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Best events in
Bristol

For events and things to do in Bristol, VA, look to the city's rich musical heritage and lively downtown scene. As the official Birthplace of Country Music, Bristol's culture is deeply tied to live performances found throughout its historic core. Entertainment options range from community theater productions and stand-up comedy nights to concerts at modern hotel venues.

The downtown State Street district offers a walkable circuit of entertainment, from local tunes at LUMAC Rooftop Bar to stage shows at the historic Theatre Bristol.
Find stand-up comedy from touring acts at the intimate Blue Ridge Comedy Club or see nationally recognized performers at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol.
Community events connect the city, including the monthly Third Thursdays music series in Cumberland Square Park and the annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion.

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Popular in Bristol

SHE STANDS Women's Only Self Defense Course primary image

SHE STANDS Women's Only Self Defense Course

Tuesday • 6:00 PM + 5 more

960 Cumberland St

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IBN Biz Lunch - Bristol VA primary image

IBN Biz Lunch - Bristol VA

Thursday • 12:00 PM + 11 more

Eggs Up Grill

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Candles, Cocoa & Charcuterie primary image

Candles, Cocoa & Charcuterie

Sat, Nov 7 • 6:00 PM

AR Workshop Bristol

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IBN Breakfast Club - Bristol VA primary image

IBN Breakfast Club - Bristol VA

Fri, Nov 13 • 9:00 AM + 1 more

Vivian's Table

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MAHJ on the Rocks primary image

MAHJ on the Rocks

Fri, Nov 13 • 3:00 PM + 2 more

Hard Rock Casino Bristol

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Sound of Music Youth Edition presented by Bristol Academy of Music primary image

Sound of Music Youth Edition presented by Bristol Academy of Music

Fri, Nov 20 • 7:00 PM + 1 more

Virginia High School

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4th Annual Jingle Mingle presented by The Bristol Ballet primary image

4th Annual Jingle Mingle presented by The Bristol Ballet

Sat, Nov 21 • 7:00 PM

The Bristol Hotel

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Strong & Safe : A Free self defense workshop for women & girls ages 8+ primary image

Strong & Safe : A Free self defense workshop for women & girls ages 8+

Sat, Dec 5 • 10:00 AM

Girls Inc of Bristol

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SHE STANDS Women's Only Self Defense Course primary image

SHE STANDS Women's Only Self Defense Course

Tuesday • 6:00 PM + 5 more

960 Cumberland St

Check ticket price on event

IBN Biz Lunch - Bristol VA primary image

IBN Biz Lunch - Bristol VA

Thursday • 12:00 PM + 11 more

Eggs Up Grill

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Candles, Cocoa & Charcuterie primary image

Candles, Cocoa & Charcuterie

Sat, Nov 7 • 6:00 PM

AR Workshop Bristol

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IBN Breakfast Club - Bristol VA primary image

IBN Breakfast Club - Bristol VA

Fri, Nov 13 • 9:00 AM + 1 more

Vivian's Table

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MAHJ on the Rocks primary image

MAHJ on the Rocks

Fri, Nov 13 • 3:00 PM + 2 more

Hard Rock Casino Bristol

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Sound of Music Youth Edition presented by Bristol Academy of Music primary image

Sound of Music Youth Edition presented by Bristol Academy of Music

Fri, Nov 20 • 7:00 PM + 1 more

Virginia High School

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4th Annual Jingle Mingle presented by The Bristol Ballet primary image

4th Annual Jingle Mingle presented by The Bristol Ballet

Sat, Nov 21 • 7:00 PM

The Bristol Hotel

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Strong & Safe : A Free self defense workshop for women & girls ages 8+ primary image

Strong & Safe : A Free self defense workshop for women & girls ages 8+

Sat, Dec 5 • 10:00 AM

Girls Inc of Bristol

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Online Events

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Online Group Reading Nov 1 | Psychic Medium Michelle Russell primary image

Online Group Reading Nov 1 | Psychic Medium Michelle Russell

Tomorrow • 8:00 PM AST

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Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026 primary image

Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence primary image

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thursday • 1:00 PM GMT

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The Walrus Talks at Home: Canada After America primary image

The Walrus Talks at Home: Canada After America

Thu, Nov 12 • 7:00 PM EST

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REVISED Cottage Food Safety Statewide Online Training primary image

REVISED Cottage Food Safety Statewide Online Training

Fri, Nov 13 • 9:00 AM MST

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Corn as a partner and gift giver: Voices of respect primary image

Corn as a partner and gift giver: Voices of respect

Wed, Nov 18 • 10:00 AM CST

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The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets primary image

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream primary image

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Online Group Reading Nov 1 | Psychic Medium Michelle Russell primary image

Online Group Reading Nov 1 | Psychic Medium Michelle Russell

Tomorrow • 8:00 PM AST

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Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026 primary image

Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence primary image

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thursday • 1:00 PM GMT

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The Walrus Talks at Home: Canada After America primary image

The Walrus Talks at Home: Canada After America

Thu, Nov 12 • 7:00 PM EST

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REVISED Cottage Food Safety Statewide Online Training primary image

REVISED Cottage Food Safety Statewide Online Training

Fri, Nov 13 • 9:00 AM MST

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Corn as a partner and gift giver: Voices of respect primary image

Corn as a partner and gift giver: Voices of respect

Wed, Nov 18 • 10:00 AM CST

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The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets primary image

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream primary image

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Free events

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IBN Biz Lunch - Bristol VA primary image

IBN Biz Lunch - Bristol VA

Thursday • 12:00 PM + 11 more

Eggs Up Grill

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Candles, Cocoa & Charcuterie primary image

Candles, Cocoa & Charcuterie

Sat, Nov 7 • 6:00 PM

AR Workshop Bristol

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MAHJ on the Rocks primary image

MAHJ on the Rocks

Fri, Nov 13 • 3:00 PM + 2 more

Hard Rock Casino Bristol

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Strong & Safe : A Free self defense workshop for women & girls ages 8+ primary image

Strong & Safe : A Free self defense workshop for women & girls ages 8+

Sat, Dec 5 • 10:00 AM

Girls Inc of Bristol

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IBN Biz Lunch - Bristol VA primary image

IBN Biz Lunch - Bristol VA

Thursday • 12:00 PM + 11 more

Eggs Up Grill

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Candles, Cocoa & Charcuterie primary image

Candles, Cocoa & Charcuterie

Sat, Nov 7 • 6:00 PM

AR Workshop Bristol

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MAHJ on the Rocks primary image

MAHJ on the Rocks

Fri, Nov 13 • 3:00 PM + 2 more

Hard Rock Casino Bristol

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Strong & Safe : A Free self defense workshop for women & girls ages 8+ primary image

Strong & Safe : A Free self defense workshop for women & girls ages 8+

Sat, Dec 5 • 10:00 AM

Girls Inc of Bristol

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From nearby cities

Holywatr: Deo Gratias Tour primary image

Holywatr: Deo Gratias Tour

Wednesday • 8:00 PM

Capone's

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MAGIC HUNKS LIVE AUSTRALIAN TAKEOVER BRISTOL,VA!! primary image

MAGIC HUNKS LIVE AUSTRALIAN TAKEOVER BRISTOL,VA!!

Wednesday • 8:00 PM

Axe and Ale House

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2026 Southwest Virginia Artisan Conference primary image

2026 Southwest Virginia Artisan Conference

Fri, Nov 6 • 9:00 AM

Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace

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USO 40’S REVUE primary image

USO 40’S REVUE

Fri, Nov 6 • 8:00 PM

Axe and Ale House

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Jackal Presents: Lucky No. 13 primary image

Jackal Presents: Lucky No. 13

Fri, Nov 13 • 7:30 PM

Axe and Ale House

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Creed Fisher VIP Meet and Greet (General Admission Sold Separately) primary image

Creed Fisher VIP Meet and Greet (General Admission Sold Separately)

Sat, Nov 21 • 7:00 PM

Stockyard

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Dashing Through Damascus Vendor Signup - November 28 primary image

