55 things to do in Bristol in December 2024

December 1: 100 Years of Bristol in music and film, Bristol Beacon
Led by conductor Tim Harrison, the Bristol Youth Orchestra will perform alongside captivating cine footage of Bristol over the decades.

December 2: St Werburgh’s City Farm winter fair
An array of street food, family-friendly activities, live music and mulled wine for the grown-ups.

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December 1-22: Sing The Body Electric Collection 2, Watershed
The second collection from the Sing The Body Electric Exhibition at Undershed explores what lies just beyond the edge of our perception and is revealed through unusual ways of encountering a story.

Sing The Body 2 – photo: Watershed

December 2: Bauble Marbling, Bruhaha
Microbrewery Bruhaha will host a workshop learning the art of marbling, where you can take away four of your own, one-of-a-kind ornaments! Create unique and beautiful patterns on Christmas baubles using marbling inks and water, experimenting with different colours and patterns.

December 3 – 7: The Girlfriend Experience, Kelvin Players
A true-life play about friendship, heartbreak and business enterprise… in a seaside brothel.

December 4: Crochet a Booble, Child.org Offices
Join Child.org for an evening of crochet, prosecco and Christmas boobles! A fun little crochet design to give as a gift, hang on your Christmas tree, or use as a key ring. This is a fundraising event to raise money for Child.org during our Big Give Christmas Campaign. During this campaign, every donation they receive between the 3rd and 10th of December is doubled.

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December 4: Famous, Rough Trade
Catch Famous live at Rough Trade on the 4th of December, a night of raw, powerful post-punk and grunge that cuts straight to the core. Don’t miss their intense energy and sharp sound in one of the most exciting gigs this winter, get your tickets now before they’re gone.

Famous – photo: Crosstown Concerts

December 5: Stephen Leslie, 17 Midland Road
Join Stephen Leslie as he takes a detailed, often humorous look at his favourite images, from several decades as a street photographer. The talk marks the opening of MOSTLY FLASE REPORTS, an exhibition of recent works from his book of the same title, which is a combination of original candid street photography and short stories.

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December 5: 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

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December 5: DIIV, SWX
Fresh off the back of supporting Fontaines DC in London, DIIV are bringing their post-punk, IDLES esque sound to SWX, Bristol, along with very special guests Tim Kinsella & Jenny Pulse. Tickets are selling quickly so make sure you book while you can!

December 5: Dinner with Dean Saunders, Memorial Stadium
Saunders will speak about his career, where he made over 600 league appearances for teams like Liverpool, Aston Villa and Galatasaray and collected 75 caps for Wales before answering some questions.

December 6: No Reason Short Film Festival, Malcom X Community Centre
The non-for-profit film festival platforms a collection of amateur short films sent it from across the South West. Entries are judged by an independent panel in different categories.

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December 7: Sustainable Christmas Market – Support local indie makers!
Future Leap’s Sustainable Christmas Market is back, giving you the opportunity to shop from an array of indie sellers while supporting local artists and making your Christmas more sustainable. Every Saturday hosts a different selection of stallholders, and you can expect to find photography and art prints, eco-friendly beauty and hygiene products, greener household alternatives, ceramics, handsewn homewares and much, much more. Restore café will also be serving fresh coffee, food and treats to keep up your festive fuel.

Christmas Market – photo: Future Leap

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December 7-8: Windmill Hill Market – Festive Gift Fair
A two-day festive gift fair with a wealth of beautiful handcrafted items by local designer makers, including homeware, ceramics, jewellery, illustrations, food and drink and more. Plus street food, local produce, tap room, mulled drinks, Christmas trees, wreath making workshops, choirs and food demos. All in the beautiful setting of the city farm!

Festive Market – photo: Windmill Hill

December 7-11: Monkey Business – RTiiiKA Exhibition, Centrespace Gallery
RTiiiKA is Rosa ter Kuile, a visual artist whose work encompasses murals, illustration, academic collaborations, and activism, often employing a queer lens to explore and expand contrasting narratives. RTiiiKA is the designer behind the Bristol Beacon’s new look and mural, the founder of Bristol Mural Collective and Bristol’s Smallest Street Art Festival. Monkey Business serves as a space for reflection about the nature of sexuality and how we understand it – both in animals and in ourselves.

December 7: Boiler Room System, The Prospect Building
Connected by a love for subcultures around the world, Boiler Room and Havana Club come together to present System, a celebration of sounds of the diaspora.

