Bristol’s cultural highlights of 2022

With so many cancelled events and dark venues over the past two years, Bristol’s cultural landscape is back with a vengeance in 2022.

From theatre, comedy, music, visual arts, circus, books and spoken word, here are some of the many highlights from an incredible array of dates for your diary in the upcoming months.

Belly Laughs, multiple venues, January 12-27

Returning to real life venues from last year’s online festival, Belly Laughs will raise money for Bristol charities, all by giving patrons a chance to see a night of fantastic comedy in an intimate venue with some great food along the way. The only difficulty will be getting your hands on a ticket, so check on Yuup for updates of all events.

Dr Semmelweis, Bristol Old Vic, January 20-February 12

The long-awaited Dr Semmelweis will bring world-renowned theatre and oscar-winning film actor Mark Rylance to the Bristol Old Vic stage for the first time.

Confronted by the terrible death toll of childbed fever in 19th century Vienna, maverick Doctor Semmelweis makes a discovery that could save hundreds of thousands of new mothers. But when the medical establishment questions his methods, rejects his theory and doubts his sanity, the controversial surgeon finds that being a pioneer is not enough.

Mark Rylance as Dr Semmelweis – photo: Bristol Old Vic

Big Boys Don’t Cry, Tobacco Factory Theatres, January 26-29

In a riot of colour, dance, clowns and puppets, this is a hysterical journey that is full of heart, but close to the bone. Big Boys Don’t Cry, the latest production from the makers of Coulrophobia, an “endlessly watchable, sublimely entertaining double act” (Total Theatre), is an emotionally ridiculous story about manhood.

Big Boys Don’t Cry – photo: courtesy of Tobacco Factory Theatres

Slapstick Festival, multiple venues, January 26-30

Bristol’s much-loved annual celebration of silent cinema will feature a raft of film screenings, discussions and retrospectives. Guests for Slapstick in 2022 include Armando Iannuci, Richard Herring, Sally Phillips, Roni Ancona, Barry Cryer and Tim Vine.

Lucy Porter – photo: courtesy of Slapstick Festival

Generations: Portraits of Holocaust Survivors, RPS Gallery, The Royal Photographic Society, January 27-March 27

A photographic exhibition bringing together over 50 contemporary portraits of Holocaust survivors and their families, shining a light on their lives and our collective responsibility to cherish their stories.

Ben Helfgott – photo: Frederic Aranda

Intersectional Geographies, Martin Parr Foundation, January 27-April 3

This new group exhibition, curated by Jacqueline Ennis Cole, brings together a selection of artists and photographers whose diverse work raises awareness of the complex relationships between the most pressing concerns of our time.

Archival Image I (Miners After Work, 1977)’, from the series ‘Coal Story‘ – photo: Darek Fortas

An evening with Deborah Levy, Storysmith, February 3

Thrice-Booker-nominated novelist Deborah Levy comes to North Street’s favourite indie bookshop, Storysmith, for an evening of cheese, wine (contributed by Kask), and conversation about her novel, Real Estate.

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Little Sister Presents: Wet Leg, Louisiana, February 3

Having already sold out their April 2022 UK tour, Wet Leg have confirmed a run of intimate UK regional dates as part of their role as Independent Music Week Ambassadors. BBC 6 music will also be broadcasting the evening live from The Louisiana as part of their Independent Venue Week Coverage. If you can get your hands on a ticket, this will be one to remember.

Lunar New Year: Year of the Tiger, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, February 5-6

Welcome in the Year of the Tiger with live performances and activities at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. Watch traditional Chinese dances and martial arts demonstrations, and have a go at learning about Chinese and Korean culture through various activities. Pick up a tiger detective trail to search for tigers throughout the museum.

Hanyue Jiang performing for Lunar New Year at Bristol Museum – photo: Rebecca Noakes

For the Culture – Cultural Society Talent Show, Anson Rooms, February 5

For the Culture is a Cultural Society Talent Show from Bristol SU. University of Bristol student societies will be showcasing their cultures through dance, music and performance. As well as providing a platform for cultural education, the show will be judged by a panel and culminate in a prize for the winning society. The event is open to the public, and everyone is invited to join in for a free celebration of cultures around the world.

