48 things to do in Bristol in October 2023

October 1: Bristol City Vs Leicester City – Womens Super League, Ashton Gate Stadium
At 2pm Bristol City go head to head against Leicester City in the Women’s Super League at Ashton Gate.

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Now-October 8: Circus Extreme, The Downs
Circus Extreme is thrilled to be returning to England in 2023 as part of its World Tour. A one-of-a-kind performance, that was five years in the making and features some of the most talented performers in the world. Merging modern and contemporary styles with extreme stunts and classic clown escapades, audiences will be amazed by the jam-packed Circus Extreme production which features show-stopping performances that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Circus Extreme – photo: Andrea Giachi

October 2: The classic women’s blues, St Stephen’s Church
The ‘classic blues’ came to prominence in the 1920’s where the first blues recordings were women. Dave and Natalie tell this story as they sing songs from the repertoire of Classic Women’s Blues.

October 3-29: Duppy Hunter: A locals guide to St Pauls, Trinity Centre
Join Josie (played by Nadia Williams – I’m not running, Broadchurch) to help track down a lost duppy in St Pauls. See the sights of Bristol in this interactive, adventurous and magical play.

October 4: Buskers’ Banquet x Maddie John, Kitchen by Kask
This Banquet will showcase the very best of Bristol’s independent food scene, while accompanied by fantastic performing arts.

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Open now: Solo Exhibition by Chris Rydlewski: Confluence, The Mount Without
Award-winning Bristol photographer is publishing the third photobook in “an unanticipated trilogy”. Chris Rydlewski has lived and worked in Bristol (UK) for 45 years. For 35 of those, he worked as a freelance photographer and as a photography lecturer at City of Bristol College. Recently retired Chris is now concentrating on personal projects, mainly based in France, which he and his family have visited regularly for many years. These projects take the form of self-published, limited-edition photobooks. Chris also exhibits his work regularly, both in the UK and France. ‘Confluence’ is his third France-based photobook, making what he calls “an unanticipated trilogy”.

Diptych from ‘Confluence’ photobook – photo: Chris Rydlewski

October 5: Men’s improv singing, St Werburgh’s Community Centre
Challenge yourself with this male improv session, encompassing soulful singing into collaborative vocal improvisation. Enjoy and let go in this song-divising, music making session.

October 6: Oktoberfest Bristol 2023, Lloyds Amphitheatre
Oktoberfest originated in Munich, Germany and brings a full German beer marque, food stalls to delight, a live Oompah band, and so much more to the heart of Bristol.

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October 7: In:Motion: TSHA, Prospa & more, Motion
In:Motion are proud to present one of the most exciting talents to come out of the UK in recent years, TSHA. Known for her flawless productions and diverse DJ sets, she has cemented herself as a household name in electronic music. Joining her will be Prospa, an electronic duo who’s reimagining of classic dance sounds has accelerated their rise. More acts to be announced soon.

TSHA comes to Motion this October – photo: Alastair Brookes

October 7: Bristol alternative market w/ Grandma’s House, Lakota
Featured at iconic festivals such as Reading, Leeds and Green man, Bristol’s favourite punk band are bringing the energy in their debut at Lakota this October.

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October 7: Henleaze Concert Society: Glories of the Baroque, Trinity Henleaze URC
For this first concert of our season, come and join the Bristol Ensemble for a programme of Baroque favourites:

• Handel- Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
• Vivaldi- Trio Sonata in D minor ‘La Follia’
• Bach- Brandenburg Concerto No.1 in F major, BWV 1046
• Handel- Water Music

Glories of the baroque – photo: Henleaze Concert Society

October 8: Make a driftwood macrame plant hanger, Fancy Plants
This session will equip you with the skills to make your very own beautiful plant hanger, using the beautiful and therapeutic technique of macrame.

