What's New

What's new in 2023 in Bath and Bristol...

Images: Homewood (Bath), Box Hall (Bristol), Bristol Beacon

New Openings:
 

BoxHall, Bristol

2023, date tbc
Set to open in 2023, BoxHall is a new and hotly anticipated premium food and beverage-led concept with a modern food hall structure, authentic cuisine from local, independent street food traders and restaurant operators in Bristol.

https://www.boxhall.co.uk/  
 
Bristol Beacon

Autumn 2023
Formerly known as Colston Hall, Bristol Beacon has undergone a complete refurbishment and redevelopment which is set to open in Autumn 2023. As Bristol’s largest concert hall Bristol Beacon has undergone a £48.8m transformation, which will turn the venue into one the best performance and music learning spaces in Europe – a modern, accessible, state-of-the-art facility. 

https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/bristol-beacon-p24681  
 
We the Curious, Bristol, reopening 
Early 2023, tbc 
We the Curious science museum had to close in April 2022 after a devastating fire on its roof. Repairs to resulting water damage are under way and the plans are to reopen in 2023 (date tbc). Brimming with exhibits to inspire your curiosity and home to the UK’s only 3D planetarium, We the Curious is the place to ask questions and get creative. 
https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/we-the-curious-p24831  

Pier to Pier Cycling Route in North Somerset 
2023, date tbc 
The Pier to Pier Way is a new 13-mile cycle route linking Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon in North somerset, just south west of Bristol. It is aimed at commuters, leisure users and tourists. It will form the central section of the North Somerset coastal towns cycle route, featuring quiet roads and traffic-free sections. 
https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/pier-to-pier-cycle-route-p3176413 

Accommodation updates:

• Homewood Hotel, Bath – refurbishment works to spa and the addition of new guest suites in 2023
• Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath – refurbishment and relaunch of the restaurant, spring 2023 
• Bristol City Centre Marriott - rebranding to Delta by Marriott with staged refurbishment in 2023

Events and Exhibitions picks
 

Bristol 650  
2023 marks the 650th anniversary of Bristol becoming a city. There will be many festivals and events around this theme - more details to be announced. Other anniversaries in 2023 include the 60th of Bristol Bus Boycott and 200th of St George’s Bristol – further details of events to mark these will follow.

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Throughout 2023
2023 will mark 200th year of Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. As well as displays and interventions, 2023 will feature a number of high-profile events highlighting significant objects and milestones in the museum’s history. 

ReBalance Bath
7 – 25 February 2023 
A brand-new wellbeing festival for the city, ReBalance Bath will bring together venues, hotels, spa therapists and restaurants for three weeks of feelgood activities.

Bristol Light Festival
3-12 February 2023
Bristol Light Festival returns in 2023, including two weekends in February to explore the city through light. 

Slapstick Festival, Bristol
16-19 February 2023
Slapstick Festival will be returning to Bristol venues for its 18th edition in January 2022 for a five-day hybrid festival.  

Unicorn Fest 
Summer 2023 
As part of Bristol 650 events is UnicornFest, a public art trail of unicorn sculptures, painted by Bristol artists and on display at famous city landmarks.  

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
10-13 August 2023
Over 100 hot air balloons gather for mass ascents, tethered displays and the highly anticipated Night Glow spectacles at the largest event of its kind in Europe. 

Modern Pentathlon & Laser Run World Championships, Bath
21-29 August 2023
This huge sporting event will take place at the University of Bath.

Other events expected to return in Summer 2023 include Upfest (Europe’s largest street art festival), Bristol Harbour Festival (free music festival in the city centre), Bath Festival (music and literature in city centre venues), Great Bath Feast (city centre food festival) and Jane Austen Festival (a city-wide celebration of all things ‘Jane’ in Bath).

Seen on Screen - Bath

• Bridgerton season 3 (and Bridgerton Queen Charlotte spin off) – release dates tbc 
• The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry – Spring 2023  
• Wonka starring Timothee Chamalet – Christmas 2023