14 min readBristol is a city made for summer. From soaring hot air balloons to bustling Harbourside festivals, incredible live music, family fun and outdoor adventure; there’s something very special about #SummerInBristol...
Read on to find out why Bristol is always a good idea: find out what’s coming up and how to make the most of the warmer weather, school holidays and buzzy summertime atmosphere in Bristol.
Jump to: Unmissable festivals & events | Family fun | Special Offers | Stay in Bristol | Adventurous activities | Go on a tour | Food and drink | Art and culture
Unmissable events
Start the season in style by celebrating Bristol’s wonderful LGBTQ+ community at Bristol Pride. Pride Day takes place on Saturday 11 July, with the Pride march in the morning in the city centre, followed by a festival on the Downs in the afternoon and evening, featuring headliners including Sister Sledge, Jason Donovan, Chloe Qisha, Black Box, Trinity the Tuck and Absolute Britney.
Image - Bristol Pride
Don’t miss the return of two of the city’s trademark events. From 17 - 19 July, experience a jam-packed programme of live performances, maritime displays, visiting vessels and on-water activities as Bristol Harbour Festival takes over the Harbourside, plus new music stages at Bristol Dockyards, M Shed, Cascade Steps, Hannover Quay and the Harbour Inlet. All activities are free to attend!
Image - Bristol Harbour Festival
Over at Ashton Court from 7 - 9 August, marvel at the sights and sounds of Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, with mass balloon ascents, Night Glow shows, stunt displays, live music and family activities. As well as the usual entertainment, there will also be the option of paid tickets for the Sky Lounge, which includes access to a dedicated bar, private toilets, and on-site restaurants from local steakhouse Pasture and burger joint Prime.
Image - The Night Glow at Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
Back in the city centre, music fans will love Old City Sounds on the August bank holiday weekend on Saturday 29 August. Multiple venues will be putting on live music all day, with a Kids Zone at St Stephens Church, featuring crafts, face painting, workshops and a variety of performances. The festival also coincides with the Old Duke Jazz Festival, which sees three days of free jazz performances on King Street.
Image - Old City Sounds
Film fans are well served over the coming months, with Cinema Rediscovered film festival returning from 22 - 26 July and Encounters Film Festival from 23 - 27 September.
Or you can get out about spotting new street art murals and joining workshops at Weston Wallz (17 - 26 July) in Weston-super-Mare, which also hosts its annual Sea Shanty and Folk Festival from 31 July - 2 August.
Image - Weston Wallz artwork by Peachzz
Bristol's summer music calendar has a stellar line up, including Siren Bristol bringing Faithless, The Maccabees and HOSPITAL30 - a 30th anniversary celebration of Hospital Records - to the Harbourside Amphitheatre on successive nights from 23 - 25 July.
The following weekend sees an exciting lineup of outdoor concerts on the Downs for Feast Live: The Sound of West End Musicals (31 July), Haçienda Classiçal (1 August) and Becky Hill (2 August).
FORWARDS returns to the Downs from 29 - 30 August to fill the bank holiday weekend with some banging headliners, including Tems, Self Esteem, Wet Leg, Maribou State, Little Simz, Dijon, and Amyl and the Sniffers. New Zealand pop superstar Lorde will play her first concert in Bristol the day before the festival as part of FORWARDS Presents.
Image - FORWARDS
There are plenty of brilliant food and drink events to keep your taste buds tingling this Summer, including Bristol Seafood Week (8 - 12 July), Feast On (23 - 26 July), Valley Fest (31 July - 2 August), Bristol Cider Week (7 - 15 August), Bristol Wing Fest (4 - 6 September) and Bristol Coffee Festival (12 September). Bristol Cocktail Weekend is the perfect way to see out summer with some delish drinks from 24 - 27 September.
Image - Feast at Valley Fest
Family fun
Many of Bristol’s best attractions are offering money-saving deals across the summer, making Bristol great value for a short family break. Children under the age of 16 will be able to travel for free on buses in and around Bristol during the school summer holidays (18 July - 6 September). No registration or pre-booking needed.
National Rail has a range of attractions that give you a discount if you travel by train. Visit Days Out Guide to see what you could save on your #SummerInBristol
Keep an eye to our summer offers page for the latest additions, or check out our list of 60 free things to do in Bristol to help your money go further.
Some key picks include...
- See models of your favourite Aardman characters in Cracking Exhibition Gromit and enjoy a special themed afternoon tea at M Shed - there's also a miniature Aardman treasure hunt at Bristol Museum and Gallery throughout the summer, plus a whole summer of Aardman films at Watershed, plus special discounts if you head to the exhibition and the special screenings.
