
Art / Urban Realism
Oliver Sidaway
Painter of atmospheric Bristol cityscapes
: Monday, Nov 27 2017 - Friday, Dec 22 2017
Features
The best Christmas markets in Bristol and beyond
Support local makers and get your Christmas presents from somewhere different this year
News
14 New Years Eve events happening in Bristol
From £5 to £80, here's where to have a great night on December 31
There’s plenty to do this month that doesn’t involve overstuffed turkeys. It’s a great time for theatre, with a magical production of Beauty and the Beast coming to the Tobacco Factory, and site-specific Insane Root theatre company taking over St John On The Wall for a run of The Tempest. Check out all the Christmassy shows on this season with our comprehensive theatre roundup.
‘Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry, so it stands to reason that there are plenty of delicious food and drink events happening. Highlights include a gin cruise around the harbour, Cheese Fest’s first foray into the South West, and a night of traditional Russian storytelling accompanied by a real feast.
Once the silly hats of Christmas have been unceremoniously binned and the Boxing Day sales exhausted, get ready to celebrate the coming of the New Year. Check out 14 events happening around Bristol to suit all budgets and levels of excitement about fancy dress (on a scale of zero to 1920s prohibition-era speakeasy night), and get your tickets now for two of the biggest events: Craig Charles and Soultrain funking it up at Colston Hall, and Cubana NYE at Lakota.
Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2018 from the Bristol24/7 team!
Art / Urban Realism
Painter of atmospheric Bristol cityscapes
: Monday, Nov 27 2017 - Friday, Dec 22 2017
Art / Exhibition
Stunning annual exhibition of the world's best wildlife snaps
: Saturday, Oct 21 2017 - Sunday, Apr 8 2018
Art / Free
Artist and printmaker influenced by the Japanese ukiyo-e tradition
: Friday, Nov 3 2017 - Friday, Dec 22 2017
Art / Art fair
Festive selling exhibition: 50 Bristol-based artists, designers and makers
: Friday, Dec 1 2017 - Saturday, Dec 23 2017
Art / Free
Esoteric and beautifully executed paintings
: Thursday, Nov 9 2017 - Saturday, Dec 2 2017
Art / Experimental
Solo show for Bristol artist lewdjaw
: Friday, Nov 24 2017 - Sunday, Dec 10 2017
Art / Photography
Portraits of craftsmen and women
: Friday, Dec 1 2017 - Wednesday, Dec 6 2017
Food & Drink / Art fair
Brilliant annual gift fair - this year with food stalls too
: Saturday, Nov 25 2017 - Saturday, Dec 16 2017
Art / Free
Festive pop-up from the brilliant Made in Bristol
: Tuesday, Dec 5 2017 - Friday, Dec 22 2017
Art / Illustration
Recent work by Bristol illustrator Elsa Rose Frere
: Wednesday, Dec 6 2017 - Sunday, Dec 10 2017
Art / Expressionism
'Post-pop Bristol landscapes'
: Thursday, Dec 7 2017 - Sunday, Dec 10 2017
Art / Painting
Atmospheric paintings by Spike Island studio holder
: Friday, Dec 8 2017 - Wednesday, Dec 13 2017
Art / Free
Festive open-studios event and accompanying activities
: Friday, Dec 8 2017 7pm & Saturday, Dec 9 2017 11am
Art / Art fair
Works by 40 south-west designer makers
: Saturday, Dec 9 2017 11am & Sunday, Dec 10 2017 11am
Art / Group exhibition
Paintings, prints and sculpture by over 20 artists
: Wednesday, Dec 13 2017 - Sunday, Dec 17 2017
Art / Exhibition
Joint show for two emerging Bishopston artists
: Friday, Dec 15 2017 - Sunday, Dec 17 2017
Art / Documentary Photography
Portraits of this diverse post-industrial region
: Wednesday, Oct 25 2017 - Saturday, Jan 20 2018
Art / Conceptual Art
Acclaimed artist interested in 'containing the volatile'
: Saturday, Dec 16 2017 - Sunday, Jan 28 2018
Art / 20th Century
Three highly influential 20C female artists
: Saturday, Dec 16 2017 - Sunday, Mar 11 2018
Books & Spoken Word / Performance
Performance of groundbreaking digital book
Spike Island: Tuesday, Dec 5 2017 6:30pm
Books & Spoken Word / Politics
Today's Russia
Waterstones Bristol Galleries: Tuesday, Dec 5 2017 7pm
Books & Spoken Word / Poetry
Open poetry slam
Smoke and Mirrors: Wednesday, Dec 6 2017 7:30pm
Books & Spoken Word / Fiction
Stokes Croft Writers regular storytelling evening
Leftbank: Saturday, Dec 9 2017 7pm
Books & Spoken Word / Children's
Storytelling and poetry for children
The Wardrobe Theatre: Sunday, Dec 10 2017 11am
Books & Spoken Word / Bristol
Bristol history through maps
Bristol Central Library: Thursday, Dec 14 2017 7:30pm
Books & Spoken Word / Spoken Word
Blah Humbug’s Anti-Christmas Special!
