50 things to do in Bristol in July 2023

July 1: St Pauls Carnival, St Pauls
The Afro-Caribbean festival makes a triumphant return to Bristol after three years out of the game.

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Now-August 13: Found Cities Lost Objects: Women in the City, RWA
Found Cities, Lost Objects: Women in the City, an Arts Council Collection touring exhibition, curated by artist and activist Lubaina Himid CBE, is on NOW at the RWA! Come and explore and reflect on the work of some of today’s most exciting female artists. This ground-breaking, multidisciplinary show, presents over 60 works from female artists, including several Bristol-based artists, all exploring views of city living through women’s eyes. Addressing themes ranging from safety and navigation to concepts of belonging, power and fun, freedom, and discovery.

Found Cities Lost Objects at RWA – photo: RWA

July 2: Games Night, Bristol Improv Theatre
The Clifton improv comedy theatre hosts its regular, always popular games night.

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Throughout July: 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 & 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

July 3: Olivia Dean, Strange Brew
New school pop royalty Olivia Dean comes to Strange Brew to celebrate the release of their new album, with a performance followed by a Q&A.

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July 3-9: Playable City, across Bristol
Come play with six creative art installations across Bristol from 3 – 9 July. From huge inflatable robots in Brandon Hill Park to magical interactive pavements at Watershed. Find out more at Playablecity.com

Playable city – photo: Watershed

July 4: Indoor Bollywood dancing workshop, Dance Space
Taught by Bollywood choreographer Pooja, you’ll learn to master the art of this world famous Indian dance.

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July 4-September 10: Making The City Home, RWA
This exhibition of textiles by women living in Bristol showcases 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

July 5: Trip (Documentary) & director Q&A, The Cube
An exploration of the weird and wonderful world of psychedelic rock, and its many die hard fans.

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Thursdays from July 6-27: Double Deckers Comedy Series: Double bill work-in-progress comedy shows, Hen & Chicken Studio
The Double Deckers Comedy Series is an opportunity to see brand new hour-long stand up shows which are bound for the Edinburgh Fringe in August – the world’s largest arts festival. Each double bill preview features two established acts from the UK circuit who are at the top of their game. Each act is a big hitter in their own right on the UK comedy circuit and headline venues up and down this nation and internationally.

Double Deckers comedy – photo: The Comedy Box

July 6: Summer Lates Series, SS Great Britain
The doors to the once largest passenger ship in the world open after closing time, with great food, fantastic local music and a fully stocked bar.

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July 6: Chakra Healing Circle, The Mount Without
Been feeling a bit meh or perhaps not quite yourself? This workshop is designed to help you retreat from the outside world and help you feel your best from the inside out. Expect tailored breathwork, channelled meditation, journaling and mindful movement to soothe body, mind and soul. During the workshop we will work through each of the chakras utilisting energetic healing, mindfulness and conscious movement to leave you feeling rested, connected and inspired.

Chakra Healing Circle – photo: The Mount Without

July 7: Boomtown x Red Rash: Pride Party, Loco Klub
The high-budget, immersive experience festival comes to Loco Klub for one night only for a no holds barred party celebrating Bristol’s best queer brands/artists.

July 8 & 9: Bristol Tattoo Convention, Ashton Gate Stadium
For fans of the ink, the South Bristol football stadium comes alive with artists and vendors sharing and selling their designs.

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July 8: Yuup presents: Grub Club: Supper Club, Easton
This intimate supper club serves up a 4-course meal in a family-style, communal setting in Easton. Hosted by best friends Lizzie and Beth, this is the place to make new friends that also love food! 25% of Grub Club ticket sales go towards supporting a good cause.

Grub Club – photo: Yuup

July 8: Pride Day, Clifton Downs
The culmination of Bristol’s vibrant pride celebrations takes place on the Clifton Downs, with over five stages of music and entertainment.

July 9: Summer Dereliction Tours, Ashton Court Mansion
The almost 400 year old building hosts tours of its renovated downstairs and its old historic upstairs space, not usually available to the public.

