20 things to do in Bristol this week, December 26-January 1 2022/3

SPONSORED
Monday: The Snow Queen, Tobacco Factory Theatres
This unforgettable folk tale is full of heart, courage and a lot of laughter. Remember to wrap up warm as we hop on-board a Nordic sleigh, adventure through a mystical land of snow and magic, and even fly through the sky with a bicycling reindeer!

The Snow Queen comes to Tobacco Factory Theatres this week – Photo: Mark Dawson

Monday: Boxing Day Swim, Clevedon Marine Lake
Brush away the Christmas cobwebs with a refreshing dip in the Clevedon Marine Lake this boxing day, for an afternoon/evening swim to awaken the senses.

Clevedon Lake – photo: Clevedon lake

SPONSORED
Opens Tuesday: Corsage, Watershed
Vicky Krieps stars as Empress Elizabeth ‘Sissi’ of Austria in this witty, sexy and distinctly postmodern vision of her life, winner of the Best Film award at this year’s London Film Festival.

SPONSORED
Now-January 7: The Nutcracker, Bristol Old Vic
This Christmas at Bristol Old Vic, forget Sugar Plum fairies and ballet shoes – this is The Nutcracker like you’ve never seen before! In this piece of “modernised magic” (★★★★★ The Observer), with original music from the creative team behind A Christmas Carol (2019), toys come to life, princesses play the saxophone, and anything is possible. Don’t miss this “entertaining, comical and a little bit bonkers” (★★★★★ What’s Good To Do) family blockbuster, showing until 7 Jan.

SPONSORED
Monday-Saturday: Aladdin, Redgrave Theatre
Join us on a thrilling magic carpet ride and an adventure of a lifetime as Aladdin flies into The Redgrave Theatre this Christmas. So don’t delay, book your tickets today and enjoy Bristol’s finest festive treat which is suitable for anyone aged 3-103!

Aladdin comes to Redgrave Theatre this December – Photo: Redgrave Theatre

SPONSORED
Returns Tuesday: The Banshees of Inisherin, Watershed
Another chance to see Martin McDonagh’s (Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri) jewel of a tragicomedy, a shimmering tale of friendship, feuds and Irish identity starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson.

Tuesday: Peter Clifford’s Crazy Conjuring Christmas Show, The Alma Tavern & Theatre
If the Christmas period simply isn’t magical enough for you, the Alma Tavern & Theatre is the place to be this Tuesday. Bring the whole family, as Peter’s shows are super family-friendly, full of laughs and festive cheer. Oh, and of course, prepare your mind to be well and truly blown.

Illusionist Peter Clifford comes to The Alma Tavern & Theatre this week – photo: Alma Tavern & Theatre

SPONSORED
Plan your winter walk this Christmas, The Grand Appeal
Did you know you could fundraise for Bristol Children’s Hospital just by taking a walk? Use The Grand Appeal’s interactive map and visit one of the fantastically festive Christmas light displays around Bristol. Don’t forget to donate!

Wallace and Gromit grand appeal – photo: Barbara Evripidou/FirstAvenuePhotography.com

Wednesday: La La Bar, Bristol Improv Theatre
If you need an injection of live music to tide you over from Christmas to new year, Clifton’s Bristol Improv Theatre are hosting their musical open mic, inviting you down to serenade us with your favourite melodies, alongside an in-house piano accompaniment.

Bristol Improv Theatre – photo: Lee Pullen

SPONSORED
Wednesday-Saturday: 169 Annual Open, RWA
Stuck for ideas in the Christmas/ NYE limbo? The RWA’s 169th Annual Open Exhibition is open for just 2 more weeks! The galleries are filled to the brim with over 600 works from some of the most exciting artists from across the country and beyond. And don’t forget there’s the Spicer and Cole cafe fuelling a full cultural day out. Open 28th-31st December (closing 2pm 31st)

The annual exhibition is an opportunity to discover a wide array of new artists – Photo: Alice Hendy

Thursday: Treasure Hunt – The Waterside Wanderer, starts at St Peter’s Church
A fun alternative to a tour around the city, Treasure Hunts aim to take you around certain areas of the city, solving clues and following maps all sent to your phone, all the while learning interesting spots and facts about Bristol.