The Wardrobe Theatre: Monday, Dec 18 2017 8pm
Music / Dance
Eats Everything headline club night
Motion: Saturday, Dec 2 2017 10pm
Music / Funk
The northern soul club night returns
Fiddlers Club: Saturday, Dec 2 2017 9pm
Music / Pop
A tribute to the national treasure
The Fleece: Saturday, Dec 2 2017 11pm
Music / Funk
Eight piece Prince tribute
O2 Academy: Friday, Dec 15 2017 6:30pm
Music / Disco
Discotheque for people five and under
Christmas Spiegeltent: Saturday, Dec 16 2017 1:45pm
Music / Blues
At the Christmas Spiegeltent
Christmas Spiegeltent: Sunday, Dec 10 2017 12:30pm
Music / Funk
Welcome in the new year with a master on the decks
Colston Hall: Sunday, Dec 31 2017 7pm
Music / Alternative
Welcome in the New Year with this ridiculously fun bill
The Louisiana: Sunday, Dec 31 2017 7pm
Comedy / Improvised comedy
Top-notch stand-up, character comedy and improv
Cafe Kino: Friday, Dec 1 2017 7:30pm
Comedy / Observational comedy
Engaging comic on our strivings towards happiness
The Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken Studio: Friday, Dec 1 2017 8:30pm
Comedy / Observational comedy
Excellent, weekly mix of big names and handpicked local talent
Multiple venues: Friday, Sep 1 2017 - Friday, Mar 23 2018
Comedy / Comedy and music
Saturday nights at Riproar: four circuit comics, meal option
: Saturday, Jul 29 2017 - Saturday, Dec 2 2017
Comedy / Stand-Up
Effervescent New Zealander
The Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken Studio: Saturday, Dec 2 2017 8:45pm
Comedy / Observational comedy
Weekly stand-up/open mic: newbies and old pros look in
: Monday, Oct 2 2017 - Monday, Mar 19 2018
Comedy / Stand-Up
Fine double-header at The Lazy Dog, Ashley Down
: Thursday, Oct 12 2017 - Thursday, Jan 11 2018
Comedy / Stand-Up
Renowned international act
The Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken Studio: Saturday, Dec 9 2017 8:45pm
Comedy / Musical Comedy
Evening of festive filth and medical insights
The Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken Studio: Friday, Dec 15 2017 8:30pm
Comedy / Stand-Up
Charismatic comic and TV game show regular
The Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken Studio: Saturday, Dec 16 2017 8:45pm
Comedy / Observational comedy
Sharp observational comic
The Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken Studio: Saturday, Dec 23 2017 8:45pm
Film / Event Cinema
Rory Kinnear stars in a new comedy from the team behind One Man, Two Guvnors
Film / Comedy
Festive rom-com with live score
Film / Comedy
Scorsese & De Niro brilliantly skewer celebrity culture
Film / Animation
Free outdoor screening of hoofing flightless bird animation
Film / Ballet
Tchaikovsky's festive ballet recorded live in Moscow
Film / Documentary
Artist Ai Weiwei's epic exploration of the global refugee crisis
Film / Comedy
Michael Caine is Scrooge in the greatest of all Dickens adaptations (possibly)
Film / Comedy
Vengeful killer snowman flick meets your festive crap needs
Film / Ballet
If it's December, it must be The Nutcracker
