The streets might be looking a little bare without all the Christmas decorations, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had in Bristol as we welcome in 2022. It’s all about the culture here in Bristol with a feast of different theatre, comedy and art events coming to the city in January 2022.
Walking Tours in Bristol 2022
Departs Bristol Cathedral, College Green - Every Friday night at 8pm
Dark winter evenings are perfect for getting your spook on. Bristol's Haunted and Hidden tour won the 2021 Trip Advisor ‘Certificate of Excellence’ and is a brilliant way to spend a winter’s night.
Hear about ghostly highwaymen, visit haunted houses and take a trip to a haunted cinema – plus you’ll be taken to loads of different TV and film locations.
Big Name Guests at Bristol Hippodrome January 2022
The Hippodrome is starting the new year with a bang, welcoming famous funnyman Jimmy Carr visiting the venue on 23rd January as part of his ‘Terribly Funny’ tour. Tickets and more information are available from the Hippodrome Box Office.
Award-winning singer-songwriter Van Morrison is also visiting Bristol in January 2022. Monday 24th January 2022 sees him return to the Hippodrome. Tickets and more information are available from the Hippodrome Box Office.
Comedy in Bristol January 2022
Laugh your way into 2022 with the ‘Belly Laughs’ comedy festival – and give a helping hand to local charities. Set up by Mark Olver in 2022, Belly Laughs sees topnotch comedians (past events have included Stephen Merchant and Russell Howard) take to the stage in Bristol’s independent food and drink venues over the month. For tickets and more information about Belly Laughs, visit Yupp.
If physical humour is more your thing, January also sees the return of Bristol’s Slapstick Festival, the UK’s biggest celebration of silent, visual and classic screen comedy. Comedians including Richard Herring, Armando Iannucci, Sally Phillips and Lucy Porter will be taking part in a programme of live events across the city from 26th-30th January. Tickets and more information are available at the Slapstick Festival website.
Art and Photography Exhibitions in Bristol January 2022
During lockdown, Grayson Perry helped the nation find comfort and company through art as part of his TV series by Swan Films for Channel 4. Works by artists such as Anneka Rice, Grayon Perry and Banksy are now on display at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery as part of their Winter exhibition programme. For tickets and further information, visit the Grayson’s Art Club page.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is back at M Shed with a brand new set of extraordinary images. From curious underwater species to majestic soaring birds, as always the exhibition showcases the splendour of the natural world with this year’s most remarkable nature photography and photojournalism. For tickets and more information on the exhibition, visit the M Shed page.
A Bonanza of Sport in Bristol this January 2022
Whether it’s football, rugby or basketball, there’s plenty to get the heart rate going this January in Bristol.
On Friday 7th January, Bristol Bears rugby take on Sale Sharks at Ashton Gate stadium in the Gallagher Premiership. There’s also some European action this month as French rugby giants Stade Francais visit on Saturday January 15th as part of the Champions Cup. Tickets for both games are available on the Bristol Sport site.
Ashton Gate is also busy with football this January as Cardiff City pay a visit in an almost-derby on Saturday January 22nd. There’s FA Cup action on 8th January as Championship side Fulham visit Ashton Gate. Tickets available on the Bristol Sport site. Across the city, Bristol Rovers also have a number of home games in January. Hartlepool United visit the Memorial Ground on 15th January and Rovers face Walsall on January 29th. Tickets and information on the Bristol Rovers site.
If basketball’s more your thing, local team Bristol Flyers have a double header against Leicester Riders on 7th and 14th January. Glasgow Rocks are the visitors on 22nd January and Plymouth City Patriots play on the 29th January. All games are at the SGS College Arena and tickets are available on the Bristol Sport website
Family Friendly Activities
If sport or nature exhibitions aren’t for your family, why not visit Slimbridge Wetland Centre on the weekend of Saturday 8th/Sunday 9th January? There’s a whole host of activities, including Deco Demonstrations, Birding for Beginners and ID Workshops. For more information (including tickets), visit the Slimbridge website.
Bristol Theatre Shows and Performances January 2022
The re-scheduled Dr Semmelweis starts at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre on 20th January, as Mark Rylance makes his Bristol Old Vic debut in the World Premiere of this new play developed by Bristol Old Vic in association with Sonia Friedman Productions, the National Theatre and Shakespeare Road. For tickets and other information, visit the Bristol Old Vic website.
Not many theatres can claim to be as cosy as the Alma Tavern in Clifton – or as busy! Their January schedule includes a psychological thriller in a bunker, cabaret performances, a black comedy and love, destiny and soulmates and an irreverent look at celebrity culture. For listings, tickets and other information, visit the Alma Tavern ticket site.
Interesting and Unique Events in Bristol January 2022.
One of the most attractive things about Bristol is that it is a city that walks its own path – so it’s unsurprising that it’s not difficult to find a range of more bizarre activities when visiting the city.
For a different way of exploring the city, why not sign up for the Bristol Treasure Hunt? It’s a treasure hunt that participants can take at their own pace as it’s done through mobile phones. If you’re looking for a more interesting way to see Bristol, visit the Eventbrite page for the Bristol Waterside Wander.
If you’ve heard of ‘wassailing’ you’re probably in the minority. For those not in the know, it’s an ancient English Yuletide traditional ceremony involves drinking “wassail” (basically mulled cider) and singing to the health of the trees. The aim is to awaken the cider trees for a good harvest in the next year. Most celebrations are small, but there are a few larger ones in the Bristol area, including a traditional wassail at Bath City Farm on 29th January and a more involved wassail with a tasting menu at The Ethicurean restaurant on the weekend of 14th and 15th January.