22 things to look forward to in Bristol in 2022

What are some of the best things happening in Bristol this year?

It will be the final chance to visit Bristol Zoo’s historic site in Clifton, big anniversaries for much-loved institutions such as Watershed and 20th Century Flicks, and in May there will be a citywide referendum to decide if we want to keep the position of elected mayor.

Here are 22 things to look forward to in Bristol in 2022:

1. RWA reopening

Works will improve visitor experience from first glimpse, widening windows and opening up new glass doorways – image: RWA

The Royal West of England Academy is due to reopen in April following a £4.1m refurbishment. Known as the Light and Inspiration Project, it hopes to preserve the exceptional quality of the building while also making urgent structural repairs, as well as improve access and improve the visitor experience.

2. Chocolate Path reopening

The chocolate path in happier times in 2014, although some subsidence can already be seen – photo by Jon Usher

The Chocolate Path may not be quite as grand as the RWA but it is just as important in the fabric of Bristol. It has been out of action since December 2017 due to serious subsidence, with part of it collapsing into the New Cut in early 2020. The path is currently being fixed as part of plans to “future-proof” the city’s historic harbourside infrastructure. We will even be able to ride on the newly opened path on one of hundreds of new electric hire bikes that will be appearing in Bristol this year.

3. Watershed and 20th Century Flicks’ 40th birthdays

In the early 1980s, the City was looking to regenerate the derelict dockside area – photo: Bristol Archives

Two cinematic institutions both celebrate their 40th birthdays this year. 20th Century Flicks began in Redland and was based in Clifton for many years before finding its current home on Christmas Steps. When Watershed opened in 1982 it was billed as “Britain’s first media centre”. Expect some special events from both throughout 2022.

4. Wiper & True’s new taproom opens

The Wiper & True team outside their brewery in St Werburgh’s – photo: Wiper & True

Wiper & True begun life as a gypsy brewer, using other breweries’ equipment to make their beers. They are currently based in St Werburgh’s, but this year will be opening new premises within a 28,000 sq ft warehouse at City Business Park on Easton Road in Lawrence Hill, close to Easton Leisure Centre. Their core range will be brewed there, with barrel-ageing and brewing more experimental beers still taking place in St Werburgh’s.

5. A Hero Like Me

Mark Quinn’s sculpture of Jen Reid, A Surge of Power – photo: Martin Booth

Jen Reid found worldwide fame on June 7 2020 after she stood on top of the Colston plinth and held her fist aloft in the Black Power salute soon after the statue was toppled. A Hero Like Me is a children’s picture book by US-based author Angela Joy, telling the story of Reid on that day, “fictionalising Reid’s experience by imagining an eight-year-old child experiencing that same ‘surge of power’.” By doing so, it will show every child that they have a voice in their community and a say in who is on their streets. That they too, have power.”

6. Mark Rylance makes his Bristol Old Vic debut in Dr Semmelweis

Dr Semmelweis comes to Bristol Old Vic in January 2022, 18 months on from its original dates – photo: Bristol Old Vic

Acclaimed actor Mark Rylance plays the title role in Dr Semmelweis, a world premiere based on his original idea, and developed with writer Stephen Brown and director Tom Morris. “Confronted by the terrible death toll of childbed fever in 19th century Vienna, maverick Doctor Semmelweis makes a discovery that could save hundreds of thousands of new mothers. But when the medical establishment questions his methods, rejects his theory and doubts his sanity, the controversial surgeon finds that being a pioneer is not enough.”

7. Mayfest

Contact Gonzo vs Bristol at Jacob’s Wells Baths as part of Mayfest 2018 – photo: Paul Blakemore

Staying with theatre and it’s the return of the biennial Mayfest which has had more fallow years than expected due to the pandemic. Bristol’s international festival of contemporary theatre is one never to be missed. According to the Guardian, “it’s a mix of work so tasty it makes you want to up sticks and move to Bristol permanently”.

8. Clean Air Zone to be introduced

Bristol’s Clean Air Zone stretches from Bridge Valley Road to the Three Lamps Junction – map: Bristol City Council

After a number of delays, summer 2022 will finally be the year when our city gets a Clean Air Zone. Bristol City Council says that it “offers a balance between improving air quality and the need to support businesses as much as possible”. Private petrol and diesel cars will incur a daily charge of £9 to enter the zone.

9. The final year of Bristol Zoo in Clifton

Rosie the Asian elephant regularly gave rides to children during her time at Bristol Zoo – photo: Bristol Zoological Society

Towards the end of 2021, much of the conversation around the future of Bristol Zoo was centred around the future of their current site. What is certain is that the zoo will be departing from Bristol this year as they join forces with Wild Place out near Cribbs Causeway in South Glos. So enjoy the zoo in its Clifton home while you can.

