Hannahbella Nel

After previous events in Manchester and Tyneside, Bristol has been chosen as the location for the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival in 2016. Taking place over the weekend of February 12-14, the festival will see a packed line-up of artists performing across the city in five of Bristol's most famous venues. Hosting the acts will be Trinity, Motion, the O2 Academy Bristol, Basement 45 and Colston Hall. The full list of acts has yet to be announced, but performances from Primal Scream, Roni Size, DJ Krust and Dynamite MC, Tricky, The Blue Aeroplanes, Beak and Pinch have been revealed. The complete line-up, and the chance to buy tickets, is expected to take place from Tuesday January 19. You can find more details here. BBC BBC Radio 6 Music Festival, 12-14 February 2016, various venues. Can't wait that long? Here are some great ideas for things to get up to in January.    

On the run up to Christmas, it can be all too easy to default to the usual high street shops or online retailers when shopping for gifts. So, before you blow a small fortune in a department store on generic tat, what about a piece of art? Not only is it a great way to support local talent, several of this month's art exhibitions are helping raise money for good causes, too. Here are a few to explore this December:  Ivory Towers  Julian Quaye, Northern Lights   Ivory Towers is a powerful exhibition showcasing the artworks of three unique and contemporary artists: Julian Quaye, Diff (Patrick Tutton) and Neil Thomas Roberts,  The theme of this exhibition is wildlife, but not in a traditional sense. These pieces will showcase wildlife crimes, trafficking of wildlife, poaching, and the awareness of protecting our world's wildlife from extinction. A percentage of the sales of the artwork will be donated to IAPF (International Anti Poaching Foundation) to help fight crime against wildlife worldwide and help protect elephants and Rhinos from extinction. Ivory Towers. December 1-7, PAPER Arts, 51-53 Merchant Street, Broadmead, Bristol, BS1 3EE  Control Room Janine Partington This exhibition showcases of the intricate work of the Bristol artist Janine Partington. Her delicate scalpel cut line drawings explore the transparent, transitory and the handmade, to create beautiful natural scenes. The artwork will also be displayed in a unique location: inside the control room on the Redcl

As we start gearing up for Christmas, our thoughts inevitably move towards buying presents for friends and loved ones. Before you turn to online shopping or big department stores, don't forget that Bristol boasts a host of fantastic festive markets where you can buy handmade and homemade presents that you're unlikely to find on the high street. Here's our guide to the many festivals, markets, fairs (and indeed fayres) where you can find something special and get into the Christmas spirit: Bristol German Christmas Market <img id="86aa637b-85e6-8832-5652-a8b4cd17984b" data-caption="" data-credit="Shaun Curnow" data-width-class="100" type="image/jpeg" total="197990" loaded="197990" image_id="102942749" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102942749/image.jpg" class="photo lazy inline"> Shaun Curnow   Now in its seventh year, the Bristol German Christmas Market is a popular addition to Broadmead, featuring 38 traditional chalets, a nativity pyramid and a giant advent calendar. Plus, of course, the chance to quaff German ale in the beer garden, unwind with an alcoholic hot chocolate or chomp on a hot sausage. German Christmas Market. November 6-December 22, 10am-8pm (beer garden 10am-10pm). Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3DX. More info here. Longwell Christmas Craft and Gift Fair With a tombola for charity and free parking the Longwell Green Community Centre Christmas Fair might be small, but you'll be able to find something for all the family. Christmas Craft and G

It's that brilliant time of year again, where we all stand together in a cold, dark field, craning our heads up at the night sky while watching several hundred quid's worth of explosives detonated for our amusement. But where can you catch a firework show in Bristol? Pack a flask of tea and get sticky with a toffee apple and head to one of these displays near you.   Sunday November 1 <img id="b283ae26-6970-1e09-7ae0-1483c418d7f4" data-caption="" data-credit="Flickr: tlc" data-width-class="100" type="image/jpeg" total="2752361" loaded="2752361" image_id="102933751" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102933751/image.jpg" class="photo lazy inline"> Flickr: tlc   Trinity Fireworks Party, The Trinity Arts Centre is famous for its incredible fireworks display. You can watch it while nestled in the beautiful community garden, with drinks and treats available. There'll also be live music from Mr Benn, Eva Lavarus and the Ambling Band. Trinity Fireworks Party. 6-10pm. Trinity arts centre, Trinity Road, Easton. More details here. Free entry for four with a flyer.   Bradley Stoke Fireworks DisplayBradley Stoke Town Council is inviting all residents and neighbours to a public fireworks display. Entry to the event is free but a donation towards local charities at the main gate is encouraged. There will also be hot food available. Bradley Stoke Firework Display. Gates open 4.30pm, display starts at 6pm. Jubilee Centre, Savages Wood Road, Bradley Sto

