52 things to do in Bristol in February 2025

February 1: Afro Vibes, Lakota
Lakota will be launching a brand new music night in February, which celebrates music from West and South Africa as well as the Caribbean. Expect tracks from Tems and Burna Boy  as well as sets from up-and-coming local DJs, including Amapiano-lover Khiah Lou.

February 1: Year of the Snake celebrations, Wai Yee Hong
This year, the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations in the South West will again take place just outside Wai Yee Hong supermarket in Eastville. The free event offers fun for all the family, including dancing, martial arts and a traditional lion dance by the Yi Quin Lion Dance Club.

February 2: 1831 Riots Historical Walk, M Shed
Starting in February, and ending in June, M Shed guides will be leading tours of Bristol for those keen to learn more about the city’s 1831 riots which left many dead and dozens of buildings up in flames.

February 3: Diary of a Ukrainian Madman, Alma Tavern Theatre
For over 27 years the Stepping Out Theatre company has produced an array of shows that focus on mental health themes. For four days in February, the Alma Tavern Theatre will be the home of their latest production – Diary of a Ukrainian Madman – which they describe as a “fabulously surreal reworking” of Nikolai Gogol’s ‘Diary of a Madman’ which has been reimagined with contemporary events in Ukraine in mind.

February 4: More than memory, RWA
A new exhibit at the RWA will platform drawings, paintings and sculptures by older people and as well as people living with dementia and their carers

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February 4-9: Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Your chance to catch the sixtieth Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition in Bristol. View 100 award-winning images of animals and the natural world, but will you agree with the judges’ choices?

February 5: Collage in the Crypt, Mount Without
Bristol-based artist Libby Anderson will be leading a collage workshop. Participants will learn the ins and outs of collaging while enjoying drinks from Bath-based suppliers Wolf Wine.

February 5: Bristol Light Festival – Photographing Light Tour, Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel
Award-winning professional photographer Adrian Wyatt, an avid nighttime photographer and course leader, will be hosting a two hour tour of the Bristol Light Festival. Adrian will be on hand to guide you.

February 6: African dance, SouthBank Club
Louis Eboa, from Cameroon, will be leading weekly contemporary ‘African dance’ sessions, accompanied by live drumming, at the SouthBank Club every Thursday.

February 6 to 9: No Place Like Bris, The Launderette

Multidisciplinary artist Izaak Brandt is brining his solo exhibition to Bristol for the first time, in an attempt showcase themes of the millennial male experience of growing up in the city.

February 7: DeꓘAade, Loco Klub
Loco Klub will be celebrating its 10th anniversary with DeꓘAade, a night that promises to be an evening full of “revelry, decadence and raw magic”. Expect drag acts, DJs and jaw-dropping performances from Invisible Circus.

February 8: Bristol Bears Women’s vs Exeter Chiefs
Catch the Bristol Bears penultimate game of the Premiership on home ground. The Bristol team are currently fifth on the league, below the Exeter Chiefs, so this will be a tense game.

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February 8: Club Blanco, The Prospect Building
Club Blanco present an all-star line up as they take over The Prospect Building’s Crane Room this February 8th. Helena Hauff leads the pack and is joined by Paranoid London (Live), Call Super, Dr Banana b2b The Ghost, R.E.D and head honcho Chez De Milo.

Club Blanco – photo: The Prospect Building

February 8: Prague Symphony Orchestra, Bristol Beacon
Founded 90 years ago, the Prague Symphony Orchestra is coming to Bristol to celebrate the work of Antonín Dvořák and to perform Dmitri Shostakovich’s epic fifth symphony in a showing that should bring the house down.

February 8: Exploring Whisky, Paintworks
Showcasing craft distilleries and independent bottlers, this event builds on Bristol’s reputation as hosting some of the most interesting spirits events in the calendar, featuring delicious whisky brands from around the world. With Scotch, Irish, English, Welsh, American, European and World whisky in the mix, there really is something for everyone.

February 8: Lunar New Year 2025, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
This celebratory weekend is free and filled with a variety of activities for all ages. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of China and East Asia through captivating dance, music, martial arts and lion dances.

February 9: Alexis Ffrench, St George’s
The Surrey-born composer, pianist and pioneer of ‘Classical Soul’ to perform songs from his diverse catalogue.

February 10: Gulîstan Land of Roses, St Paul’s Learning Centre
Easton Cowfolk Radical Film Club will be screening Zaynê Akyol’s’ 2016 film, Gulîstan, Land of Roses, which follows a unit of the Women’s self-defence forces of the Kurdish freedom movement as they receive training and education in the Kurdish mountains.

February 11: Charlotte Philby and Asia Mackay, Boston Tea Party Gloucester Road
Novelist and co-owner of 17 Midland Road, Charlotte Philby and crime writer Asia Mackay will be discussing their newest books Dirty Money (Philby) and A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage (Mackay) at Boston Tea Party. Hosted by Gloucester Road books, the event will be chaired by award-winning thriller writer Emily Koch.