Anson Rooms – photo: Bristol SU

Bristol Palestine Film Festival presents: Liwan – a story of cultural resistance, St George’s, February 6

Bristol Palestine Film Festival is putting on an extra event outside its usual festival dates in December. There will be three insightful films focusing on cultural resistance in Palestine, including Liwan, an uplifting story about the struggle to establish a cultural café in Nazareth promoting Palestinian culture and driving a rejuvenation of the old city.

Greedy Pig Theatre Company: Be, The Loco Klub, February 8

Feminine? Masculine? Why can’t we just… be?

Greedy Pig Theatre Company are bringing their new play to The Loco Klub, about femininity, masculinity, and the desire to just… be. Be follows three characters trying to break out of their boxes, as they discover what it means to be ‘Her’, ‘Him’ or ‘Them’. With enchanting music and provocative, poetic storytelling, Greedy Pig Theatre Company’s latest production gives a voice to those made restless by the constraints of gender within our communities.

Be – photo: Greedy Pig Theatre Company

Lady of the House – cultural exhibition, Lost Horizon, March 8-12

After the success of the first ever book Celebrating, Championing and Honouring women in Dance Music, the female-led organisation Lady Of The House have joined forces with Lost Horizon to host a pioneering Cultural Exhibition dedicated to women in electronic music, opening on International Women’s Day, March 8.

Tongue Fu – Hot Poets (presented by Raise the Bar), official pre-party show for Lyra – Bristol Poetry Festival 2022, St George’s, March 31

A brand new show from Tongue Fu, Hot Poets partners brilliant spoken word artists with scientists, NGOs and change-makers in the fight against climate change, to make brand new work telling hopeful stories.

Fusing spoken word, genre-hopping improvised music, film, science and bags of hopeful facts, Hot Poets aims to help change the ‘doom narrative’ around climate change and shine light on the amazing work being done around the world.

The Outlaws, Season 2, release date tbc

“Following on directly from the first series, The Outlaws still have time to serve on their sentences – but now they must face the fallout from their actions,” says the publicity for season two, expected some time in 2022 (exact date not yet released).

“If they thought the criminal underworld or the local police were done with them, they are sorely mistaken. The Outlaws must depend on one another while working with unlikely allies to atone for their sins – but can they save themselves without sacrificing their souls?”

De La Soul, The Marble Factory, April 1

The live diary for The Marble Factory keeps growing from strength to strength. In April they will be welcoming hip hop legends De La Soul to the south west.

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Me, Myself, I: Artists’ Self-Portraits, RWA, April-June

RWA will be kicking off their major reopening in early 2022 with Me, Myself, I: Artists’ Self-Portraits, following the transformational Light & Inspiration £4.1m capital project. The exhibition includes over 70 works and examines how artists have imagined and seen themselves.

It features artworks by major artists including Grayson Perry, Tracy Emin, Sonia Boyce, Antony Gormley, Gillian Wearing, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Angelica Kauffman, Elizabeth Louise Vigéé Le Brun, Lucian Freud, Patrick Heron and many more. The exhibition will be accompanied by the usual collection of free events, both in the building and across the city.

Shanti Panchal RBA Hon RWS Hon (b.1951), Artist and the Lost Studio, 2014, © Ruth Borchard Collection – image: courtesy of PIANO NOBILE Robert Travers (Works of Art) Ltd

Anything Goes, Bristol Hippodrome, April 11-16

Featuring a 50 strong cast and ensemble including a full-sized live orchestra and tap dancing sailors, Anything Goes is an uplifting production that features heart-warming romance, farcical fun and spectacular show stopping dance routines.

Directed by the multi-award-winning Broadway director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall, the show features Cole Porter’s joyful score, including I Get A Kick Out of You, You’re the Top and the show stopping Anything Goes.

