Things To Do / Sponsored
27 things to do in Bristol this week, November 4-10 2024
Monday: Philosophy Salon, St George’s
Join philosopher Julian Baggini, MP and biographer of Burke Jesse Norman, and former MP Thangam Debbonaire for a deep dive into the nature of democracy in which the audience will also have a say.
Julian Baggini – photo: St George’s Bristol
Monday-November 30: Mary Poppins, Hippodrome
The beloved musical is back at the Hippodrome for a month. Audiences can “chim chiminey” along with Australian theatre standouts Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers.
Mary Poppins – photo: Disney
SPONSORED
Monday-November 7: Small Things Like These, Watershed
Oscar winner Cillian Murphy delivers a stunning performance as a devoted father in this film based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Claire Keegan.
Small Things Like These – photo: Watershed
SPONSORED
Monday-November 16: COLORFIELDS, Rainmaker Gallery
A solo exhibition of polychromatic landscapes by Rick Grimster (b 1945) presenting new works on paper alongside earlier paintings on canvas. Together these artworks reflect the artist’s changing identity from adoptee to Indigenous elder. “In these works I try to represent how man has influenced ancient landscapes.” – R. Grimster
Hay Bales 2024 by Rick Grimster
SPONSORED
Monday-November 7: Anora, Watershed
Sean Baker won the Palme d’Or at Cannes with this enthralling drama, featuring a star-making performance from Mikey Madison.
Anora – photo: Watershed
Tuesday-Saturday: Pitlad, Kit Form
Street photographer Pitlad is debuting a new exhibition of his work at Kit Form, the new creative space under Jamaica Street Studios.
Bristol’s best known Big Issue seller Jeff Knight is a fan of Pitlad’s work – photo: Pitlad
Tuesday: Edwin Raphael, Crofters Rights
Indian indie crooner Edwin Raphael is stopping by in Bristol as part of his global tour.
Wednesday: James Wright Historic Building Mythbusting, University of Bristol
James Wright from archaeological consultancy Triskele Heritage is on a book tour after the publication of Historic Building Mythbusting – Uncovering Folklore, History and Archaeology. He’ll be at UoB’s Department of Anthropology and Archaeology for a 45-minute talk followed by a Q&A.
James Wright – photo: Triskele Heritage
SPONSORED
Wednesday: Steve Knightley, Bristol Beacon
Multi-award winning singer-songwriter Steve Knightley writes and performs historically accurate, traditional folk songs that resonate with contemporary meaning. He has an extraordinary ability to bring the past vividly into the present, and his talent as a songwriter has earned him several accolades, including four BBC Folk Awards. Steve was also a founder member of widely acclaimed folk/acoustic roots trail-blazers Show of Hands, a band that has been praised by Peter Gabriel as “one of the great English bands”.
Steve Knightley – photo: Bristol Beacon
SPONSORED
Thursday: Naima Bock, Jam Jar
Naima Bock is an emerging artist known for her atmospheric soundscapes and introspective lyrics. She released her ethereal second album ‘Below A Massive Dark Land’ last month, go and check it out! Come along to see her blending elements of folk, indie, and alternative music at the Jam Jar on November 7. Tickets are on sale now.
Naima Bock – photo: Crosstown Concerts
Thursday: Limpet + Dan Johnson, St Stephen’s Church
For the sixth time, ‘Relativity: a contemporary music experience’ returns to St Stephen’s. Limpet, a musical project by Giorgio Cortiana and Joe Hall, perform alongside percussionist Dan Johnson while audiences take in light projections designed by Pablo de las Cuevas.
The historic St Stephen’s Church is the location for a unique musical experience
SPONSORED
Thursday: Sleep Out, Lloyds Amphitheatre
Join 1625’s biggest annual fundraiser on 7th November 2024 at Lloyds Amphitheatre to raise funds and awareness for youth homelessness. Enjoy live performances, food, and a silent disco while supporting a crucial cause. Help us reach this year’s £55,000 goal to change young lives.
Sleep out – photo: 1625 Independent People
Friday: Bristol Bears v Australia, Ashton Gate
115 years after the first touring Australian team played here, the Australians come to Bear Country once again.
Bristol Bears v Australia – photo: Ashton Gate
SPONSORED
Friday: French Wine and Music, Bristol Ensemble
Join the Bristol Ensemble for a vibrant and relaxing evening, full of culture, flavour and joy! Imagine a cozy and intimate setting with cabaret-style seating where you can enjoy a glass of wine and listen to some of the most enchanting French classical music. As the candles flicker, you’ll get to taste four exquisite French wines, carefully selected by Oboe Fine Wines, who will take you on a journey through each wine, and share the stories behind the music and the regions they come from.
French Music & Wine tasting – photo: Bristol Ensemble
Friday: Pink Pony Club, The Fleece
At the Pink Pony Club, ‘boys and girls can all be queens, every single night’. Expect to hear tunes from a range of pop superstars on the night, including Chappell Roan, Janelle Monte and Billie Eilish.
Pink Pony Club – The Fleece
Friday: Sura Susso and Debasmita Bhattacharya, St George’s
Sura Susso and Debasmita Bhattacharya travel across West Africa and India as Sura’s kora, Debasmita’s sarod and the pair’s vocals lead audiences on a musical journey promoting harmony and solidarity.