Film / Documentary
Locally made documentary about the farming crisis, exploring a new way of producing food
Film / Comedy
Welcome return of the remastered British comedy classic with endlessly quotable dialogue
Film / Documentary
Profile of the octogenarian queen of English folk music
Film / Animation
Jack Skellington scares up a Halloween treat
Film / Comedy
Satan plots to kill Santa and make kids do evil
Film / Art House
A woman falls for her psychoanalyst in Francois Ozon's sleek erotic thriller
Film / Comedy
Enduringly popular festive comedy with Will Ferrell as Santa's largest elf
Film / Action
Festive screenings - with fine wines - of Bruce Willis's first outing as the vesty avenger
Film / Comedy
A warm and funny comedy about the making of the Citizen Kane of bad movies
Film / Action
Beasts unleashed at the City Museum in this immersive screening of family romp
Film / Documentary
Timely documentary about the UK's public housing crisis
Film / Drama
Charity screening of Ken loach's angry, BAFTA-winning Austerity Britain drama
Film / Documentary
Swing Dance documentary, plus a chance to hoof it up
Food & Drink / Wapping Wharf
Businesses on Gaol Ferry Steps and Cargo join forces
Wapping Wharf: Saturday, Dec 2 2017 12pm
Food & Drink / Christmas
The latest unique event at Psychopomp
Psychopomp Microdistillery: Saturday, Dec 2 2017 6pm
Food & Drink / Supper Club
The monthly supper club promises to be a unique, colourful and special occasion
Secret Location: Saturday, Dec 2 2017 7pm
Food & Drink / Baileys
Foozie's latest event on the water
Floating Harbour: Wednesday, Dec 6 2017 7pm
Food & Drink / Pizza
Celebrate Pizzarova's second birthday in style
Pizzarova (Gloucester Road): Thursday, Dec 7 2017 6pm
Food & Drink / gin
Foozie joins forces with Elephant Gin
Floating Harbour: Thursday, Dec 7 2017 7pm
Food & Drink / Christmas
A Christmas dinner without the washing up
Spike Island: Thursday, Dec 7 2017 8pm
Food & Drink / Christmas
The chef at Spike Island Cafe is half-Russian, so prepare for an authentic experience
Spike Island: Friday, Dec 8 2017 7:30pm
Food & Drink / Art fair
Brilliant annual gift fair - this year with food stalls too
: Saturday, Nov 25 2017 - Saturday, Dec 16 2017
Food & Drink / Beer
Good Chemistry invite some of their friends to the brewery
Good Chemistry: Saturday, Dec 9 2017 12pm
Food & Drink / Drink
An evening of Italian food and natural wine at The Forge
The Forge: Sunday, Dec 10 2017 3pm
Art / Art fair
Brilliant annual gift fair - this year with food stalls too
: Saturday, Nov 25 2017 - Saturday, Dec 16 2017
Food & Drink / cheese
Sweet dreams are made of cheese
Motion: Saturday, Dec 16 2017 10am
Theatre / Performance
Immersive banquet of wild food, performance and wonder
Music / Punk
Punk rock mavericks
O2 Academy: Friday, Dec 1 2017 6:30pm
Music / Funk
Funk/soul/rock from Mali
Anson Rooms: Friday, Dec 1 2017 7pm
Music / Jazz
Piano maestro and his band
: Saturday, Dec 9 2017 7:30pm & Sunday, Dec 10 2017 7:30pm
Music / Soul
