From 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 funStay in Bristol | Adventurous activitiesGo 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.

A view of the crowd from the stage at Bristol Pride - Credit Matt Whiteley
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.

A man wearing a water-powered jetpack performing stunts on Bristol's Harbourside during the Bristol Harbour Festival with the M Shed local history museum in the background - credit Jim Cossey
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.

Night Glow at Bristol International Balloon Fiesta - Credit Paul Box
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.

Band performing on St Nicholas Street as part of Old City Sounds 2024 in Bristol - Credit Julian Preece / Bristol City Centre BID
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. 

Weston Wallz artwork by Epod - credit Weston Wallz / Epod
Image - Weston Wallz artwork by Epod

Bristol's summer music calendar has a stellar line up, including Siren Bristol bringing Bloc PartyRUN 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.

Forwards Festival Bristol at sunset - credit khaliphotography
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).

Seating and funfair rides at Feast On Festival 2024 in Bristol - credit Feast On Festival
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).

A family sat in camping chairs in a field - Credit Mendip Activity Centre
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...

Families looking at giraffes at Bristol Zoo Project - credit Bristol Zoo Project
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...

Browse more family-friendly activities in and around Bristol

Pool at Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park near Bristol - credit Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park
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.

Explore more Summer offers

Green bedroom at Hotel Du Vin in central Bristol - credit Hotel Du Vin
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.

Mercure Bristol Grand lobby with street art - Credit Jose Coello
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.

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.

An aerial drone shot of The Wave and Camp at The Wave showing lodges and the Wave surfing lake in the background
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.

Tree top high ropes course - credit Adventure Bristol
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.

A group of women trying frisbee golf at Mendip Activity Centre near Bristol - credit Mendip Activity Centre
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.

Person surfing at The Wave - credit The Wave
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

Tour group  in Queen Square - credit AFT Bristol
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 FerryBristol 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.

Group wine tasting - credit Food Tours of Bristol
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!

Indian stall at Za Za Bazaar. Indian chef cooking up halal dishes during a demo.
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).

Colourful flags on Park Street in Bristol - credit Bristol BID
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. 

A young girl taking part in one of the street art workshops at Graft Bristol - credit Graft
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.

Moulin Rouge the Musical - credit Matt Murphy
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 ticketLeave 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.

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