46 things to do in Bristol in August 2023

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August 1-31: Pixar Mix, Watershed
Throughout August, Watershed will be screening some of our favourite Pixar Classics including the totally normal superhero family from the suburbs The Incredibles, and the story of a daddy clown fish trying to find his only son in the Sydney Harbour in Finding Nemo. Tickets are £5.00 for all!

Finding Nemo – photo: Watershed

August 1: Decorate a DALA-corn, Cabot Circus
Celebrate Unicornfest by painting your own mini ceramic unicorn in partnership with IKEA.

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July-September: Beyond Submergence, Propyard
Wondering what a 20,000sq. ft. immersive experience looks like? Step into Beyond Submergence this summer, a world-first exhibition of light and sound by Squidsoup, brought to Bristol by the team behind Four Tet’s immersive live performances dubbed ‘the best live show in the world’ by Mixmag. Take part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience, discover the host of events taking place in the exhibition space and find out how to book via the link above.

Beyond Submergence, Propyard, 2023 – photo: Chris Cooper/Shotaway

August 2-5: Cider Salon, Various Locations
Four days of apple themed antics at various locations around the city, ending on a tasting day at Trinity Centre.

August 3: Education Sessions, The Bell
An evening of real, old school jungle on vinyl at the Stokes Croft favourite boozer.

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August 4-10: Oppenheimer, Watershed
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer is an IMAX®-shot epic thriller that thrusts you into the pulse-pounding paradox of the enigmatic man who risked destroying the world in order to save it.

August 4: Bristol Coffee Festival launch party, Dareshack
Launching its first year, Bristol Coffee Festival opens up at Dareshack.

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Now-September 10: Making the City Home, RWA
Discover Making the City Home, an exhibition of textiles by women living in Bristol, showcasing the visual stories of women who have made Bristol their home. Women from Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Pakistan, India, and other countries have worked together to create beautiful textiles, that describe how they journey through the city and which places and things are important to them. Refugee Women of Bristol and Dhek Bhal women’s group are among the exhibitors.

Making the city home – photo: RWA

August 5: Sundaes in the city, Lloyds Amphitheatre
Something we never thought we’d say – Ben and Jerry’s host a day festival on the harbour, with free ice cream and Sister Sledge headlining.

August 6: Elvis outdoor cinema experience, Queen Square
If you’ve yet to watch the latest Baz Luhrman flick, experience it in all its majesty in Queen Square.

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August 6 & 7: Lie Down and Listen… Float on a cloud, The Mount Without
You’ll feel as if you’re floating on a cloud after experiencing ‘Lie down & Listen’ – a blissful Tibetan bowl sound healing and lying down classical concert experiences coming to Bristol this August 6 & 7th.

As you Lie down and Listen on soft mattresses in the stunning Mount Without in Bristol you can gaze  up at the ceiling painted with clouds. Afterwards you’ll feel  relaxed,  blissed out, reenergised and you’ll likely sleep better than ever before.

Lie down and listen – photo: The Mount Without

August 7: Bleep Klub session 28, All Hallows Hall
An opportunity for hardware, synth and general V/A heads to get together and have a live audio visual mashup party.

August 8: Pottery throwing: Improvers drop-in sessions, Finola Maynard ceramicist studio
For those who’ve already been introduced to pottery, this is a chance to hone your skills.

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August 9: The Comedy Box promotes: Dane Baptiste: Bapsquire, Hen & Chicken
Following his award-nominated tour ‘The Chocolate Chip’; Dane Baptiste returns with a brand new show and mentality.

Most of us are supposed to mellow with age, and Dane shouldn’t be the angry black man the media portrays him to be at times. But the more things change, the more they stay the same. Dane Baptiste is now a grown-ass man. No longer ‘Daneger’, ‘Joke Dza’, ‘ASAP Bap’, or any of his old, bad-boy aliases, Dane now presents a mature comic for comedy palettes. Dane Baptiste is BAPSQUIRE.

“Powerful and persuasive” Fest Magazine
“Masterfully crafted” The Herald
“A striking set” Guardian
“Observational comedy at its finest” The Independent

Dane Baptiste at Hen & Chicken – photo: Comedy Box

August 9: Bristol City Vs Oxford United, Ashton Gate Stadium
A showdown at Ashton Gate, as Bristol City clash with Oxford United.