October 9-12: The Invisible Man, Alma Tavern & Theatre
This fast faced and hilarious adaptation of HG Wells ‘The Invisible Man’ is played by just three actors. Let it bring you lots of fun with quick costume changes and props to entertain.

October 10-14: Healing King Herod, The Wardrobe Theatre
An award winning drag-king comedy performance to delight. This show takes the audience on a transformation from ancient soldiers to modern clients in this interactive, drag, group therapy session.

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Now-October 29: 2023 Academician Candidates, RWA
Discover the 2023 RWA Academician Candidates. Each year, running alongside the Annual Open Exhibition, the RWA presents a diverse, and exciting showcase of work from the year’s shortlisted Academician candidates. Featuring work by Pennie Elfick, Jessa Fairbrother, Jemma Gunning, Dave King, Debbie Lee, Ben Rowe, Sadie Tierney, Clare Thatcher, Tom Waugh and Sue Williams, the 2023 RWA Academician Candidates Exhibition presents an inspiring range of painting, printmaking, sculpture and much more. Discover the work of these up-and-coming artists for yourself!

2023 academician candidates exhibition – photo: RWA

October 11: CON AIR screening (Bristol Film Festival), Aerospace Bristol
A memorable film night screening the action packed Con-Air. Enjoy the thrill as Nicolas Cage tries to survive a plane jacking coordinated by USA criminals.

October 12: Deki Alem + Frozemode, The Jam Jar
Following a 20 date festival tour this summer, Swedish Deki Alem brings the energy with fusions of hip hop, lo-fi vocals and breakbeats.

October 13: Club Djembe w/ Tash LC, Scratchclart +++, Trinity Centre
A club night you don’t want to miss featuring Tash LC, DJ Polo, Scratchclart and more.

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October 14: In:Motion & Percolate x Steel City Dance Discs, Marble Factory
On the 14th October, In:Motion team up with London party starters Percolate and Steel City Dance Discs to bring you a stacked line up featuring SCDD head honcho Mall Grab, plus KETTAMA, Effy and more. Expect heavy duty house and techno selections and high-energy from start to finish.

Mall Grab – photo: Alastair Brookes

October 14: AnExperience presents: A Proper Jungle Night, The Black Swan
Party all night long with the ultimate club night at The Swan with Jungle, breakbeat hardcore, jungletechno, acid breakbeat and electro.

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October 14 & 15: Oh No, George!, Redgrave Theatre
Oh No, George! is the delightfully playful tale of a dog who wants to be good, but can’t resist temptation. Adapted from the award-winning picture book by Chris Haughton, this brand new show for children aged 3+ uses acrobatics, slapstick comedy, Sign Supported English and live music to bring George’s joyful escapades to life.

Oh, No George! – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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October 14: Mozart by candlelight, Bristol Cathedral
Mozart’s infamous Requiem in D minor is a masterpiece shrouded in mystery, making it all the more fascinating, compelling and emotionally stirring. The story of the creation of the work involves a shady commission and a blanket of deceit.

It all began in July 1791, when a stranger turned up at Mozart’s door with a commission to write a requiem. Mozart accepted and obsessively threw himself into the piece and worked on almost nothing else for several months. However, by this time, his health was deteriorating and he was unable to finish what he started. Mozart wasn’t sound of mind when he received the commission and believed he’d been cursed to write the piece as a swansong because he knew he would shortly die. Was he writing his own Requiem?

Experience this extraordinary work in the majestic setting of a candlelit Bristol Cathedral, with over 400 candles recreating the original performance in Vienna 230 years ago on January 2, 1793.

Mozart by Candlelight – photo: Bristol Ensemble

October 15: Ockham’s Razor/Turtle Key Arts Present Tess, Unit 15
Ockham’s Razor gives an innovative, creative and modern feminist circus adaptation on Hardy’s classic novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles.

October 16: Enter the Noid w/ bod [包家巷], VRGF + more, The Cube
Enter the Noid presents bod [包家巷]’s debut Bristol showcasing a unique style with audio, video & prose. The artist builds rich, speculative worlds for others to immerse themselves within.

