52 things to do in Bristol in September 2023

September 1 & 2: Forwards Festival, Clifton Downs
The forward thinking music festival returns to the Downs, with Erykah Badu and Aphex Twin headlining the two days respectively.

September 2: Attitude Festival 2023, Exchange
Spanning across 14 hours (!!), Exchange hosts a day of the finest punk/harcore rock the city has to offer.

SPONSORED
September 2 & 3: Tales of 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

September 3: After the Laughter, Lost Horizon
Whether you’ve been out all weekend or just fancy a nice mellow Sunday vibe, Lost Horizon has the jams, the food and the vibes to keep you rocking.

SPONSORED
September 3: Streets of Beezer exhibition, The Mount Without
showcasing new print mediums of unseen work alongside iconic classics.

The Streets of Beezer – photo: The Mount Without

September 4: Oxbow, Exchange
Exchange representing the noise rock, hardcore scene with a mind-bending show from scene leaders Oxbow.

SPONSORED
Saturdays: Stand Up For The Weekend, Hen & Chicken
The Comedy Box flagship show STAND UP FOR THE WEEKEND returns from Saturday 2 September at Bristol’s Hen & Chicken Studio.
Top UK headliners including STEVE BUGEJA, SARA BARRON, MATT RICHARDSON, CAREY MARX and STUART GOLDSMITH are joined by featured acts such as JACOB HAWLEY, ELEANOR TIERNAN, FUNMBI OMOTAYO and FINLAY CHRISTIE. Every Saturday.

Stand Up For The Weekend – photo: Hen & Chicken

September 5: Beyond Bristol Again: Another 24 country walks, Bookhaus
Beyond Bristol launches another book in their popular series, outlining 24 of the best walks in and around Bristol.

September 6: Magic night, The Bristol Fringe
A free entry night of intimate, close quarters bar magic at the Clifton bar/venue.

SPONSORED
September 6: Blissful sound bath & guided meditation journey, The Mount Without
Come and join Annette and Rounik for a deeply relaxing and reflective Sound Bath in the breath-taking, mystical Bristol venue, The Mount Without.

Sound healing is a wonderfully restorative and relaxing experience, nourishing us on so many levels. It can also be the catalyst for timely change , shifts and further awakening.

Sound Bath at The Mount Without – photo: The Mount Without

September 7: Cables and Cameras presents: Regional Voices, The Cube
A collection of short films followed by a panel discussion, aiming to shine a spotlight on the many talented black and brown filmmakers of the South West.

September 8-10: Bristol Wing Fest, Lloyds Amphitheatre
A celebration of the humble chicken wing on Bristol’s harbourside. Over 100,000 wings are planned to be served across the three days.

SPONSORED
September 8-14: Past Lives, Watershed
Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are torn apart when Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea to Canada. Twenty years later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront notions of love and destiny.

SPONSORED
September 9-October 29: Academician candidates exhibition, RWA
Discover the 2023 RWA Academician Candidates. Running alongside the Annual Open Exhibition are this 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!

RWA exterior – photo: RWA

SPONSORED
September 9-January 14: 170 Annual Open Exhibition, RWA
The RWA (Royal West Academy) is delighted to announce the return of its renowned Annual Open Exhibition for the 170th year, this dynamic and varied exhibition highlights 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 will be for sale, making this a wonderful opportunity to discover new artists or invest in well-known names.

RWA 170 annual open – photo: RWA

September 9: Shall Not Fade Festival 2023, Propyard
With a stacked lineup of some of the underground dance scene’s top names, the Bristol label gives us the only place to be for bass music fans this weekend.

SPONSORED
Wednesdays: Strictly Stand Up, Hen & Chicken
The Comedy Box is launching a brand new weekly midweek show on Wednesdays called STRICTLY STAND UP ON WEDNESDAYS. Also in the Hen & Chicken Studio, this new show will feature a mix of circuit headliners and exciting circuit new stars with tickets starting from only a tenner. Launch night is Wednesday 13 September. Headliners include MICHAEL FABBRI, TOM DEACON, HATTY PRESTON and MICKY OVERMAN. Every Wednesday.

Strictly Stand Up – photo: The Comedy Box

September 10: Stokes Croft China decorating workshop, Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft
A relaxed session in the Stokes Croft community space, where you’ll decorate and take home your own piece of china.

September 11: Monday night breathwork, The Hideout
What better way to start the week than with some cleansing, refreshing breathwork, suitable for all levels of experience.

September 12: Northern soul workshop, Attic Bar
If you’ve always wanted to learn the ways of northern soul dancing, Attic Bar is the place to be for a workshop in the craft.

SPONSORED
September 13-30: Kathy & Stella solve a murder!, Bristol Old Vic
BFFs Kathy and Stella host Hull’s least successful true-crime podcast. When their favourite author is killed, they are thrust into a thrilling whodunnit of their own! Can they crack the case (and become global podcast superstars) before the killer strikes again…?

