By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist and Amelia McCabe, Deputy Arts Editor 25/26
Bristol is always filled with upcoming arts events so we thought we would highlight some of the most exciting upcoming events that you can attend. These range from free to paid events spanning exhibitions to book festivals. Make sure to check out epitome in the print edition for some more events in the city!
Indie author book fair-
Saturday 8th November 11am-4pm , Sparks Bristol in city centre, FREE
This accessible book fair promises to be a great day out for all book lovers, perhaps you could bring a friend you met at one of our fresher book club recommendations or go alone and meet some inspiring authors. This gives you the rare opportunity to get books signed and speak to the authors themselves! There is also the chance to win prizes with each book purchased providing a raffle ticket. You can get your tickets here.
Clifton literature festival-
14th-16th November, various locations around Clifton, most events are £12 with the young people writing workshops priced at £8:
The Bristol book event of the year is finally back with an eclectic lineup! You can find the full lineup, and ticketing information on the website.
The festival spans topics from politics, the environment, writing workshops and author discussions. My top picks include:
- ‘ Another England, Politics and Protest’ -Caroline Lucas- Friday 14th 7-9pm Christ church
- ‘ Jane Austen's Clifton’ -Andrew Swift- Saturday 15th 1:30-2:30 pm, Clifton Club
- ‘ Trig Point-poetry’ by Rosie Jackson, Bethany Handley and Vanessa Lampert- Saturday 15th, 3-4:30 pm
- ‘ Polly Toynbee and David Walker in conversation with Carla Denyer MP’ -Saturday 15th, 3-4pm, Christ Church
- ‘ Celebrating Bristol's distinguished writers’ -Harriet Baker, Johanna Thomas-Corr and Edson Burton-Sunday 16th 12-1pm, Rose theatre, Clifton high school
- ‘ The Palestinians-Jonathan Dimbleby’ -Sunday 16th, 3-4pm, school hall Clifton high school
- ‘ How to get published-Finding your voice and audience in the digital age’ -Sunday 16th, 3-4:30pm
Totterdown arts trail-
Saturday November 15 to Sunday November 16, Totterdown, FREE
Totterdown arts trail – which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this November – stands alone as one of Bristol’s longest running, non-profit arts events. Located in the of south Bristol, this gives you the opportunity to experience the lesser traipsed areas and artists that Bristol has to offer. Featuring over 100 local artists and their work, spanning from jewellery and sculptures to performance arts, the trail caters to the interests of every student.
Look out for the signs in the south Bristol area – provided by the Bristol based Estate Agents, Boardwalk - if you are interested in attending. With their iconic estate-agent style boards, it’s hard to miss! But if you are looking for a more specialised itinerary of everything that Totterdown Arts Trail has to offer, you can find it here.
Student Theatre £10 and Under-
- Peter Pan, Clifton College
November 12th to 15th, Redgrave Theatre, £10 tickets
A modern adaption of J.M. Barrie’s original tale, featuring ‘steampunk pirates, tribal Lost boys, and mystical mermaids’. Moving away from the stereotypical ‘fairytale’, the musical features the Darling children’s wild adventure in the exciting, but oddly chilling, Never Land.
‘It’s for anyone who’s ever wanted to fly – and anyone who’s ever feared falling’ - Immersion Therapy, Bristol Spotlights
November 12th to 15th, The Winston Theatre, £6 tickets
Feeling sore about a recent breakup or, simply, attempting to get over that summer situationship? Bristol University’s Spotlights offer Immersion Therapy, an innovative play written by students that offers a solution to any relationship-related blues. - A Christmas Carol, Old Vic Theatre School
November 24th to 29th, Redgrave Theatre, £7.60 for Under 25 tickets
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School returns this year with a refreshing adaptation of A Christmas Carol to get you into – or out of - your Christmas spirit. Described as a ‘theatrical feast’, it fulfils its reputation with a healthy feature of Dickensian humour, ghostly escapades, and festive spirit.
Tylah Hendrickson
Exhibitions-
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year
October 31st to April 26th, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, £6 tickets - Female Pioneers of Reggae
November 10th to 17th, Bristol Old Vic, FREE - Small Things, Big Voices
November 11th to January 4th, RWA, FREE - Talks4Change
November 11th, Wills Memorial Building, £10 tickets
Featured Image: Epigram/Alex Boersma
Which events will you attend?