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August 9: Wake The Tiger: After Hours, Wake The Tiger
Explore the award-winning Wake The Tiger in this exclusive adults-only event! Adventure through 27 immersive art installations and discover the hidden secrets of the weird and wonderful world of Meridia in an after-hours special not to be missed.

Wake The Tiger – photo: Yuup

August 10-13: Bristol Balloon Fiesta, Ashton Court Estate
Every Bristolian’s favourite time of year. Get down to Ashton Court to watch the launch, or simply look up no matter where you are in the city.

August 11: Wiper & True presents: James Humphrys Live, Wiper & True Old Market Taproom
The multi instrumentalist pays a visit to Wiper & True’s stunning Old Market taproom for an intimate gig.

August 12: Milesfest, Moor Beer Co
A day party at the central Bristol brewery, with a mashup of some of Bristol’s top industrial punk weirdness.

August 13: Harbourside history walk, Queen Square
A tour around the Harbourside area, learning about its history and how it’s gotten to where it is today.

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Summer holidays at the RWA
There’s lots to do and see at the RWA this Summer Holiday! Soak up the sunshine on our forecourt with a coffee from, Spicer and Cole. Enjoy our FREE spaces and exhibitions. Making the City Home; an exhibition of textiles by women living in Bristol, showcasing the visual stories of women who have made Bristol their home. Find out more about the RWA’s rich history through Dave Bain’s amazing mural. Spend time in our Family Room! Designed for families of all ages, we have lots of drawing materials, giant interactive artwork, dressing up, puzzles, and a brand-new puppet theatre.

Summer holidays at the RWA – photo: RWA

August 14: R.A.P Ferreira + Eldon + Contour + AJ Suede, The Lanes
For jazz rap/meditative hip hop fans, the lanes is the only place to be for R.A.P Ferreira.

August 15: Bristol to Green Man festival ride, Temple Meads
Heading to Green Man? Why not cycle there? The two day ride ticket includes food for the journey, and a car to deliver your festival goods to the site.

August 16: Wildflowers and grasses seed collection walk, Stoke Park Estate
Help with the rewilding of Lockleaze by collecting wild seeds on this two mile walk around Stoke Park Estate.

August 17: Bristol Feminist Collective summer social, Docklands Community Centre
A chance to meet other feminists living in the city, bounce ideas off of each other, and make friends.

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August 17 & 18: Dome Club planetarium shows, Arnos Vale and Ashton Court
Families, children and adults can discover the magic of the universe with a series of shows with Dome Club’s pop-up planetarium. Fly through space, touch a real life meteorite, and see the wondrous sights of our night sky with shows for future astronauts both young and old!

Yuup Planetarium Dome – photo: Yuup

August 18: Faces/Spaces #3, Centrespace Gallery
An exhibition from Rose Pettit and Kelvin Jenkins, showcasing ceramics work and collages respectively.

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August 19: Bristol Beacon presents: Jake Xerxes Fussell, Strange Brew
Singer, guitarist, and folk music interpreter Jake Xerxes Fussell has distinguished himself as one of his generation’s preeminent interpreters of traditional (and not so traditional) “folk” songs, a practice which he approaches with a refreshingly unfussy lack of nostalgia. By recontextualizing ancient vernacular songs and sources of the American South, he allows them to breathe and speak for themselves and for himself; alternately inhabiting them and allowing them to inhabit him. In all his work, Fussell humanizes his material with his own curatorial and interpretive gifts, unmooring stories and melodies from their specific eras and origins and setting them adrift in our own waterways.

August 19: Wild food foraging/forager walk, Brandon Hill
Led by a local forager, you’ll learn the surprising number of edible things you can forage, even when you’re in central Bristol.

August 20: Falconry day, Berkeley Castle
A day of impressive falconry displays for the whole family at Berkeley Castle.

August 21: Garden Cooks, Redcatch Community Garden
With two different workshops to choose from, this children’s cookery class will teach them not only the skills to make the dishes, but how to collect the food from their garden themselves.