A hilarious murder mystery musical from the Olivier Award-winning team behind Fleabag. Tickets in high demand. Runs at Bristol Old Vic 13 – Sat 30 Sep.

Kathy and Stella solve a murder – photo: Bristol Old Vic

September 13: CDR x Saffron artist talk w/ Yushh, Dareshack
In collaboration with female dance music collective Saffron, Dareshack are hosting an artist talk from the Pressuredome label head.

September 14: Crotch, Strange Brew
After a summer holidays hiatus, the Bristol favourite queer club nights collective returns with a no holds barred party at the Brew.

September 15: The Constitution x Belters present: STICK WORLD, Loco Klub
A completely immersive club experience unlike any other, the two Bristol promoters team up to transform the tunnels under the train station into an interactive rave playground.

SPONSORED
September 15: In:Motion opening party, Document
Motion’s flagship event series, In:Motion, returns this autumn after a 3 year hiatus. On Friday 15th September, the 2023 season kicks off with a Launch Party at the new 3000 capacity central Bristol warehouse venue, DOCUMENT. Bristol’s very own Clipz brings his new event concept Shoulder II Shoulder to DOCUMENT with a stacked line up featuring Special Request, P-Rallel, Om-Unit and more.

The party will be the opening of Motion’s new venue Document – photo: Chris Cooper

September 16: Oktoberfest 2023, Lost & Grounded
The popular brewery opens its doors for a celebration of all things beer as part of the German festival.

SPONSORED
September 16: Trick Bristol, Document
Patrick Topping brings TRICK back to Bristol for their only South-West show of 2023! After selling out Motion in record time last November, this year’s TRICK show will be part of the opening weekend of events at our new 3000 capacity warehouse venue, DOCUMENT. Topping will be joined by TRICK favourites, Hannah Laing, Morgan Seatree and Hykken.

The event takes place on the opening weekend of Motion’s new Document venue – photo: Alastair Brookes

SPONSORED
September 16: Walk Like a Man, Redgrave Theatre
Walk Like A Man, is the ultimate multi award winning tribute show to The Four Seasons and Tony Award winning true-life musical phenomenon, Jersey Boys. With incredible vocals, slick moves, infectious charm and timeless music, Walk Like A Man will have you hooked from the very beginning.

Walk like a man – photo: Redgrave Theatre

September 17: St George’s Big Birthday Bash, St George’s
The central Bristol music hall celebrates turning 200 years old, with music, poetry and activities taking place across the venue throughout the day.

September 18: ‘CENSORED’ exhibition, Centrespace Gallery
An exhibition exploring the idea of censorship, particularly based around the polarising issue of nipple censorship.

September 19: Tough Sell #1, The Cube
The DIY arts/culture review zine starts its own events series, hosting some of Bristol’s unsung creatives for an evening of music and culture.

SPONSORED
September 19: Erland Cooper, Redgrave Theatre
Hailed as ‘nature’s songwriter’ for his work celebrating themes of the natural world, place, people and time – radical Scottish composer Erland Cooper pushes his connection to the environment even further into unchartered new realms with his latest album, ‘Folded Landscapes’. Cooper, who has always been comfortable merging music with evocative storytelling and conceptual art, now sets his sights on working through a lens of urgent observations surrounding climate change as the focal point for his latest album. Notably, his belief in finding solutions to complex problems between despair and the spirit of hope. Using drastic temperature changes – from sub-zero to hottest on record – he developed this piece for chamber string ensemble, piano, voice, harpsichord, electronics & field recordings.

Erland Cooper – photo: Bristol Beacon

September 20: Clifton Suspension Bridge 2-Hour Hard Hat Tour, Clifton Suspension Bridge
Explore the hidden tunnels underneath Bristol’s most famous landmark with two experienced guides.

September 21 & 22: Ocean Film Festival, Redgrave Theatre
A weekend of a collection of some of the most beautiful ocean films, touring the UK.

September 22: Ec2a presents… 003, Clock Factory
The Bristol based bass driven label invites down some of the UK scene’s most exciting upcoming names for a forward thinking night of bass at the central Bristol warehouse venue.

SPONSORED
September 23: Classics by candlelight, The Red Lodge Museum
Be bathed in the warming glow of a candlelight concert! Step into the hidden gem of the 1904 Arts Club, Clifton, and experience a beautiful evening of classical music surrounded by stunning candlelight in one of the most unique, quirky spaces in Bristol.

The 1904 arts club is a unique ‘tithe barn’ styled performance hall hidden away behind the Red Lodge Museum just off Park Street. This space is full of quirky artefacts and is the perfect backdrop for a relaxing evening of stunning music to candlelight.

