52 things to do in Bristol in January 2025

January 1: AnExperience, Lost Horizon
What better way to start the new year than a party? Lost Horizon’s New Year’s Day party kicks off at 6am and will wind down at around 5pm. The organisers say: “After the chaos and joy of our 2024 opening party we’re gonna do it all again but for longer!”

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January 1: Discover the Future of Green Mobility with BYD Bristol!
We are thrilled to announce that the BYD Bristol South store is now officially open, bringing cutting-edge electric and hybrid vehicles to local drivers. Explore our range of innovative models, including the fully electric BYD Dolphin, BYD Seal, and BYD Atto 3, as well as the versatile hybrid BYD Seal U DM-i. Take the opportunity to experience the power, efficiency, and design of our next-generation vehicles firsthand. Reserve your test drive today by clicking the link below!

Grand Opening – photo: BYD Bristol

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January 2: Breath Led with Lucy, Thursdays, Yogasara 10 – 11.15am
Join Lucy at Yogasara studio for a 75 minute kundalini global class working with breath, posture and strength, ending with a crystal singing bowls sound bath. As we quiet our minds and open our hearts, we are able to regulate our nervous systems. From this space we can soothe our stress and anxious and addictive minds. No experience necessary, not suitable during pregnancy.

Breath led with Lucy-photo: Lucy Spragge

January 2-19: Grey Unpleasant Land, Spike Island
This special art exhibition blends the work of two immigrants, Sophia Al-Maria and Lydia Ourahmane and explores the ‘grey areas’ of English life.

January 3: The People’s Comedy, People’s Republic of Stokes Croft
Since 2018, The People’s Comedy collective has used humour to raise awareness about social issues. Comedians in their network are grassroots and come from underrepresented backgrounds. They are starting of the new year with a humorous line up, that will have you laughing off your chairs but also thinking.

January 4: Avon Gorge Wild Foraging Walk, The Avon Gorge
Embrace nature in this one of a kind experience, where you will walk through the Avon Gorge while foraging edible plants and fungi with food forager and organic vegetable grower Heath Bunting.

January 4: House Dance, Piloxercise Studios
Led by Lottie Ball, this fortnightly class covers everything you need to know about house dance from foundation techniques to movement philosophy. Join Lottie for £10 per session.

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Until January 5: ME, Tobacco Factory Theatres
This early year’s festive favourite is a touching story about a parent and their love for their child by much loved children’s author Emma Dodd. Performances at 11am and 2:30pm.

ME – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

January 5: Bristol Bears Women v Gloucester-Hartpury Women, Ashton Gate
While Ilona Maher might not play, she will be in the stands. All the hype has led to Ashton Gate opening up additional seating areas. Get your tickets before they are sold out!

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January 5: A fun and transformative Workshop, Gus Hoyt
You’ll dive into the Three Pillars of The WHM: Breath, Cold, and Mindset, as well as discovering the scientific basis and how to implement them into your daily life. Gus is also a Functional Breathwork Coach and a Conscious Breathwork guide and incorporates this to his workshops.

Fundamental workshop – photo: Gus Hoyt

January 5: Bill Drummond’s Voices From The Galloverse, The Cube
Get a chance to listen and possibly own the cult classic vinyl record Voices From The Galloverse from Bill Drummond. The Galloverse is a re-imaging of post-punk years in Liverpool, in. around 1978 which is why the tickets are also priced at £19.78. Only 40 tickets will be sold for this event, as instructed by Drummond himself.

January 6: Come and Sing! Drop in Choir, The Jam Jar
The Jam Jar’s Pearl Love will teach songs from several traditions, in a friendly and relaxed way. Join for some melodious memories at The Jam Jar.

January 6: Grand Theft Hamlet, The Cube
Could you imagine the classic play Hamlet in the world of the violent video game Grand Theft Auto? From directors Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane, watch the new experimental film at The Cube to see what it takes to stage a production of Hamlet in the world of the game.

January 7: Josie Blakelock + Old Moll + Ellie James, The Louisiana
A powerful lineup of three singers. Ellie James is a Bristol-based singer who will collaborate with Old Moll and Josie Blakelock for an unforgettable evening at The Louisiana.

January 7: The Whitmore Tap bookclub, The Whitmore Tap
The first session of this year’s Whitmore Tap bookclub. Come to read and relax with other like-minded bookworms.

