50 things to do in Bristol in March 2023

March 1: Myanmar Diaries – Citizen journalism against regime terror, The Cube
A documentary screening, comprising a collection of short films about living under a regime of terror in Myanmar.

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March 1-3: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Malcolm X Centre (BOVTS)
Set beneath a glittering, ethereal surface you will find Shakespeare’s dazzling play transformed into a macabre Edwardian fable from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. As night falls our slumbering players are swept up in an otherworldly experience, left to navigate fairy enchantments, lovers’ quarrels and patriarchal norms.

Through teasing, tyranny and trickery, familial ties become fraught and fractured; and with the early Suffrage movement creeping into the subconscious, it seems impossible to find a resolution by sunrise. This visionary and moralistic take on Shakespeare’s playful comedy – brimming with its original dramatic poetry – will entice audiences this spring at the Malcolm X Community Centre.

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School puts on a presentation of the Shakespeare classic at the Malcolm X Centre – photo: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

March 2: Lunchtime Lecture: StoryTrails, Bristol Central Library
Bristol filmmaker Marcus Smith reflects on StoryTrails, the immersive experience that allowed people to learn the stories of their communities from the past.

March 3 & 4: Bristol Reggae Weekender, Old Market Assembly
A weekend of pure vibes, as selectors travel from across Europe to Old Market for one of the year’s biggest reggae parties.

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March 3: The Comedy Box promotes: Jacob Hawley: Bump, Hen & Chicken
Award winning comedian Jacob Hawley (As seen on The Russell Howard Hour and BBC3’s Ladhood) presents Bump, a show described by the British Comedy Guide as ‘an impeccable hour of man and mic stand-up’. Fresh from a four star run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Hawley covers mental health, social class, drugs, anti-pasti, and whether he is ready to be a father.

“Voice of a generation” Chortle

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March 3: Kate Mosse: Warrior Queens & Quiet Revolutionaries, Redgrave Theatre
Fancy a great night out in the theatre? Why not join Kate Mosse in her first ever one-woman show celebrating amazing women, dazzling history, and even get a sneak early preview of Kate’s latest novel?

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March 4: Bristol Neuroscience Festival – Public day, Wills Memorial Building
The festival runs from March 2-4, but the final day marks the public day, where sessions are held for those interested in the subject to undertake experiments, activities and brain games.

March 5: Slow & Low: Sweet soul all-dayer, Star & Garter
What better way to enjoy your Sunday than with a soul music all dayer at one of Bristol’s most vibey pubs.

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Sunday: Shake Art Fair, The Mount Without
Shake is an independent Bristol-based illustration fair which was started back in 2014. The event was started to encourage artists to get together, share their artwork and ideas and help contribute and grow Bristol’s thriving and diverse arts community by providing a place for illustrators to showcase and sell their art. The fairs happen a few times a year and are always a buzzing, eclectic and fun place to be!

Shake XL boasts an incredible lineup of 50+ local and international illustrators, vegan food stalls, a bar and workshops all hosted here at The Mount Without. Whether you are an admirer of art, seasoned illustrator or have a budding artist in the family, come down to Shake XL and enjoy some great art, brilliant people and delicious food and drink.

Shake Art Fair at The Mount Without – photo: The Mount Without

March 6: Rathpop, COR Restaurant
A group ‘supper club’ style event from chefs Jake Garman & Abi Fear, delivering a sharing feast of late winter/early spring themed delights.

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Now-May 1: Jem Southam: A Bend in the River, RWA
Immerse yourself in the hauntingly beautiful work of Bristol-born photographer Jem Southam. ‘A Bend in the River’ displays photographs taken over five years of a location in the South West of England, capturing the ever-changing surface of the water, passing clouds, trees waving in the breeze, ducks gliding across the river and swans flying to roost. Your ticket also includes entry into the RWA’s Photo Open which celebrates a wide range of photographic approaches.

Jem Southam: A bend in the river – photo: RWA

March 7: The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Centenary Screening, Bristol Cathedral
Celebrating 100 years since its release, the classic piece of cinema gets an extra special screening at the Cathedral.

SPONSORED
March 7-May 6: Belonging, Rainmaker Gallery
In this solo exhibition Rick Grimster explores his relationship to the country of his birth. A war baby, born in London to a Mvskoke father and English mother, his life is but one of the numerous stories that make up the Indigenous diaspora. Whilst Grimster’s abstracted landscapes fit firmly into the school of mid-century British modernism, they are elevated by an instinctive and unbridled joy of colour and a love of nature aligned with his Native American heritage.

Belonging exhibition at the Rainmaker Gallery – photo: Rainmaker Gallery

March 8: International Women’s Day comedy fundraiser, Smoke & Mirrors
The central Bristol magic themed pub hosts an IWD fundraiser, putting on a dazzling display of magic and comedy.