October 17: HoneyPot Comedy, The Room Above
Bristol’s female, trans, and non-binary comedy night brings heaps of laughter to Bristol. Headlined by Bristol’s own dynamic stand up comedian, Jessie Nixon.

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October 17: Bristol Beacon presents: National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Bath Forum
Formed in 1918, The National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine (NSOU) is the country’s principal orchestra and recognised as one of the finest symphony orchestras in Eastern Europe, having achieved worldwide recognition through multiple international tours. Since 1993, the 98-strong orchestra has released more than 100 critically acclaimed recordings featuring Ukrainian and international repertoire. We are delighted to present the orchestra’s visit to Bath Forum this October as the first date in a 17-concert tour of the UK – its biggest UK tour in 100 years. The orchestra’s performance in Bath will include a specially selected piece by Ukrainian composer Boris Lyatoshynsky (1895–1968) whose works the NSOU have proudly premiered in the past, and pieces by Max Bruch and Jean Sibelius.

National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine – photo: Bristol Beacon

October 18: “QUEER+” ©PT Circle Lab, L’etoile Studio
From art therapy techniques to emotional painting, this event creates a safe space to explore art, movement, community, love and more.

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October 18: Women Make Horror, Watershed
Bristol-based horror film writer-director Melanie Light hosts a night of short horror films directed by a selection of talented women from around the world. Join her and her cohort of fiends for a ghoulish night of feminist horror films ranging from revenge to possessions to mutations!

Women Make Horror – photo: Watershed

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October 18: Beethoven 5 by candlelight, St George’s
Beethoven’s iconic Symphony No. 5 is widely considered one of the cornerstones of western music. First performed in Vienna’s Theater an der Wien in 1808, the work achieved its prodigious reputation soon afterward and is described as “one of the most important works of the time”. The symphony, and the four-note opening motif in particular, are known worldwide, with the motif appearing frequently in popular culture, from disco versions to rock and roll covers, to uses in film and television.

Equal in stature to the Fifth Symphony, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 redefined the relationship between the piano and the orchestra, and its heroic and majestic character makes it one of the best-loved works of the repertoire.

Beethoven by candlelight – photo: Bristol Ensemble

October 19: Welsh National Opera – La traviata, The Bristol Hippodrome
Based on Alexandre Dumas fils’s novel, La Dame aux Camélias, this timeless opera features elegant, evocative arias and melodies.

October 20: Teachings in Dub – SUBDUB 25, Trinity Centre
The modern titans of the dub scene take to the soundsystem temple once again for a night of the finest dub, powered by two of the UKs mightiest systems.

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October 20-26: Killers of the Flower Moon, Watershed
Director Martin Scorsese returns with another epic tale from American history about the horrific murdering of members of the Osage tribe.

October 21: Chocolate Smash! Luke Jerram’s Edible Histories, St Georges
Watch a host of giant chocolate objects be broken up, accompanied with music, talks and presentations, and take home chunks of chocolate to enjoy.

October 22: Bristol Transatlantic Slavery Walk, City Centre
Walk around Bristol’s most historic sites and harbour with a qualified guide explaining Bristol’s 1,000 year history of exploratory voyages and the history of transatlantic slavery.

October 23: CAT The Play, The Wardrobe Theatre
A comedy play with a dark twist, original songs and plenty of lycra and cats, from Richard Kieswick & Jamie Beamish

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October 24: Bristol Beacon presents: Hidden Orchestra, The Fleece
Hidden Orchestra is an imagined orchestra compiled in multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Joe Acheson’s studio using many separate recordings of guest musicians from a wide variety of backgrounds, combined with field recordings, bass, and intricate layers of drums. The music is a melting-pot of Joe’s extremely varied musical experiences and influences from an array of genres, and has been described as electronic music made with acoustic instruments and natural sounds. Music built on contrasts, at once anxious and calming, dark and light, fast and slow – full of abstract emotion which is open to the listener’s interpretation. Support comes from electronic trip-hop duo Arms and Sleepers.