January 8: The Neuroscience of Music with Professor Lauren Stewart, Hen and Chicken
Lauren Stewart, a psychology professor at Goldsmiths, will demonstrate how our mind perceives and makes sense of music. Come to understand the therapeutic potential of music.

January 9: Socks and Ballerinas, The Louisiana
The Bristol-based instrumental live looping duo might just be two members on stage but sound like a five member band to listeners. Enjoy these musical geniuses in action.

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Until January 9: We Live In Time, Watershed
Almut (Florence Pugh) and Tobias (Andrew Garfield) are brought together in a surprise encounter that changes their lives.

We Live In Time – photo: Watershed

January 10: David Bowie’s Birthday Party, Thekla
Celebrate the legend in a way he would have loved – by throwing a party – at Bristol’s own legendary venue Thekla.

January 11: Podcasting workshop, Jamaica Street Studios
If you’ve ever wondered how podcasting works, this might be your chance to learn! Learn everything from recording to editing with Eliza Lomas who has produced podcasts and radio programmes for BBC Radio 4 among others.

January 12: Bristol Comedy Festival, The Wolfs
In what has been called the “perfect concoction” for the weekend, the Bristol Comedy Festival will provide buckets of laughter and cheer.

January 13: Paul Foot: A Life in Politics, Bookhaus
One of the most influential investigative reporters of his generation, Paul Foot wrote about everything from police corruption to the politics of poetry. Margaret Renn, will launch her new biography on Foot’s life,  Paul Foot: A Life in Politics, by speaking with Paul’s son John, a University of Bristol professor, at Bookhaus.

January 14: Adult life drawing, Arnolfini
The University of the West of England are opening up their life drawing classes for anyone to come and have a go.

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January 14: Breath Led With Lucy At The Mount Without
Join Lucy for an immersion in transformational breathwork and Kundalini Global Yoga in the stunning candlelit setting of The Mount Without where we’ll be accessing altered states of being. Breath is a powerful tool we can harness to regulate the nervous system, release stress and tension in the body, and enter a deep state of calm and presence. These classes are music led and end with a crystal bowl sound bath to bring us into a deeper state of relaxation.

Breath Led With Lucy – photo: Lucy Spragge

January 15: Mental health treatment from 1861 to 1990s, Glenside Hospital Museum
Situated within the grounds of the asylum that closed in 1994, the Museum exhibition shows the evolution of mental health treatment over the 19th and 20th centuries.

January 16: Bristol illustrators meet-up, Jamaica Street Studios
From sketchy icebreakers to chatty games – this will be a memorable meet-up.

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January 16: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra with Valentina Peleggi, Bristol Beacon
A ‘Strings Showcase’ including Vaughan Williams’ spirited tribute to Thomas Tallis, Tchaikovsky’s demanding concerto for the violin virtuoso and Scheherazade, a suite of pictures from The Arabian Nights bound together by a bewitching melody sung by the solo violin.

Orchestral Season – photo: Bristol Beacon

January 17: Fluttering colours performance,  L’Étoile Studios
The impact of climate change is explored through the perspective of a monarch butterfly, whose journey audiences will follow through an epic multimedia performance.

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January 18: Cosmic Cello Power, Trinity Centre Henleaze
Join the 12-piece string orchestra of the Bristol Ensemble, led by cello soloist Harriet Wiltshire, for an evening of exceptional music, featuring Tchaikovsky’s ‘Serenade for Strings’, Tavener’s ‘The Protecting Veil’ for solo cello, and Sally Beamish’s vibrant ‘Opus California’. Pre-concert talk begins at 6.45pm. Free glass of wine included.

Cosmic Cello Power – photo: Bristol Ensemble

January 18: Bristol Bears Women v Leicester Tigers Women, Ashton Gate
In what will likely be Ilona Maher’s Bristol Bears debut, the tigers will leave the savannah to face the bears. The game was moved to Ashton Gate due to high demand.

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Until January 18: Preview: Memoir of a Snail + Q&A, Watershed
Memoir of a Snail is the bittersweet remembrance of a lonely woman called Grace Pudel, who retells her life story to a humble garden snail named Sylvia.

Memoir of a Snail – photo: Watershed

January 19: Black Mound Sound Lab Presents, Exchange
Get ready to watch an Arcane Folk film followed by the launch of Black Mound Sound Label at the Exchange.

