25 things to do in Bristol this week, December 26-31 2023

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Monday-Sunday: Rapunzel, Redgrave Theatre
Get ready for a hair raising adventure about the girl with the magical golden hair as Polka Dot Pantomimes and the Redgrave Theatre proudly present Rapunzel – A Tangled Tale!

Rapunzel – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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Now-January 6: Arabian Nights | Bristol Old Vic’s Festive Blockbuster, Bristol Old Vic
Schere has the quickest wits, greatest courage and most marvellous stories. Now she plans to liberate every young woman in the Kingdom from the greedy, tyrannical King. All through the power of her storytelling. But can she do this alone? And is the first person she has to turn to really her annoying younger sister?

With enchanting songs, captivating puppetry and a story of two heroic sisters at its core, Bristol Old Vic’s joyful, heartfelt production is the perfect treat for all this festive season. Not to be missed.

Arabian Nights – photo: Bristol Old Vic

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Now-January 21: Oliver Twist, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Picked as one of the Daily Telegraph’s Top 50 Christmas shows, concerts and shows to see in the UK this Christmas, Oliver Twist has been playing to packed audiences this December, with tickets already flying out for January. If you want to see the show Bristol 24/7 described as ‘A sheer joy to watch’, grab your tickets for January 2024 now.

Oliver Twist – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

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Now-January 7: Four Seasons | Bristol Old Vic’s Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic
From the Olivier Award-winning Little Bulb (CBEEBIES’ The Nutcracker) comes a wonderfully festive family show. Roam through snowy forests and twirling leaves on an enchanting journey into the heart of nature. Expect innovative theatre featuring puppetry, dance and clowning fun!

Four Seasons – photo: Bristol Old Vic

Tuesday: Boxing Day Swim, West Country Water Park
Freshen yourself up with an early morning Boxing Day swim on the outskirts of the city. Certainly one way to brush away the cobwebs after a weekend of drinking too much brandy and scoffing mountains of mince pies and cheese.

Boxing Day Swim – photo: West Country Water Park

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Wednesday-January 11: The Boy and the Heron, Watershed
The semi-autobiographical animation by proclaimed Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki. We’ll be screening the film both with English Dubbing (D) and in Japanese with English Subtitles (S). Head to the website for more.

Wednesday: Kid Carpet: The Noisy Nativity, The Wardrobe Theatre
If the children (or you) need to get out of the house, there’s a colourful, irreverent festive tale taking place at Old Market Assembly’s Wardrobe Theatre. Having been compared to “The Mighty Boosh for kids”, it will keep the whole family entertained.

Kid Carpet: The Noisy Nativity – photo: The Wardrobe Theatre

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Wednesday-January 4: Priscilla, Watershed
Join us for special Preview screenings, all on 35mm, of Sofia Coppola’s ethereal portrait of the whirlwind romance and relationship of Priscilla and Elvis Presley.

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Spring/Summer 2024 on sale now, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Tobacco Factory Theatres have announced a packed season of Drama, Comedy, Shakespeare, Live Music, family shows and more in 2024. Get in early and guarantee yourself the best seats in the house for some of the finest, touring live performances coming to Bristol in the New Year.

Spring/Summer 2024 season – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

Thursday: ‘Celsius’ fire & ice contrast therapy sessions, The Conscious Breath
If you’re still struggling to claw your way out of the Christmas slump, the Kingswood wellness centre is holding “contrast therapy sessions”, in which you’ll be exposed to a warm sauna and an ice bath in quick succession, helping to re-regulate your body’s internals.

Fire & Ice therapy sessions – photo: The Conscious Breath

Friday: Bristol Bears Vs Exeter Chiefs rugby, Ashton Gate Stadium
After a rocky start to the season, the Bristol Bears head to Ashton Gate Stadium for the final fixture of 2023, as they clash with the middle of the table Exeter Chiefs as part of the Gallagher premiership.

Bristol Bears – photo: JMP

Saturday: The Swamp Stomp String Band, The Canteen
Get out your cowboy boots and hat and get ready to line dance at The Canteen, as the raucous Swamp Stomp String Band comes down for a free entry performance. Expect high energy, upbeat drinking songs all the way to powerful, emotional ballads.

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Sunday: Document NYE: Crazy P & more, Document
Join us this New Years Eve at Document for an evening of disco delights and mesmerising mirror balls to welcome in 2024! We’ll be joined by the legendary Crazy P Soundsystem, who have made their mark as one of the world’s best loved dance music acts with a career spanning over 20 years.

Document NYE – photo: Chris Cooper/ ShotAway/ www.ShotAway.com/ #shotawaydotcom

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Sunday: Alfresco Disco presents: The Underground NYE, Beneath the galleries
Bristol legends Alfresco Disco are returning to their subterranean base beneath Broadmead for one final party on NYE! Expect multiple soundsystems spread across a stunning industrial playground

As ever with their events the Lineup will be under wraps until the day. Expect some of the worlds best DJ’s playing house, techno, disco, garage, afro etc

Tickets are on their FINAL tier and will sell out very soon!

Alfresco Disco NYE – photo: Alfresco Disco

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Sunday: Hospitality Bristol x [THE BLAST] NYE, Motion
Global Drum & Bass trail blazers Hospitality join forces with Bristol’s favourite party starters The Blast for this year’s hottest NYE DNB celebration. Taking over the legendary Motion Bristol to transport you into 2024 in style with an incredible lineup of big name Drum & Bass favourites.

