Summer is fading away as Bristol heads into September. Yes, there’s been a lot of rain, but hopefully, we’ve all still been able to escape on holiday and squeeze in some adventures. And just because it’s back to school for the kids, there’s plenty for us to get excited about this month. But in case you’re stuck for things to do this September, we’ve rounded up some sensational options for you to check out.
1. Squeeze in one last festival of the summer
Described as ‘more than a music festival’, Forwards returns to The Downs on August 31 & September 1. Blending a cutting-edge music line-up with political activism, it’s looking even bigger a third time around. LCD Soundsystem and Loyle Carner will be headlining, and they’ll joined by some equally legendary artists like rave pioneers Underworld, the noisy duo The Jesus And Mary Chain, mysterious ensemble Glass Beams, Four Tet, Jessie Ware, Floating Points, and many more.
2. Tuck into tonkotsu ramen
Nothing beats a big savoury bowl of noodle soup, especially on a wet September evening. The London-based ramen specialists, Tonkotsu – known for making all its own noodles, stocks, and gyoza fresh each day – will bless Bristol’s Baldwin Street with a new ramen spot. The menu will feature the group’s signature Tonkotsu ramen – a rich and creamy pork bone-broth enriched with lardo, with thin-cut noodles and topped with roast pork belly – as well as other favourites like Chilli Chicken Ramen and the vegan Mushroom Miso ramen.
3. Take a literary tour of Bristol
Be it Angela Carter’s gothic tales of the city’s counterculture in her “Bristol trilogy” or David Nicholls’ love letter to University Challenge, Starter for Ten, Bristol has been the backdrop to countless tales across the years. But Bristol’s literary exploits aren’t just limited to dusty old bookshops. The likes of writers like Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Charles Dickens and Daniel Defoe all have connections with the city. From The Llandoger Trow to the Birdcage Walk, there are so many places for book lovers to visit.Check out our guide to the most lovely literary spots in Bristol.
4. Gather your furry friends at this pawfect doggy festival
This dog-friendly festival looks like the ulti-mutt celebration of our lovely pooches this September. DogFest comes to Ashton Court on August 31 & September 1 with hundreds of stands and activities for furry family members. This includes everything from dog diving to haybale racing, as well as quieter activities like the Big Dog Walk around the beautiful grounds of the stately home. Plus, attend breed meet-ups, enter your pooches into a fun dog show, or catch the action-packed main arena with demonstrations from talented canines and trainers, i including Britain’s Got Talent finalist, Lucy Heath.
5. Surrender to the gentle glow of a Candlelight concert
A Candlelight concert is a one-of-a-kind experience that you won’t soon forget. Whether after a tribute to iconic artists like ABBA or Coldplay, or faithful renditions of the music from your favourite TV shows – Bridgerton anyone? – you’ll find breathtaking performances in illuminating music venues. All under flickering candlelight! To book your Candlelight concert head here.
6. Party at Wapping Wharf
It’s been a year since the celebrations of Gaol Ferry Bridge reopening and Wapping Wharf wants to do it all again. From 5pm, Wapping Wharf’s End of Summer Party invites everyone for live music, kids entertainment, food and drink and late-night shopping – with local drumming troupe Batida Bristol kicking off the celebrations!
7. Make a trip to Bath and live like Jane Austen
September sees the annual Jane Austen Festival return to Bath, September 13 to 22. Our neighbour has a strong history with the nation’s favourite novelist – with both Northanger Abbey and Persuasion set in the area. Expect people to dress up in period attire, while there will also be guided tours, talks, concerts and workshops available. Or just head to the city, soak up the sites and enjoy a spot of afternoon tea. If you’re still looking for your Mr Darcy, then Bath might be where to find him.
