New free and ticketed events taking place at Bristol Old Vic until the New Year

The Bristol Old Vic has announced a series of free and ticketed new events following the success of Old City Sounds in August. 

The venue is renowned for its stage shows, but it's also now building a reputation as one of Bristol's go-to places to host private large-scale events in its public spaces. And in a first, it's just released a limited number of days in 2025 which will available for a full takeover.

The award-winning King Street venue has also increased the number of party-style events its runs with a range of free live music confirmed for November, together with a Xmas Bottomless Brunch just announced, joining our second New Year's Eve House Party that proved a hit with revellers last year. 

Free Live Music

After a raucous evening of swing in 2022, Bristol Community Big Band returns by popular demand on Monday 25 November. Made up of non-professional musicians from across Bristol and the South West, BCBB is unofficially (but very probably) the biggest big band in Bristol. Led by local trumpet legend Jonny Bruce, and staged in the beautiful BOV foyer, listen to all the hits from the golden era of swing, from Duke Ellington to Dizzy Gillespie. Don't forget your dancing shoes for this free evening of high energy big band music.

On Friday 29 November, Bristol based legends The 45s take over the bar for a night of wall-to-wall bangers. Expect nothing but  fuzzy-scuzzy-Motown-Rock & Roll from a trio that will knock your socks off with their soulful vocals and nostalgic tunes.

Saturday 30 November is the welcome return of Sofar Sounds - Bristol Old Vic are teaming up once again with the Sofar Sounds global community to bring three top-secret gigs throughout the day. Expect local artists, great vibes and a whole lot of community magic. the best part? The artists remain a mystery until they take the mic...

Get-Togethers 

On Sunday 1 December, enjoy a Christmas Bottomless Brunch. This bookable event ensures you can eat, drink and be merry the Bristol Old Vic way. This strictly 18+ event includes a Christmas Pieminister meal with all the Christmas trimmings, 3 hours of free-flowing drinks, nonstop Christmas hits & games lead by our very own Sexy Santa who is sure to be up to snow good...Grab a bunch of your friends and start the season with a bang!

Party Nights

Bristol Old Vic's New Year's Eve House Party is back - bigger and better for 2024. Dialing up the New Year joy to 11, Bristol Old Vic is inviting you to the funkiest, friendliest House Party - BOV style. Mirror ball dance floors, the magnificent ZuZu Men, plus Andy Sax delivering 80s and 90s hits, internet sensation Kieron The Mighty,  and a non-stop silent disco in Coopers' Hall - not forgetting a truly theatrical countdown to midnight. 

Commercial Hire

In a first, Bristol Old Vic has released dates in 2025 for commerical hires. Spring, early summer and winter dates are available for exclusive use by companies looking to host large-scale parties and events that take over the whole public space for private use. Some dates are also available for the 500 seat Theatre for conferences and dinners on stage.  

Events and hires are just one of the ways BOV is able to support its theatre and community work throughout the year.

Speaking today, Bristol Old Vic's Executive Director Charlotte Geeves said: "Bristol Old Vic has a fantastic atmosphere - one that's loved by audiences and visitors alike. As part of our growth strategy, we're making more time available for people to use our space in different ways, including our new free music nights and New Year's Eve House Party. These will support our drive to welcome more people through our doors for the first time. Our commercial hires business is set to grow with our unique offer that adds theatrical sparkle to any event, and we're making more time available to host large-scale corporate events. It's also an important income stream to support our crucial outreach work and world-class theatre productions into the future."

Ryan Garvey, Bristol Old Vic's Head of Hospitality & Events said: "Our new live music and Christmas events enable us to show-off our amazing spaces to more people and showcase the fantastic local produce we're proud to serve. The buzz we create for these and our year-round theatre audience is easily transferrable to a corporate event, particularly full take-overs where a company can create that genuinely special moment for their team and clients, and positive impact for their brand."

To find out more about Bristol Old Vic's commercial hires, visit www.bristololdvic.org.uk/hire.
To find out more about all of the venue's events and free live music, visit www.bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on.