52 things to do in Bristol in April 2023

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April 1-16: Dine Like a First Class Passenger this Easter, SS Great Britain
Sample traditional Victorian puddings in the lavish surroundings of the SS Great Britain’s First Class Dining Saloon.

Easter Holidays at the SS Great Britain – photo: SS Great Britain

April 1: The Cider Box x The Bristol Cheesemonger: Bristol Cider & Cheese Festival, Propyard
After having to move from The Cider Box to Propyard due to demand, the popular cider bar team up with the Wapping Wharf cheese shop to put on a celebration of two of life’s greatest pleasures.

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Now-May 1: Season of Photography, RWA
The RWA (Royal West of England Academy) continues with its season of photography with two standout photographic exhibitions in its beautiful main galleries. The landmark Photo Open Exhibition  celebrates contemporary photographic practice in all its forms. While ‘A Bend In The River’, Jem Southam’s quiet, poetic photographs document the ever-changing landscape of a particular spot near the photographer’s home over a 5-year period.

Jem Southam: A Bend in the river – photo: RWA

April 2: Meet Me in the Bathroom, The Cube Cinema
A documentary using immersive archival footage to tell the story of the New York music scene in the early 2000s.

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April 2: Emergent Men: The Hero’s Quest, The Mount Without
Join Emergent Men for a transformational day of Men’s Work. Weaving song, ceremony and guided practises inspired by the Hero’s Journey, taking you on an adventure of self-discovery. This is designed for all who identify as male to build community, share, heal & grow. The event culminates in a plant-based feast fit for kings.

Emergent Men: The Hero’s Quest – photo: The Mount Without

April 3: Is AI destroying human creativity?, PRSC
Coming at the debate from a positive, opportunistic perspective, the PRSC attempts to get to grips with AI and its rapidly evolving influence on the creative process.

April 4: CDR Artist talk with Hi5ghost, Dareshack
Known for his forward thinking, icy grime productions, Bristol Based Hi5ghost shares his process and takes questions from the audience at Dareshack.

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April 5 & 19: Emergent Purpose: Morning Yoga & Swim Social, Clevedon Marine Lake
Start your day with movement, breathwork, cold water swimming and community for £10 using code: BR247

Emergent Purpose, Clevedon Marine Lake – photo: Emergent Purpose

April 5: Mean, Green Extravaganza Bristol, City Centre
An exciting family Easter egg hunt around the city, with an appearance from an unexpected character for the season.

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April 5-15: If You Fall, Bristol Old Vic
Multi-award-winning Ad Infinitum are back with their humorous and sensitive new show about care, love, and the end of our lives. Filled with acapella singing and their signature style of physical theatre, this intergenerational ensemble cast explore older people’s care in all its complexities, guided by the expert direction of Helena Middleton (The Wardrobe Ensemble).

If You Fall at Bristol Old Vic – photo: Bristol Old Vic

April 6-9: Before Today Festival, The Crown/Mothers Ruin
A four-day celebration of the Bristol underground music scene in the basements of the St Nicks pubs, with bands in the evening and DJs each night to keep the vibes going.

April 7: VooKoo: CHERITANG, Santa Fe & DJ CDQ, Southbank
The South Bristol music/jam collective put on another of their popular upbeat parties at the Southbank Club just off Coronation Road.

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Opens April 7: Godland, Watershed
Hlynur Pálmason’s extraordinary third feature finds a Danish priest battling both locals and a forbidding landscape in 19th-century Iceland.

April 7: ELLIN + JAUSMĖ, Ashton Court Mansion
An expertly crafted combination of folk and ambient rhythms, the Grade 1 listed Ashton Court Mansion plays host to two groups, one of which is travelling in from Lithuania for the occasion, bringing with them the kanklės – a traditional Lithuanian instrument.

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Now-May 1: Strange Dance, RWA
Strange Dance represents a collaboration between musician and Radiohead drummer Philip Selway and artist Stewart Geddes PPRWA. In a project that developed over zoom during lockdown, Selway would email over early versions of songs, and Geddes would pan his laptop camera around the studio to show the paintings in progress. You can view the completed works alongside audio and visuals of Selway’s music and associated music videos for Free in the Kenny Gallery.

Strange Dance – photo: RWA

April 8: Peachin’, Trinity Centre
The female DJ collective known for hosting open, respectful parties where anybody is welcome return to Trinity after their sellout show there in November.

April 9: Chocolate Train, Avon Valley Railway
What better way to celebrate Easter than with a ride on the chocolate train, restored from the days of the Fry’s chocolate factory in Keynsham.

April 10: Winston Surfshirt, The Fleece
The hip hop/funk group from down under make their way to the Fleece for a no doubt soulful evening of sun-soaked grooves.

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April 10: Yoga/Pilates Workshop & Music Therapy, The Mount Without
Join Hayley for a Music-led self care workshop with face yoga, yoga/Pilates fusion & sound bath. Finishing with a nourishing soup.

