January isn’t the easiest month of the year. It’s cold and wet, and none of our friends ever wants to do anything. The highs of December, from Christmas to New Year’s Eve, often leave us feeling low in the first month of the year. Luckily for you, we’ve unearthed plenty of fun things to do in Bristol to help beat those January blues. And rest assured, you’ll end January knowing that it was the best month of 2026, so far!
1. Light up your January blues with a Candlelight concert
January is often dark, cold and boring, but it doesn’t have to be completely depressing. Add some glow to the start of the year, with a stunning Candlelight concert. See your favourite artists reimagined by a string quartet under the gentle glow of candlelight this month. Whether it’s Queen, Fleetwood Mac, or Adele, there’s something for everyone. To get your tickets to a Candlelight concert, head here.
2. Laugh at the second-ever Bristol Comedy Festival
It feels like there’s never much to smile about in January, but the two-week Bristol Comedy Festival should leave us a little lighter from January 15 to 31, 2026. This January’s festival sees names like Bristol’s Jayde Adams, author and stand-up Mark Watson, critically-acclaimed podcaster Milo Edwards and breakout winner of So You Think You’re Funny, Finlay Christie, take to venues such as Bristol Folk House, Basement 45, Strange Brew, The Gaffe Comedy Club, and St George’s.
3. Boogie to the heart of New Orleans
The Jazz Room is a journey through time and space on January 29, 2026. In a unique live music venue that recreates 1920s New Orleans, this live jazz show promises a night of soul, passion, and rhythm. Grab yourself a cocktail from the bar, and enjoy the hottest jazz tunes, a unique blend of ragtime, brass, and blues, plus moments of spontaneous improvisation. Get your tickets now for The Jazz Room: A Journey to the Heart of New Orleans in Bristol here.
4. Book a table at Bristol’s most exclusive restaurant
The last thing I want to do on New Year’s Day is try to book a table at Bristol’s most exclusive pub for a roast dinner in five months. But that’s life. The Bank Tavern has a yearly booking system that sees Sunday lunch bookings reopening on January 1. Bookings for the year usually sell out in under 2o minutes, so act fast! Keep an eye out here to learn more.
5. Visit a dozen saunas for just £30
The Bristol Sauna Trail looks to transform the city into a “sauna city”. Aimed at the sauna-curious and sauna-converts alike, there are a dozen saunas in the region to visit for just £30. The catch is that you have to complete the trail in one day (Saturday, January 17, 2026), but seeing as most sauna sessions are £10 to £15, you only need to visit a handful to make it worth the money.
6. Awaken the cider apple trees with a Wassail
Let’s face it, January is a bit dry when it comes to holidays. But this ancient tradition is having a bit of a resurgence at the moment—especially in the cider-loving South West. If you don’t know, a wassail is a blessing of the fruit trees for a good harvest, particularly apple trees, with a handful of events on in Bristol. Pick of the bunch is the Exchange’s cider-fuelled Urban Wassail on January 16, 2026.
7. Escape Bristol for a winter staycation in the UK
As we can see already, there’s no reason to leave Bristol in January, but after a busy Christmas period, you deserve a break! Boasting varied landscapes and quaint little villages, our country is a mecca for culture, with tons of stunning sights and historical landmarks to uncover across the island. Check out our pick of the best winter staycations in the UK here.
Recently, I took a trip to Castle Combe—one of the world’s prettiest villages. Known for cosy country lanes, honey-coloured homes and its babbling brook, it’s only 40 minutes from Bristol! Stay at the Grade II-listed The Manor House hotel—with its very own beautiful Italian gardens and 18-hole golf course – and dine at the Michelin-starred Bybrook restaurant. Or just grab a pub lunch at The Castle Inn, and wander around the Cotswolds.
8. Go vegan for the month
Veganuary rolls around once more, and it seemingly gathers speed every January. We say ,”If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em”, so why not check out all the vegan delights that Bristol has to offer to inspire your next dining-out experience? From vegan junk food by Oowee to Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine by Eat A Pitta and Koocha, there’s something for plant-based eaters to enjoy in Bristol, Veganuary or not. If nothing else, check out Bristol Veganuary Fest on the Harbourside on Saturday, January 31.
9. Learn the joy of the ‘happy fail’
Want to try something new this January? The Bristol Improv Theatre, aka the UK’s first full-time dedicated improv theatre, will challenge you in unexpected ways. Improve your listening skills, build your confidence or simply tap into your mischievous side when it’s the theatre school’s taster sessions and 6-week courses restart in January.
10. Go for a wintry walk that ends at the pub
We’ve spent a lot of time indoors during December. So if you need a break from your living room this January, there are several lovely winter walks in and around Bristol – many of which end at a cosy pub too. From a wander down the River Avon to visiting Stanton Drew Stone Circles, these are all worth getting your walking boots on for. If you want even more winter walks near Bristol check these out here.
11. Watch a hairy tale unravel at Tobacco Factory Theatres
This inventively playful take on a beloved Brothers Grimm fairytale is at Tobacco Factory Theatres until January 17. In a secluded tower, Rapunzel dreams of a world beyond her walls, when an unexpected visitor climbs through her window and into her strange little world, he brings colour, chaos, and the thrill of the unknown. You can get your ticket to Rapunzel: A Hairy Tale here.
12. Hit the slopes for an Alpine-themed party
The Apres-Ski Fest is a brand-new alpine-themed night for recreational skiers and snowboarders (January 16 & 30). From time with instructors on Mendip’s 165m dry ski slope to fun competitions, retro outfits, live music, mulled wine, and alpine-inspired food, there’s much to do! You can learn more about Apres-Ski Fest by heading here.
13. Release your inner Scot for Burns Night
Scotland is a long, long way away from Bristol. So Burns Night (January 25)—the celebration of the poet Robert Burns—is never going to be the biggest party in the South West. That said, there’s still plenty of fun to be had! Many will be gathering at home to tuck into haggis, shortbread and a wee dram of whisky or two, before belting out Auld Lang Syne and reading aloud the Scots’ poetry. While everywhere from No. 4 Clifton Village to Spirited Bristol, Recatch Community Garden and The Square Club will help bring Bristol’s Scottish communities together.
14. Celebrate Old Market Assembly’s 10th birthday
Old Market Assembly is turning 10! With a decade of live music and late-night dancing under its belt, it’s got one more on January 23—with The Bristol Hornstars, one of the city’s most loved jazz bands, bringing the noise. If that wasn’t enough, throughout the week, tuck into discounted £10 pizzas, while the Snug Gallery will showcase never-before-seen photographs from the venue’s earliest days. To secure your ticket to the party, head here.
15. Be dazzled by this spectacular lantern trail
In case you missed it over Christmas, Longleat’s legendary lantern trail, The Festival of Light, continues until January 11, 2026—with your favourite Aardman characters visiting the UK’s most famous landmarks remade in lantern form. And don’t forget to swing by the Winter Safari to see real-life tigers and lions, too!