December 7: Hidden Stories of Christmas Steps, Christmas Steps
Interactive characters deliver true historic tales, with an Invisible Circus infused theatrical twist. Hear an array of stories told at different spots up and down Bristol’s iconic Christmas Steps, in the Chapel and the Foster’s Alms Houses.

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December 8: 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

December 8: South West Wrestling – Nightmare Before Crimbo, The Trinity Centre
This eerie extravaganza will feature the highly anticipated debut of the “Maiden of Metal” Rayne Leverkusen, as well as the return of star of Mythos:Ragnarok (portraying Thor) JD Knight, and that “Damn Dirty Dog” Gene Munny.

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December 8: HERE Christmas Market
Visit the HERE Christmas market on Sunday, December 8, 10am-3pm at 470 Bath Rd, Bristol, BS4 3AP. Enjoy Bristol’s finest independent goods, Sri Lankan street food, treats from The Deli, and a fun crafts table with take-home gifts. Get your festive shopping done early! See you HERE!

HERE Christmas Market

December 9: Bright Light Opera Company Christmas Concert, Cotham Parish Church
Cotham Parish Church describes itself as a “Inclusive, Creative, and Contemplative Christian Community within the Church of England” and they will be holding an operatic Christmas concert.

December 10: Wayne Hemingway In Conversation With Karen Arthur, Spiegeltent
Renowned designer Wayne Hemingway, MBE, will appear live in conversation with the inspirational broadcaster, artist and campaigner Karen Arthur. Wayne and Karen are both fervent advocates of sustainable fashion, reinvention and regeneration, as well as the powerful, positive impact that creativity and self-expression can have on society. Expect a deep and lively conversation covering Hemingway’s four decades as a pioneer in the realms of creativity and social change.

December 11: Creative Socials for Introverts, 395
Come down to 395 Bristol for our Open Social night, where music, art, and creativity collide! This is your chance to sing, spin, and sketch in an evening dedicated to expression and community.

December 12: Three Cane Whale, John Wesley’s New Room
The informal music session will host Alex Vann, Pete Judge and Paul Bradley, a multi-instrumental acoustic trio based in Bristol, featuring members of Spiro, Get The Blessing and Scottish Dance Theatre

December 13: Devil’s Work Xmas Party w/Yushh & Farrell
That time of year for the Idle Hands xmas party, flying under the Devil’s Work flag. More details to follow closer to the time….

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December 13-January 5: Jack and the Beanstalk, Redgrave Theatre
Pantomime at the Redgrave Theatre is always the highlight of the festive calendar for the whole family. This year’s Jack and the Beanstalk promises to be bigger and better than ever! Get ready to roar with laughter and cheer on our hero Jack on his magical journey.

Jack and the Beanstalk – photo: Redgrave Theatre

December 14: Beak>, SWX
Following BEAK>’s surprise first album release in six years, they are headed to SWX to entertain their loyal fans. They’ve described the album as a process of “going back to their origins.”

December 14: Instant Wit, Alma Tavern
An improvised comedy that is fresh and inventive, each show throws up new nuggets of hilarity crafted by a company of the highest calibre. It’s a pick-me-up tonic with unexpected twists and a dash of sauce.

December 14 – 18: CatVideoFest 2024, Watershed
This annual celebration of feline antics (a huge hit in the US and Canada, selling out cinemas coast to coast) brings together the best cat videos from animations, music videos, and from the good ole classic internet archives, all curated to provide a joyous experience for cat fans of all ages.

December 15: A Christmas Ceilidh, The Jam Jar
Fitty Gomash & Friends proudly present: Blowin’ a Hooley – A Christmas Ceilidh. For over 15 years Fitty Gomash have been delivering barnstorming ceilidhs for folk up and down the land, and the Christmas Ceilidh is a chance to shake your tinsel and baubles with the best of them, delivered with uptempo drive and good time energy.

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December 15: Bristol Ensemble Contemporary – Terry Riley ‘In C’
Bristol Ensemble performs an intriguing programme of contemporary works in the unique setting of Bristol 1904 Arts Club. In C is a musical piece composed by Terry Riley in 1964 and is often cited as the first minimalist composition to make a significant impact on the public consciousness. The programme also includes works by Ruth Gipps for solo oboe, Peter McGarr and Anna Meredith.