Hospitality NYE – photo: Kolab Studios

Sunday: AM x PTS NYE 2024, Exchange
For lovers of the weird, chuggy side to Bristol dance music (aka listeners of NOODS Radio et al), Exchange is truly the only place to see in the new year. Everything from the intricate Pressure Dome rhythms of Yushh & sadsugar to the industrial post-punk vibes of Slack Alice means that you’ll certainly have your spine tickled if you’re into your avant-garde.

Exchange NYE – photo: AM x PTS

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Sunday: Chai Wallahs presents: Hullabaloo NYE ‘24, Old Market Assembly
A Big Bass brouhaha into the small hours featuring feelgood. sunshine party music from Hiphoppapotamus & Friends, blending afro, latin and Caribbean music into tastefully produced selections of breaks, house, jungle / d&b and hip-hop.  Plus, surf rock ruckus from wave-riding party crabs Los Dedos, and dynamic deck-wizardry from Diplomats of Sound DJs.

Hullabaloo NYE – photo: Chai Wallahs

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Sunday: In:Motion NYE: Groove Armada (DJ Set)
One of the planet’s best loved dance acts, Groove Armada, will see in the year with a massive New Year’s Eve party, alongside a stellar lineup of special guests! With legendary hits like ‘Superstylin’’, ‘I See You Baby’ and ‘At the River’, the renowned duo have secured their place in the hallowed halls of dance music history, delivering timeless classics time and time again. They will be joined by global dance music star Hannah Wants, Lulah Francs & more.

Groove Armada NYE – photo: Motion

And coming soon…

January 20: Henleaze Concert Society: Mozart and Mendelssohn, Trinity Henleaze URC
Come and enjoy with us two great works performed by the Bristol Ensemble:

• Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A K.581
• Mendelssohn Octet in E flat major Op.20

Mendelssohn’s piece is beautifully uplifting, and Mozart’s is one of the most sublime and well-loved works in the chamber music repertoire for its exquisitely crafted melodic lines.

Mozart and Mendelssohn – photo: Henleaze Concert Society

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January 23-February 25: Wicked, Bristol Hippodrome
Wicked the smash hit West End musical flies back to Bristol this January complete with all the spectacle and magic that make “this extraordinary show” (Bristol Post) an unforgettable and unmissable experience. Tickets available from £25.00.

Wicked – photo: Bristol Hippodrome/The Ambassadors

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January 24: Steve Bates MBE – Wild Tracks, Redgrave Theatre
Paralympic gold medal-winning cyclist Steve Bate MBE shares the incredible journey of riding to ascend the iconic mountain of Kilimanjaro, with fellow Paralympic gold medalist Karen Darke MBE. With a diverse team, Wild Tracks explores themes of challenge, diversity and human potential. A rare opportunity to hear, first-hand, a story of resilience, transformation and human connection.

Steve Bates – Wild Tracks – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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January 25: The Anatomy of the Orchestra: Drone Refractions (Paraorchestra with Charles Hazelwood), Bristol Beacon
In The Anatomy of the Orchestra: Drone Refractions, Charles Hazlewood and Paraorchestra turn the orchestra inside-out, charting an immersive drone odyssey via some of Minimalism’s forebears and its greatest composers, including Pauline Oliveros and Arvo Part. This unique performance re-casts the orchestra as a living, breathing installation: thirty-four musicians are arrayed throughout the space as they play. The audience is invited to walk or sit amongst them, to get close to the performers and sink into a deep sonic realm as enveloping drones mix with heady lighting design to conjure a hazy, transcendental atmosphere.

Drone Refractions – photo: Bristol Beacon

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January 28: Odyssey by Jonathan Dove, Bristol Beacon
Drawing on first-hand accounts, this dramatically engaging story in song from composer Jonathan Dove allows the audience to see through the eyes of one refugee on a perilous journey to seek safety in another country. As vivid snapshots of a peaceful home life turn to visceral images of unrest, together we travel through strange landscapes and across borders, and discover the courage it takes to leave loved ones and take desperate risks in order to survive. This powerful new music-drama will be performed by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, City of Bristol Choir, Bristol Youth Choir + Bristol Windrush Reggae Choir, and is part of a day of creativity co-curated with members of the refugee community in Bristol.

Odyssey by Jonathan Dove – photo: Bristol Beacon

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February 14: The Beatles: Love Songs, St George’s
The Bristol Ensemble celebrate Valentine’s Day with the ultimate Beatles special, featuring their best love songs in an hour-long concert that will give you a Valentines Night to remember! Immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of St. George’s Bristol, bathed in the romantic glow of candlelight. It doesn’t get more romantic than this!

The Beatles Love Songs – photo: Bristol Ensemble

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February 27: The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Film and Live Orchestra, St George’s
An epic experience that combines live orchestra with film! Watch the original Hunchback of Notre Dame film with live symphonic score from the Bristol Ensemble at St George’s Bristol. Celebrating 100 years since the film was first released in September 1923. Flicker Alley restored and mastered this edition from a multi-tinted 16mm print struck in 1926 from the original camera negative.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame – photo: Bristol Ensemble

March 9: Einaudi meets Richter by candlelight, Trinity Henleaze URC
This will be a hypnotic evening of music performed by the Bristol Ensemble, featuring mesmerising works by Ludovico Einaudi, and Max Richter’s engagingly refreshing reimagining of Vivaldi’s ever-popular Four Seasons:

• Einaudi Divenire; Primavera; Petricor; I Giorni; Full Moon
• Max Richter: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Reimagined

Einaudi meets Richter by candlelight – photo: Henleaze Concert Society

Main photo: Julian Preece

Read next:

• Bristol’s best Christmas shows 2023
• Carnifølk hosts an immersive Christmas theatre show for families
• The Jam Jar boosted by Arts Council England grant

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