Hello, and happy new year to all of our readers!

While our usual newsletter format will be returning next week, we thought we’d send you all a quick thank you for your support and dedicated reading over the past twelve months. As we look back on the year and all the wonderful stories and people we’ve written about in this beautiful city we call home, one thing is clear: we couldn’t have done it without you, our readers.

Our January issue has been hitting the streets over this past week, so keep an eye out as the city slowly reawakens after the Christmas slumber. While January can often feel a bit blue, we've been working to keep spirits high with this issue, and it's filled with great pieces that we’re really excited about. 

Our cover star is the fabulously chatty Gyles Brandreth. The writer, broadcaster and speaker is bringing his show Gyles Brandreth: Can’t Stop Talking to Bristol Old Vic on 12 January, and will be discussing (at length) his lifelong obsession with talking. In the interview on page 16 Melissa Blease discovers a childhood filled with garrulous gallop, his time as MP for Chester, his loquacious domination of prime-time TV and bookshelves… and that's only about a quarter of his CV.

Elsewhere, we hear from the Baltic Wharf Sailing Club whose boats take to the water in the city centre every week, making the historic harbour pastime more accessible for everyone. We’ve also got a who's who of the city's best and brightest health & wellbeing providers, a special look at food and drink trends we expect to be served up in 2025, and a deep dive into deep tech masterminds from Bristol solving global problems with ground-breaking ideas.

While the weather outside may still be frightful, there’s plenty to do and see around the city to stave off the doom and gloom. In this newsletter we've put together a little selection of what we're most excited for in the upcoming months, and there's a lot to look forward to.

So once again, a great big thank you from all of us at The Bristol Magazine. We can't wait to see what the new year will bring!

Gyles Brandreth: Can't Stop Talking at Bristol Old Vic, 12 January

There's no surprise that our top pick for January is Gyles Brandreth: Can't Stop Talking at The Old Vic. We've been listening to him babble for the last thirty years, and there's no sign of him slowing down. He even holds the Guinness World Record of longest dinner party speech (12 and a half hours, to be precise!) so this two hour, one man show shouldn't pose any issues...

This show is his story: a roller-coaster of tales and revelations from his unlikely life in show business and politics. There will be surprises too (for him and you) when the audience spins a wheel to decide what he’s going to talk about next! 

Gyles Brandreth: Can't Stop Talking is at The Bristol Old Vic on 12 January, 3pm

Read our interview here at thebristolmagazine.com and buy tickets at bristololdvic.org.uk

Slapstick Comedy Festival 2025, 12 – 16 February

This year's festival lineup is chock-a-block with the biggest names on the comedy. 

This 20th anniversary edition of Slapstick runs from 12 – 16 February, and features special guests including Ben Elton, Martin Freeman, Meera Syal, Samira Ahmed, Lucy Porter, Alasdair Beckett-King, Adam Hills, Rick Wakeman, Harry Enfield and more!

Find out more at slapstick.org.uk

Bristol Equinox Gallery Weekend, 20 – 23 March

In March, Equinox is showcasing the rich contemporary art scene in Bristol with a programme of events at a variety of art spaces, galleries, artist run projects and private art collections.

The weekend is an opportunity to discover and explore Bristol's world-class gallery scene and celebrate the diverse creative spaces. 

The programme includes talks, private views, family workshops and special events. bristolgalleryweekend.org.uk

TINA: The Tina Turner Musical at The Hippodrome, 8 – 26 April

In April, prepare to be amazed when TINA: The Tina Turner musical arrives at The Bristol Hippodrome. 

From humble beginnings in Nashville Tennessee to a multi award-winning global superstar, Tina Turner completely rewrote the rules of the music industry. TINA comes from a mega-hit West End run, and features a soundtrack of her most iconic hits. 

atgtickets.com

AJ Bell Great Bristol Run, 11 May

As the days get longer, running undoubtedly gets easier, and just before impending heatwaves gets more likely, take part in the Great Bristol Run. The 2024 run was a complete sell-out, so it's a good idea to get tickets early. 

