Things To Do / Sponsored
24 things to do in Bristol this week, November 18-24 2024
Monday: St Lundi, Louisiana
St Lundi, aka Archie Langley, released his debut album, The Island, in September. With support from Scotland-born but Rugby-raised singer-songwriter Emily Burns.
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Monday-Thursday: No Other Land, Watershed
Movingly captured by a Palestinian-Israeli collective, this award-winning film spotlights the gradual erasure of Palestinian activist Basel Adra’s community, as he forms an unlikely alliance with an Israeli journalist in an effort to document the ongoing occupation.
No Other Land – photo: Watershed
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Monday: The Howl & The Hum, Bristol Beacon
As The Howl & The Hum, Sam Griffiths has spent the best part of the last decade honing this capacity for raw, vulnerable storytelling combined with music that artfully traverses everything from finger-picking folk to indie, country and electronica. With the release of his second album, ‘Same Mistake Twice‘, Griffiths confronts the pain and chaos of recent tumultuous years across 12 tracks of his most direct songwriting to date – surviving the breakup of his band, the global pandemic and reckoning with his future in music. Support from Elanor Moss.
The Howl & The Hum – photo: Bristol Beacon
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Monday-Saturday: The Matrix, Watershed
When a beautiful stranger leads computer hacker Neo to a forbidding underworld, he discovers the shocking truth – the life he knows is the elaborate deception of an evil cyber-intelligence.
The Matrix – photo: Watershed
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Monday-January 5: Spectacular Twilight Tobogganing, Mendip Activity Centre
The Mendip elves are excited to welcome families from Bristol for an unforgettable festive adventure. Slide into the festive spirit with Twilight Tobogganing at Mendip Activity Centre – an award-winning family festive experience! Get exclusive use of 8 toboggans, plus an enchanted woodland walk to a magical grotto where participants toast marshmallows and warm up with hot chocolate. Finish the session with a blaze of sparklers for a fantastic festive photo.
Twilight Tobogganing – photo: Mendip Activity Centre
Tuesday: Pauline Black: A 2-Tone Story, Cube
Pauline Black, lead singer of 2-tone band The Selecter, tells her extraordinary life story in this feature-length documentary.
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Tuesday: Porridge Radio, Crosstown Concerts
Brighton-based indie band Porridge Radio are bringing their raw, emotive sound to Bristol this month! Catch them live at the Marble Factory on November 19th, where they’ll be performing songs from their acclaimed albums and more. Tickets are selling quickly, so make sure to get yours soon for a night of powerful music and energy!
Porridge Radio – photo: Crosstown Concerts
Wednesday: An evening with Tessa Hadley, Waterstones
Waterstones in the Galleries hosts the acclaimed Bristol author whose latest book, The Party, is a post-war tale of two sisters over one weekend in her home city.
An irresistible novella suffused with yearning and emotional acuity, our November Fiction Book of the Month THE PARTY by Tessa Hadley follows two sisters on a night that changes everything… Signed Edition: https://t.co/gdfexZn7WI #WBOTM pic.twitter.com/Cbm4BMUYWE
— Waterstones (@Waterstones) November 9, 2024
Wednesday: Bristol Beer Factory tap takeover, Seven Stars
Meet Bristol Beer Factory’s head brewer and other brewery team members at one of our city’s most historic pubs, where they will guide you through some of their current cask specials and more.
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Wednesday & Thursday: Impact Driver, Mount Without
Artist and performance maker Eve Stainton presents their touring choreographic work which features live welding, movement and live sound.
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Thursday: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra with Mark Wigglesworth, Bristol Beacon
Mark Wigglesworth begins his tenure as Chief Conductor of the BSO with Walton’s Symphony No.1, full of turbulent emotions and high-voltage energy, Ravel’s highly original Concerto for the Left Hand, and Wagner’s overture to his only comic opera Die Meistersinger. Nicholas McCarthy performs on piano.