10. BoxHall opening on Welsh Back

O and M sheds are among the last undeveloped sites on the docks – photo: Martin Booth

An artist’s impression of what BoxHall could look like – image: BoxHall

The first BoxPark opened in Shoreditch in 2012. A decade later, Bristol is due to get BoxHall, promising to “feature only the best local and independent restaurants and street food traders alongside a diverse events programme, showcasing the best of Bristol’s music scene, and a mix of other events including local art shows, live screenings and gaming experiences”.

11. Elton John at Ashton Gate

Live music returns to Ashton Gate this year, with Elton John unlikely to be the only big name playing in BS3. He is playing not one but two shows as part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour on June 22 and June 26.

12. 20th anniversary of Lounge

During work on the original Lounge, the fascia board was striped back revealing the original sign which read The Boys Shop, prompting rumours that a gay bar was opening on North Street – photo: Loungers

Just down the road from Ashton Gate on August 29 2002, three friends, Dave Reid, Alex Reilley and Jake Bishop, opened The Lounge in a former opticians. It has since expanded into the premises next door and the premises next door to that, and has now spawned 77 different Lounges across the UK. One of Bristol’s biggest ever hospitality success stories, there is now an Albero Lounge in Bedford and an Alcampo Lounge in Brighton, a Zinco Lounge in Swansea and a Zorro Lounge in Sheffield.

13. Paraorchestra and Hannah Peel

Released on April 1, The Unfolding is a collaboration between Mercury- and Emmy-nominated musician Hannah Peel and Bristol’s own Paraorchestra, “made over three years in precious morsels of time around a global pandemic. These circumstances – unexpected when the collaboration began – add weight to its explorations in sound about who we are, where we came from, and who we could all be.”

14. Longest Johns release new album

This time last year was the peak of sea shanty love. At the end of 2021, The Longest Johns were due to played three hometown sold-out shows at Thekla as part of their biggest ever UK tour but these were cancelled dur to positive Covid tests among the band. On January 28, they release new album, Smoke & Oakum, and are due to next play in Bristol on May 5 at the O2 Academy.

15. The return of Belly Laughs

Be quick if you want to see a Belly Laughs show in January because they have a habit of selling out quickly, especially in smaller venues which founder and all-round-good-egg Mark Olver has a habit of booking. Keep an eye on Yuup to book your seats.

16. Guangzhou Garden at Botanic Garden

The Guangzhou Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show was described by the RHS as “a calming space that cleverly blurs the boundaries between aquatic and perennial plants” – photo: RHS

Crowned the best show garden at the 2021 Chelsea Flower Show, the Guangzhou Garden is being gifted by Guangzhou to its Bristol and will be rebuilt at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden in Stoke Bishop this year. Bristol has been twinned with Guangzhou since 2001.

17. Clayton Hotel to open on Broad Street

Due to open in early 2022, Clayton Hotel will have 255 bedrooms – image: Clayton Hotels

The historic facade of Everards printworks will become the grand entrance of Bristol’s newest four-star hotel. Clayton Hotel on Broad Street  It will also contain a new restaurant called Everards.

18. England vs South Africa at the County Ground

England games in Bristol are always well attended – photo: Gloucestershire Cricket

England will take on South Africa in a twenty-20 match on the evening of July 27 2022. It will be the first men’s international T20 in Bristol since England played India in 2018. The floodlit match will be the opener of the three-match series against South Africa.

19. Second series of The Outlaws

“Following on directly from the first series, The Outlaws still have time to serve on their sentences – but now they must face the fallout from their actions,” says the publicity for season two. “If they thought the criminal underworld or the local police were done with them, they are sorely mistaken. The Outlaws must depend on one another while working with unlikely allies to atone for their sins – but can they save themselves without sacrificing their souls?”

20. Bristol Comedy Festival

After its original 2020 event was scuppered by the pandemic, the inaugural Bristol Comedy Festival will now be taking place on May 15 at three venues around Old Market: the Exchange, Stag & Hounds and To the Moon. The lineup includes Rosie Jones, Stuart Goldsmith and Abi Clarke, with all tickets costing just £6 in advance or £9 on the door.

21. Bristol Bears Women vs Harlequins Women at Ashton Gate

Bristol Bears Women will face Quins at Ashton Gate on May 7 in the final home fixture of the Allianz 15s regular season. At the end of 2021, Bristol were sitting top of the competition, with seven wins out of eight. Bears chief exec Mark Tainton said: “Bears Women are inspiring our community through their performances and we know that there will be huge support for the team for this game.”

22. Mayoral referendum

It was a decade ago that Bristol took part in a citywide referendum to decide to have a mayoral system of governance. In May, another referendum will give us the choice of retaining the current model or replacing it with a committee system. Expect Twitter to be ablaze with debate and the man in Wetherspoons (to borrow a line from current mayor Marvin Rees) not to give a damn.

Main photo by Paul Blakemore: Paraorchestra’s Smoosh! in Knowle West

Read more: Amazing video released of Smoosh! in Knowle West

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