SPONSORED
Friday: 18+ After Hours event at We The Curious
Grab a mate, head to the bar and… dance with an inflatable robot! After Hours at We The Curious is back on 8th Nov! Don’t miss your chance to explore the venue without the kids around and celebrate their reopening.
18+ After hours event – photo: We the Curious
SPONSORED
Friday-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
SPONSORED
Saturday: The Felice Brothers, Strange Brew
Beloved folk-rock ensemble The Felice Brothers are bringing their lively and eclectic sound to Bristol. After selling out their evening show at Bristol’s Strange Brew on the 9th November a matinee has been added! Final tickets available, book now!
The Felice Brothers – photo: Crosstown Concerts
Saturday: Thornbury Round Table Fireworks, Mundy Playing Fields
Thornbury Road Table are again hosting a fireworks display for the third time in a row. There will be a bonfire, a main fireworks display and a low noise display for children. All profits are earmarked for local good causes and charities.
Thornbury Round Table fireworks
SPONSORED
Saturday: Sissoko, Segal, Peirani & Parisien: Les Egares, Bristol Beacon
Les Égarés is more than a record. It’s play space, a locus of musical life, a poetic asylum inhabited by two twosomes who for years have excelled in the art of cross-fertilising sounds and transcending genres – neither jazz, nor trad, nor chamber, nor avant-garde, but a bit of all of them, all at once.
Sissoko Les Egares – photo: Bristol Beacon
Saturday: Bristol Sober Spaces Hip Hop Night, Art Club
For those who fancy a fantastic night out without the distractions of drugs and alcohol, Bristol Sober Spaces events are must. This Hip Hop Night, headlined by Afrofusion artist MoYah and featuring local rapper Blakemore, is definitely not one to miss.
Bristol Sober Spaces
Sunday: Wear It Again, Hamilton House
From Funky Cat to Lj’s Vintage, a host of vintage retailers are coming to Hamilton House to cater to shoppers looking for a day filled with thrifting.
Wear It Again – Funky Cat
SPONSORED
Sunday: WHM Fundamentals Workshop
Join Gus for a fun and transformative Workshop. You’ll discover and experience the Three Pillars of The WHM: Breath, Cold, Mindset as well as learning the scientific basis and how to implement it into your daily life. Gus is also a Functional Breathwork Coach and a Conscious Breathwork guide
Transformative workshop – photo: Gus Hoyt
Sunday: Friko, The Louisiana
Chicago indie rock duo Friko take to the stage at the Louisiana.
SPONSORED
Sunday: Afrika Eye – The Woman King, Destination Old Market
Join Afrika Eye for the first in our series of films, celebrating Black female action heroes.
Afrika Eye – photo: Destination Old Market
SPONSORED
Until November 17: The Fashion of Flight, Aerospace
Explore eight decades of British Airways cabin crew uniforms, from the 1940s to today at Aerospace Bristol. This temporary exhibition highlights how these uniforms have evolved, reflecting the changing trends in fashion and perceptions of the cabin crew role.
Fashion of Flight – photo: Aerospace
And coming soon…
SPONSORED
November 13: The Planets and Interstellar, Bristol Ensemble
A magical evening of music, visuals and poetry inspired by our solar system and space. Featuring music from the film Interstellar composed by Hans Zimmer and a very special performance of The Planets by Gustav Holst arranged for chamber orchestra accompanied by wonderful visuals of each planet and the poems that inspired the music.
Planets and Interstellar – photo: Bristol Ensemble
SPONSORED
November 15: Afrika Eye – Coffy + Fox Brown, Destination Old Market
Part of a double bill screening of infamous action star Pam Grier.
Coffy – photo: Destination Old Market
SPONSORED
November 16: Junction 2 x fabric25 x Bitch, Please! The Prospect Building
London institution fabric comes to Bristol, to celebrate their 25th anniversary alongside local legends Bitch, Please! and Junction 2. Featuring a stellar lineup that includes HAAi b2b KI/KI, Dax J, FJAAK and X CLUB. and more, join us for a day of full-throttle techno, breaks, trance and beyond.
Bitch Please! – photo: Cata Filmz
SPONSORED
November 16-17: South West Homebuilding & Renovating Show
Claim 2 FREE tickets to the go-to event for self-builders and renovators, the South West Homebuilding & Renovating Show at Bath & West Showground from 16-17 November. Find the advice, products, and inspiration you need to transform your home with live seminars, one-to-one advice sessions with experts and hundreds of exhibitors to explore.
South West Homebuilding and Renovating show
SPONSORED
November 17: Phil Walker: Happy Bunny, Redgrave Theatre
Ever since being voted City Life Comedian of the year at the Comedy Store, Phil Walker has become a highly regarded headliner at all the top comedy clubs for decades. As a support act for Jason Manford on his recent tour, you truly are in safe hands with Phil.
Happy Bunny – photo: Redgrave Theatre
SPONSORED
November 17: The Lorna & Laister Christmas Show, Redgrave Theatre
Join Lorna & Laister, an extraordinary comedy and singing variety duo whose talent, humour, and showmanship have taken the global stage by storm, for an afternoon of magical Christmas songs & comedy. Take a BAFTA-winning actress and West End sensation together and you have an entertainment match made in heaven.
Lorna and Laister – photo: Redgrave Theatre
SPONSORED
November 23 – 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
SPONSORED
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
Main photo: Pitlad
Read next:
is needed now More than ever
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