Bristol is a creative city all year round, and this autumn is proving an especially busy time for art lovers.  October might nearly be over, but there are loads of great art events to immerse yourself in this month – here are eight eye-catching exhibitions in Bristol happening this weekend and beyond:   Love Supreme Studio 89   Exploring manipulations of iconic celebrity imagery from the disco era, the Love Supreme installation from Studio 89 Music has been created as part of the Simple Things music festival. So, when you take a break from the music at Colston Hall, you can pop around the corner to the Hours Gallery in Colston Yard and see an exhibition that aims to bridge a love for music with a taste for fine art. Love Supreme. Until October 24. Hours Gallery, 10 Colston Yard, Bristol, BS1 5BD. For more information here.      Places  <img id="5d98d0b4-ff17-1f4c-80d6-e890715116c9" data-caption="" data-credit="Ian McConaghy" data-width-class="100" type="image/jpeg" total="405815" loaded="405815" image_id="102924133" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102924133/image.jpg" class="photo lazy inline"> Ian McConaghy   At the Tobacco Factory in Bedminster you'll find six artists showcasing their work for Places – a personal exploration of space and our city. The artists include Chitra Carve, Anna Francis, Miriam Mallalieu, Ahley Thomas, Gareth Wood (aka Fuller) and Ian McConaghy, who'll be exhibiting both 2D and 3D pieces. Places. Until December 29. The Tobacco Factory,

At the end of September, what was once a John Lewis warehouse finally completed it's epic transformation – becoming Airhop Bristol, the largest trampoline park in the world.     Based close to Cribbs Causeway, this exciting new enterprise offers 60,000 square foot of indoor space, with several different zones to bounce on, created by 135 interconnected trampolines. These aren't just on the floor, but up the walls, too.   <img id="b2732f74-4cf0-bc2e-84ee-66097270e832" data-caption="" data-credit="Hannahbella Photography" data-width-class="100" type="image/jpeg" total="242211" loaded="242211" image_id="102916446" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102916446/image.jpg" alt="airhop bristol, cribbs causeway, trampoline" class="photo lazy inline"> Hannahbella Photography   One of these zones is the foam pit, where you'll find five trampolines from which to launch yourself into the vast container of blue and pink cubes of foam, letting you practice some of your most daring jumps with a soft landing.    <img id="90f71403-932c-4a69-d79b-1b12c90df908" data-caption="" data-credit="Hannahbella Photography" data-width-class="100" type="image/jpeg" total="227436" loaded="227436" image_id="102916574" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102916574/image.jpg" alt="airhop, trampolines, cribbs" class="photo lazy inline"> Hannahbella Photography   Alternatively, you can live out your dreams of completing a jaw-dropping slam dunk in the basketball courts opposite.   <img id="6

With the days getting shorter and the nights really rolling in, we thought the time was right to dig out some brilliant pictures of Bristol after sunset. Scroll down for 25 stunning shots of the city by night, captured by a host of talented local photographers.     &lt;img id="fe785f27-d2c4-4265-5f62-da602f7dd1ca" data-caption="" data-credit="Jeremy Fennell" data-width-class="100" type="image/jpeg" total="3819232" loaded="3819232" image_id="102899856" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102899856/image.jpg" class="photo lazy inline"&gt; Jeremy Fennell Jeremy Fennell Photography. Flickr page.  &lt;img id="6ddc963f-e74b-0d8f-2d14-da538e10a6f0" data-caption="" data-credit="Julian Preece" data-width-class="100" type="image/jpeg" total="993447" loaded="993447" image_id="102899857" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102899857/image.jpg" class="photo lazy inline"&gt; Julian Preece &lt;img id="82359eb3-46bc-f871-ba03-03a35537a8a2" data-caption="" data-credit="Carolyn Eaton Photography" data-width-class="100" type="image/jpeg" total="2158610" loaded="2158610" image_id="102899858" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102899858/image.jpg" class="photo lazy inline"&gt; Carolyn Eaton Photography  Carolyn Eaton Flickr page &lt;img id="d90dfffa-9522-a708-1e77-cf1607d5d47f" data-caption="" data-credit="Andy Debreuil" data-width-class="100" type="image/jpeg" total="1105914" loaded="1105914" image_id="102899861" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102899861/i

The first 'supermoon' eclipse for more than three decades is coming to our skies on the night of September 27-28, just a fortnight after a partial solar eclipse that, sadly, most of the world will miss (unless you live in southern Africa, that is). A supermoon is a full moon at the closest point to Earth in it's lunar orbit, appearing 7% larger and 30% brighter than normal. The Moon's orbit is egg shaped – elliptical rather than circular – creating a supermoon, also known as a 'Perigee moon'.   <img id="57c734dd-3d1c-f893-11f9-1361dea06e14" data-caption="" data-credit="Perigee moon by Mary Spicer" data-width-class="100" type="image/jpeg" total="88720" loaded="88720" image_id="102846950" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102846950/image.jpg" class="photo lazy inline"> Perigee moon by Mary Spicer The supermoon total eclipse will become visible from 1am on Monday September 28. By 2am, the supermoon will begin to be partially eclipsed, reaching total eclipse and turning red as it enters the penumbra (the Earth's shadow) at 3.52am, before ending at 5.27am. A very late night, we know, but as the first supermoon eclipse since 1982 – and the last until 2033 – we reckon it'll be worth feeling a little extra groggy on Monday morning to witness this special astronomical event.   <img id="a9bacd27-ff73-6dda-15f3-fea302135c38" data-caption="" data-credit="Eclipse map by Larry Koehn" data-width-class="100" type="image/png" total="329389" loaded="329389" image_id="102845478" sr