- Make the most of free entry for children to Bristol Dockyards, this summer and celebrate with games, challenges and the newly expanded SS Great Britain Experience. A child can visit for FREE with each paying adult throughout the summer holidays - plus, as all of their tickets are annual tickets, you can visit as many times as you want for a whole year!
- Celebrate the incredible conservation success stories helping to protect our oceans at Bristol Aquarium, with special talks and tours, plus a beach combing sandpit. Save 10% when you visit between 25th June – 1st September.
- Fly through the rings of Saturn, explore illusions and magic tricks, find rainbows, and make fruit sorbets in the Summer of Imagination at We The Curious. Book your tickets by the 22 July to enjoy 20% off the admission price.
- Explore fun walkways and high ropes through the trees with Adventure Bristol in Ashton Court Estate.
- Enjoy giant outdoor lawn games, an interactive marble run, an airplane-themed played area and special planetarium shows at Aerospace Bristol, plus the chance to see the Bristol Freighter and the last Concorde to fly.
- Check out the new rooms being added to the dazzling Wake The Tiger - under 5s can visit for free, and there is a 20% discount on tickets throughout the summer holidays.
- Join Shaun the Sheep on a new trail at Bristol Zoo Project and see if you can spot Wallace & Gromit, Feathers McGraw and more along the way.
Image - Bristol Dockyards
Just outside Bristol are some top family days out, many of which have several activities and attractions for the price of one ticket...
- There are lots of new experiences to try this summer at Wookey Hole, including a immersive cave projections, a heritage tour, and a brand new circus and magic show, or meet the Dino Ranger and baby dinosaurs in the new Dinosaur Experience - get 15% off tickets when you book in advance.
- Head along to watch live music and enjoy family entertainment and workshops at Mendip Mini-Fests.
- Head to The Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare, where for just £15, you can enjoy non-stop, all-day access to a huge selection of thrill rides and attractions. You can also get 25% off all Unlimited Ride Wristbands on weekends and within North Somerset school holidays when you book in advance.
- Enjoy a range of outdoor fun in Summertopia at Avon Valley Adventure Park, including climbing walls, a mini Jeep safari, and a chance to walk among prehistoric giants in Dinosaur Valley. Visit once this summer and return for FREE! Stay for longer at Avon Valley's campsite, which offers glamping tents, as well as motorhome and campervan pitches.
- See African elephants, giraffes, rhinos, lions and tigers up close at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm - get 10% off if you book more than five days in advance.
- Take part in dragonfly-themed activities and canoe safaris at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
- Join in with Summer of Play activities in the grand gardens of Tyntesfield and Dyrham Park.
Browse more family-friendly activities in and around Bristol
Image - Mendip Mini-Fest at Mendip Basecamp
Summer Deals & Discounts
Looking to maximise your budget this summer? Great British Summer Savings on everything from days out to hotels, restaurants and events.
Local attractions offering discounted tickets this summer include We The Curious, Wake The Tiger, Upside Down House, Bristol Aquarium and Wookey Hole Caves.
Kids go free all summer at Bristol Dockyards! You can also enjoy unlimited visits to Bristol Zoo Project this summer with their Summer Pass, or up to two children can visit Aerospace Bristol for free with a paying adult.
Image - Wookey Hole
Stay in Bristol
With lots of summery goodness to soak up, stick around in Bristol for more than a day. Accommodation in the city and surrounding area ranges from kid-friendly hotels to chic serviced apartments and countryside campsites, so you’ll easily find somewhere that’s your style.
For the best deal on your summer break, make our special offers page your first stop to find packages and perks you might otherwise miss. Book direct - often you will pay less than on booking sites, and extras like breakfast and parking are often thrown in too.
Some of our top accommodation offers this summer include:
- Stay in the heart of the action at Novotel Bristol City Centre, which is just a few minutes walk from both Temple Meads Station and the harbourside.
- Keen shopper? Moxy Bristol is just across the road from the shops and restaurants of Cabot Circus, with stylish interiors and all the tech you'll need in your room.
- Book a stay at the Wookey Hole Hotel, Bucklegrove Holiday Park or Mendip View Lodges, which include tickets to all of the attractions at Wookey Hole.
- Mendip Basecamp is just a short drive from Bristol, with access to countless outdoor adventures at Mendip Activity Centre.
If you'd like to take advantage of Bristol's proximity to stunning countryside and dramatic coastline, we've put together a list of holiday parks and campsites near Bristol.
Image - Moxy Bristol
Adventurous activities
There are plenty of adventurous activities to enjoy in and around Bristol this summer, from sailing, kayaking and wild swimming in the city’s Harbourside with All Aboard Watersports, to paddleboarding with SUP Bristol.
