Summer in Bristol offers travellers a range of exciting activities and events from soaring hot air balloons to bustling Harbourside festivals, incredible live music to new cultural event spaces, food festivals to family fun at award-winning attractions.
See Visit Bristol’s latest round-up of this season’s hottest picks.
We the Curious – REOPENING, FAMILY-FRIENDLY ATTRACTION
2 July onwards
Bristol’s science centre We the Curious is reopening on 2 July with over 200 features to explore, including Project What If. We the Curious is also home to UK’s only 3D planetarium, located on Bristol’s bustling Harbourside; it’s a must-visit this summer.
Feast On – NEW EVENT
26-28 July
Brand new food festival Feast On comes to The Downs in Bristol bringing together the city’s top restaurants and chefs, showcasing their signature dishes, coveted classics and new flavours. Alongside the food offerings, there will be wine tastings, food sustainability talks, live cooking demos over fire, live music, family-friendly spots and a communal banqueting area.
Bristol Harbour Festival – FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT
19-21 July
Featuring a jam-packed programme of music, dance, circus performances, maritime displays, visiting vessels, on-water activities and some new VIP areas and experiences this year.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta – FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT
9-11 August
Featuring over 100 hot air balloons scheduled for early morning and early evening each day (weather permitting), plus Night Glow shows. As well as the planned ascents and Night Glow shows, everyday fiesta visitors can look forward to fairground rides, entertainment, live music and awe-inspiring aerial displays, all set in the beautiful grounds of Ashton Court Estate.
Weston Wallz – FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT
Summer Date TBC
Another leading street art event taking place in Bristol’s nearby seaside town is Weston Wallz in Weston-super-Mare, set to return in summer for more live street art painting.
Old City Sounds – FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT
24 August
A free, day-long music festival with genre-based musical zones across the Old City area of Bristol over the Bank Holiday in August. Zones include Old City Jazz with live jazz, folk, funk and swing music and Old Kids Area with bubble artists, jugglers, circus performers and giant garden games.
Summer Lates at Bristol Zoo Project
Summer 2024
Experience the Zoo as it opens its doors over selected summer evenings. See what the animals get up to after hours and soak up the atmosphere with the Bristol Symphony Orchestra playing on 12 July and performance entertainment from stilt artists, live acrobatics, and aerial silk performers on 9 August.
A brand-new three-storey conservation-inspired play area called Explorers Basecamp opens this July too (with wheelchair-accessible swings and a roundabout), and work is also starting on the ambitious Central African Forest area which when built will be home to Critically Endangered western lowland gorillas.
For Adults: Bristol Cocktail Weekend
26-29 September
Over 30 of Bristol’s world-class bars and speakeasies are serving up £6 signature cocktails and a whole host of food deals – from pizzas to fine dining – in September for this year’s Bristol Cocktail Weekend for all wristband holders.
For more information, go to visitbristol.co.uk
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