14 min readFrom soaring hot air balloons to bustling Harbourside festivals, incredible live music to new cultural event spaces, food festivals to family fun; 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 events | Family fun | 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 12 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 Kim Wilde, Cascada, Ultra Naté and Brooke Lynn Hytes.
Image - Bristol Pride
Don’t miss the return of two of the city’s trademark events. From 18 - 20 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.
Image - Bristol Harbour Festival
Over at Ashton Court from 8 - 10 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. 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 the 10th anniversary of Cinema Rediscovered film festival from 23 - 27 July, and the 30th edition of Encounters Film Festival in September.
From 19 - 27 July, the annual Weston Wallz street art festival returns to Weston-super-Mare. Marvel as talented artists from across the world paint the seaside town into a colourful walk-through gallery of fabulous artworks. Join special guided tours to learn more about Weston's growing relationship with street art, and flex your own street art skills in a series of workshops.
Image - Weston Wallz artwork by Epod
Bristol's summer music calendar has a stellar line up, including Siren Bristol bringing Bloc Party, RUN All Day and a special three-hour DJ set from Sasha & John Digweed to the harbourside at the end of July, legendary Bristol act IDLEs playing their only UK shows of 2025 at a homecoming gig in Queen Square on 1 & 2 August.
FORWARDS returns to the Downs from 23 - 24 August to fill the bank holiday weekend with some banging headliners, including The Last Dinner Party, Jorja Smith, Barry Can’t Swim, Ezra Collective, and Doechii. There will also be social action talks and creative panels, plus a new Dance Tent, headlined by the legendary Annie Mac.
Image - FORWARDS
There are plenty of brilliant food and drink events to keep your taste buds tingling this Summer, including the food festival Feast On (24 - 27 July), the first ever Bristol Cider Week (25 July -3 August), Food and Drink Festival at Old Down Estate (25 August), Bristol Craft Brew Festival (30 August) and Bristol Wing Fest (5 - 7 September).
Image - Feast On
Other festivals coming up in August include the Sea Shanty and Folk Festival in Weston-Super-Mare from 1 - 3 August (the Bristol Sea Shanty Festival comes to town in September), a star-studded line-up of DJs at Lake Paradiso in Chew Valley (1 - 3 August), top tribute acts at City Rock (16 August), and outdoor adventure at Mendip Family Festival at Mendip Activity Centre (29 - 31 August).
Image - Mendip Activity Centre
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 (19 July - 5 September). No registration or pre-booking needed.
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...
- Make the most of free entry for children to Brunel's SS Great Britain this summer and celebrate the Victorian way with giant games, deckchairs, magic shows, face painting, a new family trail and stories from Mr Brunel.
- Go on a globetrotting adventure at Bristol Aquarium and discover marine life from different countries, from the sunken shipwrecks of the UK to the amazing biodiversity of the Amazon.
- Get up close with planes, buses, trams and more at Aerospace Bristol, which also has its own Gromit sculpture you can visit.
- 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 peak tickets throughout the summer holidays.
- Bristol’s beloved science centre We the Curious has over 200 mind-blowing things to do, plus regular 3D planetarium shows.
- Learn how to track and identify animals in Andy's Adventures: Explorer Trail at Bristol Zoo Project, or watch the zoo come alive at night in their Summer Lates events.
Image - Bristol Zoo Project
Just outside Bristol are some top family days out, many of which have several activities and attractions for the price of one ticket...
- Watch a brand new circus and magic show at Wookey Hole Caves, or meet the Dino Ranger and baby dinosaurs in the new Dinosaur Experience.
- 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 - get 10% off all Unlimited Ride Wristbands online when you use code ‘DANIDONKEY’ at checkout.
- 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.
- Visit the new lion habitat at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, and meet a whole host of other animals, large and small.
- Meet the visiting animals and minibeasts or follow a poetry-inspired trail at Somerset Rural Life Museum.
- Take part in dragonfly-themed activities at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
- Join in with Summer of Play activities in the grand gardens of Tyntesfield and Dyrham Park.