Arranged for string quartet, flute and piano, the programme includes compositions from Mozart, Bach, Handel, Gambarini & Haydn. Be delighted by new arrangements of well-known pieces in a huge range of musical styles! Baroque and classical era works have been honed in arrangements that give familiar music a new lease of life.

Enjoy a glass or two of your favourite drink accompanied by a light snack from the bar before the concert and during the interval.

Classics by candlelight – photo: Bristol Ensemble

September 23: Dubtendo – Bristol, Loco Klub
One of the most popular stages at Boomtown Festival comes to the Loco Klub, reimagining the tunnels with games, full decor, and of course, wicked DJs.

September 24: ThreadGames: A nuclear double bill, Old IMAX Bristol Aquarium
A double screening of nuclear themed flicks at the old abandoned IMAX theatre attached to the side of the Aquarium.

September 25: Ten Trips – The new reality of psychedelics, Bookhaus
A discussion from Neuropsychologist Andy Mitchell, as he talks about his experiences trying psychedelics in ten vastly different environments.

September 26: Cricket: England Vs Ireland, Seat Unique Stadium
Head to the Bishopston cricket ground to see England take on Ireland this September.

September 27 – October 1: Encounters Film Festival, Watershed
With over 4,000 films submitted, the five day festival showcases some of the finest independent festivals submitted in the past year.

SPONSORED
September 27: Gitkin Live, Art Club
Velvet echoes and extra terrestrial promotions present rhythmic world music artist Gitkin with support from Brighton based surf rockers Hutch.

This world renowned psychedelic Groover hailing from Brooklyn is ready to entice Bristol with his blend of enchantingly rhythmic psychedelic music.

Gitkin at Art Club – photo: Velvet Echoes Records

September 28 – October 1: Bristol Cocktail Weekend, various locations
Hosted at various bars and venues across the city, the weekend will be a celebration of the cocktail, and will no doubt be full to the brim with workshops, talks and drinking.

September 29: no_one: Teki Latex b2b Neffa T, Strange Brew
A booking of unheard of proportions at Strange Brew. Both DJs are internationally renowned for their frantic, expertly timed and skilled blends. Having never gone head to head before, it will be an evening to behold.

SPONSORED
September 29 onwards: The Old Oak, Watershed
New from Ken Loach. TJ Ballantyne the landlord hangs on to The Old Oak by his fingertips, and his predicament is endangered even more when the pub becomes contested territory after the arrival of Syrian refugees who are placed in the village without any notice.

SPONSORED
September 29: Alexander O’Neal + Support from Laid Blak, Central Warehouse
After nearly five decades in the business it is with great excitement that legendary singer Alexander O’Neal heads out on his Time to Say Goodbye: Farewell World Tour.The beloved soul star is hitting the road one final time with this show being his final Bristol appearance, with a full live band.

Alexander O’Neal at Central Warehouse – photo: Central Warehouse

September 30: Shangri-La summer after party, Lost Horizon
The team behind one of Glastonbury’s most popular stages come to Lost Horizon, keeping the vibes alive with electrifying funk from Stone Cold Hustle and some of Bristol’s most energetic DJs.

And coming soon…

SPONSORED
October 1: LYR, Redgrave Theatre
LYR – the musical collaboration between poet laureate Simon Armitage and artist/producers Richard Walters and Patrick Pearson – present their powerful second album ‘The Ultraviolet Age’. More accessible, more poignant, more widescreen than their debut, the album is pitched somewhere between the enigmatic brood of late period Talk Talk, the lo-fi expanse of Low and their British sprechgesang contemporaries including Dry Cleaning, Yard Act and Black Country, New Road. It is an album of deft character sketches, dictatorships, the climate crisis and its centrepiece a gorgeous and moving reflection on the COVID-19 pandemic.

SPONSORED
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

SPONSORED
October 18: Children of Zeus  + Support from Eva Lazarus, King Original and Hold Tight Records, Central Warehouse
Manchester’s kings of neo-soul Children of Zeus return to Bristol for a headline midweek concert, alongside Bristol’s stage queen Eva Lazarus, East London’s King Original (Footsie, Sir Spyro & Jah Model), Hold Tight Records and upcoming afrobeats selectress Leiko, in Bristol’s newly licensed ‘Central Warehouse’ event space.

Children of Zeus – photo: Central Warehouse

SPONSORED
October 21: Down Stokes Music Festival, Crofters Rights
Velvet Echoes and Conscious sounds present Down Stokes. A festival celebrating independent music venues in Stokes Croft. Live visuals, Psych rock, Fuzz, Shoegaze, synth wave and more.

Down Stokes Festival – photo: Velvet Echoes Records

SPONSORED
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: Khali Ackford

Read next:

• New Acta show revisits the heyday of Bedminster Hippodrome
• Breakdancing magician Magical Bones brings ‘soulful magic’ show to Redgrave Theatre
• The best of Bristol: Acts to watch at this year’s Forwards Festival

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