March 9: Exercises in Exchange Programme Launch, Spike Island
A screening of a documentary based around cryptocurrency, and how it bears similarities to the behaviour of the animated character Scrooge McDuck.

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March 9: After Hours Photography Exhibition, RWA
The RWA opens its doors after dark for an extra special evening of creative photography play, access to its current photography exhibitions, a pin-hole camera workshop, a pop-up bar and more!

RWA After Hours Photography Exhibition – photo: Yuup

March 10: Mansion Takeover, Ashton Court Mansion
Dubbed ‘March’s best lineup by FAR’ by Headfirst, this mansion party hosts a plethora of top tier Bristol acts, from the intoxicating jazz of Ishmael ensemble to the system-shaking dubstep rhythms of Pinch.

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March 10 onwards: Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom
Bhutan’s first-ever Oscar® nominee for Best International Feature is an enchanting comedy-drama about a daydreaming (but discontented) young teacher who is posted to a remote school in the country’s picturesque Himalayan highlands.

March 11: Strange Brew Presents DJ Nobu & Anina, Strange Brew
A mammoth three hour set from Japanese trippy techno royalty at one of Bristol’s finest, most immersive dancefloors.

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Now-May 1: Photo Open, RWA
The RWA Photo Open celebrates contemporary photographic practice in all its forms. Over 150 works were selected from hundreds of submissions. The exhibition showcases the sheer quality and range of photographic work being produced by photographers and artists across the UK and abroad today. Your ticket for the Photo Open also gets you entry to Jem Southam’s A Bend in the River, a beautifully observed series of photographs documenting the changes in the environment.

RWA photo open – photo: RWA

March 12: The Dirty Immigrant – Stand up comedy, The Bristol Improv Theatre
The travelling Romanian comic brings his English speaking stand up to the city. Presented in English, it’s a rare opportunity to see the comic before he travels to his next destination.

March 13: Fringe Jam, The Bristol Fringe
The Clifton venue hosts its monthly open jam session, where anyone is invited to bring their instruments and get involved.

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March 13: Bristol Beacon Presents: London Symphony Orchestra with Barbara Hannigan, Bath Forum
We herald the start of spring as Barbara Hannigan and the London Symphony Orchestra perform blissful visions of heaven from Mahler and Messiaen at Bath Forum. As a singer, there’s nothing Barbara Hannigan can’t do, and as a conductor she drives straight to the places that other musicians wouldn’t dare. She’s been called ‘an artist who shoots straight for the heart and never misses’, and here the LSO’s Artistic Associate stars as both conductor and vocalist in a concert charged with wonder, performing Messiaen’s L’Ascension and Mahler’s Symphony No 4.

March 14: Filwood Chase History Society, Filwood Library
Learn the extensive history of the Filwood area, run by Knowle West’s own tree champion Jim Smith.

March 15 & 16: Grubby Little Mitts, The Wardrobe Theatre
After winning top sketch show at last year’s Edinburgh fringe, Rosie Nichols and Sullivan Brown bring their surreal slapstick comedy to Bristol.

March 16: Improvised Music Workshop, Cafe Kino
A workshop at the Stokes community cafe space, where you’re taught to trust your musical instinct and create some improvised magic.

SPONSORED
March 16: Bristol Beacon Presents: Florist, Strange Brew
Florist’s music occupies a gently transcendent space and conveys a quiet majesty. Via intricate ambient folk and lo-fi bedroom-pop the band, helmed by Emily Sprague, captures the enchantment of nature and a wistful joy in existence. In titling their latest album Florist, the four-piece solidifies the collaboration at the core of this project – highlighting the foundations of friendship these musicians are united by. This is also tangible in the music itself, with a striking sonic synergy weaving together glistening melodies, lilting percussion and soft, poetic vocals. Support comes from critically acclaimed Anna Mieke.

March 17: Wiper & True 10th Birthday Bash, Wiper & True Old Market Taproom
The top Bristol independent brewery celebrated turning a decade old, with groovy tunes from Alfresco Disco DJs, and delicious eats from Bianchis.

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March 18: Crosstown Concerts: Pixies + The Slow Readers Club, Cardiff International Arena
Pixies are one of the most influential, pioneering bands of the late 80s, having served as a major influence for artists like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Radiohead and many more. Today, a whole new generation of music fans have been discovering and embracing the band’s “loudquietloud” signature sound.

March 18: Grime Stories Exhibition, Bristol Beacon
After its stint at the Museum of London last summer, the exhibition detailing the early days of the now culture defining British music genre is on display for a limited time.

March 19: Willow Basketry Workshop, Grow Wilder
The Frenchay plant nursery hosts a relaxing workshop, where you’ll learn how to weave your very own willow basket, which you’ll be able to take home with you.