Orchestral season – photo: Bristol Beacon
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Thursday: BE Contemporary, Bristol Ensemble
Bristol Ensemble performs an intriguing programme of contemporary works in the unique setting of Bristol 1904 Arts Club. Featuring Philip Glass’ String Quartet No.2 ‘ Company, John Cage’s iconic 4’33” and thrilling works by John Pickard, Sadie Harrison, Carmen Ho and Thomas Ades.
BE Contemporary – photo: Bristol Ensemble
Thursday: Ashani Lewis, Gloucester Road Books
The author of one of 2024’s most celebrated debut novels, Winter Animals, will be discussing her new short story collection, Everest, in conversation with author, translator and creative writing teacher, Constantine Blintzios.
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Thursday-January 5: Christmas through the ages at Dyrham Park
Go on a festive journey back in time. Rooms will be decorated from six different eras from Tudor to 1980s. Giant wreath and family reindeer trail around the parkland. Choirs in the church on selected weekends.
Christmas through the ages – photo: NTI/Steve Haywood
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Friday: Choker, Crosstown Concerts
The Bleeding Edge of Alternative Culture, is a brand new clubnight taking Bristol’s alt scene by storm with back-to-back sold out shows since September. On Friday 22nd November, they’re serving Ashnikko’s Slumber Party: A giant pillow fight clubnight, dedicated to Ashnikko. FFO: Ashnikko, BMTH, Bad Omens, Wargasm, Nova Twins.
Choker – photo: Crosstown Concerts
Saturday-February 2 2025: Here Today, Here Tomorrow, Arnolfini
A selection of works from Jerwood Collection that draw upon themes of the cycles of life and our relationship to nature, place and the spaces that we inhabit.
Clare Woods, Saturday Wait (2019) oil on aluminium – courtesy: the artist and Cristea Roberts, London
Saturday: Made in Bristol Gift Fair, Bristol Beacon
Bristol’s annual showcase of local creativity and handmade gifts returns, with around 200 designer-makers selling their wares. The fair is also taking place on December 7 and 14.
Meet the maker and buy direct from the artist at Made in Bristol Gift Fair – photo: Jo Hounsome
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Saturday–December weekends: Winter Wonderland, Wookey Hole
Experience the best Winter Wonderland in the South West at Wookey Hole! Weekends from 23rd November and daily 21st–24th December, enjoy enchanting cave lights, Santa’s Grotto, and a magical show. Every child receives a gift! Advanced booking is essential to meet Santa.
Winter Wonderland – photo: Wookey Hole
Saturday-December 21: The Christmas Collection, Ken Stradling Collection
A range of unique handmade gifts for Christmas from carefully selected local makers.
An exhibition of work by Bristol artists will be on sale at the Ken Stradling Collection- photo: Ken Stradling Collection
Saturday & Sunday: Christmas Fair, Estate of the Arts
More than 30 stalls from Bristol and South West creatives, with different stalls on both days.
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Saturday & Sunday: North Bristol Art Trail
The popular annual trail returns to homes and venues in Ashley Down, Bishopston, Henleaze, Horfield, Montpelier, Redland and St Andrew’s.
A new feature on the 2024 trail is the ‘art collectors trail’ encouraging you to visit a mix of small and multi-artist venues, with the chance to win one of 28 original artworks donated by artists – photo: North Bristol Arts Trail
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Saturday-November 30: Treasure Island, Redgrave Theatre
Yo-ho-ho, matey! Hoist the mainsail as we depart from Bristol for a daring adventure with young Jim Hawkins against legendary pirate Long John Silver. Will Jim outwit the rascal crew and uncover the island’s mysterious secrets before it’s too late? Performed by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Treasure Island – photo: Redgrave Theatre
Sunday: Winter Market, Hart’s Bakery
Stallholders including Hart’s staff will be selling a variety of gifts and it’s also the launch of the bakery’s Christmas menu.
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Sunday: Afro Brunch, Pickle Factory
This celebration of African culture, music and cuisine invites guests to immerse themselves in lively rhythms of while savouring a culinary experience showcasing the rich flavours of Africa.