BE Contemporary – photo: Bristol Ensemble

December 16: Bristol Girl Christmas Book Club, Ritorno Lounge
This December join Bristol Girl as they come together and celebrate the festive season with Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie. Expect to have an amazing evening with a group of great Bristol Girls, having lots of fun discussing the chosen book!

December 17: The Godfather Part II 50th Anniversary Screening, Averys Wine Cellars
Join Avery Wine Cellars as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece sequel. You’ll enjoy a sparkling wine reception, the film itself will be accompanied by a tasting of carefully selected wines courtesy of Averys’ resident experts – and for a film as epic as The Godfather Part II, they’ll be pouring six Sicilian and southern Italian wines as opposed to the usual four.

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December 18: Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, Watershed
Animation’s most frightening chicken – ahem penguin – Feathers McGraw returns with a vengeance in this new feature-length Wallace and Gromit film. For the duo’s sixth outing, Gromit’s concern that Wallace is becoming too dependent on his inventions proves justified, when Wallace invents a “smart” gnome that seems to develop a mind of its own.

Wallace and Gromit – photo: Watershed

December 18: Musical Bingo, The Trident
EYES DOWN for a fun night of musical bingo… a new twist on bingo that replaces the standard bingo format with live singing of your favourite hits with amazing prizes. Instead of boring old numbers being called out in a normal game of bingo, they’ve been replaced with names of your favourite songs, and she will sing 45-60 seconds of the most toe-tappin’, bum wigglin’ hit songs from the past and present.

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December 19 & 21: A Christmas Carol, The Drone Light Show
A brand new festive drone show is flying into Bristol this December. Back by popular demand, Yuup and Celestial return to Seat Unique Stadium with A Christmas Carol, The Drone Light Show. Embark on a dazzling adventure through Dickens’ timeless classic on the world’s biggest stage – the sky, all charismatically narrated by Matt Lucas.

A Christmas Carol – photo: Yuup

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December 19: The Unthanks in Winter, Bristol Beacon
The Unthanks have been described as “a take on tradition that flips so effortlessly between jazz, classical, ambient and post-rock, it makes any attempt to put a label on them a waste of time” (Penny Black Music). Using the traditional music of the North East of England as a starting point, the influence of Miles Davis, Sufjan Stevens, Robert Wyatt, King Crimson and Tom Waits makes them a unique band, earning them a Mercury Music Prize nomination and international acclaim along the way. ‘In Winter’ is an abstract new work that captures the warmth and nostalgia of the festive season, the chill and darkness of the winter months, and the reflective ritualisms of the turn of the year; the end and beginning of the circle of life.

The Unthanks in Winter – photo: Bristol Beacon

December 20: Super Motive 16+ Rave, Motion
The UK’s biggest 16+ DNB rave returns to Bristol for a Christmas special. Line-up includes Mozey, FMS, Oh My Rosh and Artefact.

December 21: Festive Fiesta, St George’s
Festive orchestral music and beautiful carols sung by the choir are interspersed with uplifting traditional Christmas carols for audience members to sing, directed by David Ogden and Roger Huckle.

December 21: Silent Disco, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery’s
Dress to impress in your Santa hat or best Christmas jumper, grab a pair of glowing headphones, and dance the night away among ancient artefacts in our festively decked halls. With multiple DJs spinning everything from classic Christmas hits to dancefloor favourites, you control the soundtrack of your night in one of Bristol’s iconic venues!

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December 21: The Snowman, Bristol Beacon
Coming to Bristol from London for one day only, the Mozart Symphony Orchestra returns for an annual performance of timeless classics; The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child and The Snowman. Following the huge success of The Gruffalo and the The Gruffalo’s Child at Bristol Beacon last Christmas, they make a welcome return this December. Rather like Peter and the Wolf, each character in the tale is represented by a different instrument of the orchestra – can you guess what the Gruffalo will be? The much beloved film will be shown on the big screen with a live symphony orchestra providing the soundtrack. 15-year-old Alice Mackenzie sings the aria made so famous by Aled Jones: ‘Walking in the Air’. This concert is the perfect antidote to panto and a wonderful Christmas treat for all the family.

The Snowman – photo: Bristol Beacon

December 22 – 24: Mother Deer, Circomedia
Mother Deer is a beautiful and playful show for family audiences that captures their imaginations and inspires them to think about our environment, the animals, and their place in the natural world. Based on an ancient Northern European Folk tale about the Winter Solstice, Mother Deer blends aerial acrobatics, dance, and sensory theatre in a feast of festive storytelling full of mischief, wonder, and magic.

