44 things to do in Bristol in January 2023

Throughout January: Belly Laughs Bristol, Multiple Venues
The ever popular comedy festival returns to Bristol.
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January 1-7: The Nutcracker, Bristol Old Vic
This Christmas at Bristol Old Vic, forget Sugar Plum fairies and ballet shoes – this is The Nutcracker like you’ve never seen before! In this piece of “modernised magic” (★★★★★ The Observer), with original music from the creative team behind A Christmas Carol (2019), toys come to life, princesses play the saxophone, and anything is possible. Don’t miss this “entertaining, comical and a little bit bonkers” (★★★★★ What’s Good To Do) family blockbuster, showing until 7 Jan.
January 1: EDB x Lovejam – New Year’s Day Celebration, Secret Warehouse
A non-alcoholic daytime throw down, to beat those January blues.
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January 1-8: 169 Annual Open, RWA
The 169 Annual Open Exhibition closes the first Sunday of the Month, 8th Jan, so catch it quick! There are over 600 works to see, from sculpture to painting, drawing to photography. All works were successful submissions from established artists and new names from across the world, there really is something for everyone!
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January 1-15: The Snow Queen, Tobacco Factory Theatres
This unforgettable folk tale is full of heart, courage and a lot of laughter. Remember to wrap up warm as we hop on-board a Nordic sleigh, adventure through a mystical land of snow and magic, and even fly through the sky with a bicycling reindeer!
January 2: North Street Games Bank Holiday Special, Hen & Chicken
The games night has become a North Street staple, and is not one to be missed if you’re in the area.
January 3: Social Dreaming Drawing, Bristol Vintage
A unique opportunity to attempt to draw your dreams with fellow dream-drawers.
January 4: Turning Point – Free Video Installation Exhibition, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
A free video installation, exploring 1920s British Caribbean heritage.
January 5: Riggy Stardust 4, The Crown
New Bristol underground promoters continue their residency at the Crown.
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Starting January 5: Wellbeing Sessions
These wellbeing sessions are the perfect opportunity to relax, de-stress and switch off from the outside world. Your host, Lisa, set up this women’s circle as a safe space for you to journal, talk about your week and discuss how you’re feeling with other likeminded women. Take time for yourself in this relaxing studio with candles, calming scents and gentle music.
January 6: The Underdog: Microdog ‘23, The Thunberbolt
Who doesn’t love a good old battle of the bands?
January 7: Wildlife Watch Club – Lost Animals of the UK, Grow Wilder
For children aged 5-10, they can learn about nature, both past and present at Grow Wilder.
January 8: Breathwork Journey with Jez Grattan-Kane, The Wild Box
An opportunity to really get in depth with breathwork – whilst still being suitable for all abilities/confidence levels.

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January 9: Forest School (Ages 1-4), Willsbridge Mill
The start of a five week forest school class for the little ones.
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Starting January 9: Belly Laughs Bath
For January only, Bristol’s sell-out roaming food and comedy festival is finally coming to Bath! Enjoy surprise comedy acts at local independent venues including The Mint Room, Bandook, Bath Cider House and more. £10 from each ticket will go to the charity Julian House.
January 10: The Gloucester Old Spot Pub Quiz, Gloucester Old Spot
A good old fashioned Pub Quiz in Bishopston.
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January 11: Music Masterclass: Noods Radio, Trinity Centre
Trinity’s Music Masterclass series – free music sessions for ages 16 – 25 – returns for 2023 with Noods Levels CIC co-founder and Director Izzy Cross. Izzy will share how Noods Radio are working to change the landscape of the creative industry for the better. She will share insight into the organisations beginning, its current mission and will be able to share new or upcoming projects they are running.
January 11: Free Creative Writing Course, Campus Pool, Whitchurch Lane
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Starting January 12: Foster Carers Singing Group, Bristol Beacon
A fun fortnightly social music session for foster carers in Bristol, in collaboration with Bristol City Council. Free to join, no need to read music, and no need to have any prior musical experience. The focus of the friendly Foster Carers Singing Group will be to make music together for enjoyment, relaxation, and improving mental and physical health. Please get in touch if you’re interested in coming along in January.
January 12: Parasite Screening, Averys Wine Merchants (Bristol Film Festival)

January 13: Thirst, Alma Tavern & Theatre
Billed ‘a love letter to sobriety’, Thirst explores addiction, from both a negative and positive angle.
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Opens January 13: Enys Men, Watershed
Mark Jenkin follows up his acclaimed breakthrough Bait with this mind-bending Cornish folk horror tale, gorgeously shot on grainy 16mm.

