Things To Do / Sponsored
26 things to do in Bristol this week, December 16-22 2024
Monday: Easton Cowfolk Radical Film Club – Yemen, St Paul’s Learning Centre
This is the third installation of the Radical Film Club. This time round they will be showcasing short films from and about Yemen followed by a panel-led discussion. The events aims to take a look at the cultural and historical significance of Yemen throughout the years, its resistance movements, ongoing conflicts, foreign external interference, misrepresentations in the mainstream media, misunderstandings, and the beauty and resilience within Yemen that still is still present.
This viewing is part of a selection of screenings and talks on imperialism – image: Easton Cowfolk Radical Film Club
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Monday: Bristol welcomes its first BYD dealership
Celebrate the grand opening with exclusive test drives, a dazzling YangWang U8 light show, and a traditional lion dance. Don’t miss this exciting day of innovation and culture—book your spot now!
BYD Bristol South Grand Opening
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Monday: James Yorkston, The Jam Jar
Experience an evening of masterful songwriting with James Yorkston at The Jam Jar. Known for his rich storytelling and heartfelt performances, Yorkston will bring his unique blend of folk and warmth to this intimate Bristol venue.
James Yorkston – photo: Crosstown Concerts
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Monday-Thursday: Queer, Watershed
1950. Daniel Craig stars as William Lee, an outcast American expat who becomes infatuated with an elusive younger man (played by Drew Starkey) while revelling in the city’s nightlife and colourful cast of characters.
Queer – photo: Watershed
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Monday-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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Monday-January 19: Hansel and Gretel, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Following last year’s record-breaking Christmas hit, Tobacco Factory Theatres is transformed into a magical and mythical land in this classic fairy-tale by the Brothers Grimm. Come fill yourself with gingerbread, live-music and complete delight!
Hansel & Gretel – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres
Tuesday: The Super Quiz – Christmas Special, The Mothers Ruin
Dust off those Santa hats and sharpen up your Mariah Carey trivia for a Christmas edition of The Super Quiz. The Colosseum, The Crown and The Mothers Ruin will be going head to head in a battle for all three venue’s money pots. After the quiz, DJ Stanley Duke will be transforming the floor into an evening of Indie, Rock and Pop.
Even if you aren’t a quiz person, for the value of the three pots, it’s worth a punt – image: The Crown
Wednesday: A Winter’s Tale, Trinity Centre
The snow is falling and the solstice is approaching. Ratty is getting ready. She wants everything to be really rat-tastic! But will her friends make it through the snow to the winter woodland revels? Can you help them on their journey? There’ll be excitement, adventure, play-acting, games, music, a splattering of silliness and lots of snow!
An events for all ages – image: Trinity Centre
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Wednesday: The Bootleg Beatles in Concert, Bristol Beacon
Regarded the world over as the gold standard of tribute acts, The Bootleg Beatles return for another nostalgic whirlwind trip through the sixties. With fastidious attention to detail, the band manage spectacularly to recreate the sound and look of the Fab Four through each iconic phase of their illustrious career, with what can only be described as uncanny authenticity. With a little help from their ever-popular orchestral ensemble, this magical multi-media show is an absolute must-see for Beatles fanatics of all ages.
Bootleg Beatles – photo: Bristol Beacon
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Wednesday-December 23: Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, Watershed
Animation’s most frightening chicken – ahem penguin – Feathers McGraw returns with a vengeance in this new feature-length Wallace and Gromit film.
Wallace & Gromit – photo: Watershed
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Thursday – Saturday: A Christmas Carol, The Drone Light Show
A brand new festive drone show is flying into Bristol this December. Back by popular demand, Yuup and Celestial return to Seat Unique Stadium with A Christmas Carol, The Drone Light Show. Embark on a dazzling adventure through Dickens’ timeless classic on the world’s biggest stage – the sky, all charismatically narrated by Matt Lucas.
Thursday: An Evening with Geoff Twentyman and Gary Owers plus guests, Sartan Club
Geoff and Gary will be ticking off the Sartan club on their entertaining roadshow once again. The event promises to be relaxed evening filled with their experiences and plenty of stories from their playing days for Bristol Rovers and Bristol City, as well as their time at BBC Radio Bristol.
If you missed Dinner with Dean Saunders, you won’t want to miss this evening of football tales – photo: Sartan Club
Thursday: Christmas Wreath Workshop, Sea Mills Library
Head to Sea Mills Library for a festive and fun Christmas wreath workshop. For some last minute personal touches to your place before the family come over for Christmas dinner, this may be one of the few places not yet sold out. You will guide you through the entire process and provided with all the materials needed to create a unique, personalised wreath.
