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 season 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. Roll up to ‘The Greatest Dog Show on Earth’
If you missed ‘Gromit Unleashed 3’, don’t worry, you can’t visit all 54 of them at ‘The Greatest Dog Show on Earth’! Gathering all the sculptures in one place, plus 100 extra Norbots created by local schools, catch Wallace, Gromit and Feathers McGraw at the Gromit Unleashed Pavilion at Cribbs Mall. The exhibition will run for two weeks (Saturday, September 13 to Sunday, September 28) before the ‘Gromit Unleashed 3’ auction on October 2.
2. Witness Bristol’s first wacky soapbox derby
Krazy Races is bringing “the UK’s largest touring soapbox derby event” to Bristol. This will be a first-of-its-kind event for the city, taking place in Victoria Park with a day full of “fun and thrills, with competitors vying for trophies and local pride.” So far, more than 30 teams have signed up to race down Windmill Hill, with the races on September 7.
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 September 6-7 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.
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 Adele or Coldplay, or the timeless compositions of Vivaldi, you’ll find plenty of breathtaking performances in illuminating music venues around Bristol. All under flickering candlelight! To book your Candlelight concert head here.
6. Dance the night day away
The viral ‘nightclub’ experience held between 3 pm and 8 pm, Day Fever, is bringing its much-loved daytime disco to Bristol. Turning up to the O2 Academy on September 13, Bristolians should get ready for the perfect party music playlist, personally curated by Jon McClure of Reverend and the Makers and Vicky McClure of Line of Duty fame, hosting another afternoon of no-holds-barred party times!
7. Make a trip to Bath and live like Jane Austen
September sees the annual Jane Austen Festival return to Bath, September 12 to 21. 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 sights 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 Naked Life Drawing. 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 Stag & Hounds this September 11 to draw vibrant, UV-lit life models and experiment with fun techniques like continuous line drawing, pointillism, and more – 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 5 to 7. Down at Bristol Amphitheatre, the huge outdoor area will be transformed into a poultry-eating, music-thumping, axe-throwing, beer and bourbon drinking space of epic proportions. 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.
10. Welcome back this legendary venue
The Crofters’ Rights is one of the most legendary Bristol venues—and has hosted everyone from Arctic Monkeys to Ed Sheeran. So it was a sad day when this intimate space closed last year. But don’t worry, The Croft (returning to its former name) will be back this month. Currently in the process of being brought “into permanent community ownership”, World Famous Dive Bars (Mother’s Ruin, The Crown, Colosseum) recently confirmed an opening date of September 12.
11. Try signature cocktails from Bristol’s best bartenders
Back for more spirited fun in its second edition, Bristol Cocktail Weekend (September 25 to 28) 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 20 & 21, some of the UK’s very best singing crews will be sailing in for this music festival. This year, things are a little different, with performances at Underfall Yard (two stages) and the Great Eastern Hall at the SS Great Britain. Most of the events are FREE, but to secure a spot for the evening sessions, grab a £10 ticket 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 Sunday, September 7.
14. Fingers on buzzers!
Following a record-breaking run at Bristol Old Vic last year, Starter for Ten will return to Bristol Old Vic (September 10 to October 11, 2025). The coming-of-age comedy musical about love, class and the legendary British quiz show ‘University Challenge’. Set in the 1980s, the new musical features an original soundtrack inspired by the riotous student scene of the era – composed by queer, pop-punk composers Tom Rasmussen and Hatty Carman.
15. Watch the Women’s Rugby World Cup
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 is coming to England—with Bristol hosting four knockout games during the competition. We’re hoping England’s Red Roses reach the quarter- and semi-finals to play at Ashton Gate Stadium. Because, tickets or not, an official Fan Zone is launching at the Bristol Amphitheatre.
The free-to-enter event promises a unique mix of live music, cultural performances, creative workshops, sporting challenges and food and drink from Bristol’s independent traders. The Bristol Fan Zone will coincide with the quarter-finals and semi-final matches in the city, broadcasting all six games live on a large screen. It will run across two action-packed weekends: Saturday, September 13 (11am to 7pm)and Sunday, September 14 (11am to 7pm), followed by Friday, September 19 (3pm to 9pm) and Saturday, September 20 (11am to 7pm).