Autumn events and activities for Bristol City Centre
Free cultural activities organised by local Bristol groups are scheduled to kick off this month on three of the city’s most notable high streets.
These complimentary events will be hosted in Old Market, Stokes Croft, and Christmas Steps as part of the city’s continuing initiative to honor and promote its lively high street scene.
Old Market is set to undergo a vibrant take-over this Autumn as the city-centre location becomes host to Destination Old Market, a programme of public events from Trinity Community Arts, showcasing the area’s cultural and creative scene.
Taking place from 12 October to 3 November 2024, the programme of events will feature pop-up gigs and performances in secret locations in the area, shining a spotlight on the many artisans, makers and independent businesses based in the area. Businesses and shops will transform into DIY venues and will host pop-up performances from some of Bristol’s finest live music, experimental sonics sounds & DJs.
Audiences can also delve deep into Old Market’s rich contemporary history through a new theatrical promenade performance devised by writer and artist, Edson Burton, in collaboration with artist Tom Marshman. Taking place in locations throughout Old Market, the audiences will uncover the captivating lives and stories that have shaped Bristol’s Old Market into one of the city’s most memorable streets. All activities are free but booking in advance is required.
Created in collaboration with the people of Stokes Croft, local independent arts organisation Compass Presents will uncover the hidden stories of one of Bristol’s best loved neighbourhoods. Stokes Croft Calling is a two-day autumn event designed to bring the street’s vibrant art, music, and history to life, celebrating Stokes Croft’s spirit of independence, creativity, and resistance through playful performances and interactive experiences.
Day one of Stokes Croft Calling will take place on 27 October and day two, The Stokes Croft Calling Show, on 9 November 2024. Events are free of charge and repeated at intervals throughout the day. Booking in advance is required.
Produced by The Invisible Circus, Hidden Stories of Christmas Steps will bring to life 13 characters from the Christmas Steps’ rich history, including a pick pocket gang, a famous abolitionist, Mrs Shuttlewick the drag queen, Civil War soldiers, and ‘Almshouse Lady’. Events take place on Saturday 2 November and Saturday 7 December with a final date in February 2025 to be confirmed. Performers will deliver stories through allegory, play and theatrical Covent Garden style performances on the steps, interacting directly with the public encouraging people to be part of the theatre. Renowned for their imaginative and creative performances, this line-up of street artists and performers will not disappoint. Performances are inclusive, and open for everyone to enjoy.
Councillor Andrew Brown, Chair of the Economy and Skills Committee, said: “I’m delighted we are able to continue the fantastic programme of events and activities under the City Centre and High Streets Culture and Events Programme. Through our funding we continue to support local businesses helping them to thrive in what continues to be a challenging environment, with the ongoing national cost of living crisis. By increasing the number of people visiting and using these places we have seen the areas and businesses benefit from an increase in footfall and spend in local businesses, boosting the economy.
“The local, Bristol-based organisations have a wonderful programme of events planned. Importantly, all of the events and activities in the programme are free and open to all to enjoy giving people the opportunity to explore what the city has to offer.”
Esther Afikiruweh, Combined Arts Producer at Trinity Community Arts, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure connecting with the local people and independent businesses that make up the diverse fabric of Old Market. The music events devised by the creative team at Trinity will take you off the beaten track through Old Market, exposing you to musicians old and new in unusual spaces. Meanwhile, our Theatrical Promenade will guide participants through the lives, loves, venues and stories that make Old Market one of the most infamous areas in our city.
Tara Sachdeva, Founding Director, Compass Presents, said: “More than 65 local creatives, businesses and residents have so far helped us to choose how to tell the story of Stokes Croft and it’s been a fun and fascinating process. We’re certain that people of all ages from across Bristol and beyond will love the results – a snapshot of the spirit of resistance, creativity and independence which dates all the way back to the 16th and 17th centuries and which is still in evidence today.”
Becky Boucherat, Project Manager at The Invisible Circus, said: “Thanks to the incredible true stories collated by our project’s lead researcher, Dr Paul Green, we’ve had no trouble finding inspiration for Hidden Stories of Christmas Steps. We’re so excited to share just some of the historical happenings that took place at this iconic Bristol location, shedding a light on times past, while at the same time collaborating with local businesses and residents to celebrate the eclectic and creative make up of the Christmas Steps as they are today. We’ll draw audiences into these stories in the way Invisible Circus does it best – through site specific, theatrical performances, playing with societal commentary and using a healthy dose of artistic license to let our trademark character shine through.”
Following the success of the 2021 – 2023 City Centre and High Streets Culture and Events Programme, the council secured an additional £170,000 of funding to extend the programme.
The ongoing aim of the programme is to attract more people into the city centre to help support the local economy by showcasing Bristol’s reputation for creativity and arts.
All events are free and fully accessible so everyone can visit, explore and enjoy what Bristol has to offer.
The three Bristol-based organisations each received funding through the City Centre: Large Culture and Events Grant to deliver free culture and events activities in the city centre, between autumn 2024 and February 2025.
One cultural organisation is funded to act as the lead organisation in each location. Christmas Steps activity is managed by The Invisible Circus, Old Market by Trinity Community Arts and Stokes Croft by Compass Presents.
The City Centre and High Streets programme is funded by Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority.
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