42 things to do in Bristol in October 2022

October 1: Oktoberfest, Moor Beer co
Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with Moor Beer, as they release their annual fest beer.

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Throughout October: Black History Month, Watershed
October is Black History Month in the UK, an opportunity to further celebrate, explore and reflect on the history, achievements and contributions of Black people. Highlights include Somali love story The Gravedigger’s Wife (plus a Q&A with writer/director Khadar Ayderus Ahmed), the epic The Woman King, starring Viola Davis as a general in charge of a unit of all-female warriors in West Africa, and a free Lunchtime Talk on CARGO Movement, a creative company dedicated to developing the understanding of African and African diaspora history.

October 2: Session 1: Introduction to writing stand up comedy, Bristol Folk House
The first in a series of bookable sessions from stand-up Alex Farrow on the basics of joke writing/

October 3: Learning to Splash – Poetry Workshop, Online
A relaxed online writing workshop, where you’ll be taught the writing technique known as “splashing”.

October 4: Coffee, Cake & Crafting, UWE Glenside Students Union
One for the new students at UWE, Glenside are hosting an arts and crafts session with free coffee and cake, to get to know your fellow students.

October 5: Open Mic Night, The Grain Barge
Hotwell Road’s floating pub hosts its open mic night, for those musically, comically or poetically inclined.

October 6: Cider Vs Cheese: Vegan Edition, The Cider Box
Missed out on the regular cider vs cheese because of all the dairy? Well then you’re in luck.

October 7: LTJ Bukem, Thekla
Legend of the old school liquid drum and bass scene comes to the club on the boat.

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October 8 – January 8: 169 Annual Open Exhibition, RWA
This dynamic and varied exhibition includes painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, installation and mixed media and is a showcase of some of the most exciting artists from across the country. All work will be for sale making the Annual Open a perfect opportunity to discover new artists or invest in well-known names.

October 8: Dirtytalk, Strange Brew
The varied house and techno label invite French dance royalty to Strange Brew.

October 9: Seasick Steve, The Fleece
Seasick Steve brings his cool brand of rock and roll to The Fleece.

October 10: An Evening with Marina Hyde, Waterstones
The decorated Guardian journalist holds court at Waterstones in the galleries, discussing her new book.

October 11: Bristol Vegan Drinks, The Volunteer Tavern
The once a month vegan drinks social arrives at the cosy Volunteer Tavern.

October 12: Harvey Nichols Wine Masterclass, The Mount Without
An old world wine tasting session in the crypts of the Historic Mount Without.

October 13: Fishponds Gaming Night, The Cross Hands
An opportunity to meet fellow board gamers in the fishponds area.

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October 14: Gardna + Friends, Trinity Centre
Critically praised around the globe, Gardna fuses elements from across the sound system spectrum to conjure his own style. With elements of dub, grime, and dancehall, he always delivers a fiery live show.

October 14: Break The Night Presents – Nova Cheq (Bristol Debut), Exchange
Leeds based techno aficionado Nova Cheq makes his Bristol debut at the Exchange.

October 15: Taproom Saturday!, Lost & Grounded Taproom
Visit the L&G Taproom to try their top quality beers, alongside food from local vendors that’s always changing.

October 16: Funny Pages, The Cube Microplex
A coming of age tale about a budding cartoonist figuring out his art.

October 17: The (Lack of) Drama on & behind the Eighteenth-Century Stage, Wickham Theatre
A talk about the misrepresentation of how conflict is portrayed in eighteenth century theatre, and what it was really like.

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October 18: Cassia, Trinity Centre
Cassia are a confident combination of carefree lyricism, joyful melodies and infectious riffs. They are set to create a vibrant live show with lots of sunshine and smiles. Cassia bring a positive, tropical, indie-pop sound with elements of British indie-rock.

October 18: Places of Joy: Art Exhibition, Prior Shop Cabot Circus
An art exhibition at Cabot Circus’ prior shop, showcasing work celebrating animals and architecture.

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October 18: Soumik Datta, Bristol Beacon Foyer
Soumik Datta is a multi-faceted creative combining traditional Indian instrumentals with pertinent spoken word. A musician, producer and television presenter, Datta has worked with the likes of Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Anoushka Shankar, Bill Bailey and Nitin Sawhney. Datta’s work is intertwined with activism and his latest project is no different. His new production ‘Hope Notes’ focuses on sharing refugees’ stories and combines the audio from these personal accounts with electronic sarod, a 19-stringed Indian instrument, string arrangements and animation.

October 19: Free Historic Walking Tour: Redcliffe & The Slave Trade, Redcliffe
Learn the interesting but sordid past of Redcliffe, and how different areas played their role in the slave trades of yesteryear.