- Take a trip to the seaside at Brean Leisure Park, based just an hour’s drive south of Bristol along the Somerset coast. Featuring Brean Splash Waterpark with outdoor water slides and and indoor pool, Brean Play with the region’s largest soft play area for children, and Brean Theme Park, it’s the perfect family day out.
Browse more family-friendly activities in and around Bristol
Image - Avon Valley Adventure Park
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:
- Book a summer stay at Mollie’s Motel (close to attractions such as Bristol Zoo Project and The Wave), and enjoy 15% off the best available room rate - they’ll also treat you to a Mollie’s 99 ice cream cone.
- Get up to 20% off Hotel Du Vin & Bistro's Bed & Breakfast or Dinner, Bed & Breakfast stays from 21st July until 7th September.
- Enjoy one or more nights at The Bristol Hotel this summer with a 15% discount, complimentary breakfast and a drink voucher included.
Image - Hotel Du Vin & Bistro
Mecure Bristol Grand is a great 4-star hotel in the Old City, within easy reach of Bristol's top shops, markets and harbourside, or nearby Radisson Blu has spacious interconnected rooms which are perfect for families.
Image - Mercure Bristol Grand
If you're after a self-catering option, Urban Creation have luxury serviced apartments scattered across the city from Georgian townhouses to Victorian villas - take your pick from stylish pads at Beech House, Alison Court and Redmayne House.
Image - Redmayne House
If it’s a family break, you’ll love Future Inns’ Kids Stay Free deal. Make one of their interconnecting rooms home for your stay and you’ll be in the heart of Bristol Shopping Quarter, close to heaps of family-friendly restaurants and things to do.
If you'd like to take advantage of Bristol's proximity to stunning countryside, and dramatic coastline we have included a list of holiday parks and campsites near Bristol.
Image - Camp at The Wave
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.
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.
Image - High ropes course at Ashton Court Estate. Credit: Adventure Bristol
Choose from plenty of activities at Mendip Activity Centre, including Frisbee Golf, axe throwing, abseiling, archery and more. You can also enjoy a stay at Mendip Basecamp, to help you take advantage of all there is to offer on site.
Image - Frisbee Golf at Mendip Activity Centre
Surfs up at The Wave! Book in for a surf lesson, or swim in 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.
Image - The Wave
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, or explore air raid shelters and hidden stories on the St. Nicholas Market and Air Raid Shelter walking tour.
Image - Blackbeard to Banksy 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 and The Indytute.
Image - Food Tours of Bristol
Summery food and drink
Bristol’s restaurant terraces and pub gardens are calling. Whether you fancy a special dinner with waterfront views or a family-friendly pub, 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.
Not sure what you want to eat? With over 200 dishes from around the world for lunch and over 300 dishes for dinner, all for one fixed price, there's a lot to enjoy at Za Za Bazaar. Plus, children under 5 dine for free!
Image - Swoon
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.
Park Street is a hub of exciting events throughout the summer, with a new outdoor exhibition PS. With Love: Park Street bringing colourful flags and banners to the streets.
Don't miss the two headline exhibitions at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery this summer: Gender Stories and Bristol Pride x Martin Parr. Pop into the RWA for the Soft Power or Skin Deep exhibitions, or head to Spike Island or Arnolfini for their latest exhibitions, both of which are free to visit (donations welcome).
PS. With Love: Park Street
Bristol Cathedral is running regular events throughout summer, where you can take in the views from their Tower Tour, 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.
Image - Graft
Looking for evening entertainment? Watch the outdoor performances of Henry V at Temple Church until 2 August.
Moulin Rouge is at The Bristol Hippodrome until 9 August, followed by Les Misérables (13 - 16 August), 2:22 A Ghost Story (18 - 23 August), Fiddler on the Roof (26 - 30 August) and Bat Out of Hell (1 - 13 September).
Bristol Old Vic has plenty of shows throughout summer, including family favourites Mario The Maker Magician (22 - 24 July) and Dinosaur World Live! (25 - 27 July), followed by Starter for Ten from 10 September.
Image - Moulin Rouge at 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.
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.
Read more:
