Things to do in Bristol

55 activities, venues and outings in Bristol, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 55.

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Bristol Old Vic
Bristol's main repertory theatre, located in the city centre.
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Gloucestershire CCC
The county team play cricket in Division Two of the County Championship.
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Hengrove Park Leisure Centre
Gym, Olympic swimming pool, 4 court sports hall, dance studio, health suite, and an 8-m climbing wall to the south of Bristol.
Mon Tue Thu 5:30AM-8:30PM, Wed 5:30AM-10PM, Sat Sun 06AM-7:30PMSwimming: £4.60 for adults, £3 for kids; Gym £6.70 for adults and £3.50 for kids
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Hippodrome
Theatre hosting opera and musical events. Seats can get expensive so reserve early in advance, grab an afternoon ticket on a weekday if possible which are significantly cheaper than evening and weekend tickets (often half price or less).
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Leigh Woods
National nature reserve with a history that dates back to a hill fort in the Middle Ages. The woods have hiking trails and mountain biking circuits (from moderate to advanced difficulty levels) signposted. It's possible to descend into the Avon Gorge on the north side of the woods, although you'll need dry weather for this — after rain the trails turn into a mud swamp.
Open now · open 24 hoursFree
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Showcase Cinema
Bristol's first multiplex cinema, the Showcase has been open since at least the mid-1990s. Rarely busy, so you always have plenty of seating choice.
£7.95
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Thekla
The famous club on a boat, sporting a Banksy graffiti work and prime location by Queens Square.
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Undercover Rock
Climbing centre housed in the former church of St. Werburgh's, with numerous climbing walls of varying difficulty levels. Training for beginners is available as well. It's not possible to climb the tower, but the interior of this historic building will definitely leave you speechless while dangling on a rope!
Mon-Fri 9:30AM-10PM, Sat Sun 9:30AM-6PM£7-9
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Wake The Tiger
An experience best described as a mix of art installations in an overarching fantasy themed setting, focussing on audiovisual sensations. Visitors enter the parallel world of Meridia through a portal on a construction site, which through experimentation in the fields of Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water aims to solve its imminent environmental disaster. This indoor activity is suited for all ages, with accessibility for wheelchairs, and offers 2 to 3 hours of entertainment on rainy days. Booking tickets in advance is recommended, especially for families and groups.
10:00 - 18:00 dailyGBP 15
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Wickham Theatre
University of Bristol's theatre, hosting student and professional performances.
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Alma Tavern Theatre
Theatre on the first floor of the Alma Tavern & Theatre pub in Clifton, a short walk from Whiteladies Road. The theatre seats 50, with the bar on the ground floor.
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Anson Rooms
University Union
From comedians to live music, many renowned artists and the universities' students often perform here.
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Arnolfini
Right on the water's edge at Narrow Quay, this contemporary arts centre includes a cinema showing alternative and arthouse films. And the quayside is a great place to soak up the sun with a beer from the cafe!
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Black Swan
A pub that regularly hosts alternative liberal, electronic dance, rave music events.
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Bristol City
"The Robins" play soccer in the Championship, the second tier. Their home ground Ashton Gate has a 27,000 capacity, and in 2025 hosted games in the Women's Rugby Union World Cup. Bristol women's team play in the Women's Championship at Robins High Performance Centre five miles west of the city.
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Bristol Film Festival
Established in 2015, this festival celebrates the film heritage of Bristol with a screening of vintage and family films.
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Bristol Improv Theatre
The Bristol Improv Theatre is the UK's first dedicated improv theatre. It hosts a regular programme of shows and performances.
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Bristol Open Doors Day
See a variety of buildings open on this weekend, including places which are not normally open to the public. You can just turn up for some of the more than 100 buildings, but many require advance bookings.
weekend in early September, next 15 - 17 Sept 2023
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Bristol Rovers