On the morning of August 25, tens of thousands of people rushed to the Dismaland website to try their luck bagging a highly sought-after ticket for street artist Banksy's latest theme art exhibition in Weston-super-Mare. Just an hour after the first batch of Dismaland Bemusement tickets were available, they had sold out. Featuring more than 50 pieces from artists from all over the world, the exhibition is nestled in the seaside resort's previously disused Tropicana Lido. Alongside the artwork, Dismaland is hosting a series of Friday night music slots (including performances from Sleaford Mods, Massive Attack and, if the rumours  circulated by Portishead's Geoff Barrow are true, Fatboy Slim).  To find out more about Dismaland and the release of the next batch of tickets (they're currently sold out until September 15) go to the Dismaland website All photos: Hannabella Nel. Can't get a Dismaland ticket? Find out more about Bristol's best art galleries.      

In case you haven't seen already, the internet has gone a little bit mental with the news that Bristol's superstar street artist, Banksy, is purportedly setting up an exhibition in the frequently derided nearby town of Weston-Super-Mare. The Tropicana, Weston's art deco lido, was once the place to be if you wanted to soak up some West Country sun. However, the building has been abandoned since 2000 after numerous failed attempts to redevelop it. Now, exciting rumours are circulating that the Tropicana is being used by Bristol's most famous stenciller to stage an exciting and dark interactive art event that is rumoured to be called 'Dismaland' – a sinister and twisted take on Disneyland.       A photo posted by Art Collectors Anonymous (@collectorsofart) on Aug 17, 2015 at 8:19pm PDT   Of course, there has yet to be any official confirmation from the Banksy camp that this is true– other than signage around the Lido claiming that it's being used as film location for a crime thriller production called 'Grey Fox'. Until recently, this was backed up by the council when questioned.     A photo posted by uffizi.graffiti (@uffizi.graffiti) on Aug 18, 2015 at 12:29am PDT     From what we know at this stage, the rumours are too big to ignore - a massive art sculpture by Mike Ross known as the 'Big Rig Jig' (last seen at a Burning Man festival), a giant seaside windmill and what looks like a fire-damaged version of the iconic Disney castle suggest the rumours are true.     

From Motion and Dame Emily Park to the kickflipping kids on College Green, skate has long been a part of Bristol life. Now, ramps and ledges in otherwise unused areas of the city are being given a new lease of life thanks to the talented skaters and BMXers of Bristol city.  One of the most exciting examples of this is the regeneration of a derelict swimming pool in Bishopsworth into an indoor concrete skatepark. The Campus Pool has been brought to us by Campus Skateparks, a social enterprise that has set out to 'rebrand youth work', using the positive energy and influence of skateboarding to engage with youngsters. It is the belief of the two Campus founders - both of which come from youth and social work backgrounds - that the best way to work with young people is to provide an inclusive space that creates opportunities for socialising and personal development, without pressure to conform. Campus commissioned Canvas to design and build the Campus pool. This inspiring group specialise in skatepark design and construction, including the regeneration of abandoned spaces into the most incredible skateparks. The Campus pool project was first announced nine months ago and is just one of several treats it has in store for Bristol and Bath.   &amp;amp;lt;img id="1246143e-abab-8b0b-eff4-f918da53c631" class="photo lazy inline" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102779463/image.jpg" alt="" data-caption="" data-credit="Hannahbella Photography" data-width-class="100" data-mce-src="

Coming to a field near you in the near future, the Wave Bristol is set to be the largest surfing lake in Europe – and it will be just 20 minutes from Bristol city centre. &amp;lt;img id="89e91926-5845-d291-3896-8e6209ad9d82" class="photo lazy inline" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102752293/image.jpg" alt="" data-caption="" data-credit="The Wave Bristol" data-width-class="100" data-mce-src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102752293/image.jpg"&amp;gt; The Wave Bristol   The Wave Bristol's vision is to bring surfing and its many benefits to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities in a beautiful setting, just outside Easter Compton. Using groundbreaking wave-making technology, the inland surfing destination aims to create a wave every ten seconds (meaning around 360 per hour), with an average height of 1.6m. However, there will be the ability to go bigger for those who have the talent to ride them!   &amp;lt;img id="3c858a7b-3380-4719-70e9-4dadcd663b32" class="photo lazy inline" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102752294/image.jpg" alt="" data-caption="" data-credit="The Wave Bristol" data-width-class="100" data-mce-src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102752294/image.jpg"&amp;gt; The Wave Bristol   Boasting 74 acres of land, the site aims to be kind to its environment and will feature a self-cleaning (man made) swimming pond and permaculture gardens, which will be used to grow food for the cafe. There will also be an education centre, events sp