Treasure hunt Bristol – photo: Treasure hunt Bristol

Friday: Theatre Tour, Bristol Hippodrome
Ever wanted to see the areas of the Hippodrome usually inaccessible to the public? In collaboration with Theatres Online, they’re running an incredibly special tour of the behind-the-scenes of the premises, to see where, and how, the magic happens.

Discover the secrets of Bristol’s largest theatre – Photo: Visit Bristol

SPONSORED
Saturday: Alfresco Disco: Light Box NYE, Secret Location
Alfresco Disco is the collective responsible for some of Bristol’s most audacious events. For this NYE they’ve secured the keys to an amazing disused factory in central Bristol – expect multiple soundsystems across a stunning industrial playground. As always, the line-up will remain under wraps until the day – previous guests have included Axel Boman, Shanti Celeste, Eats Everything, Marshall Jefferson and DJ Die.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkN1AEujYSC/

SPONSORED
Saturday: Obsidian NYE with Booty Bass & Shade Cartel, Trinity Centre
Booty Bass join forces with Shade Cartel to celebrate the end of the year in the best way possible, providing a space dominated by diverse divas. Get ready for an immersive experience, your senses will be set alight from the moment you walk in. Leave your inhibitions at the door, this is where energy comes to ignite. Proud of our similarities and differences; This is where you can be your most authentic self.

Saturday: NYE 2022: Overmono, Sully, Naina, Addison Groove + More, Clock Factory
The big night – a “Secret central Bristol warehouse” hosts what can only be described as modern rave royalty. Overmono providing the of the moment garage, techno and bass, with Sully and Naina bringing their modern take on jungle and hardcore – and that’s without even mentioning Addison Groove and the rest of the impressive talent.

SPONSORED
Saturday: Clock Factory NYE, Clock Factory
Bristol’s Newest City Centre 2 floor music venue opens its doors for their first NYE party with My Nu Leng, Congo Natty, Born on Road’s Gray + Bish, Samurai Breaks, Nicky Black Market Origin8a & Propa + many more!

Sunday: New Years Day, Pipe and Slippers
Over the years, the Pipe on Stokes Croft has become infamous for its New Years Day celebrations – keeping the party people moving from the night before. If this sounds like you, you know where to be to start the year off right.

The Pipe & Slippers on Stokes Croft – photo: Martin Booth

SPONSORED
Sunday: Space Jungle New Year’s Day Rave, Trinity Centre
Head to Trinity on New Year’s Day for a family friendly day rave with the whole family, dressed as your favourite Space Animal! Featuring music from Junior Jungle, Simon Panrucker, DJ Cheeba and more, alongside crafts from Let’s Make Art.

And coming soon…

SPONSORED
January 19: The Tonic Sessions: Liane Carroll, Bristol Beacon
The first artist ever to win two BBC Jazz Awards in the same year, for Best Vocalist and Best of Jazz, Liane Carroll is a dynamic vocalist and pianist whose amazing talent has been captivating audiences around the world. She is recognised as one of the finest singer/pianists on the scene, working with the likes of Gerry Rafferty, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Paul McCartney, and has been a featured performer at Glastonbury Festival. A world-class performer, Liane’s powerful blues-tinged voice combined with strong piano playing and exciting infectious material, not to mention a wicked sense of humour, make this a truly remarkable gig.

SPONSORED
January 22: Kayhan Kalhor & Erdal Erzincan, St George’s Bristol
The ongoing collaborations between Iranian artist Kayhan Kalhor and Erdal Erzincan fuse the respective traditions of Persia and Ottoman Turkey. Each draws on the folk and classical heritage of their homeland, with Grammy Award winner Kalhor being an acclaimed player of the kamancheh, a Persian spiked fiddle, whilst Erzincan is renowned for his mastery of the Turkish baglama, a long-necked lute. Ever since the pair released their album The Wind in 2006 they have continued to collaborate, their vibrant virtuosic explorations of Middle Eastern classical instrumentation creating striking and trance-like arrangements.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOAnjA6kzGs

Main photo: Giulia Spadafora / Soul Media / Lakota

Read next:

• 54 things to do in Bristol in December 2022
• Garth Marenghi’s Terrortome Book Tour hits the Hippodrome
• Best of Bristol releases 2022

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: