Bristol Freshers Week 2023: Best Events
With the University of Bristol and University of West England (UWE) both calling the city home, there's no shortage of freshers week events in Bristol in 2023.
From legendary nightclubs like Motion and Lakota to longstanding student favourites like PRYZM and SWX, Bristol's student nightlife is up there with the best in the UK.
We've picked out some of the biggest and best freshers parties for new students heading to Bristol this September, as both UWE freshers week and University of Bristol freshers week take place between 16th September and 22nd September.
The Students Union at UWE
Representing one half of the city's student population, the SU at UWE are offering a full programme of freshers events at some of Bristol's best clubs and venues. These include an opening party at legendary club Motion with drum and bass star Wilkinson, Disco Wonderland's ABBA club tour at SWX, Radio 1's Charlie Hedges bringing Dance Classics to Lakota, plus a freshers quiz, bingo, drag race, white t-shirt party, and more.
Buy the official UWE freshers week wristband and you'll get entry to all of these events, plus over £150 of discounts for businesses across Bristol!
When: Saturday 16th September - Friday 22nd September
Where: Citywide, Bristol
This Is Freshers 2023
As part of the UK-wide series This Is Freshers 2023, you can find a packed programme of freshers events at PRYZM Bristol; from freshers week classics like the foam rave and traffic light party, to special live appearances from Chip and Yxng Bane.
Get access to all of these events, plus 100+ more across the year, when you buy the official This Is Freshers 2023 wristband.
When: Saturday 16th September - Saturday 30th September
Where: PRYZM Bristol
Motion
Voted as DJ Mag's 11th best club in the world, Motion is an absolute institution of Bristol's nightlife, regularly welcoming some of the biggest and best acts to the impressive warehouse venue in the heart of the city.
For freshers week, they are welcoming in the next generation of ravers with regular sell-out event The Big Freshers Icebreaker, a drum and bass spectacular featuring sets from Vibe Chemistry, Harriet Jaxxon and more, and huge hip-hop party Brooklyn Zoo.
When: Monday 18th September - Friday 22nd September
Where: Motion, Bristol
Lakota
Another iconic Bristol venue, another set of freshers parties for the new term; from a Welcome Rave on Sunday to the launch of their brand new midweek party Juicy, showcasing the best in rap, trap, grime, drill and RnB from across the globe, and plenty of other events to explore.
When: Sunday 17th September - Wednesday 27th September
Where: Lakota, Bristol
CLIQUE - Freshers Week Special
A longstanding Tuesday night favourite, CLIQUE is back for another year at Lola Lo kicking off the new term with a Gin & Juice Beach Party. Act fast, these nights sell out every week.
When: Tuesday 19th September
Where: Lola Lo, Bristol
Shameless / Y2K Bangers - Freshers Special
A converted cargo ship moored in Bristol harbour (which Banksy used as the canvas for one of his early works), Thekla has hosted some of world's biggest artist - from Stormzy to Phoebe Bridgers. But it also hosts regular club nights, including this freshers special edition of 2000s throwback party Shameless.
When: Friday 22nd September
Where: Thekla, Bristol