Things To Do / Sponsored
25 things to do in Bristol this week, December 2-8 2024
Monday: Migrant Women Talk – Tara Miran, St Paul’s Learning Centre
Tara Miran is a vibrant force within Bristol’s community, dedicated to creating spaces for connection, diversity, and inclusion. A proud Kurd from Southern Kurdistan, Tara’s life has been shaped by her heritage, resilience, and dedication to the ethos of “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” (Women, Life, Freedom), rooted in the Kurdish Feminist Liberation Movement.
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Monday-Thursday: Conclave, Watershed
Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci revel in the ritual and intrigue surrounding the process of choosing a new pontiff, in this tantalisingly tense Vatican-set drama.
Conclave – photo: Courtesy of Focus Features
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Monday-December 22: Sing The Body Electric Collection 2, Watershed
The second collection from the Sing The Body Electric Exhibition at Undershed explores what lies just beyond the edge of our perception and is revealed through unusual ways of encountering a story.
Sing The Body 2 – photo: Watershed
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Tuesday: Confidence Man, Bristol Beacon
Confidence Man are naughtier, ravier, and ready for lift-off. Since bursting onto the scene in 2016, Confidence Man have enchanted global audiences with their playful pop-dance tracks and captivating choreography. Their latest album, ‘3AM (LA LA LA)‘, blends acid techno, trance, breakbeat, and big beat for a darker, sexier, and more surreal experience. Don’t miss their jaw-dropping, high octane performance in our world-class venue this December – limited tickets remain.
Confidence Man – photo: Bristol Beacon
Tuesday: Organising Conversations 101, PRSC
This workshop will explore how to broach the topic of workers unions and how to engage colleagues in being more active in their workplace.
PRSC is a well known hub for activist – photo: PRSC
Tuesday-Saturday: The Girlfriend Experience, Kelvin Players
A true-life play about friendship, heartbreak and business enterprise set in a seaside brothel.
The Girlfriend Experience – photo: Kelvin Players
Wednesday: Crochet a Booble, Child.org Offices
Join Child.org for an evening of crochet, prosecco and Christmas boobles! A fun little crochet design to give as a gift, hang on your Christmas tree, or use as a key ring. This is a fundraising event to raise money for Child.org during our Big Give Christmas Campaign. During this campaign, every donation they receive between the 3rd and 10th of December is doubled.
Crochet a unique and conversation starting Christmas bauble – image: Child.org
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Wednesday: Famous, Rough Trade
Catch Famous live at Rough Trade on the 4th of December, a night of raw, powerful post-punk and grunge that cuts straight to the core. Don’t miss their intense energy and sharp sound in one of the most exciting gigs this winter, get your tickets now before they’re gone.
Famous – photo: Crosstown Concerts
Wednesday: Around about Dusk, The Architect
Around About Dusk lead audiences on a magical journey through New Orleans jazz, European folk & old-time influences.
Around About Dusk – photo: The Architect
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Thursday: Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Bristol Beacon
The Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra make their first visit to Bristol Beacon with two of Hungary’s most revered composers leading the way in a dance themed-programme. The concert opens with Kodály’s lively Dances of Galánta, based on Hungarian folk tunes. Pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason joins for Chopin’s achingly lyrical Piano Concerto No. 2. Franz Liszt’s humorous Mephisto Waltz brings mischief to the evening’s proceedings after which Beethoven’s thrilling Symphony No. 7 continues the evening’s dance theme. An evening not to be missed!
Orchestral season – photo: Bristol Beacon
Thursday: Stephen Leslie, 17 Midland Road
Join Stephen Leslie as he takes a detailed, often humorous look at his favourite images, from several decades as a street photographer. The talk marks the opening of Mostly False Reports, an exhibition of recent works from his book of the same title, which is a combination of original candid street photography and short stories.
A satirical look at some photos from past and present – photo: Stephen Leslie
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Thursday: DIIV, SWX
Fresh off the back of supporting Fontaines DC in London, DIIV are bringing their post-punk, IDLES esque sound to SWX, Bristol, along with very special guests Tim Kinsella & Jenny Pulse. Tickets are selling quickly so make sure you book while you can!
Diiv – photo: Crosstown Concerts
Thursday: Dinner with Dean Saunders, Memorial Stadium
Saunders will speak about his career, where he made over 600 league appearances for teams like Liverpool, Aston Villa and Galatasaray and collected 75 caps for Wales before answering some questions.
Join legendary footballer Dean Saunders for an intimate dinner – photo: Bristol Rovers
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Thursday: Breath Led with Lucy, Thursdays, Yogasara 10 – 11.15am
Join Lucy at Yogasara studio for a 75 minute kundalini global class working with breath, posture and strength, ending with a crystal singing bowls sound bath. As we quiet our minds and open our hearts, we are able to regulate our nervous systems. From this space we can soothe our stress and anxious and addictive minds. No experience necessary, not suitable during pregnancy.
