Here are six November activities to do in Bristol to avoid academic burn out

With reading week a distant memory but semester one far from over, November seems to become one big hurdle between now and Christmas. Filled with deadlines, exam prep and not forgetting those darker nights, this is arguably the toughest month to get through at uni.

But not to fear, there is still so much to do in Bristol ranging from festive to student friendly, or both. Take a break from studying this month with this list of student-friendly activities.

1. Bristol film festival

Bristol film festival is providing a great alternative to your regular cinema in November, showing classic films in culturally iconic venues.  You could watch Sherlock Holmes in the Orangery, or The Matrix in the planetarium, there is so much on offer. It depends on the film, but you can get a student ticket for just £13.50.

2. Christmas markets

The Christmas markets start in November, taking place in Bristol’s shopping quarter, with loads of food and drink on offer you can grab a hot chocolate and get in the festive mood. Bath has another Christmas market which is worth trying if you feel like recreating the Gemma Collins Dancing on Ice incident of 2019. It’s beautiful setting in the old city is only a quick train ride from Temple Meads.

Bristol: Between 1^st November -23^rd December.

Bath: From 28^th November.

3. Bring a board night

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The perfect flatmate activity for a cozy night in. Get each person to bring a different board of their choice. Popular options include a sweet board, British tapas (beige food lovers unite) or charcuterie for the luxe amongst us. You can make it seasonal and do a winter themed board night, think puff pastry Nutella Christmas tree or Santa’s hat tortilla chips. This is perfect because you can spend as much or as little as you like.

4. After hours exhibitions

Well known locations Wake The Tiger and We The Curious are hosting after hours experiences in their venues, these are something different to your usual cub night and don’t have to be much more expensive, if you take post-club cheesy chips out the equation.

We the Curious, an interactive science and art centre, has reopened this summer after being closed since 2022 and is celebrating the return of their “after hours” events where you can explore the exhibits and enjoy “inflatable robots from Air Giants, a virtual reality experience as well as a DJ set and bar.” The event is adopting a pay what you can system upwards of £10.

When: Friday 8th November, from 7-10pm

Wake the Tiger, immersive amazement park, is also doing something different this month with an after-hours experience of their own. Student tickets are £15. There’s also a bar offering student discount and a Pizzarova onsite.

When: Friday 15th  and Friday 29^th November, from 7-11pm.

5. Bonfire night

Nothing better to brighten up the winter sky than a firework display, and in Bristol you can enjoy just that. There are tons of displays all over Bristol. You don’t necessarily need to pay for access to a bonfire night event either, Brandon hill or Clifton downs are great spots for being able to view the firework displays all over Bristol on Tuesday 5^th November.

6. Pub quiz

Pub quizzes were built for houses with a random mix of degrees, variety is key.  There are a whole host of pub quizzes in Bristol you can attend. The only pitfall of these is when you win the £50 bar tab but have a 9am the next day… Student weekly favourites would be Steam, which starts at 8pm on a Tuesday and costs £2 per person, and Hope and Anchor, from 7.30pm on a Tuesday costing £2, but remember to book your table either online or in person.

Happy November!