Things to do in Bristol 8-11 September: Garden grooves, new festivals and climate positivity

Summer is over and it’s time to get back into the swing of autumn. But, with the changing of the seasons comes all sorts of new events and opportunities, so there’s no point in hanging up your weekend shoes just yet - it’s not quite hibernation time!

Bristol has all sorts up its sleeve for the weekend, so let’s take a look at some of the plans the city has in store for you. From late nights at the brewery to climate action festivals, there’s bound to be something that tickles your fancy...

Wiper and True Night Market

On 8 September, Wiper and True are hosting an exciting Night Market at their Old Market Taproom. Entry is free and the event is aiming to shine a light on many of the best local suppliers. Of course, beer will be a’plenty, too!

Garden Grooves at American Museum

Get your groove on at the American Museum just outside of Bristol toward Bath. On 9 September, from 7-9:30 pm (doors 5 pm), you’ll find a summer’s evening of mellow music accompanied with American-inspired drinks in the spectacularly beautiful gardens.

Top local artists will entertain while you enjoy the stunning views across the Limpley Stoke valley, featuring a blend of jazz, folk and bluegrass music.

Whirligig Festival at Italian Gardens

Presented by Theatre Orchard, WELCOME TO WHIRLIGIG, where international and local performers come together to bring you jaw dropping outdoor arts experiences in the heart of Weston-super-Mare on 9-10 September.

Theatre Orchard’s award-winning outdoor arts festival ‘Whirligig’ is back in Weston this September with its trademark line-up of extraordinary, eclectic acts and guaranteed crowd-pleasers.

This year, look out for some extra special, monster-sized surprises coming to town as the free, annual spectacle kicks off on the evening of Friday 9 September with an awe-inspiring parade along the promenade.

Yonder

Yonder is an art exhibition by Bristol based artist Miller, to mark 32 Upper York street’s 1st Birthday, which is the home of Basement Beer and Lost Horizon coffee.

The opening party is taking place this weekend from 9-10 September and then the exhibition will continue into November. The show is a collection of works from the artist’s ongoing creative journey to explore our interaction with what lies beyond this world and its workings.

This series also includes collaborative works from some of the South West’s most exciting artists including Cheba, Sled, Hass, Kin One, Paul Monsters, Mudra and Lily O’Connell.To celebrate the venue’s anniversary, head along to the heart of Stokes Croft for the opening of the exhibition across a Friday and Saturday filled with passion for coffee, beer and art with live DJ sets powered by Poor Man’s Friend.

Expect to find original artworks for sale along with prints, limited edition coffees and beers.

Wine Escape

Wine Escape is the UK’s first immersive escape room event and will be taking place on 9-10 September at Mercure Bristol.

Step back into the roaring 1920’s and enjoy the glamour and extravagance of Hawker Wine Estate. You have been invited to an exclusive party hosted by the very wealthy owners, the Von James family.

But the celebrations turn sour when a storm of vengeance, lies and deceit ruins the evening. You must stick together, hold your nerve and beat the clock in order to escape Hawker alive...

Your tickets include a two-course dinner, live show and entertainment, thrilling and exciting games, and an immersive and interactive experience.

Moon Fest

Moon Fest is a brand new arts and culture event coming to the Arnolfini this weekend on 10 September from 1-6 pm.

Celebrating East and South East Asian cultures in Bristol, you can expect a fun and festive blend of live music performances, delicious Asian food, short films and art and craft.

Bristol Wing Fest

The world’s largest wing festival is returning to Bristol to Lloyd’s Amphitheatre this weekend from 10-11 September. It’s a celebration of the mighty chicken wing and is now the world’s most popular chicken wing festival.

Expect the UK’s best wing slingers, axe throwing, BBQ demonstrations from Altons BBQ World and so much more. According to the judges, Poor Boys have been one of the most-popular traders so far this year and we can’t wait to see what delicious wings they have in store for us this weekend!

The South Bristol Arts Trail

The South Bristol Arts Trail is a free event, open to everyone, and is family friendly. This year, the Trail will be taking place on 10-11 September in venues across Southville, Bedminster and Ashton.

Wander your way through BS3 in Bristol and discover new artists, favourite local venues and creatives that might just surprise you.

Most venues will be open from 11am – 5pm each day.

Circumstance Distillery Birthday

Circumstance Distillery is four this weekend and celebrating with a big party. Circumstance is the first and only distillery in Bristol, distilling from ferment. Making an organic vodka, white rum and now Whisky.

This weekend, there’ll be Indonesian Street Food and music, as well as DJ sets and plenty of alcohol.

Climate Carnival

On 11 September from 2-5 pm, Climate Carnival is taking place in Weston-Super-Mare. Come together to show solidarity for climate action and shine a light on how creativity and community can play their part in spreading a positive message for a sustainable and hopeful future world.

The community-led parade will feature a kaleidoscopic display of environmentally-themed carnival arts including forest hats and carnival outfits, protest posters and placards, flying bats and trash sound-makers, alongside an enormous skeletal creature at the helm, all created out of reused materials, and made at the Climate Workshops taking place throughout the summer.

The parade leaves from outside the Tropicana at 2 pm and will lead revellers to the Italian Gardens, hoping to arrive there at 3:30 pm, for a carnival finale event packed with lively carnival music to dance to.