Rovers play in League Two, the fourth tier. Their stadium has a 12,000 capacity.
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Cube Microplex
Hidden away not far from the bus station, this small non-profit making co-operative venue is housed in a beautifully shabby 1960s theatre. It's run entirely by volunteers and specialises in experimental film, music and performance. A unique experience.
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Ferry Boat Co.
Catch a ferry and enjoy the exciting world of Bristol's Historic Harbour for a round trip tour, hop-on and hop-off, or getting from A to B; and to many of the harbourside attractions. Timetables are available online and at many places in the city.
Throughout the day
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Full Moon & Eclipse
Formerly an important Metal and Punk venue but has now become a backpacker hostel with some music events targeted at their guests.
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Jump
Bristol Jump has enormous adventure play-frames: a space zone, a galleon and an enchanted castle. At 22,000 sq feet it is the largest dedicated indoor soft play centre in England and it is tucked away in the back of Cribbs Causeway! There are also huge inflatables, an indoor football pitch, ten-pin bowling and an enormous zone just for toddlers. They also offer themed party rooms, a café and different activities every day.
Daily 10AM-6:30PM; school holidays 9:30AM-6PMBabies: £1.00; 1 to 3 years: £5.50; 4+ years: £6.50; adults: £1.75; OAPS: £1.00 (on production of a bus pass)
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Kelvin Studios
Home to the Kelvin Players Theatre Company, an amateur theatre group on Gloucester Road.
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Odeon Cinema
Three-screen mainstream cinema located in the centre of Bristol
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Pirate Walks
Join Pirate Pete for a 1-hour guided walking tour of Bristol's historic harbourside. Walking tours of Bristol's 16th-, 17th- and 18th-century Maritime History of discovery, trade, slavery and piracy (always call before visiting).
Adults £6.00, children £3.50
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Redgrave Theatre
320-seat theatre hosting amateur drama, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School productions and concerts.
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St George's
Wide variety of acoustic music including classical, world and jazz.
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The Comedy Box
Usually hosted above the Hen and Chicken pub on North Street, Southville but sometimes at the nearby Tobacco Factory (especially for more popular acts). Has hosted a number of major stand-up acts, including Mark Thomas, Sue Perkins, Ed Byrne and Marcus Brigstocke.
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The Croft
The croft has a policy of supporting new music of every style and scheduling mainly homegrown talent.
Free M-W before 10PM, and then a charge on Th-Su
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The Louisiana
Bands that have played here include Coldplay, the Whitestripes, Kings of Leon, and Keane.
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Tobacco Factory Theatre and Brewery Theatre
A hidden gem outside the city centre, in the Southville area of town. Well known for being involved in some of the most cutting-edge theatre in the city.
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Upfest
Europe's largest free street art festival, 17 days in late May, early June. Worth exploring the murals visible all year. Maps of murals available on webpage. Also has a gallery at 198 North Street, BS3 1JF, open Tu-Sa 10AM-5.30PM Su 10AM-3PM.
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Victoria Rooms
The University of Bristol's Department of Music. A wide range of music is presented in their free Wednesday lunchtime concert series, often given by established professional performers. Other [evening] concerts include the universities' symphony and chamber orchestras. Times and prices vary, contact the department for more information.
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Vue Cinemas
There are two of these Warner Village cinemas in Bristol, one near the Mall out-of-town shopping centre at Cribbs Causeway (near the M5/M4 junction) and the other in Longwell Green, off the A4174 Ring Road. Both are modern multiplex type cinemas with approx 10 screens.
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Watershed
The primary hub for art-house film in the city centre with a lovely (WiFi enabled) cafe too.
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Urban Tiger
Strip club near the Waterfront.
Fri Sat 9PM-4AM
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Bristol (O2) Academy
Large gigs and club nights
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Bristol Beacon
formerly Colston Hall
Wide variety of concerts, gigs and performances.
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Bristol Bierkeller
Rock, Metal, Punk, Goth, Alternative.

Browse all 167 places in Bristol

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Bristol (CC BY-SA 4.0).