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December 22: Christmas Special by Candlelight, Bristol Ensemble
The Military Wives Choir join the Bristol Ensemble for an uplifting programme of Christmas classics that will get you singing and clapping along. A perfect way to get into the Christmas mood!

Christmas Special – photo: Bristol Ensemble

December 23: Jokes & Mirrors Stand-up Comedy Night, Smoke & Mirrors
In the Smoke & Mirrors Theatre they host the very best rising and established comedy talent, testing out new material and shows in their Joke & Mirrors Stand Up Comedy New Material Nights. Each week they will be joined by a touring headliner with support from other local comedians.

December 24: Family Christmas Eve Quiz and  Brunch, The Sandringham
Get in early for The Sandingham’s Festive Family Friendly Quiz as it kicks off at 11am.

December 24: Alternative Midnight Mass, The Crypt
A time to reflect with carols and festive cheer. Expect a contemporary twist on the traditional midnight mass. A great way to see in Christmas Day with family and friends.

December 26: Michael Hennessy, The Lifeboat Inn
Covering music from the last few decades, Michael Hennessy takes on genres from Blues, Jazz, Folk, to popular music. With songs ranging from “Ain’t Misbehavin”, an old Jazz standard to “Forget Me” a current hit by the Louis Capaldi, he can entertain all age groups.

December 26: Bad Manners Xmas Special, The Fleece
BAD MANNERS return for their traditional Boxing Day gig at The Fleece, support, as always, comes from Max Splodge

December 26: All God’s Children, Bristol Cathedral
All God’s Children is part of the Cathedral’s work to understand its links with the transatlantic trade of enslaved people. Research that informed the exhibition discovered that between 1670 and 1900, roughly 1,000 people were buried or memorialised in the Cathedral and its grounds.

December 27: Haunted & Hidden Bristol Walking Tour, College Green
Award winning fun & informative guided walk for all ages around old Bristol’s streets that features haunted buildings, tv, and film locations and some fun Bristol trivia.

December 28: Terrain w/ Hannza – Bangers Without Borders, The Jam Jar
Hannza brings heat to the dance floor with big, genre-busting beats and rhythms from Afrobeats, UKG, UK funky and dancehall, plus a splash of grimy bass. Half of the Moylan Family and part of the female/non-binary Booty Bass DJ collective, when it comes to making your booty shake, Hannza is a pro.

December 29: Babette’s Feast, The Cube
Counting among its fans everyone from Pope Francis to Stanley Tucci, Babette’s Feast is a delightful tale of purity and pleasure, featuring some of the most lipsmackingly delicious food porn ever committed to the screen.

December 30: Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Bristol Hippodrome
Join comedian, TV and musical theatre star Brian Conley and star of stage and screen Brenda Edwards as the Hippodrome is transformed into a sensational circus, where everything is possible, and anything could (and will) happen.

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December 31: NYE with Joy Orbison and more, The Prospect Building
We’re celebrating the first-ever NYE at The Prospect Building in style this year, with a huge lineup of DJs joining us for an extended event, including Joy Orbison, Special Request, Octo Octa and more. It’s set to be the perfect way to welcome 2025 in.

NYE with Joy Orbison – photo: The Prospect Building

December 31: AnExperience ~ A decent option for new years eve, The Boxing Gym
It will be loud, good and probably be one of the cheapest nights out you’ll find at £5. Five rooms covering genres from reakbeat hardcore, jungle, acid, soca, dancehall, soul and much, much more.

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Throughout December: Christmas through the ages at Dyrham Park
Go on a festive journey back in time. Rooms will be decorated from six different eras from Tudor to 1980s. Giant wreath and family reindeer trail around the parkland. Choirs in the church on selected weekends.

Christmas through the ages – photo: NTI/Steve Haywood

And coming soon…

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December 31: New Years Day Celebration at the Mount Without
Join Lucy in the stunning candlelit Mount Without on New Year’s Day for an afternoon of breathwork, yoga, sound, cacao and journaling to set our intentions as we move into 2025. Working with breath, stretch and posture will help us transition into the new year with clarity and calm. No experience necessary.

New Years Day Celebration – photo: Lucy Spragge

Main photo: Bristol Beacon

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