Bristol Hippodrome – Anything Goes – photo: ATG

Astral Festival VII, Strange Brew, April 30-May 1

Formerly known as Bristol Psych Fest, Astral Festival is an independent festival run by Stolen Body Records. There will be 22 bands on two stages over the weekender, as well as DJs, food, drink, merch and “a few other treats to keep your mind blown”.

Outer Space!, Harbourside, May

From the team behind the Spiegeltent, the enchanted pop-up garden Outer Space Bristol returns to Harbourside this May to host an array of exciting shows, live music and street food.

Expect a bustling programme of live family-friendly shows and activities, circus, cabaret, outstanding DJs and live bands this spring; entertainment that spans from daytime events rolling through to evenings.

Circus performer Lucinda at Outer Space – photo: Avril McGovern

Mayfest, venues tbc, May

Bristol’s biennial international festival of theatre is set to return this May. The programme and venues are still to be released, but if previous Mayfests are anything to go by, you will want to keep a close eye as the event takes shape. The Guardian dubbed it  “a mix of work so tasty it makes you want to up sticks and move to Bristol permanently”.

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Bristol Comedy Festival, The Exchange, Stag & Hounds and To the Moon, May 15

The inaugural Bristol Comedy Festival will take place over one jam-packed day of comedy previews from a mix of TV names, circuit legends and fast rising new acts. Three venues around Old Market will play host to the events: the Exchange, Stag & Hounds and To the Moon, allowing visitors to hop from show to show all day.

The lineup includes Sarah Keyworth, Rosie Jones, Harriet Kemsley, Stuart Goldsmith, Jamie D’Souza, Sara Barron and Abi Clarke, with all tickets costing just £6 in advance or £9 on the door.

Image: Bristol Comedy Festival

Upfest, various venues, May 28-29

Europe’s largest street art festival is back this summer for its 15th year and this milestone edition of the festival is definitely one for the calendar. Once again, the streets of Bedminster in South Bristol will be transformed by street art’s biggest talents for an unforgettable weekend of live painting.

Upfest, Bristol – photo: Paul Box

Love Saves the Day, Ashton Court Estate, June 2-3

Bristol’s biggest music festival is back for its 10th year taking place over the Jubilee weekend. This year it moves to a new home, the iconic grounds of Ashton Court Estate, and this landmark anniversary of the festival is going to be the biggest and best yet with a stellar line-up of international artists.

Love Saves Saturday – photo: LSTD

Cirque Bijou, Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant, June 5

Bristol’s home-grown Cirque Bijou have been making unique and memorable contemporary circus performances worldwide for over 20 years. In 2022 they will be giving a large-scale mobile performance as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant in London, with the eyes of the world upon them.

Bristol Craft Beer Festival, Lloyds Amphitheatre, June 10-11

Bristol’s biggest celebration of craft beer is back after a sell-out 2021 festival. Bringing beers from the best breweries in Bristol, the UK and internationally, as well as the finest indie kitchens and a mega line-up of live music, this is a must-see event for all beer fanatics.

Photo: Bristol Craft Beer Festival

Watershed 40th Birthday, June (events across the year)

Watershed celebrates its 40th birthday in 2022 with a programme of events, workshops and celebrations that reflect on the last four decades and looks ahead to the next four. Audiences will be invited to help explore Watershed’s past, present and future with a line up of activity taking place throughout the year. What does Watershed believe in, who is it for, and where does it operate?

Watershed exterior – photo: Toby Farrow

Bristol Sounds, Lloyds Amphitheatre, June 22-26

Bristol’s popular open air series of concerts returns this June with an eclectic line-up of must-see artists including headliners Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds on Wednesday 22. British electronic duo, Jungle, will guarantee a dynamic dancefloor set on Saturday 25 and First Aid Kit will headline their biggest ever south west show on the final day of the event.

Crowds at Bonobo, Lloyds Amphitheatre as part of Bristol Sounds – photo: Paul Box

Elton John, Ashton Gate Stadium, June 22 & 26

Live music returns to Ashton Gate this year, with Elton John the biggest name set to grace the BS3 venue over the summer. He is playing not one but two shows as part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.

