22 things to do in Bristol this week, December 19-25 2022

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Now-December 31: 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

Monday-Friday: An Unexpected Christmas – The Improvised Christmas Romcom, Bristol Improv Theatre
For one week only, Clifton’s Improv Theatre puts on its special festive performance. Guided by audience suggestions, it’s a yuletide romance, so unique that you could see it five times this week and you wouldn’t see the same story twice.

An Unexpected Christmas – photo: Bristol Improv Theatre

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Monday-Friday: BS3 Santa, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Experienced at entertaining all ages with his own brand of improvisation and audience interaction, it’s where theatre meets ‘an audience with’ Father Christmas. Guaranteed to bring a sense of fun, laughter and anticipation to all. There’ll be music, sleigh bells, magic and bucket loads of Christmas spirit, too!

BS3 Santa – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

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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.

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Monday & Tuesday: Christmas Spiegeltent, Harbourside
Bristol’s most unique pop-up venue, Christmas at the Spiegeltent, returns for its 10th Anniversary! Bringing a smorgasbord of events ranging from family friendly events to cabarets to club nights you can find something for everybody.

The Spiegeltent is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary this year – Photo: Christmas Spiegeltent

Tuesday: It’s a wonderful life, Averys Wine Merchants (Bristol Film Festival)
The 1946 undisputed Christmas classic flick gets a spin as part of Bristol Film Festival’s festive programme. At Averys Wine Merchants, you’ll be welcomed with a glass of wine, and be introduced to the art of wine tasting pre-screening.

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Wednesday: Winter Solstice Sound Bath, The Mount Without
Join Annette and Rounik for this special, Winter Solstice Sound Bath in breath-taking Bristol venue, The Mount Without. Sound healing is a wonderfully restorative and relaxing experience, nourishing us on so many levels. It can also be the catalyst for timely change, shifts and further awakening. Annette and Rounik weave high vibrations into a heart-felt space using ancient, healing instruments such as chakra singing bowls, gongs, monochords, special chimes, Light Language vocals and other sacred sounds. We’re collaborating with Bristol-based vegan, organic chocolatier, ChocBox, for a special treat to round off our sound journey together. 

The Mount Without are celebrating the Winter Solstice with a traditional sound bath – photo: The Mount Without

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Wednesday & Thursday: The Muppets Christmas Carol, Watershed
Join Kermit, Gonzo, Miss Piggy and a host of Muppets in their fun musical version of the most popular Christmas story of all time, Charles Dickens’ classic with a twist.

Wednesday: Under the Red Guitar, El Rincón
An evening of poetry at North Street’s vibrant, cosy tapas restaurant. This month’s verse is provided by the award-winning Clare Ferguson-Walker. Having put on a five star rated performance at the Edinburgh Fringe and with performance credits at The London Palladium and Hammersmith Apollo, it will be an evening of high quality performance poetry.

El Rincon – photo: Martin Booth

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Christmas Art History Lecture, RWA
Fancy scrubbing up your art history knowledge? Local art historian Jonathan Camp will be presenting a fascinating and festive exploration of the art and meaning of Fra Angelico’s ‘The Annunciation’. No need to book, tickets are £10 on the door.

RWA from the outside – photo: Evan Dawson

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Now-January 15: 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 December – Photo: Mark Dawson

Thursday: Booty Bass Christmas Party, Lost Horizon
The female DJ collective have taken Bristol by storm over the past year. This Thursday, they are hosting their very own Christmas party at Lost Horizon. The entire supergroup will be present, providing the bassy, funk-filled rhythms – with added tinsel.

Booty Bass for Keep Hush at Strange Brew – photo: shotbytia

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Plan your winter walk this Christmas 
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

Friday: Outdoor winter walk, food and games, Wellspring Settlement
Before you fully commit yourself to a weekend of eating, drinking and being merry, enjoy a brisk winter walk around the Barton Hill area. During the walk, there will be a break at the Strawberry Lane Allotment, where you will enjoy lunch cooked on a campfire, with games and activities for the children.

The walk is the perfect wind-down before the Christmas weekend – photo: Bristol Walk Fest

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Screening now: Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, Watershed
Emma Thompson leads a dazzling ensemble in this rousing big screen adaptation of the smash-hit, Olivier-winning stage musical.

Saturday: Christmas Eve Market, Full Moon & Attic Bar
For those truly leaving the Christmas shopping to the last minute, do not fret – The Full Moon are hosting a Christmas Eve market, fully equipped with mulled wine, Baileys hot chocolate, and an array of fantastic independent makers and vendors selling their wares.

The Full Moon opens it’s doors for one final Christmas market – photo: The Full Moon

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Now-January 8: 169 Annual Open, RWA
There’s not long left to catch the RWA’s 169th Annual Open Exhibition! The galleries are filled to the brim with over 600 works from some of the most exciting artists from across the country and beyond. Fancy even more art? There are 2 free exhibitions in the Kenny and History Gallery ready to explore, with the Spicer and Cole cafe fuelling a full cultural day out.

The RWA’s annual open is a great opportunity to bag yourself some hidden gems – photo: Alice Hendy

Sunday: Merry Christmas!

And coming soon…

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December 31: 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/

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December 31: 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.

Booty Bass & Shade Cartel team up for a care-free knees up to see in 2023 – photo: Trinity Centre

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January 1: 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.

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January 19: The Tonic Sessions: Liane Carroll, Bristol Beacon Foyer
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.

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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: Ella Calland

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