Yoga & Pilates workshop – photo: The Mount Without

April 11: Comic Book Art Workshop, Zion Bristol
Kev F Sutherland, a comic book artist for Beano, Doctor Who and many others, shows you the secrets to comic book art – you’ll leave with your very own strip.

April 12: Hot Jazz Jam, The Hare on the Hill
A celebration of music from the early 20th century, bring your acoustic Instruments and get involved in this friendly, cosy jam session.

April 13: Elijah Presents: Yellow Squares, Bristol Beacon
Known for his viral instagram posts depicting post-it note style statements on the creative process, Butterz label owner Elijah presents his creative philosophies in a four hour talk, discussion and workshop.

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April 14 & 15: Yuup Presents: Hopyard Craft Beer Festival, Propyard
Enjoy the UK’s best craft breweries with a bottomless beer and cider buffet! Propyard will be partying for two days straight with all-day takeovers from Bristol Hi-Fi: Daddy G + Queen Bee and the dynamic DJ duo The Nextmen. Expect dub-reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, drum & bass, pop, and soul! What a way to start the summer.

© Photography by Khris Cowley for Here & Now (www.wearehereandnow.net)

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Opens April 14: One Fine Morning, Watershed
Léa Seydoux shines in Mia Hansen-Løve’s (Father of My Children, Bergman Island) newest film – a sweet, thoughtful and understated drama about a young Parisian navigating her father’s illness, single parenthood and a potential new love.

April 15: Gin Tasting with Bristol Dry Gin, The Rummer
Set in the St Nicks basement micro distillery, go on a journey through gin, learning about the distillation process, the history of the drink, and of course you’ll get to try various varieties.

April 16: Story Slam, The Wardrobe Theatre
Got a true story that needs telling? The monthly community event allows you the opportunity to get those stories off your chest, embarrassing, funny or anything else.

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April 16: The Comedy Box Promotes: IVO GRAHAM: MY FUTURE MY CLUTTER, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Bumbling wordsmith and tripe factory Ivo Graham returns to discuss three years of heavy duty pranking/ parenting/ procrastinating since Dave’s 2019 nominations for Best Comedy Show and Joke of the Fringe (“I’ve got an Eton College advent calendar, where all the doors are opened by my father’s contacts”).

As seen/heard on Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo, and Have I Got News For You.

“Suddenly has star-in-the-making coming off him like steam” Daily Telegraph

April 17: Bats of Stoke Park, The Vench
An evening/sunset walk around Stoke Park , equipped with echo-locators, in an attempt to find as many different species of bats as possible.

April 18: People’s Art Club & Community Drop-in – Textile Repair Special, People’s Republic of Stokes Croft
Got clothes that need repairing? Bring your holey jeans, ripped t-shirts and the like to the PRSC and learn how to fix them up yourself.

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April 19: Bristol Beacon Presents: Charlie Cunningham, St George’s
Though often described as a minimalist, Charlie Cunningham’s music is anything but bare bones. Rich with dreamy instrumentals, yearning nylon guitar and cascading, melancholic piano, soothing vocals lead the charge to produce a sound that is equal parts nostalgic as it is unfamiliar and enticing. A true “under the radar” success story, Charlie Cunningham’s delicate and focused compositions have already earned him over half a billion streams as he fast approaches his 500th performance, a headline slot at the iconic Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, and an ever-expanding international fanbase, which has seen him become a regular fixture in prestigious venues across Europe. New album ‘Frame’ sees the singer-songwriter alluding to a newfound desire for sonic exploration, with Charlie embracing golden era jazz, neo-classical composition and even art rock – all the while maintaining his masterful pared-back and clear-eyed musicality.

April 19: Creating a healthy culture in small organisations, Future Leap G Road
A workshop for business owners, HR specialists and the like, learning how to create a positive culture in your small business.

April 20: Free Mindfulness Photography Session, Temple Church
Learn to take photos mindfully in this relaxed lunchtime workshop at the hidden gardens of Temple Church.

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April 20: The Comedy Box Promotes: SOOZ KEMPNER: PLAYSTATION, Hen & Chicken Studio
The Twitter sensation and BBC Radio 4 regular takes to the road in her debut UK tour, following a totally sold-out Edinburgh Festival residency which played to critical acclaim.

Throughout lockdown Sooz Kempner made a variety of online content including livestreams via Twitch and viral political videos which built a huge international following, and received press in The Guardian, The Independent and The Metro, as well as in the LA Times and Chicago Tribune across the Atlantic.

“Incredible… it shouldn’t work but it really, really does” The Independent

April 21: Locomotive Presents: Conducta B2B Jeremy Sylvester, Greenworks
Not one to miss for the UK garage heads. Legends of the old and new guard collide for a B2B sure to blow the head off just about any fan of the dance.

April 22: Clue (Screening), Avery’s Wine Cellars
They made the board game into a movie – and you can watch it with a glass of the good stuff as part of Bristol Film Festival.

April 23: Raver Tots, Trinity Centre
Exactly what it says on the tin – enjoy massive bass music with the little ones at Trinity.