Bristol Pride Festival, various venues, June 27-July 10

The award-winning festival will span two weeks in summer, popping up in various venues across the city. Events to look out for include the return of Pride Day on 9th July, Pride Night, the ever-popular Dog Show, plus comedy, theatre, poetry and circus. Bristol Pride’s Queer Vision Film Festival will also make a welcome return. Further details of the planned programme will be announced over the coming weeks (sign up for their newsletter to be kept up to date).

Tess Drive performing at Bristol Pride – photo: Matt Whiteley

Drac & Jill, The Wardrobe Theatre, July 6-31

One of the Wardrobe Theatre’s greatest dark comedies, Drac & Jill returns in summer 2022. Expect a fast, smart and devilishly funny comedy from the makers of Little Women In Black, Oedipuss In Boots, Reservoir Mogs, Rocky Shock Horror, Goldilock, Stock & Three Smoking Bears, Muppits Die Hard and more.

Drac & Jill by The Wardrobe Theatre – photo: Paul Blakemore

Nile Rogers & CHIC, Lloyds Amphitheatre, July 13-14

Bristol Beacon presents one of music’s greatest living legends, Nile Rodgers & CHIC for two nights in July at the Harbourside Amphitheatre. Renowned worldwide for their electric outdoor performances, this duo are the ultimate party band and this performance will most definitely go down as one of Bristol’s most memorable summer events.

Nile Rodgers – photo: provided by Colston Hall

Belle & Sebastian, Lloyds Amphitheatre, Harbourside, July 15

Celebrated indie-pop band Belle and Sebastian return to Bristol for their biggest show in the city to date. Set against the glorious backdrop of the harbourside in summer, this is a gig not to be missed.

Bristol Harbour Festival, July 15-17

The much-loved Bristol Harbour Festival is back for its 50th anniversary and it’s going to be a memorable weekend for the city. The annual dance, music and arts extravaganza will be returning to the Bristol Harbourside with a plethora of family activities, circus performers, delicious food stalls, visiting vessels and some mega live music across all the waterfront stages.

Boats at the Bristol Harbour Festival – photo: Paul Box

Valley Fest, Chew Valley Lake, August 4-7

With only two weeks since they were given the official green light, Valley Fest not only ran in 2021 but sold out. The small family friendly festival showcases the best regional food as well as big headliners and local rising stars. For this summer’s event, expect an electric atmosphere, a spectacular view and a whole lot of joy.

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Ashton Court Estate, August 11-14

Europe’s largest annual hot air balloon festival is back for 2022 at its usual home at Ashton Court Estate. This spectacular event sees hundreds of hot air balloons taking off at dawn and dusk as well as the much-loved nightglows where balloons light up in time to music after dark. Expect four days of special shaped balloons, entertainment and fun for the entire family – it’s worth waking up early for.

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta – photo: Paul Box

Lawrence Abu Hamdan – The 49th Parallel, Spike Island, October 8-January 15 2023

Spike Island will be hosting a major new film commission by audio investigatory artist and ‘private ear’, Lawrence Abu Hamdan, exploring the Haskell Free Library and Opera House. Intriguingly, the site falls between the jurisdictions of Canada and the USA: “Telling stories of permeable borders and impermeable laws, the work reflects how free movement, free knowledge and free space are under threat”.

Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Earshot (2016) – photo: Helena Schlichting

Bharti Kher, Arnolfini, October 22-January 29 2023

Arnolfini welcomes one of India’s contemporary artists, Bharti Kher, to the gallery for a major exhibition that opens in the Autumn. Sculptures, installations and mixed media drawings are amongst the many pieces in the collection, offering an intimate exploration of Kher’s 30-year practice.

From the ‘Spell drawing’ series, Bharti Kher (2019) – photo: Dominic Brown

Main photo: Paul Box

Read more: 11 food & drink new openings to look forward to in Bristol in 2022

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