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July 9: Yuup presents: Bottomless Drag Brunch, The Lost & Found
Headlined by RuPaul Drag Race’s Vanity Milan, this delightfully fabulous bottomless drag brunch at Lost & Found on Clifton Triangle is possibly the best way to spend a Sunday! Three drag queen performers, a delicious new brunch menu, and bottomless cocktails- start your engines!

Drag Brunch at The Lost & Found – photo: Yuup

July 10-14: I, We & Wider // Dance Summer Series, The Mount Without
A week long workshop, suitable for all abilities, with an open theme, working out which style works best for you.

July 11: Modern Myths, Fishponds Old Library
An exhibition asking questions of the accessibility of art, and whether you necessarily need to be educated in it to be able to appreciate it fully.

July 12: Furniture as Art: Designing Statement Chairs, Bristol Upholstery Collective
Learn the planning and production processes for beautiful, one of a kind statement chairs, from fabric types to learning how and when to take risks.

July 13: Future Leap’s Sustainable Fashion Show 2023, Future Leap G Road
A creative evening, with talks, drinks and a catwalk aiming to shine a light on some of the businesses championing sustainable fashion in Bristol.

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July 14-16: The Snail and The Whale, Redgrave Theatre
Tall Stories present this amazing story of an adventurous young girl and her seafaring father as they reimagine the story of a tiny snail’s incredible trip around the world, inspired by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved picture book.

The snail and the whale at Redgrave Theatre – photo: Redgrave Theatre

July 14-16: Bristol Harbour Festival, Harbourside
The harbour area comes alive for three days of art, dance and music for all the family.

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July 15: Bristol Beacon presents: Tinariwen, SWX
Formed in 1979 on the borders of Mali and Algeria, Tinariwen are world renowned as pioneers of the assouf style (“nostalgia” in tamashek). They address Tuareg people’s preoccupations in songs that mix traditional West African and Arab music with blues, folk and other influences – creating what the rest of the planet has come to know as the Tuareg blues. It’s music that is imbued with sorrow and longing but also for forgetting our cares and for dancing. Since gaining international recognition in the early 2000s, they have played more than 1100 shows around the world and released nine studio albums, three of them nominated for a Grammy, including Tassili, which won the award for Best World Music album in 2012.

July 15: Banoffee Pies Day Party, Christmas Steps
The stalwart UK label hosts another instalment of their infamous summer day parties in the rarely used yet perfect for a day party Christmas Steps garden.

July 16: Under Heavy Manners w/ Disk Frisk, Mickey Zoggs
Andy Payback and Idle Hands’ Farrell head to the home of Noods Radio for their Sunday sessions, armed with more dub and trip hop than you can shake a stick at.

July 17: DnB Boxing Circuits Workout, Brunel Fitness Centre
An energising workout session, soundtracked to some motivating drum and bass music.

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July 18: Breath led Tuesday 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

July 18: QWAK Club #15: Carl Stone, The Cube
One of the originators of computer made music, Carl Stone delivers his avant-garde take on sampling to the Dove Street cinema.

July 19: Ordinary Human Failings launch with Megan Nolan, Bookhaus
To celebrate the launch of her latest book, Megan Nolan is in conversation with Jessica Andrews about the book’s themes at the Rope Walk book store.

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July 19 & 20: Birthmarked, Bristol Old Vic
After a wildly successful run here last May, we’re thrilled to welcome Birthmarked back to the stage at Bristol Old Vic. A young Jehovah’s Witness comes to terms with his sexuality and finds his feet (and high heels…) in a world he once believed would be destroyed at Armageddon.

Birthmarked at Bristol Old Vic – photo: Bristol Old Vic

July 20: The Bristol Comedy History Walk, City Centre
Led by the Bristol Improv Theatre, discover some of Bristol’s lesser known and more hilarious locations on this walking tour.

July 21: Reptant & Monika Taneska, The Love Inn
Household names in the headsy techno/electro space, Reptant travels from down under for a special set on Stokes Croft.

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July 21: Barbie, Watershed
Brand new and fresh out of the box comes the most perfect film about the most perfect doll in the world!

July 22: Bristol Cycle Cinema, College Green
A free day of film screenings on college green, powered by 40 pedal bikes set up in front of the screen – do your bit to power the movie.

July 23: Ultimate Dumpling Masterclass, Coexist Community Kitchen
Learn the secrets of the perfect dumpling, taught to you by professional chef Emily.