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April 24-26: The Smeds and The Smoos, Redgrave Theatre
A stellar new show based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Soar into space with this exciting adaptation. On a far-off planet, Smeds and Smoos can’t be friends. So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and zoom off into space together, how will their families get them back? Music, laughs and interplanetary adventures for everyone aged 3+.

The Smeds and the Smoos – photo: Redgrave Theatre

April 24: Bag making for beginners sewing workshop, Creative Space North Street
Learn to make your own bag from scratch, sewing together pieces of ready-cut materials provided by the class leader.

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April 24: Yuup presents: Yoga & Live Music, The Mount Without
This heavenly yoga experience in Bristol’s most beautiful venue is like no other! Yoga to live music is Bristol’s newest yoga concept with soft sounds of harp, guitar, voice, keys and flute improvised to fit the flow of the yoga session in real-time.

The Mount Without – photo: Yuup

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April 24-May 5: One Man and His Cow, Bristol Old Vic
Living Spit returns this April with more musical mayhem! Written and performed by “the Morecambe and Wise of Weston-Super-Mare” (The Daily Telegraph), the show features a multitude of agricultural antics and farmyard frolics, told with homespun charm, wit and, of course, live music. “Like King Lear. But with a cow.”

One Man and His Cow at Bristol Old Vic – photo: Bristol Old Vic

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April 24: Tracy Borman: How To Be A Good Monarch, Redgrave Theatre
Tracy Borman, royal historian, best-selling author, broadcaster, and Joint Chief Curator for Historic Royal Palaces will embark on her first ever theatre tour in 2023 with Tracy Borman – How To Be A Good Monarch – 1000 Years of Kings & Queens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGVZYJXNyII

April 25: Festival of Ideas – Sarah Bakewell, The Galleries
The Bristol Festival of Ideas hosts an interview between Julian Baggini and Sarah Bakewell about their new book, and the ideas around humanism.

April 26: Lyra Festival: Poetry in the Dark, Watershed
The incredibly popular poetry festival returns. They host a sensory deep listening event in the dark rooms of Watershed.

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April 26: Bristol Beacon Presents: Scott Matthews, Redgrave Theatre
Following Scott Matthews’ critically acclaimed album, New Skin, lauded by Robert Plant, Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien and Bella Union’s Simon Raymonde as his most courageous move yet in its Eno-esque electronica and Thom Yorke-centric uncovering, comes the sequel to its story, and the Ivor Novello award-winner is not afraid to evolve once more. From within this freshly paved electronic landscape, Matthews’ new album, Restless Lullabies, emerges with a stark boldness that is breathtaking. These phoenix songs, born from New Skin, have more to give, worthy of reincarnation, entirely reimagined by Matthews who appears dauntless, they are restless with good reason.

April 27: Bad Breeding, F.U.K. & GIMIC, The Golden Lion
A serious punk showcase at the Gloucester Road pub.

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April 28-May 1: City Nature Challenge, Various Locations
Join residents across the West of England in an exciting, collaborative mission to record as much nature as possible between Friday 28th April – Monday 1st May. Over the four-day bank holiday challenge, people across the region will be coming together to share observations of the natural world in gardens, green spaces, and city streets. Family-friendly activity across Bristol and Bath will be taking place, including expert-led wildlife walks and nature recording training.

City Nature Challenge – photo: Natural History Consortium

April 28-30: Bristol Folk Festival, Various Locations
Taking place across the city, the festival showcases the best the UK and international folk scene has to offer.

April 29-30: Astral Festival, Strange Brew
The central Bristol arts/music venue hosts a day of the finest psych rock bands, with takeovers from some top independent breweries.

April 30: Poetry in Motion | Film Screening, Arnolfini
A selection of short poetry film screenings from poets/artists of African/Caribbean origin or descent. Part of Lyra poetry festival.

And coming soon…

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May 17: Tubular Bells: 50th Anniversary, St George’s
Mike Oldfield’s groundbreaking album Tubular Bells was released on 25th May 1973 and to celebrate its 50th Anniversary – almost to the day – Bristol Ensemble performs a stirring chamber orchestral arrangement of the album, fleshing out the now iconic melodies with a bank of strings.

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May 20: Samuel Wesley by Candlelight, John Wesley’s New Room
The Bristol Ensemble return to John Wesley’s New Room with a candlelit evening of compositions from Samuel Wesley. Known as the ‘English Mozart’, Samuel Wesley was the nephew of John Wesley and his early musical education took place in Bristol.

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June 9-18: Festival of Nature, Millennium Square
Join the celebration for Festival of Nature’s 20th anniversary with its unmissable programme of vibrant city-centre events, family nature parties, wildlife workshops, walks and talks, film screenings, and spectacular performances across 10 days. Don’t miss out on the festival’s feature Bristol event at Millennium Square and Anchor Square 17th & 18th June – two days of free nature activities, stalls, food and drink, and special guest talks.

Festival of nature – photo: Natural History Consortium

Main photo: Khris Cowley

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