8. Sip wine and paint in the dark
Find your creative spark this September at Neon Brush. With a paintbrush in one hand, and a wine glass in the other (or beer, soft drink, whatever), this unique painting workshop lets your imagination run wild in a fluorescent neon-lit setting. Pop down to PRYZM this September 5, 6, 13 & 19 where an artist will guide you through a 90-minute session (accompanied by music) of fluorescent painting. And you can take your creation home with you! To get your ticket to Neon Brush head here.
9. Celebrate the world’s best pub snack at Wing Fest
The world’s largest chicken wing festival returns to Bristol from September 6 to 8. Down by the harbour at Lloyd’s Amphitheatre, the huge outdoor area will be transformed into a poultry eating, music thumping, axe throwing, beer and bourbon drinking space of epic proportion. Bristol Wing Fest will showcase a range of restaurants, street food traders and pop-ups, who will display their culinary talents and compete against each other over a whopping 100,000 drums and flats to decide who really makes the best wings in the UK.
Bristol’s line-up includes award-winning local heroes; Gurt Wings, and Eat The Bird, with restaurants in Taunton and Cardiff. The ever-popular New Orleans joint Poor Boys will be returning, alongside Jack Blumenthal’s Ginger Wings, and Birmingham’s Bad Boy Wings. It looks clucking good.
10. Visit the seaside for some street art
Weston-super-Mare’s very own street art festival, Weston Wallz is bringing some seaside-spray-and-paint-action to the coastal town, with a line-up of street artists from August 31 to September 15. Set up by Bristol’s Upfest (Europe’s largest free street art festival), expect a range of top-quality new artworks to add to an already existing 46 murals created over the past three years. This year, 18 brand new large-scale artworks will pop up across Weston – from a talented range of local, national and international artists.
Plus, free-to-attend workshops including introductions to spray painting, getting creative with Posca and some character drawing. Kicking activities off on Saturday, August 31, local arts facilitator Lin Toulcher will host the Smart Paint Jam in the Italian Gardens for a day of live painting. Then from September 4 – 13, catch the artists in action as the latest addition of murals appear around the town, adding to the official trail.
11. Try signature cocktails from Bristol’s best bartenders
Back for more spirited fun in its second edition, Bristol Cocktail Weekend (September 26 to 29) will feature signature cocktails, food deals and incredible events. You’ll be able to try £6 signature cocktails (and £5 mocktails) designed by each venue’s teams, especially for the event – including from highly regarded bars such as Filthy XIII, Hyde & Co. and dozens more.
12. Sing sea shanties all day long
The sea shanty TikTok trend has long blown over, but our city’s maritime history should still get you excited for The Bristol Sea Shanty Festival. Taking over various venues around Harbourside on September 21, some of the UK’s very best singing crews will be sailing in for this free festival. The main stage is outside the SS Great Britain, but you’ll find music everywhere from The L Shed to Junction and Arnolfini between noon and 6pm. In the evening, the singing will continue at Underfall Yard and MV Balmoral. You can learn more here.
13. Visit the real Halstead Manor
Who’s ready for season 2 of The Gentlemen on Netflix then? Guy Ritchie’s TV series has become an instant classic and you can visit the real Halstead Manor only 30 minutes from Bristol. It’s the very real Badminton House in South Gloucestershire. It’s holding an open day of its beautiful private gardens on September 8.
14. Catch the circus in town
15. Eat at this beloved Thai restaurant
After 30 successful openings across the UK, Rosa’s Thai will open in the former Post Office on the corner of Baldwin Street and Marsh Street. The recognisable high-street staple won’t officially start bringing delicious, authentic Thai dishes to Bristol until Tuesday, September 24. But a soft launch from September 9 to 23 will offer 50% off the entire menu!
16. Read a spooky tale at a horror-themed bookshop
It’s not Halloween season yet, but a horror-themed bookshop is opening in Bristol just in time this September. The Haunted Bookshop on Stokes Croft will stock a “carefully curated collection of horror, fantasy, and witchcraft books.” On top, it will offer numerous “witchy items” like brooms, ritual candles, herbs, and many feminist gifts.