Singer, songwriter, poet and cult figure of the Parisian music scene
Colston Hall: Friday, Dec 8 2017 7:30pm
Music / Rock And Roll
The glam rockers return
Colston Hall: Thursday, Dec 14 2017 7:30pm
Music / Classical
Much loved tales with score
Colston Hall: Sunday, Dec 17 2017 3pm
Music / Stoner Rock
French stoner rock
The Lanes: Sunday, Dec 17 2017 3:30pm
Music / Choral
At the Christmas Spiegeltent
Christmas Spiegeltent: Sunday, Dec 17 2017 7pm
Music / Pop
Best Beatles tribute ever
Colston Hall: Tuesday, Dec 19 2017 7:30pm
Music / Indie
The last ever show at Roll For The Soul
Roll for the Soul: Friday, Dec 22 2017 7pm
Theatre / Family theatre
Kid Carpet promises power ballads, silly dancing and a cheeky talking fridge
: Friday, Dec 1 2017 - Sunday, Jan 7 2018
Theatre / Family theatre
Emma Rice's adaptation arrives from Shakespeare's Globe
: Thursday, Nov 30 2017 - Sunday, Jan 14 2018
Theatre / Christmas Theatre
Tobacco Factory Theatres/ New International Encounter Xmas offering
: Thursday, Nov 30 2017 - Sunday, Jan 14 2018
Theatre / Comedy
More classic-film-splicing comedy gold from the Wardrobe Theatre
Multiple venues: Thursday, Nov 23 2017 - Sunday, Jan 21 2018
Theatre / Family theatre
Much-lauded wintry theatrical adventure for ages 8+
: Tuesday, Nov 28 2017 - Saturday, Dec 2 2017
Theatre / Cabaret
Decadent, erotic, funny: an underworld vision of Paradise
: Thursday, Nov 30 2017 - Saturday, Dec 2 2017
Theatre / Improvised
Bristol’s acclaimed comedy improvisation company returns to the Alma
Alma Tavern & Theatre: Saturday, Dec 2 2017 7:30pm
Theatre / Shakespeare
More atmospheric site-specific mastery from Insane Root
: Wednesday, Dec 6 2017 - Sunday, Dec 24 2017
Theatre / Comedy
Gothic tomfoolery from locals Rain or Shine
: Tuesday, Dec 5 2017 8pm & Wednesday, Dec 6 2017 8pm
Theatre / Closer Each Day Improvised Soap Opera
More festive improv fun from the Closer Each Day crew
: Thursday, Dec 7 2017 - Saturday, Dec 23 2017
Theatre / Mystery
Locals Aim Low recount the picture's improbable theft
: Thursday, Dec 7 2017 - Sunday, Dec 10 2017
Theatre / Family theatre
Bristol's first-ever improvised panto. Adult and family performances
: Friday, Dec 8 2017 - Sunday, Dec 10 2017
Theatre / Christmas Theatre
Joe Pasquale and Marti Pellow at the Hippodrome this Xmas
: Saturday, Dec 9 2017 - Sunday, Jan 7 2018
Theatre / Christmas Theatre
TFT and Travelling Light reprise their first-ever Xmas co-pro
: Sunday, Dec 10 2017 - Sunday, Jan 14 2018
Theatre / Character-driven
Kelvin Players stage the heart-warming character piece
: Tuesday, Dec 12 2017 - Saturday, Dec 16 2017
Theatre / Christmas Theatre
Festive fun with the brilliant Living Spit
: Friday, Dec 8 2017 - Saturday, Dec 30 2017
Theatre / Ages 0-3
Ages 0-3: explore the sounds and textures of winter
: Friday, Dec 15 2017 - Monday, Dec 18 2017
Theatre / Christmas Theatre
Into the snow with Bristol's Soap Soup Theatre
: Saturday, Dec 16 2017 - Saturday, Dec 30 2017
Theatre / Magic
Star-studded magic show at the Redgrave
: Wednesday, Dec 27 2017 - Saturday, Dec 30 2017