Surfs up at The Wave! Book in for a surf lesson, or a yoga session next to the lake if you're after a more relaxed experience. You can also just go to watch the surfing action from their cafe, which has plenty of outdoor seating. New for 2026 is their expanded campsite, where you can pitch up your own tent or campervan, or book a stay in one of their kitted-out bell tents or safari tents.
There are also exciting tree-top high rope walkways and mountain biking courses in Ashton Court Estate. Or, if you fancy going underground (it’s cooler down there!), try caving at Wookey Hole or Cheddar Gorge.
Choose from plenty of activities at Mendip Activity Centre, including Frisbee Golf, axe throwing, abseiling, archery and more.
Image - High ropes course at Ashton Court Estate. Credit: Adventure Bristol
Learn about Bristol on a tour
Looking to learn more about the city during your visit? See the bridge like never before on the Clifton Suspension Bridge Underground Vaults tour, learn about the icons of Bristol on the Blackbeard to Banksy walking tour, go Banksy-spotting on a street art tour, see filming locations on a Bristol Film & TV tour, or explore air raid shelters and hidden stories on the St. Nicholas Market and Air Raid Shelter walking tour.
One of the best ways to see the city is by boat, so don't miss out on a chance to book a trip with Bristol Ferry, Bristol Packet Boat Trips or The Matthew, which offer everything from harbour sightseeing to cream tea cruises and Sunday trips to Beeses riverside bar.
Discover Bristol’s fabulous food scene on a food and drink tour, or browse a range of tours, tastings and experiences with Yuup Bristol.
Want to do things at your own pace? Check out our Street Art Map or Banksy Walking Tour to see how many murals you can tick off during your visit!
Image - Blackbeard to Banksy walking tour
Summery food and drink
Bristol’s restaurant terraces and pub gardens are calling. Whether you fancy a special dinner with waterfront views or a rooftop terrace for cocktails, find an outdoor seat on sunny days with help from our guides to alfresco places to eat and beer gardens.
If you fancy going out with your pooch, we’ve also rounded up some dog-friendly pubs in Bristol.
Image - Pinkmans Cafe at Bristol Cathedral
Art and culture
Bristol’s home to so much brilliant arts and culture, make sure to make the most of your visit by exploring Bristol’s fabulous street art scene and visiting Bristol’s galleries, or going along to a show.
Pop into the free-to-visit Arnolfini to see seaside-themed exhibition Against the Tide by Polly Braden or a look at folklore in Held from Jonathan Baldock. Enjoy a celebration of movement in Dance Out at the RWA, which is also hosting an exhibition on folly building in stately homes. Head to Spike Island or Martin Parr Foundation for their latest exhibitions, both of which are free to visit (donations welcome).
Bristol Cathedral is running regular events throughout the summer, where you can take in the views from their Tower Tour, enjoy one of their new afternoon teas, or occupy little ones in their free Crafty Cathedral sessions.
Join a spray-painting workshop with Graft, or pop along to a Where The Wall street art tour, where you can learn about Banksy and the street art scene.
Miss Saigon is at The Bristol Hippodrome from 21 July - 1 August, followed by popular musicals Waitress (4 - 8 August) and Annie (18 - 23 August).
Bristol Old Vic has plenty of shows throughout summer, including new Shakespeare adaptation The Tempest (22 - 25 July) and folk tale Badgers (30 July - 12 September).
Image - Bristol Hippodrome
Getting to Bristol
It's easy to get to Bristol by public transport, with rail one of the most convenient and green options. Temple Meads Station is the largest rail hub in the west of England, with direct services from London, Scotland, Wales, Manchester and Birmingham.
If you are travelling by train in a group of between 3 and 9 adults, you can get a 1/3 off Standard Off-Peak tickets when travelling together with the GroupSave ticket. Leave on a Friday or Saturday, return on a Monday and save over 60% compared to an Anytime Return with a Long Weekender ticket. Don’t forget, children aged 5-15 get a 50% discount on most tickets and under 5s travel free!
Bristol Airport is just a 30-minute bus ride from the city centre, with the regular Airport Flyer bus service stopping at Temple Meads Station and Bristol Bus & Coach Station.
Travel around Bristol with First Bus, with almost 100 routes operating in and around the city. Single and group tickets are available to purchase on the First Bus app or using Tap On, Tap Off on the bus. Up to 5 people of any age unlimited travel on any First Bus services for the whole day with their Gromit Spotting Group ticket.
Alternatively, hop on a coach service from National Express, Megabus, FlixBus and Falcon. Get 20% off your next trip with FlixBus here.
If you're thinking of bringing the car, consider using the Park & Ride services for day trips.
Join in the conversation with us on social media and tag your posts, photos and videos of you having fun this #SummerInBristol.
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