There is a super scenic 10K and a half marathon route to choose from, and they're a great motivator for your 2025 running goals. 

AJ Bell Great Bristol Run entries are open to runners aged 15+ (10k) and 17+ (Half marathon) on the day of the event. Saver offer available for a limited time. A booking fee (£2.50 per entry) is applied at checkout.

greatrun.org

Bristol Sounds Festival 2025, 25 - 29 June

Bristol Sounds is back! The iconic festival represents everything that the city is known for- the fantastic community of music and arts. Spanning five days and multiple stages, this year's lineup includes Kaiser Chiefs, Supergrass, Texas and Olly Murs, alongside loads of other local musicians and artists. 

Tickets are already on sale, so book early to avoid missing out. 

bristolsounds.co.uk

Bristol Pride 12 July, & St Pauls Carnival, 5 July

July is home to two massive events: Bristol Pride and St Pauls Carnival. 

St Pauls Carnival, traditionally taking place on the first weekend of July, is a celebration of African Caribbean culture with performers and attendees all telling stories of music, dance and community, and is a central part of Bristol's city history and culture.

It's back after a year hiatus, having announced in 2023 that the carnival would take place biennially due to fundraising issues, so 2025's event promises to be a big one. 
stpaulscarnival.net

Bristol Pride will similarly be held in early July. Celebrations will be held from 28 June, with Pride Day taking place on 12 July. The event celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and gives people the chance to connect. This year The Human League will headline the main stage as one of five stages taking over The Downs. bristolpride.co.uk

IDLES homecoming, August 1 & 2

Bristol favourites IDLES are coming home for their only UK gigs of 2025. The gig will take place in Queen Square as the biggest organised event held in the space since 2003.

With a yet to be announced 'stellar lineup' of special guests to support, the band is creating 'the ultimate Bristol block party'. What a way to round up the summer!

idlesband.com

Rugby Women's World Cup comes to Ashton Gate

September, Ashton Gate will host both semi-finals and two quarter-finals of the Women's Rugby World Cup, when the biggest-ever celebration of women's rugby comes to England. 

The quarter-finals will take place on the weekend of 13 September and the semi-finals on the weekend of 19 September, with the Red Roses to play their quarter-final match at Ashton Gate should they progress!

Ticket prices will range from £5 to £95 across the tournament, with over 600 per cent of tickets under £25 and children's prices available at every match, including the knockout phase. Accessible tickets will also be available for all matches. 

ashtongatestadium.co.uk

Grayson Perry: Are You Good? 22 October

Artist Grayson Perry is no stranger to Bristol, his Grayson's Art Club: The Exhibition having been on show at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery from December 2021 to September 2022; but now he's back in a new format. 

Are You Good? is Perry's new show, questioning the question of good and evil: a question, he says, is fundamental to our humanity. As the audience, you will find out whether youreally are thoroughly good, or maybe quite evil. Pullback the curtain and see where your morals truly lie- it's time to update what is a virtue and what is a sin. No biggie.

Grayson Perry: Are You Good? is at Bristol Beacon on 22 October 2025. bristolbeacon.org

We the Curious 25th Anniversary

Bristol’s interactive science centre We the Curious is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025 and while details are to be announced, according to Visit Bristol, events are expected to take place in and around the Old City in November 2025 to mark the 85-year commemoration of the Bristol Blitz (more information will be released soon, so stay tuned).

wethecurious.org

Christmas in Bristol

Coming full circle, we're back to December, where as we know there's an abundance of Christmas activities to partake in. 

From the markets nestled in the heart of the city centre, to the abundance of festive films shown in our independent cinemas; yuletide menus in our array of unique restaurants and pantos galore, for December there's almost too much to choose from. Luckily for us, we have a year to decide!