Features / Things to do
16 things to do in Bristol in 2016
February 6: Just Jack 10th Birthday, Motion
One of Bristol’s most loved party brands, Just Jack regularly go beyond the call of duty with both bookings and production values. The lineup for this one is secret, but you know it’ll be special.
www.motionbristol.com/event/just-jack-10th-birthday
February 11-April 30: Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory, Factory Theatre
Marking four centuries since the playwright’s death, STF and Tobacco Factory Theatres offer an all-Bard season with Hamlet followed by All’s Well That Ends Well.
stf-theatre.org.uk/current-productions/
February 12-14: 6 Music Festival, various venues
The music lineup so far includes Primal Scream, Roni Size, Tricky, The Blue Aeroplanes, Pinch and Beak with many more to be announced. 6 Music Festival by Day will feature spoken word, poetry and performance events.
www.bbc.co.uk/events/eq6c8g
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February 20: Tokyo World, Motion
As well as September’s blowout in Eastville Park, Tokyo World are currently planning their first camping festival. February’s event at Motion may well be their last in a club, and will feature live bands and DJs from across the spectrum.
www.motionbristol.com/event/tokyo-world-2016-festival-launch
February 26-March 26: Bath Literature Festival, various venues
Always a stellar lineup of writers and this year is no different. Alice Roberts, Brian Blessed, Harry Leslie Smith, Gloria Steinem and Pat Barker are among the big hitters.
www.bathfestivals.org.uk/literature
March 11-13: Bristol Film Festival, various venues
This new addition to Bristol’s film festival calendar promises talks, performances, workshops and immersive screenings – including Sideways in Averys Wine Cellars and The Descent in Redcliffe Caves.
Released March 18: High-Rise
Tom Hiddleston and Jeremy Irons star in Sightseers director Ben Wheatley’s eagerly anticipated adaptation of the JG Ballard classic.
March 18-20: Bristol International Jazz & Blues Festival, Colston Hall
This wonderful event grows in stature with every passing year. Maceo Parker and Courtney Pine are among the big names for 2016.
www.bristoljazzandbluesfest.com
April 22-July 17: Art from Elsewhere, Arnolfini
Major touring exhibition bringing together international art works from UK galleries, all of which depict different realities of profound global change.
www.arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/art-from-elsewhere-international-contemporary-art-from-uk-galleries
May 12-22: Mayfest, various venues
Bristol’s annual smorgasbord of adventurous theatre and performance is a highlight of any culture vulture’s calendar. Look forward to more astonishing, adventurous and ground-breaking fare.
www.mayfestbristol.co.uk
May 28 & 29: Love Saves the Day, Eastville Park
LStD always kicks off festival season in style. This year they add Arcadia’s Afterburner – a gigantic flame-spewing rocket ship – to the lengthy list of attractions.
www.lovesavestheday.org
June: Bristol Summer Series, Lloyds Amphitheatre
2016 will be the third year of the popular annual event, with previous acts taking to the outdoor stage including George Ezra, Kaiser Chiefs, Paolo Nutini and The Pogues.
www.bristolsummerseries.com
June 2-5: Temples Festival, Motion
“No sponsors, no gods, no masters” is the mantra of this celebration of all things heavy. This year’s highlights include Bongripper, Weekend Nachos and All Pigs Must Die.
www.templesfestival.co.uk
June 28-July 3: Bristol Comedy Garden, Queen Square
The Comedy Garden packs an impressive comedic punch, a little more so each year. 2015’s standouts included Sara Pascoe, Stewart Lee, Katherine Ryan and Stephen K Amos.
www.bristolcomedygarden.co.uk
Released October 28: Doctor Strange
2016 brings endless bloody comicbook adaptations now that DC are beginning to muscle in on Marvel’s act. But this one has a more high-powered cast than its rivals with Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Released November 18: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, various cinemas
He’s already been a lady and Stephen Hawking, and now Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne transforms himself into a ‘Magizoologist’ for the first part of this Harry Potter prequel series.