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October 19: Hayseed Dixie, Komedia Bath
The undisputed creators of the musical genre, “Rockgrass”, Hayseed Dixie began on September 2000 and their debut album “A Hillbilly Tribute To AC/DC”, contains stark-raving hillbilly re-workings of 10 classic AC/DC songs. They have since released a further 17 studio albums of hillbilly re-workings of rock and pop songs along with many satirical original songs.

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October 19: Angel Olsen, Komedia Bath
An indie singer/songwriter who delivers her vulnerable songs with a distinctive warble informed by vintage country, Angel Olsen’s early, spare, acoustic songs grew increasingly lush and dramatic across her first several albums. She has recorded and toured as a backing singer with Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy & The Cairo Gang, before embarking on her own career.

October 20: Free Verse: Celebrating Black Voices, Arnolfini
A spoken word open mic at Arnolfini, put together and run by the UWE students union.

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Opens October 21: The Banshees of Inisherin, Watershed
Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri) returns with this jewel of a tragicomedy, a shimmering tale of friendship, feuds and Irish identity starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson.

October 21: Curious Stories for Curious Children, SS Great Britain
Part of Bristol’s Storytale festival, the SS Great Britain are hosting an inspiring story telling session, great for the little ones.

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October 21: Bristol Beacon Presents: Murkage Dave, Strange Brew
Drawing on a wealth of styles, the East London-born artist channels this into a versatile and soulful sound that at once exudes a resplendent essence alongside an emotive honesty. Since the release of his acclaimed debut album ‘Murkage Dave Changed My Life’ he has collaborated with the likes of Mike Skinner, Skepta, Jaykae and French producer Hologram Lo. Following on from the success of his debut, the singer-songwriter recently released his second record ‘The City Needs A Hero’. Support on the night comes from Miles From Kinshasa.

October 22: Puppy Yoga, The Wild Box
Exactly what it says on the tin – yoga, with puppies – need I say more?

October 23: The Bristol Vintage Kilo, Paintworks Event Space
One of Bristol’s largest vintage clothing sales returns to Paintworks.

October 24: 2065, Tobacco Factory Theatres
A play exploring a political dystopian future, and following the rebels trying to change the world.

October 25-26: Ocean Film Festival, Redgrave Theatre
A showcase of some of the world’s best ocean-themed movies at Redgrave Theatre.

SPONSORED
October 26-27: Tales From Acorn Wood, Redgrave Theatre
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved Tales from Acorn Wood stories are brought to life on stage for the first time in an enchanting lift-the-flap experience. Poor old Fox has lost his socks!

October 26: Make & Paint your own Plant Pot from Scratch, Kiln Workshop
Create and take home your own plant pot at the cosy Gloucester Road pottery workshop.

October 27: Made in Bristol: Games Showcase, Co-op Mode
A showcase of some of the best board games that come straight from Bristol.

SPONSORED
October 28: Ballet Theatre Presents: Beauty and the Beast, Redgrave Theatre
Join Ballet Theatre UK with one of the most enchanting love stories of all time, Beauty and the Beast.

October 28: Horror in the Caves – Evil Dead, Redcliffe Caves
As part of Bristol Film Festival’s halloween schedule, they will be screening the 1981 horror classic in the equally spooky Redcliffe Caves.

SPONSORED
October 29 – November 10: RWA Secret Postcard Auction, RWA
Don’t miss your chance to purchase unique works of art by leading figures from the art and cultural world, while supporting the RWA as a registered charity. Check the RWA website to find out who this years contributing artists are!

October 29: Improv for Beginners, Bristol Improv Theatre
A crash course in improvisation comedy and acting, from some of the best to do it at Bristol’s Improv Theatre.

October 30: Candlelight Halloween: A Haunted Evening of Classical Compositions, The Mount Without
The candlelight series goes spooky for one night only, showcasing classical music against the candlelit backdrop of The Mount Without.

October 31: Dark Tales, Alma Tavern & Theatre
A terrifying production from Knife-edge Theatre, blurring the lines between imagination and reality.

And coming soon…

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November 25 – December 2: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Presents: Robin Hood & Marian, Redgrave Theatre
Swashbuckling power couple Robin and Marian are taking from the rich to help the poor. Along with their band of outlaws, they have one goal: to outsmart the fearsome sheriff and greedy prince. An explosive family adventure; sword-fighting, song, acrobatics and more archery than you can aim your arrow at!

Main Photo: Yuup

Read more: Film & TV in Bristol generates estimated £20.8m in 2021/22

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