January 14: Misscoteque: A Family Affair, Lost Horizon
The massively popular Bristol femme/NB collective continues their string of exciting parties at Lost Horizon (No cis men allowed!)
January 15: The F Word, The Island
An exhibition celebrating fantastic female artists from across the City.
January 16: Work Party for Cheats, St Anne’s House
Stuck on a work project? Bring it to St Anne’s House and hash it out with fellow stuck workers.
January 17: Beginners Tarot Course, Avonmouth Sea Cadets
Always wanted to learn the art of Tarot? Now’s your chance with this beginners course in Avonmouth.
January 18: Bound, The Cube Cinema
A screening of the raunchy late 90s thriller that caused quite a stir at release.
January 19: Macramé, St Peter’s Church Hall
You’ve seen it all over Instagram – now learn to make your own Macramé hangers.
January 20: Pressure Dome w/ Pariah, Rhyw & Yushh, Strange Brew
Bristol dance royalty take to Strange Brew for a night of mind-bending rhythms.
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January 21: La Voix – Eighth Wonder of the World, Redgrave Theatre
The UK’s Funniest Red Head is coming! The eighth wonder of the world, the diamante diva herself La Voix, is hot footing her way to Bristol with her brand new show as the Countess of Comedy!
January 21: Writing on Water, John Sebastian Lightship
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January 22: Kayhan Kalhor & Erdal Erzincan, St George’s
The ongoing collaborations between Iranian artist Kayhan Kalhor and Erdal Erzincan fuse the respective traditions of Persia and Ottoman Turkey. Each draws on the folk and classical heritage of their homeland, with Grammy Award winner Kalhor being an acclaimed player of the kamancheh, a Persian spiked fiddle, whilst Erzincan is renowned for his mastery of the Turkish baglama, a long-necked lute. Ever since the pair released their album The Wind in 2006 they have continued to collaborate, their vibrant virtuosic explorations of Middle Eastern classical instrumentation creating striking and trance-like arrangements.
January 22: Charlotte Church’s Late Night Pop Dungeon, SWX
Continuing to electrify audiences, Charlotte Church brings her pop dungeon to SWX once again.

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January 22: Yoga Brunch Club x Bushi Sushi, The Mount Without
We’re starting 2023 with what is set to be an amazing event! We will be hosting a Japanese inspired feast at the stunning Mount Without on Sunday 22ndz January, curated to completely warm and nourish the mind and body, seeing you through the winter months. The morning will start with a fiery flow led by Elena Byers (suitable for all levels), to stoke the fire within and work up an appetite for the brunch. You will then enjoy hot tea before sitting down to a 3-course Japanese themed feast from Bushi Sushi. You can expect hearty, seasonal food with a Japanese twist which will leave you feeling your best.
January 23: Come and Sing! Drop in Choir, The Jam Jar
All abilities welcome – a low stress, easy to join in choir session at The Jam Jar
January 24: Adult Life Drawing, Arnolfini
Run by UWEs school of Art & Design, they’re inviting anyone to drop in and try their hand at some life drawing.
January 25: Comedy Loft Roast Battles 2023, The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer
Known for its comedy loft – this January the King Street boozer hosts their annual roast battle in their attic space.
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January 26: An Evening with Nigel Owens MBE, Redgrave Theatre
We are delighted to bring you an evening with one of the World’s top rugby referees, Nigel Owens MBE. Nigel is one of the most engaging and humorous characters in the game of rugby union and it will be an evening not to miss for any sports fan as he recounts stories from his life and career.
January 26: Fairy Tales for Grown-ups: The Girl in the Dog, The Cube
A mature fairy tale with a deep, underlying message at The Cube.
January 27: Fugitive – Interplanetary Criminal Tour, Thekla
The UK number one artist tours the UK this January, with his Bristol stop being everyone’s favourite club on a boat.

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January 27: Teachings in Dub: Dub Camp Festival Launch Party, Trinity Centre
Trinity and Teachings in Dub are extremely pleased to present the Bristol launch party for the renowned Dub Camp Festival in France. Teachings in Dub and Get Up Association hold the festival in very high regard and share the same vision when it comes to sound system and roots music. We are hosting the return of Bristol’s Qualitex Roots Vibration, to meet the mighty Sinai Sound out of Sheffield – two sounds, one arena!

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Opens January 27: All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, Watershed
Oscar®-winning filmmaker Laura Poitras (Citizenfour) presents a stirring portrait of renowned artist and activist Nan Goldin, focussing on her fight against Big Pharma.

January 28: Sofar Sounds Secret Location Concert, Montpelier
Sofar sounds, once again providing the immaculate musical vibes in a secret, cosy location.
January 29: Wonderhaus, The Wardrobe Theatre
A fresh, exciting DIY scratch night, with an aim to shine a light on some of Bristol’s ‘wonderful weirdos of all stripes.’
January 30: IVW: Open Mic, Mr Wolfs
The return of the famed Mr Wolf’s open mic night.
January 31: Creativity for Wellbeing Adult Course, Wellspring Settlement
A free art course, aimed at those looking to try a new method of looking after their mental wellbeing – getting creative.

Main Photo: The Wardrobe Theatre

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