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Saturdays & Sundays: Bristol Food Tours, across the city
Dive into Bristol’s incredible food scene with Bristol’s newest food tours. On this walking food tour, you will have an introduction to some of Bristol’s epic independent food hot spots (with exclusive discounts) and also learn some fascinating history along the way! Delicious!

Bristol food tours – photo: Yuup

March 20: Backstreet Comedy Club, The Golden Guinea
The latest addition to Bristol’s stand up scene, the Backstreet Comedy Club promises a top level headliner for every edition of its fortnightly sessions.

March 21-25: High School Never Ends the Musical, Alma Tavern & Theatre
A new musical, featuring music from Bowling for Soup, the show is a comedic love story about two highschool sweethearts meeting again 20 years in the future.

March 22: So, you want to make a solo show?, St Annes House
A workshop from top Bristol poet Kat Lyons on the intricacies of putting on your own solo show, from soup to nuts.

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March 23 onwards: 1976, Watershed
1976, the debut feature from Manuela Martelli explores one woman’s struggle with misogyny and corruption in Chile under Pinochet. The Thu 23 March 20:00 preview screening will be followed by a Q&A from director Manuela Martelli.

March 23: Poetry and stuff: An evening of performance poetry, Victoria Methodist Church
The World Slam Poetry champion Harry Baker puts on an evening of stellar performance poetry. If you’re a fan of the medium, this won’t be one to miss.

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March 23: The Comedy Box promotes: Simon Munnery: Trials & Tribulations, Hen & Chicken
Twenty years ago, in Edinburgh, legendary comedian Simon Munnery was arrested for “being a German in a built-up area”. It wasn’t an early brush with ‘cancel culture’ but it did lead to a trial. For the first time, British Comedy Award nominee, serial innovator and ‘Perennial fringe maverick’ (The Guardian), Simon Munnery tells the tale of this trial. Simon will also seek to turn various other distressing life occurrences into comedic gold.

“Oh the deep, deep joy of an hour with Simon Munnery” The Scotsman

March 24: Meridian Soluna, Wake The Tiger
A celebration of the Spring Equinox at the world’s first amazement park. Buy a ticket, or become a Bristol24/7 member for your chance to win free ones.

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March 24: Gary Meikle 2.5, Redgrave Theatre
Most blurbs are written in the 3rd person, so they’ll be like ‘Gary is this, Gary is that, you can expect this from Gary’ Well I’m writing this myself so, this will be my 3rd show, or 2.5 as I’m calling it. 

March 25: Ritual Union Festival, Multiple venues
The fan favourite indie band festival returns to central Bristol, with stages at SWX, Rough Trade, Strange Brew and Dareshack.

March 26: Tim Heidecker, Trinity Centre
For fans of dry, expertly delivered stand-up and character comedy, Tim Heidecker is your new favourite comic – if he’s not already.

March 27: Escher Music Connection #46, Strange Brew
For music producers, the monthly Escher events offer a potentially once in a blue moon chance to hear your productions played on a club level soundsystem.

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March 28: Collage in the Crypt, The Mount Without
As part of The Mount Without’s in house series ‘Tales From The Crypt”, and in collaboration with Kask Wines, join local artist Libby Anderson for an evening of wine and collage making. Participants will have the opportunity to spend hours at play and create their own pieces of art.

Collage at the Crypt at The Mount Without – photo: The Mount Without

March 28: Playful colourful collage workshop, Zion Bristol
An opportunity to get creative with colourful paper, with the freedom to collage whatever your heart desires, whilst learning a bit about colour theory along the way. All materials provided.

SPONSORED
March 28: Crosstown Concerts: Eels + The Inspector Cluso, Bath Forum
A musical project that weds a rich variety of off-kilter pop influences with deeply personal lyrics often obsessing over the darker sides of human experience, Eels is the rubric used by the singer, songwriter, and musician Mark Oliver Everett for the music he creates with a rotating group of collaborators.

March 29: Sofar Sounds secret concert, Bedminster
The concert promoters put on yet another intimate concert in an undisclosed location.

March 30: BANFF Mountain Film Festival, Victoria Rooms
A selection of some of the finest films, shot in some of the most gorgeous mountainous locations on Earth.

March 31: Booty Bass Takeover, The Jam Jar
The female DJ collective have taken Bristol by storm over the last 12 months. End the month on a high with a super rare low capacity show from the group at the intimate Jam Jar.

And coming soon…

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May 18-July 1: The Lion King, Bristol Hippodrome
Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, Disney’s multi award-winning musical is a unique theatrical experience that you will remember forever. The Lion King, returns to the Bristol Hippodrome for a strictly limited six-week run from May 18 to July 1.

The Lion King at Bristol Hippodrome – photo: The Ambassadors Theatre Group

Main Photo: Ramona Momo

Read next:

• Grove on sexuality, power and community
• Invisible Circus announces summer series: Weekends of Wonder
• Bristol24/7 Ashton Court Mansion Takeover

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