Breath led with Lucy-photo: Lucy Spragge
Until Friday: The Fall of the House of Usher, Arnos Vale Cemetery
A lone traveller visits his estranged childhood friend, Roderick Usher after receiving a letter asking for his help. Roderick and his twin sister Madeline live alone in a haunting and strange house, cursed by a mysterious sickness.
Red Rope Theatre Company return with a story no for the faint-hearted – image: Red Rope Theatre Company
Friday: No Reason Short Film Festival, Malcom X Community Centre
The non-for-profit film festival platforms a collection of amateur short films sent it from across the South West. Entries are judged by an independent panel in different categories.
The annual celebration of local talent returns – image: No Reason Short Film Festival
Friday: Odd Top – Dolfinboy / The Stomp Project takeover, Death Disco
Celebrating all the events they’ve done this year before having a little break in January, The Stomp Project will be bringing their sound to Death Disco for the first time.
The Stomp Project takeover Death Disco – image: The Stomp Project
Saturday: Bristol Gay Men’s Chorus ft. Bristol EnharmoniQ, Redland Park United Reform Church
Expect a lively mix of winter-themed songs and playful tunes that are sure to put a smile on your face. It’s the perfect way to kick off the season and enjoy some light-hearted entertainment with friends and the community.
An inclusive night of Christmas cheer – photo: Bristol Gay Men’s Chorus
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Saturday: Sustainable Christmas Market – Support local indie makers!
Future Leap’s Sustainable Christmas Market is back, giving you the opportunity to shop from an array of indie sellers while supporting local artists and making your Christmas more sustainable. Every Saturday hosts a different selection of stallholders, and you can expect to find photography and art prints, eco-friendly beauty and hygiene products, greener household alternatives, ceramics, handsewn homewares and much, much more. Restore café will also be serving fresh coffee, food and treats to keep up your festive fuel.
Christmas Market – photo: Future Leap
Saturday-Wednesday: Monkey Business – RTiiiKA Exhibition, Centrespace Gallery
RTiiiKA is Rosa ter Kuile, a visual artist whose work encompasses murals, illustration, academic collaborations, and activism, often employing a queer lens to explore and expand contrasting narratives. RTiiiKA is the designer behind the Bristol Beacon’s new look and mural, the founder of Bristol Mural Collective and Bristol’s Smallest Street Art Festival. Monkey Business serves as a space for reflection about the nature of sexuality and how we understand it – both in animals and in ourselves.
A thought-provoking exhibition – image: RTIIIKA
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Saturday-Sunday: Windmill Hill Market – Festive Gift Fair
A two-day festive gift fair with a wealth of beautiful handcrafted items by local designer makers, including homeware, ceramics, jewellery, illustrations, food and drink and more. Plus street food, local produce, tap room, mulled drinks, Christmas trees, wreath making workshops, choirs and food demos. All in the beautiful setting of the city farm!
Update: Cancelled following weather warnings due to storm Darragh
Festive Market – photo: GD Events
Sunday: South West Wrestling – Nightmare Before Crimbo, The Trinity Centre
This eerie extravaganza will feature the highly anticipated debut of the “Maiden of Metal” Rayne Leverkusen, as well as the return of star of Mythos:Ragnarok (portraying Thor) JD Knight, and that “Damn Dirty Dog” Gene Munny.
A Christmas themed wrestling match – photo: Trinity Centre
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Sunday: 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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Throughout December: 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
And coming soon…
is needed now More than ever
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December 13-January 5: Jack and the Beanstalk, Redgrave Theatre
Pantomime at the Redgrave Theatre is always the highlight of the festive calendar for the whole family. This year’s Jack and the Beanstalk promises to be bigger and better than ever! Get ready to roar with laughter and cheer on our hero Jack on his magical journey.
Jack and the Beanstalk – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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December 15: Bristol Ensemble Contemporary – Terry Riley ‘In C’
Bristol Ensemble performs an intriguing programme of contemporary works in the unique setting of Bristol 1904 Arts Club. In C is a musical piece composed by Terry Riley in 1964 and is often cited as the first minimalist composition to make a significant impact on the public consciousness. The programme also includes works by Ruth Gipps for solo oboe, Peter McGarr and Anna Meredith.
BE Contemporary – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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December 22: Christmas Special by Candlelight, Bristol Ensemble
The Military Wives Choir join the Bristol Ensemble for an uplifting programme of Christmas classics that will get you singing and clapping along. A perfect way to get into the Christmas mood!
Bristol Ensemble Christmas Special – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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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
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December 31: New Years Day Celebration at the Mount Without
Join Lucy in the stunning candlelit Mount Without on New Year’s Day for an afternoon of breathwork, yoga, sound, cacao and journaling to set our intentions as we move into 2025. Working with breath, stretch and posture will help us transition into the new year with clarity and calm. No experience necessary.
New Years Day Celebration – photo: Lucy Spragge
Main photo: Monkey Business – RTiiiKA Exhibition
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