11 things to do in Bristol this week, December 27 2021-January 2 2022

Monday-Sunday: Ice Skating, Old Down Country Park
Join them for the ultimate festive day out with a 45-minute ice skating session on real ice and access to the Country Park for the whole day. The outdoor ice rink will be undercover this year, so not to be interrupted by the unpredictable weather.
www.olddownestate.co.uk/country-park/

SPONSORED
Monday-December 31: Another Christmas, Bristol Beacon
An alternative festive experience from Music Beyond Mainstream which shines a light on those who don’t fit into traditional boxes. A 25min film featuring reinterpretations of classics plus new original music from ESKA, Douglas Dare, Duke Garwood and Camille O’Sullivan. Available free online.
www.bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/another-christmas/

SPONSORED
Monday-January 3: Fairytale SOS, We The Curious
Can science save the day? Join the Live Science Team as they help out a cast of fairytale characters using spectacular science. Expect lots of audience participation and fun demos in this science-meets-Panto show specially for the festive season. Included with general admission, see website for more details.
www.wethecurious.org/event/fairytale-sos

SPONSORED
Monday-January 16: OZ, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Experience a magic of theatre this winter, with potent poppy fields, ferocious flying monkeys and rogue rulers. With imaginative storytelling, original live music and humour for all the family, OZ will transport you to lands both wicked and wonderful. Performances until 16th January!
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/oz

SPONSORED
Monday-March 9: Winter Stargazing 3D, We The Curious
Seemingly infinite but not quite, every star has a beginning and an end. Discover the lifecycle of the stars, from formation through to their sometimes-explosive end, in this dramatic winter Planetarium show. Age 8+ Add Planetarium to general admission for just £3.50 per person.
www.wethecurious.org/event/winter-stargazing-3d

Wednesday: Winter Whine, Crofters Rights
To all friends and family, prepare for another round of xmas mayhem and misbehaviour with the best carnival selectors this side of the Atlantic. Air horns provided – you bring the energy!
www.croftersrights.co.uk/events#events/e69361

Wednesday: Bristol Film Festival: Jurassic Park, Bristol Museum
Watch one of the all-time great blockbusters Jurassic Park in the magnificent surrounds of Bristol Museum. Before the screening, you can meet their very own animatronic dinosaur.
www.bristolfilmfestival.com/event/jurassic-park

Thursday: Bristol City v QPR, Ashton Gate Stadium
This Christmas, Bristol City take on QPR at Ashton Gate.
www./tickets.bristol-sport.co.uk/en-gb/categories/bristolcityfchome

Friday: King Of The Rollers X The Blast NYE Bash
Launching ourselves into the ring for a high-energy New Year’s Eve smackdown to celebrate the end of 2021 with our Kings of the Rollers family.
www.motion-bristol.com/event/kings-of-the-rollers-x-the-blast-nye-bash/

Friday: The Roaring 2.0’s NYE Masquerade Ball, The Spiegeltent
The UK’s largest 1920’s themed event is coming to Bristol for NYE and they’re taking over one of the most fabulous venues around, the Spiegeltent! Don your finest vintage outfits for a fun-filled night with non-stop entertainment including the Dutty Moonshine Big band, a 13 piece-strong band fusing Jazz and Swing with big electronic bass lines and heavy beats.
www.christmasspiegeltent.co.uk/product/the-roaring-2-0s-nye-masquerade-ball/

Friday: Roaring 20’s New Year’s Eve Party, The Square Club
The all-inclusive tickets include a free bar all night, grand buffet, casino, fire breathers, live band, DJ. The theme this year is Roaring 20’s, so make sure to dress accordingly!
www.thesquareclub.com/new-years-eve-party-bristol/

And coming soon…

SPONSORED
January 4: Licorice Pizza, Watershed
The latest from Paul Thomas Anderson (Phantom Thread, Inherent Vice) is a nostalgic, irresistible coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of San Fernando Valley, 1973. Special 35mm screenings available.
www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/11075/licorice-pizza/

SPONSORED
January 4: The Tragedy of Macbeth, Watershed
Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand star in Joel Coen’s bold and fierce adaptation of the Scottish play; a tale of murder, madness, ambition, and wrathful cunning.
www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/11050/the-tragedy-of-macbeth/

SPONSORED
January 23: Snow Queen, Redgrave Theatre
Join Ballet Theatre UK in their beautiful re-telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale ballet, The Snow Queen. This spectacular production follows the story of Gerda and her quest to find her friend Kay, whom the Snow Queen has placed under an evil spell.
www.redgravetheatre.com/event/2022/01/ballet-theatre-uk-presents-the-snow-queen/954/

SPONSORED
January 16-29: Big Boys Don’t Cry, Tobacco Factory Theatres
In a riot of colour, dance, clowns and puppets, this is a hysterical journey 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.
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/big-boys-dont-cry/

SPONSORED
January 30: Carpenters Gold, Redgrave Theatre
Immerse yourself in an enchanting evening featuring the musical brilliance of Richard and Karen Carpenter. From Close to You to Top of the World, all their chart-topping hits feature We’ve Only Just Begun, Goodbye Love, Please Mr Postman, For All We Know and Only Yesterday.
www.redgravetheatre.com/event/2022/01/carpenters-gold/1046/

SPONSORED
February 12: Transatlantic Sessions, Bristol Beacon
“Multinational folk supergroup” (The Arts Desk) Transatlantic Sessions brings together folk traditions from Ireland, Scotland and the USA. This iteration of the back-porch sessions features legendary Irish musician Paul Brady who first appeared on the original TV showcase.
www.bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/transatlantic-sessions/

SPONSORED
March 6: Shygirl, Trinity
South-east London rapper, producer and DJ Shygirl heads to Trinity A self-proclaimed mashup of garage, grime, and club vibes overlayed with relatable lyrics, her music is born from the club but not tied to it.
www.trinitybristol.org.uk/whats-on/2022/shygirl

SPONSORED
April 1: Asian Dub Foundation, Trinity
Asian Dub Foundation return to Trinity for a night of Jungle rhythms, dub basslines, and militant high-speed rap. Their combination of tough jungle punk, dub basslines, wild guitar, and high-speed raps, overlaid with references to their South Asians roots, has established the group as notorious in the live circuit.
www.trinitybristol.org.uk/whats-on/2019/asian-dub-foundation

Main photo: Giulia Spadafora

Read more: Ten years of Mayk celebrated in new video