February 11: In Search of Shackleton’s Endurance, 1532 Bristol
Get ready to be transported to the icy landscapes of Antarctica and feel the thrill of discovery through the lens of a talented cinematographer. James Blake will lead you on a visual journey of the groundbreaking expedition that discovered Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship from his 1912 expedition, Endurance, in 2022.

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February 12: Slapstick festival
The UK’s biggest celebration of vintage screen comedy – SLAPSTICK – returns to Bristol from February 12 to 16 with a 20 th birthday edition offering 35 laugh-out-loud events and a guest list which includes Stephen K Amos, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Ben Elton, Harry Enfield, Graeme Garden, Martin Freeman, Adam Hills, Robin Ince, Lucy Porter and Rick Wakeman (to name just some).

Ben Elton and Pete Lord – photo: Slapstick Festival

February 12: Far Away From Home, Watershed
The International Institute for Environment and Development will host a film screening of Far Away From Home, a film that follows refugees living in Nairobi. Following the screening a panel made up of former Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, Nairobi city government official Susan Kimani, IIED director of human settlements Lucy earl and Cardiff University professor Alison Brown will speak about how to ‘reshape the future of refugee hosting’.

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February 12: Anna B Savage, Bristol Beacon
Anna B Savage, renowned for her unique blend of haunting vocals and intricate melodies, is coming to bristol this February. Expect a deeply personal and emotionally rich performance, drawing from her critically acclaimed albums. An unmissable evening of introspective music – tickets are on sale now!

Anna b Savage – photo: Crosstown Concerts

February 13: Something Lovely, Trinity Centre
AnExperience and Trinity present ‘Something Lovely’, a night to celebrate all kinds of love. Expect Soul, Lovers rock, ska and more.

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February 13: London Symphony Orchestra, Bristol Beacon
The London Symphony Orchestra presents Walton’s introspective Cello Concerto, shifting from restless energy to a serene finale. Mahler’s First Symphony blends nature, folk songs, and a haunting funeral march, earning its “Titan” nickname. A rich, evocative programme from our Associate Artists.

Orchestral Season – photo: Bristol Beacon

February 14: Valentines UKG Boat Party, Thekla
Why not spend Valentine’s Day dancing the night away on a boat? Dazed Music is offering a night of Grime and Bass on one of the city’s most famous boats. All aboard!

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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

February 14- 24: Print, Press & Roll Exhibition, Centrespace Gallery
For just 9 days, from February 15 – 24, the Bristol Print Collective will be at Centrespace, showcasing an eclectic display of woodcut, linocut, etching, lithography, collagraph, letterpress, wood engraving and monoprints from Bristol and South West-based printmakers.

February 15: Anti-Valentines Silent Disco, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
Dance the night away at the Bristol Museum the night after Valentines’.

February 15: Robot Explorers, Aerospace Bristol
This February half term robots come to Aerospace Bristol. Visitors will get the chance to build their own robots and watch them in action.

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February 15: The Big Chris Barber Band, Redgrave Theatre
Returning to the Redgrave once again this programme features Barber classics such as Petite Fleur, Bourbon Street Parade and When The Saints Go Marching In. Plus a journey through many of the other genres that the band has explored over the years.

The Big Chris Barber Band – photo: Redgrave Theatre

February 16: Valentine’s Ceilidh, Redcatch Park
Tired of just going for dinner every Valentine’s Day? Why not, join the team at the Redcatch Community Garden for their first-ever Valentine’s Ceilidh – a fun night for all the family.

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February 16: Redgrave Theatre Showcase
Join us for a vibrant evening of live music and spoken word performances at the Redgrave Theatre Showcase. This exciting new event will feature 4 talented musicians and 4 spoken word artists from the local community, offering a platform for fresh voices and original creativity.

February 17: Six by Nico, Quakers Friars
Six by Nico, the restaurant whose tasting menu famously changes every six weeks, will open its first Bristol venue this February. The opening day menu will reportedly be inspired by fish and chip shops.

February 17: The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight, Bristol Hippodrome
The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight returns to the Hippodrome with what they describe as an “epic new 90-minute concert, breathing beautifully dark energy into legendary Rock & Metal”.

February 18: Sophie Duker, Wardrobe Theatre
Comedian and Taskmaster favourite Sophie Duker returns to the Wardrobe Theatre with her new show, But Daddy I Love Her, an “intentionally unhinged” and “delulu” hour and twenty minutes of madness.

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February 19: Black Foxxes, Strange Brew
Grunge alt rockers Black Foxxes (and very special guests Lila Tristram and Runners Up) will be playing Strange Brew on February 19th. Tickets are going quickly, book today!

Black Foxxes – photo: Crosstown Concerts

February 19: Life Drawing, Mount Without
Led by Bristol-based artist Beth Kirby, two live models will come to the Mount Without for a two-hour relaxed life drawing session. Drawing boards, paper, pencils and charcoal are available free of charge.

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February 20: I Am Martin Parr, Watershed
Discover the Bristol-based maverick behind some of the most iconic images of the past century on an intimate and exclusive road trip across England with the uncompromising Martin Parr, whose subjects, frames and colours have revolutionised contemporary photography.