Creative a beautiful wreath ahead of Christmas – photo: Edita Healy-Brown
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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
Friday: Bingo Lingo Bristol XL – Christmas Special, Document
Join cultural phenomena Bingo Lingo for a ski-themed night where icy thrills, snowy adventures and Bingo await. As they put it, it’s time ‘get piste.’ Throughout the evening, prepare to be taken on a festive adventure with our DJ host and daredevil, stunt performing stage performers who push the boundaries of what is possible on the slopes. Tables hold up to eight people and terrible Christmas jumpers and fancy dress are very much encouraged.
Friday: downcast + High Regard +Trashed + Mosaic EP release show, The Louisiana
As heard on BBC Radio 1 and Kerrang! Radio, downcast carve out driven melodic bursts of infectious emo/pop-punk laced with truly heart-wrenching lyrics and a poignant delivery. downcast are celebrating the release of their new EP at The Louisiana, Bristol with support from High Regard, Trashed and Mosaic.
“Truly emotional pop-punk” says Alex Baker of Kerrang! Radio – photo: downcast
Saturday: Solstice Session – Morefire Sound & Sir Bastian, Kumba Community Centre
To keep the vibrations bubbling this winter and to celebrate the lighter days returning – Morefire Soundsystem are linking up with one of the long time heavyweight Dub Sound system veterans Sir Bastian aka Bass I (with full crew). Sir Bastian aka Bass I (with Full Crew) – Established in 1974 have a great history within the Bristol Sound System Culture and beyond. Having joined King Alpha, Jah Tubbys & many more sounds to continually bring the upful vibrations that we can come to love about sound system culture.
Kumba Community Centre is hoping to get more events up and running – image: Kuumba Community Centre
Saturday: Ujima End of Year Celebrations
Ujima Radio is really proud to announce their End of Year Celebration, honouring all their volunteers, presenters, and of course their listeners, all in the presence of the Queen of Lovers Rock herself, Sandra Cross PLUS her full LIVE BAND! Ujima Radio would love you to join the Ujima family celebrations of their 16th year of broadcasting. Including support from Miss Faithee and Ujima DJ’s will include DJ Style, Skylion, Sim Citi and hosted by Miss Divine & Faada Sojie. Celebrate in style & book your tickets now from the Bristol Beacon website.
Ujima End of Year Celebrations – photo: Ujima Radio
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Saturday: Bryn’s Christmas, Bristol Beacon
Enjoy a festive evening of song and celebration with world-renowned Welsh baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, famous for his rich voice and dynamic performances. With special guest soprano Pumeza Matshikiza and accompanied by the acclaimed Welsh National Opera Orchestra, expect magical seasonal music, beloved Christmas carols and traditional Welsh songs. A perfect night for family and friends to celebrate the festive season together.
Bryn’s Christmas – photo: Bristol Beacon
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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
Sunday: Peter & the Wolves, The Bristol Fringe
The Bristol Fringe will welcome Pete Coggins and friends back for an evening of the blues. Expect gruff, bluesy vocals, and tasty guitar riffs.
Expect some blue grass blues – photo: Peter & The Wolves
Sunday: Love Actually, Armada House
Time to get in and see this Christmas Classic if you haven’t already. Starring Hugh Grant, Keira Knightly and Emma Thompson, this is a firm favourite for hopeless romantics looking for a little chill time before the chaos of Christmas.
Love Actually by Richard Curtis
And coming soon…
is needed now More than ever
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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
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January 5: 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.
Fundamental workshop – photo: Gus Hoyt
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January 28-30: Room on the Broom, Redgrave Theatre
Presented by Tall Stories. Iggety Ziggety Zaggety zoom! Jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, the best-selling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
Room on the Broom – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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February 14: ABBA By Candlelight, St George’s
This Valentine’s Day, let the romance of ABBA’s unforgettable tunes set your heart dancing – because love deserves dramatic violins and epic crescendos! In a one-of-a-kind orchestral concert blending ABBA’s iconic pop sound with lush symphonic arrangements, expect hits that’ll have you crying into your champagne one moment and dancing in the aisles the next. The perfect soundtrack to your Valentine’s night!
ABBA by Candlelight – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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June 27: Bristol Sounds, Lloyds Amphitheatre
The wait is over… Bristol Sounds 2025 is ready for you! If you missed out on presale, now’s your chance to secure a spot at Supergrass, Kaiser Chiefs, Texas and Olly Murs. More announcements to come soon.
Bristol Sounds – photo: Crosstown Concerts
Main photo: Bingo Lingo
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