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July 23: Bristol Beacon presents: BSO String Ensemble: Music of Reflection, Belmont Estate
Join us in the intimate Walled Garden of the beautiful Belmont Estate for an unforgettable afternoon of music and delicious food in the summer sun. Located just a stone’s throw from Bristol in the North Somerset countryside, discover this idyllic setting and soak up the atmosphere all afternoon with street food including wood-fired pizza and BBQ, plus plenty of wine, local organic cider, soft drinks and Bristol-brewed beers available in Belmont’s very own Potting Shed pub. Travel through 450 years of classical music as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestral strings ensemble fill the summer air with a selection of exquisite pieces from JS Bach and Corelli to Arvo Pärt and Jessie Montgomery – surrounded by the wonders of nature. Don’t miss the chance to gather with family and friends for this unique, relaxed outdoor concert experience.

BSO String Ensemble – photo: Bristol Beacon

July 24: Creative Flow Club – taster session, L’Etoile Studio
The 12 week course designed to spark creativity doesn’t start until September, but come down early to get a taster.

July 25: Junior Jungle kids rave, Bambalan
The infamous DJ lighting up the children’s festival circuit with lively, colourful jungle/drum and bass comes to the rooftop central bar for a day party.

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July 25-27: Dinosaur World Live, Bristol Old Vic
Grab your compass and join our intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. A roar-some interactive show for all the family. “Great fun. Highly recommended for all ages.” ★★★★★ What’s Good to Do

Dinosaur World Live at Bristol Old Vic – photo: Bristol Old Vic

July 26: July Netwalking, St Werburghs
Join the Future Leap team as they take members of their network on a relaxing lunchtime walk, where you’ll meet members of other businesses interested in sustainability.

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July 26-30: Cinema Rediscovered, Watershed
Cinema Rediscovered – the UK’s leading festival of classic cinema and film restorations – returns to venues in and around Bristol UNESCO City of Film for its 7th annual edition featuring big screen experiences of brand-new film restorations, rediscoveries and film on film rarities from around the world, alongside a multitude of starting points for lively conversation.

Cinema Rediscovered – photo: Watershed

July 27-29: Siren: Fabio & Grooverider, Sean Paul & Hospitality Records, Lloyds Amphitheatre
An absolutely enormous lineup takes to Lloyds Amphitheatre across the weekend.

July 28-30: Clifton Summer Screenings, The Mall Gardens Clifton
Part of Bristol Film Festival, they’ll be screening 15 films across a three day period in the idyllic Mall Gardens.

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July 28 & 29: Dinosaur Adventure Live, Redgrave Theatre
Join our intrepid rangers on a quest to recover the data crystal, restore power to the island and save the Dinosaurs! Stomp, Roar and Swish your tail as we introduce you to some of the most incredible species ever to have lived on planet Earth. An unforgettable Jurassic experience for all the family to enjoy.

Dinosaur Adventure Live at Redgrave Theatre – photo: Redgrave Theatre

July 29: Booty Bass x RepresentAsian Day Party, Trinity Centre
Two brands pioneering Bristol’s hedonistic, everybody welcome club philosophy team up for a no doubt no holds barred party at Trinity.

July 30: Park Fest 2023, Southey Park
A day of family activities, music and great food at the East Bristol park.

July 31: Historic Walking Tour – Bristol’s Hidden Unicorns, City Centre
If you haven’t quite gotten your unicorn fix yet, fear not, as there are more hidden around the city than you might think. Find them in this tour.

And coming soon…

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December 1-January 21: Oliver Twist, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Christmas at Tobacco Factory Theatres has been announced! A brighter, bigger-hearted production you will not find, as TFT brings a festive adaptation of Oliver Twist to Bristol with a belly full of cheer as they celebrate their 21st Anniversary year. You will leave the theatre shouting for more! 20% off if you book before 31 July.

Oliver Twist – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

Main photo: Bhagesh Sachania

Read next:

• 23 things to do in Bristol this week, July 3-9 2023
• In photos: Squidsoup’s ‘Beyond Submergence’ exhibition at Propyard
• Bristol’s month in jazz – July 2023

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