Hidden Orchestra – photo: Bristol Beacon

October 24: Lates by Lamplight: Experience the Clifton Suspension Bridge Vaults like a Victorian, Clifton Suspension Bridge
Experience the fascinating secret vaults of Bristol’s Suspension bridge, discovered in the early 2000’s, with plenty of history to explore.

October 25: Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story, Alma Tavern and Theatre
After a sellout, award winning run at the Edinburgh Fringe, this hilarious performance is coming to Bristol. Combining audience interaction, drag, puppetry and queer joy this show will delight audiences.

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October 25-27: The Three Little Pigs, Redgrave Theatre
Once upon a time, in a muddy field by the sea, there lived Three Little Pigs. Join our three pigs as they excitedly leave the family sty in search of new adventures! Get those trotters tapping and those snouts a-squealin’ with new catchy songs, dancing and plenty of audience participation for piglets of all ages.

The Three Little Pigs – photo: Redgrave Theatres

October 26: Greenhouse Plant Based Dining, Starlings
Chef Rachel from Greenhouse provides a delicious 4 course meal at the beautiful Starlings restaurant in Clifton to showcase the very best of plant based dining.

October 27: Degrees of Terror present Murder She Didn’t Fright, Bristol Improv Theatre
A classical murder mystery with a less classical format. This dark and spooky play is created entirely on audience suggestions.

October 28: Alien Chicks, The Lanes
Alien Chicks are a Brixton based post-punk trio whose mix of genres include  jazz, rap, bossa nova, and rock.

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Now-January 14: 170 Annual Open Exhibition, RWA
Come and enjoy the 170 Annual Open Exhibition here at the RWA. This dynamic and varied exhibition showcases work in all mediums from some of today’s most exciting artists, amateur and professional alike. The Annual Open reflects the ongoing commitment of the RWA to champion world-class art in the region and create opportunities for new and emerging talent. All work is for sale, making this a great opportunity to discover new artists or invest in well-known names.

170 Annual Open – photo: RWA

October 29: Slaughterhaus: Eclipse, Strange Brew
The Slaughterhaus Drag Collective’s cabaret show returns this Halloween with glamorous ghouls and spectacularly queer content.

October 30: Luxmuralis: Force of Nature, Bristol Cathedral
Space Voyager at Bristol Cathedral, a light show adorns this historic building through an exploration of the cultural significance of the four elements and the beauty of the Cathedral’s architecture.

October 31: Final Baby Girl, The Wardrobe Theatre
The award-winning cabaret star, Baby Lame, thrills and humours throughout this spooky, drag infused, genre bending show.

And coming soon…

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November 9: Festival of Sustainable Business Awards Ceremony 2023, The Bristol Hotel
Taking place at the Bristol Hotel on the 9th of November, the night will begin with a drinks reception and talks from speakers such as Mayor Marvin Rees, followed by a gourmet 3 course sustainably sourced dinner. This is a fantastic opportunity to be in a room with leaders on the forefront of business and sustainability. Don’t miss it!

Festival of Sustainable Business Awards – photo: Future Leap

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November 25: Henleaze Concert Society: Romantic Nights, Trinity Henleaze URC
For this second concert of our season, come and enjoy two of Rachmaninov’s cherished works performed by the Bristol Ensemble and soloist Paul Israel:

• Rachmaninov- Piano Concerto No.2 (arr. Iain Farrington)
• Rachmaninov- Symphonic Dances (arr. Iain Farrington)

Romantic nights – photo: Henleaze Concert Society

Main photo: Alice Hendy/RWA

Read next:

• 27 things to do in Bristol this week, October 2-8 2023
• Venue of the month: Cloak & Dagger
• Bristol’s month in folk & roots: October 2023

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