Martin Parr – photo: Watershed

February 20: Paint and Unwind the ‘Glacial Aurora’, Tobacco Factory
Lovely Brushly present a guided acrylic painting experience with a friendly workshop leader, set to relaxed music. All materials to paint and create are included and you also get to take your artwork home with you.

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February 20: Turns, Loops & Glances, Bristol Ensemble
Experience three captivating works for string quartet performed by the Bristol Ensemble at Bristol’s Arnolfini. Featuring Hannah Kendall’s evocative’*Glances/I Don’t Belong Here’, Errollyn Wallen’s powerful ‘Romeo Turn’, and John Adams’ mesmerising ‘Shaker Loops’, this 60-minute performance explores themes of identity, place, and connection through vibrant, contemporary compositions.

BE Contemporary – photo: Bristol Ensemble

February 21: Les Maîtres du temps, The Cube
This year The Cube will celebrate several films that explore ‘lost utopias’ as part of their ‘Remember Tomorrow’ series. To kickstart this new season they will first screen the 1980s French animated classic Les Maîtres du temps.

February 21: The Flag Fen Project / Head Noise / Baroness Homme, The Chelsea Inn
Free entry! The Flag Fen Project unearth dirty, bronze age artefacts of rock, techno, folk and dub. Support comes from oddball South Wales electro punks Head Noise and newly minted Bristol noise-rock duo Baroness Homme. Plus wilfully eclectic DJ selections from SPJDJ (Choke / Kollaps).

February 22: LGBTQ+ History Month Festival, M Shed
OutStories Bristol will present a day of talks about people from Bristol’s LGBTQ+ past and present. Scheduled talks include ‘Charley Wilson: Victorian gender rebel and the changing face of media’ and ‘What is she wearing? 20th century lesbian dress in the press’.

February 22: Animangapop Bristol,  Cabot Circus
Get ready to experience a day of fun at this anime, manga and pop-culture event. Expect talks, live performances and gaming competitions.

February 23: England A vs Ireland A, Ashton Gate Stadium
While we have Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final and quarter-final matches to look forward to in September, this February will see England men’s A side face Ireland A in their first battle since 2015.

February 24: Clusterfunk IV, Bristol Beacon
Clusterfunk IV, featuring performances from JFS House Band, Bristol University Jazz Orchestra and The Bristol Hornstars, promises to be the “ultimate fusion of rhythm and melody”. Make sure to get your tickets early as this event will likely sell-out!

February 25: Grief Choir, Bristol Beacon
For just over a month, freelance performer and singing leader Jannah Warlow will be leading singing sessions for people grieving “loss, death or separation from a loved one” as well as those simply grieving a part of themselves. No previous singing experience is required.

February 26: Boys Night, The Raven
Still looking for love after Valentine’s? Come down to The Raven for a night of speed dating for LGTBQ+ men in their 30s and 40s.

February 27: Ras Addis meet Bristol Reggae Society, Cosies
Join cosies on the penultimate night of the month for an evening of roots and dub anthems from the 80s, 90s and noughties. Expect to also see members of the Reggae Society in attendance, including Poor Man Friend Records who is expected to bring some exclusive dubplates down from a recent trip to Jamaica.

February 28: One Last Farm One Last Chance, Bristol Megascreen
Nikki Dodd, an American documentary filmmaker based in Bristol, will be sharing her latest film – One Last Farm, a documentary about Yew Tree Farm – at the Megascreen at the Bristol Aquarium. After the screening there will be a panel discussion on the future of Bristol’s last working farm between Dodd, Yew Tree farmer Catherine Withers, Green Party councillor Guy Poultney, Sumita Hutchison, the chair of the West of England Nature Partnership and Patrick Holden from Sustainable Food Trust.

February 28: Mesmerica, We The Curious
Come to the Planetarium at We The Curious to experience a “visual music journey that brings the mesmerizing music of Grammy-nominated composer and percussionist James Hood together with visually-hypnotic, 3D animated art curated from artists around the world, creating an immersive experience”.

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Throughout February: Chantal Akerman: Adventures in Perception, Watershed
We’ll be celebrating the director’s extraordinary impact on contemporary cinema with an extensive season of her works, from her landmark Jeanne Dielman 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 through to her final feature No Home Movie. 

Chantal Akerman – photo: Watershed

And coming soon…

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March 1: The Prospect Building presents Junction 2: Adam Beyer
On 1st March 2025, The Prospect Building comes alive with an electrifying lineup, brought to you in collaboration with the renowned Junction 2 festival. Headlined by Swedish techno legend and Drumcode founder Adam Beyer, this one promises an unforgettable journey through hypnotic, high-energy rhythms.

Junction 2: Adam Beyer – photo: The Prospect Building

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March 1: Max Cooper, Bristol Beacon
Max Cooper’s live audio-visuals have become an influential phenomenon in the electronic music scene. Combining his PhD in computational biology with innovative techno, Cooper is at the forefront of the evolution of club music and how it’s experienced. This show is one to remember.

Max Cooper – photo: Bristol Beacon

Main photo: Year of the Snake celebrations, Wai Yee Hong

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