Bristol Old Vic to celebrate 260 years with citywide birthday celebration

Step onto one of the world’s most historic stages, explore hidden stories, and join a citywide treasure hunt as Bristol Old Vic marks its 260th birthday.

This May, Bristol Old Vic throws open its doors - and pulls back the curtain - to invite Bristol to celebrate an extraordinary milestone: 260 years of theatre, creativity and community.

As the oldest continuously working theatre in the English-speaking world, Bristol Old Vic has welcomed generations of audiences and artists since 1766. To mark its landmark birthday, the theatre is hosting a week of events that celebrate its rich heritage while inviting the people of Bristol to make brand new memories of their own.

From dancing on the famous stage to family adventures through the building and a citywide treasure hunt for limited-edition anniversary keepsakes, Bristol Old Vic’s 260th birthday celebrations are an invitation for everyone to be part of its story.

Nancy Medina, Bristol Old Vic’s Artistic Director, said: “We really wanted this birthday celebration to be filled with fun, joy and connection - a true party atmosphere for the people of Bristol, who are at the heart of our story. Our 260th year begins the next chapter of that story.
Our mission continues to be rooted in building those deep and meaningful relationships with artists and the people of Bristol,  ensuring Bristol Old Vic is a place for everyone and a home for powerful, inspiring live performance for generations to come.”

Come and dance. Come and explore. Come and celebrate 260 years of Bristol Old Vic. For more information and tickets, visit bristololdvic.org.uk/bov-260. 

Take Centre Stage: 260 Silent Disco
Saturday 30 May 2026 | 8pm – Midnight | £5 (first drink free) | Theatre stage
For one unforgettable night, Bristol Old Vic is transforming its iconic stage into a dancefloor.
260 Silent Disco  is a unique silent disco experience, giving audiences the rare chance to sing, dance and party on the very stage that has hosted legendary performers including Daniel Day-Lewis, Ian MacKellen, Olivia Colman and Patrick Stewart, surrounded by the breathtaking backdrop of Bristol Old Vic’s unique 260-year-old auditorium.
Guests will don wireless headsets and choose between three DJs battling it out across separate channels, each playing the very best music - old and new - while the theatre’s historic stage becomes the beating heart of our birthday celebrations.
The evening includes:

• A one-of-a-kind silent disco experience in an iconic venue
• A full bar serving a range of drinks
• Three DJs playing simultaneously
• The chance to dance on one of Britain’s most celebrated stages

Tickets are £5 with your first drink free and capacity is strictly limited.
https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/silent-disco

Family Day Party: Theatre Adventures for All Ages
Wednesday 27 May 2026 | Free | Bristol Old Vic (building-wide)
Birthday celebrations begin with a free, fun-filled Family Day, inviting children, families and visitors of all ages to join Bristol Old Vic for a very special 260th birthday party.
With bunting hung, presents wrapped and activities planned, Bristol Old Vic’s historic building will be transformed into an immersive celebration of theatre, creativity and play - taking families on a joyful journey through time as they explore and celebrate the rich history of the iconic venue.
Designed primarily for ages 3–12, but open to everyone, the day will feature:

• A brand-new live performance – a time-ticking birthday quest in which families must help save Bristol Old Vic’s party before it’s too late, in an interactive theatrical adventure full of surprises.
• Live music from Mini Attack – a group of “immortal musicians” performing hit tunes from 1766–2026, from traditional British folk songs to reimagined South West classics, guaranteed to get audiences grooving.
• Birthday crafts in Coopers’ Hall – children can decorate crowns and bunting fit for birthday royalty, with all materials provided. No booking needed - stay for ten minutes or the whole day. Suitable for ages 5 to 105.
• An exclusive family trail – hunt through the building to find Bristol Old Vic’s “missing birthday guests” hidden around the theatre.
• A calming sensory space in Equiano – a dedicated room for families who need a quieter moment to relax, reset and reconnect with their senses.

Alongside these activities, families can enjoy creative play, theatrical discovery and the chance to make brand-new memories inside one of the world’s most historic theatres.
With free drop-in activities running throughout the day, Family Day promises to be a birthday celebration to remember - welcoming Bristol’s youngest audiences and their families to become part of Bristol Old Vic’s continuing story.

https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/family-day-party

The Great Bristol Old Vic Treasure Hunt
Throughout May 2026 | City-wide
Across the city, Bristol Old Vic is also launching a birthday treasure hunt with a very special prize.
260 commemorative wooden coins marking the theatre’s anniversary will be hidden at local landmarks, community hubs, cultural venues and places with deep Bristol Old Vic connections.

Find one, and it’s yours to keep - a unique memento of the theatre’s 260th year.

Show your coin at Bristol Old Vic’s bar before the end of June and you can also claim a free birthday ice cream.
https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/the-great-bristol-old-vic-treasure-hunt

Your Story, Our Stage
Throughout May 2026 | Instagram: @bristololdvic1766 / Facebook: @BristolOldVic
Bristol Old Vic is also inviting Bristolians to connect their own family stories to the theatre’s remarkable past. 

Share a significant date in your family history - perhaps when families moved to Bristol, a birthday, wedding anniversary, or another meaningful moment - and Bristol Old Vic’s Heritage Team will reveal what was being performed on the theatre’s stage on that very date, anywhere between 30 May 1766 and today.

It’s a chance to discover how your story and Bristol Old Vic’s story may be more closely connected than you think.

How to submit your special dates:
Comment on the post on Bristol Old Vic’s Instagram or Facebook channel, or email your special date to press@bristololdvic.org.uk  - please include any details of why it's significant to you.

Look out for your stage connection coming back at you during our birthday month!