Oh how we missed the awesome culture venues and events in Bristol during lockdown. Months without being able to pop to Bristol Museum, wander around the SS Great Britain or catch an exhibition at the RWA.
But many of our favourites venues have now reopened and we can enjoy some much-needed events in Bristol.
We’ve listed them below and will keep this post updated as more venues reveal their opening dates and events are confirmed.
If you can visit, please do. They really need our support.
The image above is of the wonderful social distancing hearts project by Bristol City Centre BID, Upfest and Plaster. It’s part of the Bristol Together initiative, also supported by Visit Bristol, Business West, Broadmead BID, One City Economy Board and Bristol City Council.
Art galleries
Arnolfini – now open
Contemporary art gallery Arnolfini has returned with a major exhibition by photographer Hassan Hajjaj. The press release tells us: “With his exuberant melee of colours, patterns, appropriated brand logos and found objects, acclaimed Moroccan-British photographer invites you on an exploration of global culture across continents in his series Hassan Hajjaj: The Path.” The exhibition is free but donate if you can. We’ve seen this exhibition and it’s brilliant!
Also on display is Chantal Joffe: For Esme – with Love and Squalor, which explores the intimate act of painting and portraiture, plus various family workshops. Find out more.
RWA Bristol – now open
We love the RWA and it’s brilliant to see Bristol’s oldest art gallery open its doors once again.
The epic Annual Open Exhibition opens for the 168th year on 21 November with over 600 works covering painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, installation and mixed media. We definitely won’t miss that one! Find out more.
Museums and other visitor attractions
SS Great Britain – now open
It’s a big year for Brunel’s great ship as 50 years ago on 19 July, the world-famous SS Great Britain returned to Bristol. She’s back open for pre-booked slots. You can book yours here. Don’t forget that your ticket gives you unlimited return visits for a year!
Wild Place Project – now open
We’ve already been to Wild Place since it reopened and we had a brilliant time! Giraffes, zebras and meerkats are just some of the animals on show, but the absolute highlight is the spectacular Bear Wood which is home to bears, wolves and wolverines plus a lynx with her new born kittens which we were delighted to spot! Book tickets in advance here.
🦒 A great visit to @wild_place recently. So good to see it open again!
🐯 Amazing to see the newest arrivals; eight week old lynx kittens who were born during lockdown!@VisitBristol #Bristol #BristolTogether pic.twitter.com/8GjVgDPtNW
— Nina🇫🇷 & Dan🇬🇧 in #Bristol (@LStyleDistrict) July 28, 2020
Tyntesfield – now open
As National Trust members, we are regulars at the spectacular Victorian Gothic country house and estate in the Somerset countryside. Although the house hasn’t yet reopened, you can visit the gorgeous grounds. You need to pre-book a slot, even if you’re a member. We haven’t been able to get a ticket yet though so it seems to be very popular!
Aerospace Bristol – now open
We last visited this museum just before Christmas and loved it. It tells the story of Bristol’s aviation achievements and includes a Concorde that you can climb aboard! Find out more and book your trip here.
✈️ Brilliant time at @BristolAero yesterday for a @VisitBristol #MerryBristmas adventure, a few days after the 16th anniversary of Concorde’s last flight & its iconic lap of honour over #Bristol #ad #gifted
See what we got up to in our Instagram story https://t.co/YiTDPpmD73 pic.twitter.com/YY2Mvf6KKC
— Nina🇫🇷 & Dan🇬🇧 in #Bristol (@LStyleDistrict) December 1, 2019
M Shed – now open
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery – now open
We’ve spent many hours at these two museums so it’s great to hear that they are reopening! Visits must be pre-booked in advance. Find out more.
The following exhibitions are taking place:
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Extended until 4 October at M Shed. Tickets purchased before lockdown remain valid but you must pre-book a timeslot. Get a ticket here.
Do you believe in magic?
Extended until 28 February 2021 at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. Entry is pay what you think.
Being Human: An exhibition of modern sculpture
Extended until 5 April 2021 at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.
Vanguard | Bristol Street Art: The evolution of a global movement
Will now take place at M Shed in summer 2021.
We The Curious – Reopens on 6 November
We The Curious looks set to return will a corker of an exhibition! The team has been developing a new exhibition for three years and based on more than 10,000 questions collected from the public across Bristol, Project What If is inspired by the curiosity of the city’s residents. The seven selected questions will inform seven exhibition areas – called ‘constellations’ – covering themes including illness, rainbows, happiness, the universe, invisibility and time. It sounds brilliant! Find out more here.
Events in Bristol
Bristol Old Vic live performances
After being closed since March, the absolutely awesome Bristol Old Vic reopened for a series of experimental performances on 20 August. Taking place on the Courtyard Stage in the theatre’s spectacular main foyer, bar and cafe, you can book tables of two, four or six to watch the shows.
The programme started with a live performance by Vanessa Kisuule and we were there! It was an amazing evening with the woman whose recent poem, ‘Hollow’, about the toppling of Edward Colston’s statue went viral online.
🎭 A joy to see a live performance again last night and to back in the amazing @BristolOldVic
🎙 Fantastic evening of poetry by @Vanessa_Kisuule #Bristol #VisitBristol #BristolTogether pic.twitter.com/5PkoQx9Ppd
— Nina🇫🇷 & Dan🇬🇧 in #Bristol (@LStyleDistrict) August 21, 2020
Some performances are now also taking place in Bristol’s Old Vic’s awesome main auditorium.
Upcoming shows:
Sherlock in Homes is a murder mystery show via Zoom! It runs until 7 November. Book here.
Private Peaceful takes place in the main auditorium. It’s the Barn Theatre’s acclaimed reimagining of Michael Morpurgo’s classic First World War tale which returns to the home of the original world premiere from 21 – 24 October. Book here.
Lyrikal Warriors is on the Courtyard Stage on 23 October. Embark on an unforgettable journey through the rugged, sweet landscape of words as resistance – from spoken word to dub poetry, calypso to hip hop – with some of Bristol’s finest lyrical warriors: Muneera Pilgrim, Saili Katebe, Donna Pinnock and Kilaze. Book here.
The Six Wives of Henry VIII is on the Courtyard Stage on 3-5 November. It’s described as “original music, embroidery, barbie dolls, silly songs and historical hysteria” that “promises to be an ill-researched lesson in cross-dressing Tudor history that you’ll never forget”. Book here.
Desert Island Theatre with Stephanie Cole on 6 November is a one-hour conversation with the distinguished performer known for her roles on TV’s Open All Hours and Waiting For God and many theatrical shows. Book here.
Bristol Old Vic tours
Bristol Old Vic is one of our absolute favourite venues and while we still have to wait to see a show in the stunning auditorium, it’s fantastic to see the theatre starting to reopen with tours. Given the building is more than 250 years old, it’s a fascinating place to visit! Tours run every Wednesday (and some Saturdays) at 10am and 11am until 31 October. It’s one group per booking for a flat rate of £45 but it can be up to 20 people, so get a group together! Find out more.
St George’s Bristol
The concert hall with absolutely amazing acoustics is back.
There are various concerts and spoken word performances in the venue’s garden and the stunning auditorium. Included on the bill is a show by West Country legends, The Wurzels! Find out more.