January 20: Gather Up, Bristol Old Vic
Gather Up is an artist-led initiative to encourage and inspire Bristol-based movers and dancers. In this session, Ania Varez will share their Flying Low and Passing Through techniques, which have been developed by David Zambrano.

January 21: Dry Socket, Exchange
Dry Socket are coming to the UK and Europe for the first time after the release of their debut album Sorry For Your Loss.

January 22:  Satellite of Love: Tim Munson, The John Sebastian Lightship
This unique spoken word event will see local and touring poets come together a memorable evening.

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January 22: Jacob Collier and Chris Thile with Britten Sinfonia, Bristol Beacon
Grammy-winning musical phenomenon Jacob Collier will perform with a UK orchestra for the first time, joining forces with the 50-piece Britten Sinfonia. Collier will be joined by fellow Grammy award-winner Chris Thile – virtuoso mandolinist, singer and songwriter – and conductor Suzie Collier, Jacob’s mother and guiding light.

Jacob and Suzie – photo: Bristol Beacon

January 23: Femi Kuti, Bristol Beacon
Fela Kuti’s oldest son returns to Bristol with his ensemble, The Positive Force, for a fun and energetic night of afrobeat sound.

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January 23: Kiddi Caru Day Nursery & Preschool Grand Opening Event!
Join us for a fun day of activities at the launch of our beautiful, newly refurbished day nursery baby snug, for children aged 3-24 months (toddler & preschool coming Spring 2025). Join us anytime between 9AM-4PM to see why we are the nursery of choice in Bradley Stoke!

WWR Grand Opening poster

January 24: W.E. Irish Music Event: The Publicans, People’s Republic of Stokes Croft
W.E. Irish will host what promises to be an “unforgettable night” of traditional Irish music by The Publicans.

January 25: Bristol City v Blackburn Rovers, Ashton Gate
After being defeated 5-0 in 2024, the Rovers return to take on the Robins one again.

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Until January 25: Hansel & Gretel, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Following last year’s record-breaking Christmas hit, Oliver Twist, TFT’s Factory Theatre has been transformed this year into a magical and mythical land in what Bristol 24/7 have described as “Tobacco Factory Theatres have another Christmas banger on their hands”.

Hansel & Gretel – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

January 26: Joshua Radin, Thekla
American folk singer Joshua Radin will make Bristol the first stop of his UK Europe tour when he drops by Thekla on Sunday.

January 27: BODIES, Bristol Beacon
The Berlin-based acapella group will fill the Beacon with haunting and goosebump-inducing vocals.

January 28: Papa’s, The Lock Up
For one night only, the Las Hermosas cooking duo from Vermont will appear at the Lock Up with a pop up called ‘Papa’s’ which will provide six succulent Mexican courses.

January 29: Liquid Library Presents…, The Cube
Liquid Library returns to The Cube with poets, funk music, folk music and the vocal stylings of Carnivorous Plants.

January 30: Felicity Ward, Redgrave Theatre
The stand-up comic and star of the Australian Office returns to Bristol with a two-hour show about pregnancy, motherhood and homesickness.

January 31: Bristol Light Festival, multiple venues
The annual Bristol Light Festival kicks off for another ten days of lights, art and spectacle.

And coming soon…

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February 12: Hayseed Dixie, The Fleece
Hayseed Dixie, the masters of ‘rockgrass’, are bringing their riotous energy and southern charm to Bristol, The Fleece. Expect an unforgettable night of bluegrass twists on rock anthems and hilarious storytelling – tickets are available now!

Hayseed Dixie – photo: Crosstown Concerts

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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

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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

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February 15: Comedy & Reggae Valentines Special, Redgrave Theatre
After the success of the 2024 Valentines event which had two sold out shows, we are back due to popular demand. We fuse together hilarious comedy with live reggae music, performing classic hits from Bob Marley, Freddie Mcgreggor, John Holt, Beres Hammond plus more.

Comedy & Reggae Valentines Special – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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February 16: Redgrave Theatre Showcase, Redgrave Theatre
Join us for a vibrant evening of live music and spoken word performances. 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. Expect an evening full of inspiration, emotion, and creativity.

Redgrave Theatre Showcase

Main photo: Lost Horizon

Read next:

• 25 things to look forward to in Bristol in 2025
• Ritual Union returns with fresh sounds for 2025
• A bigger and better Bristol Comedy Festival aims to banish the January blues in 2025