play scruffy alt-pop rooted in suburban ennui but searching for ambition. After forming in 2020, Austin and his sister Taryn Durry enjoyed viral success when a demo of their rousing slacker anthem, Who’s Laughing Now, became a runaway TikTok hit in 2021. Billing themselves simply as Durry, the band capitalised on the attention with their rambunctious 2023 debut album, Suburban Legend.
Thursday: Adult Leisure, Dareshack
Adult Leisure are a melodic alt-indie four-piece based in Bristol, formed via countless video calls during the heart of 2020’s lockdown.
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Thursday: Beth Nielsen Chapman, Bristol Beacon
Beth Nielsen Chapman is an American singer-songwriter, whose diverse body of work spans fifteen albums and seven #1 hits. Her compositions have been recorded by Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, the Indigo Girls, and Keb Mo’ to name a few, with ‘This Kiss’ sung by Faith Hill also garnering her a Grammy nomination in 1999. Also nominated for a Grammy in 2012 for ‘The Mighty Sky’, she was Nashville NAMMY’S 1999 Songwriter of the Year and inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame in 2016. Having survived breast cancer and a brain tumour, her songs take you on a journey through the depth, humour and wonder of life. Her latest album, 2022’s ‘CrazyTown’, was produced by Ray Kennedy and released on Cooking Vinyl. Limited tickets remain.
Beth Nielsen Chapman – photo: Bristol Beacon
Friday: Iconic film themed drawing, Watershed
Two live models will use costumes and props to recreate different scenes from well-known films. Expect it to be fun and fast paced! No drawing experience necessary.
Get your pencils ready for an evening of movie themed sketching – photo: Headfirst
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Friday & Saturday: Harvest Home Festival
A two-day, family friendly festival with camping just a few miles from Bristol. Friday entertainment includes a 40ft cinema screen showing The Greatest Showman, plus live music, fairground rides, camp fire, food stalls and bar. Saturday includes live music from six great bands, a magic show and use of Mendip Outdoor’s sporting facilities. Come for the evening or buy a weekend ticket with camping included.
Medip Base camp – photo: Harvest Home Festival
Friday & Saturday: Craft Brew Festival, Document
Sample the best British craft beer from independent and micro brewers at Document in St Jude’s. Tickets include entry, souvenir glass, festival programme, meet the brewers and five hours of unlimited craft beer.
Saturday: COR x Wiper & True, Wiper & True taproom
North Street restaurant COR becomes a pop-up at Wiper & True’s taproom in Old Market serving their signature style of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
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Saturday & Sunday: Forwards, Downs
A two-day festival with a musical lineup including LCD Soundsystem, Underworld, Loyle Carner and Four Tet; alongside a dedicated space for debate.
Sunday: Picnic in the Park, Mina Road Park
Picnic in the Park is a free mini festival in St Werburgh’s. Expect music, dance, workshops, lovely food and much more.
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September 9: Mark Smith – For Valour – The Story of the Victoria Cross’, Redgrave Theatre
Acknowledged as a Worldwide expert on the Victoria Cross, Mark has written five books on ‘The Great War’ and contributed to many other books and magazines. ‘For Valour – The Story of the Victoria Cross’ will give you the opportunity to witness his extensive knowledge live as he explores and details the instigation of the VC, expel some of the myths and presents some of the most breathtaking stories of those men who have been awarded this country’s highest award for bravery.
Mark Smith – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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September 11: Shane Todd – Full House, Redgrave Theatre
Shane Todd is about to hit the road with his biggest ever tour. The host of Tea With Me podcast is fresh off the back of a world tour and a record breaking run of 16 shows at Belfast’s Grand Opera House. Northern Ireland’s (self titled) price of comedy is returning with a brand new laughter packed show.
Shane Todd – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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September 19: Embrace the Green Future: Attend for Free!, Future Leap
Join us at Future Leap’s Festival of Sustainable Business Exhibition at the newly re-opened We The Curious. Discover innovative green solutions, engage with local sustainability leaders, explore interactive exhibits and hear from inspiring speakers including Carla Denyer MP. Free for the public—don’t miss this chance to inspire change and build a sustainable future!
Sustainable exhibition – photo: Future Leap
Main photo: Picnic in the Park / Bristol Good Food
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