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And coming soon…
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November 25: Symphony of the World, Bristol Ensemble
A true creative experiment bringing together children from 3 local schools, professional musicians and tutors from Preludes Music to produce a piece of music with 3 movements, each one written by each group of participants. Featuring Bristol Reggae Orchestra, Mamadou Cissokho with Suntou Susso, Troyka, Bristol Ensemble and William Goodchild. The programme will also feature a special performance of the ‘Kora Concerto For Orchestra’.
Symphony Of The World – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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November 26: WINTER SHOWCASE, Rainmaker Gallery
Rainmaker Gallery’s Winter Showcase brings together the work of several Indigenous North American artists, including canvases inspired by traditional pottery design from Laguna Pueblo painter Marla Allison, bold Pacific Northwest Coast ‘formline’ serigraphs by Tlingit artist Preston Singletary and modernist monochrome masterworks by Mvskoke painter Rick Grimster.
Winter Showcase – photo: Rainmaker Gallery
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November 28: BONNIE & CLIVE, Scott Cinema
Following a Cornwall Sell Out premiere, BONNIE & CLIVE, plus Q&A with Director & Cast, comes to Bristol. Winning Best Feature, Best Cast, Best Score awards, described as a “Beatles-style road trip” this is a life-affirming movie, an antidote for these troubled times. Don’t miss this one night only chance.
Bonnie & Clive – photo: ShortCut Films
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November 30: SUZY, The Prospect Building
On 30 November 2024, SUZY is throwing the most raucous party at The Prospect Building in Bristol, and you’re invited to step into their world. Featuring top-knotch selectors like Dimitri From Paris, Gerd Janson, CC:DISCO!, Horse Meat Disco and many more, it’s set to be a full-throttle party with unmatched energy.
Dimitri – photo: The Prospect Building
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November 30: Jack Frost & The Winter Freeze, Redgrave Theatre
The snow in Leigh Woods is deep and the animals are hibernating – or at least they should be! Jack’s frost is building and if we’re not careful, winter will take over forever. Can you help us to save the magical forest? Expect music, mischief, puppetry and song in this festive family tale. Performed by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Jack Frost & The Winter Freeze – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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November 30-December 8: Bristol Palestine Film Festival 2024
Bristol Palestine Film Festival is back in 2024 with a diverse lineup of the very best in contemporary Palestinian cinema, arts and culture. This year’s festival takes place across the city with a huge lineup of 15 events, including music, feature-films and documentaries, director Q&As, discussions and a club night.
Bristol Palestine Film Festival
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December 7-15: The Christmas Planetarium, Aerospace
Get into the festive spirit at Aerospace Bristol! Immerse yourself in the magic of the cosmos with the Dome Club Planetarium, featuring the Christmas Star show with a live planetarium presentation and The Holy Star 360° film.
The Christmas Planetarium – photo: Aerospace
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December 8: HERE Christmas Market
Visit the HERE Christmas market on Sunday, December 8, 10am-3pm at 470 Bath Rd, Bristol, BS4 3AP. Enjoy Bristol’s finest independent goods, Sri Lankan street food, treats from The Deli, and a fun crafts table with take-home gifts. Get your festive shopping done early! See you HERE!
HERE Christmas Market
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December 8: A fun and transformative Workshop, Gus Hoyt
You’ll dive into the Three Pillars of The WHM: Breath, Cold, and Mindset, as well as discovering the scientific basis and how to implement them into your daily life. Gus is also a Functional Breathwork Coach and a Conscious Breathwork guide and incorporates this to his workshops.
Transformative workshop – photo: Gus Hoyt
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December 31: NYE with Joy Orbison and more, The Prospect Building
We’re celebrating the first-ever NYE at The Prospect Building in style this year, with a huge lineup of DJs joining us for an extended event, including Joy Orbison, Special Request, Octo Octa and more. It’s set to be the perfect way to welcome 2025 in.
NYE with Joy Orbison – photo: The Prospect Building
Main image: Illustration by Poppy Victoria May
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