Dashing Through Damascus Vendor Signup - November 28

Sat, Nov 28 • 10:00 AM

Damascus Old Mill Inn

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Problem Gambling & Gaming Prevention Conference primary image

Problem Gambling & Gaming Prevention Conference

Wed, Mar 31 • 9:00 AM

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

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Holywatr: Deo Gratias Tour primary image

Holywatr: Deo Gratias Tour

Wednesday • 8:00 PM

Capone's

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MAGIC HUNKS LIVE AUSTRALIAN TAKEOVER BRISTOL,VA!! primary image

MAGIC HUNKS LIVE AUSTRALIAN TAKEOVER BRISTOL,VA!!

Wednesday • 8:00 PM

Axe and Ale House

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2026 Southwest Virginia Artisan Conference primary image

2026 Southwest Virginia Artisan Conference

Fri, Nov 6 • 9:00 AM

Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace

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USO 40’S REVUE primary image

USO 40’S REVUE

Fri, Nov 6 • 8:00 PM

Axe and Ale House

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Jackal Presents: Lucky No. 13 primary image

Jackal Presents: Lucky No. 13

Fri, Nov 13 • 7:30 PM

Axe and Ale House

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Creed Fisher VIP Meet and Greet (General Admission Sold Separately) primary image

Creed Fisher VIP Meet and Greet (General Admission Sold Separately)

Sat, Nov 21 • 7:00 PM

Stockyard

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Dashing Through Damascus Vendor Signup - November 28 primary image

Dashing Through Damascus Vendor Signup - November 28

Sat, Nov 28 • 10:00 AM

Damascus Old Mill Inn

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Problem Gambling & Gaming Prevention Conference primary image

Problem Gambling & Gaming Prevention Conference

Wed, Mar 31 • 9:00 AM

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

Check ticket price on event

Points of Interest near Bristol

A Work Of Art Gallery Gifts

Sugar Hollow Park

Tri Cities Escape Game

Frequently asked questions about Bristol

Where can I find live music events in downtown Bristol?

Downtown Bristol offers music venues for nearly any mood. The LUMAC Rooftop Bar features local artists with city views, while The Sessions Hotel hosts larger concerts on its outdoor music lawn. The annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion also fills the streets with performances.

What are some good date night ideas in Bristol?

A classic Bristol date night could involve dinner and a show downtown. Consider catching a performance at Theatre Bristol or a comedy set at the Blue Ridge Comedy Club. For a more relaxed evening, enjoy cocktails and music at the LUMAC Rooftop Bar.

Are there any major annual festivals or events in Bristol?

Bristol hosts several signature annual events centered on music and art. The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is a major three-day music festival held each September. The Bristol in Bloom Art Festival also draws crowds to Cumberland Square Park each autumn.

How can I find stand-up comedy shows?

Bristol has dedicated venues for stand-up comedy. The Blue Ridge Comedy Club provides an intimate setting for touring comedians in the downtown historic district. For bigger names, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol regularly books nationally known acts.

What kind of family-friendly events does Bristol offer?

Families can find several engaging activities in Bristol. Theatre Bristol presents a season of family-friendly musicals and dramas. The seasonal State Street Farmer's Market and community events like Third Thursdays in Cumberland Square Park also offer relaxed fun.

Is there a good spot for outdoor events?

The Sessions Hotel is a primary spot for outdoor concerts on its music lawn. For community-focused outdoor events, Cumberland Square Park hosts the monthly Third Thursdays music series and the annual Bristol in Bloom Art Festival in a pleasant park setting.

Where is the main area for nightlife in Bristol?

The main hub for nightlife is the historic downtown area around State Street. This walkable district features a high concentration of restaurants, bars, and venues. People often stroll between spots like the LUMAC Rooftop Bar and the Blue Ridge Comedy Club.

Can you recommend any arts and culture events?

The Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace is a key hub for regional culture. It showcases local crafts and art and hosts various events. Additionally, Theatre Bristol offers live stage productions, and the Bristol in Bloom Art Festival celebrates regional artists.