August 22-27: Shrek the Musical, Bristol Hippodrome
The highly anticipated and critically acclaimed musical returns to the Hippodrome.

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August 22: Breath Led Tuesdays with Lucy Spragge, The Mount Without
A monthly immersion in transformational breathwork and Kundalini Global Yoga in the stunning candle lit setting of the Mount Without.

Breath is a powerful tool we can harness to regulate the nervous system, release stress and tension in the body, and enter a deep state of calm and presence. When we combine breath and posture it allows us to quiet our minds and open our hearts, expanding our energetic field, and accepting ourselves completely as we are. Some breaths will be energetic, some incredibly soft and gentle. Both will allow us to experience complete stillness.

Breath Led Tuesdays – photo: The Mount Without

August 23: Bring and sew social, Creative Space North St
Head down to the relaxing Creative Space on North Street for three hours of uninterrupted sewing, with a guide on hand if you need any help/advice.

August 24: Eraserhead, The Ill Repute
The debut David Lynch feature dates back to 1977, and gets a special screening at the Old Market pub.

August 25: S.I.N Records Presents: Bank Holiday Blowout, Loco Klub
A chaotic celebration of silly sounds, lights and pyrotechnics to kick off the August bank holiday.

August 26: A Long Strange Dream: Batu all night long, Strange Brew
After his last sold out session, the Timedance boss returns to Strange Brews back room for a masterclass in immaculately crafted vibrations.

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August 26: Old City Sounds, Old City
Old City Sounds, family-friendly event in celebration of the city’s songful soul to take place on August Bank Holiday Saturday.

Old City Sounds – photo: Old City Sounds

August 27: The Jam Jar presents: Chocolate Remix, The Jam Jar
A queer take on reggaeton, standing up against the scene’s sexist/homophobic history.

August 28: Escher Music Connection #51, Strange Brew
A chance for budding producers to hear their tunes played on the mighty Strange Brew rig, and to meet other artists at a similar level.

August 29: Tarot Reading, The Bristol Fringe
Have your cards and your palms read in Clifton, hosted by Marco, The Bristol Fringe’s resident magician.

August 30: Orphic, The Canteen
A free entry performance at The Canteen, showcasing the chord-less quartet, playing some of their favourite jazz numbers.

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August 30: Bristol Beacon presents: The Courettes, Exchange
Armed with a volatile blend of frantic garage rock, doo wop, surf rock and echoes of the girl groups of the 60s, The Courettes are an explosive rock duo hailing from Denmark and Brazil. Described as the musical marriage of The Ronettes and The Ramones (if they met at a wild party at Gold Star Studios’ echo chamber, that is), the duo have become world renowned for their eclectic and cathartic sound, signing to legendary UK label Damaged Goods in 2020 – home to a plethora of legendary acts such as Buzzcocks, Manic Street Preachers and Amyl and the Sniffers. Their third LP, ‘Back In Mono’ was released in autumn 2021 to critical acclaim, with frequent spins from BBC Radio 6, as well as features in Mojo, Classic Rock and Shindig, showcasing the duo’s refined songwriting prowess across 14 tracks of infectious bubblegum punk.

August 31: Bristol Rock & Roll Walking Tour with pub stop, The White Hart
A casual tour around the city centre, visiting some of rock and roll’s most significant Bristol locations – with a pint in the middle.

And coming soon…

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September 2 & 3: Tales from Acorn Wood, Redgrave Theatre
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved Tales from Acorn Wood stories are brought to life on stage for the first time in an enchanting lift-the-flap experience by Norwell Lapley Productions. Packed full of toe-tapping songs, puppetry, and all the friends from Acorn Wood, this beautiful show from the team that brought you Dear Zoo Live and Dear Santa promises to be the perfect treat for children of all ages.

Tales from Acorn Wood – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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September 8: Paul Young – Behind The Lens, Redgrave Theatre
Paul Young has been a major star for four decades. He broke into the big time 40 years ago when No Parlez went to number one and spawned iconic hits like Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home). Now, on the 40th anniversary of No Parlez, he’s releasing a remarkable new record and publishing his extraordinary memoir, both called Behind The Lens.

Paul Young at Redgrave Theatre – photo: Redgrave Theatre

Main photo: Plaster/Paul Box

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