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I hope everyone managed to see some fireworks over the weekend! I certainly had my fill of explosions, sparklers and overcooked burgers. There was a big Bristol student crowd at the Bradley Stoke fireworks, good effort to all you guys.

Now all that excitement is over, students in Bristol are looking for other sources of entertainment to amuse them in the run up to Christmas. And as usual I’m here to help with my guide to the week for Bristol students!

See this week

Anyone noticed it’s suddenly gotten colder? Walking home from university I almost lost some fingers to frostbite, definitely investing in some gloves. But the cold weather does have its advantages, especially this time of year. It’s a great excuse for being late to lectures. A guy came into my seminar last week, really late, and when asked why he was so late he simply replied ‘Ice’.  My tutor just nodded, awesome. Apart from the host of excuses it gives you, in my opinion it makes everything feel a little more festive. I know it’s a month early but I love Christmas. That’s why my thing to see this week is simply the city centre.

The Christmas lights are switched on the 12^th of November and always look fantastic. They really add to the atmosphere and make everything look ten times better than normal.  The shops are all kitted out in their Christmas gear too. Shopping is never as fun as when you’re standing outside a shop window being overshadowed by Rudolf the 8ft tinsel reindeer.

But the lights are not the only thing going on in the city centre. This week sees the opening of the annual German Christmas Market in Castle Park. It’s not a huge affair but it’s full of really interesting little stands full of both conventional and slightly weird gift ideas. Last year there was also a great big makeshift Bavarian style pub. Surely makes it worthwhile for Bristol students. The German market runs right up until 20/12 so don’t forget it when you’re out looking for presents! The people on the stands are always really friendly and have plenty of time to spare when it comes to chatting to members of the public and slowly convincing people to buy whatever they are selling.

Although I love the German market, I always feel sorry for that French pancake guy and his van that normally have Castle Park all to themselves. I think next time I go down to the city centre I’ll buy a pancake to remind him he’s still appreciated.

Also check out the mall in Broadmead, it’s Winter Wonderland at the moment which means there are tons of decorations and more importantly… promotions! Good if you’re on a tight budget like so many Bristol students are.

Hear this week

Making a big entrance at number one this week to hear is Bedlam with Wall of Sound II at the Bristol 02 Academy.  Drum & Bass and dubstep require huge sound systems to do any track justice. You don’t get any bigger in Bristol than the O2 Academy’s sound system, the bass in the O2 makes your bones shake. Seriously it does. And you will never enjoy it more than when the set is as good as it’s likely to be on 14/11. Drum & Bass and dubstep sets brought to you by DJs such as SUB FOCUS and Virus Syndicate ensure this’ll be a night to remember.

Tickets are £17; you can buy in advance or on the door. Expensive but judging by the first Wall of Sound, it’ll definitely be worth the money. It should be an amazing night out.

If you’re looking for something other than DnB and dubstep this weekend, look no further than Lakota. Bristol’s legendary venue is hosting Ravers Are Bonkers, a huge rave night with a mad crowd who will be at it until the next day. Tickets in advance are £18 but you can get them on the door for twenty if you decide last minute you want to go. I have some friends who went to the last one and said they would rate it higher than the Tribe of Frog nights Lakota hosts now and again, and they really take some beating!

Speak of the Week

The big news this week is the new and increasing pressure student leaders are putting on MPs in Westminster over the issue of student university tuition fees. As I’m sure all students in Bristol will agree, the level we have to pay is a joke. And the Labour government is likely to put it up again without pressure. Student representatives protesting outside Westminster recently declared that MPs should tackle the issue of tuition fees or students simply won’t vote for them in the next election.

The student vote is often very influential in elections. Hopefully MPs will be forced to talk openly about their approach to the problem rather than repeatedly ducking the questions thrown at them by angry students.  I for one would love to see tuition fees decrease over the next few years, and the only way that is going to happen is if we keep bugging the government about the issue. Let’s hope the MP’s take notice of the threats made by the students at Westminster.

Toby Prior is a student and freelance writer, who's all about the city.


The views expressed are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Guide2Bristol.

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