Windmill City Farm Market is now weekly, every Saturday!

We know it can be hard to find fresh inspiration for things to keep the little ones entertained throughout the seasons, on your weekends and days off from nursery, which is why we love putting together these handy guides. Check out our suggestions here for some great and varied family-friendly events happening in and around Bristol this summer...

Festival of Nature

The Festival of Nature is the UK’s largest free celebration of the natural world – returning this year for another week of in-person and online events for all ages, with film screenings, guest appearances, arts and crafts, experiments, walks, talks, tours, exhibitions, music and more1 Check out the programme of events on their website for the individual events that are happening in venues across Bristol and Bath from 7th–9th June. The festival culminates on the 14th and 15th of June in Millennium Square for their ‘Wild Weekend’. The last two days of the festivities will be jam-packed with free family-friendly nature activities, stalls, film screenings, talks and performances on Bristol’s Harbourside. Again, check out the programme of events for the specific events! They recommend you book for specific talks, screenings and workshops, which you can do on their website. On Saturday 14th, they’re encouraging people to come in fancy dress for a watery-animal themed fancy dress parade at 2.30 pm. Find out more on their website.

When: Saturday 7th – Sunday 15th June
Where: Venues across Bristol & Bath with Wild Weekend in Millennium Square (Sat 14th 10:00–18:00 and Sun 15th 10:00–17:00)

Windmill City Farm Market

The Windmill City Farm market has gone to a weekly format, now every Saturday between 10 am–3 pm! The market brings together a vibrant mix of local makers, independent traders, Bristol-based food producers and street food stalls. With over 40 stalls, it’s a lively and welcoming event that celebrates the Bristol maker community, and every purchase helps support local makers and small businesses in Bristol. It’s a changing showcase of local creativity – from handmade homeware and art prints to vintage finds, plants, and independently made clothing and jewellery. The Bruhaha pop-up taproom will be open too, alongside the farm café and the farm itself being open as usual, which makes a great family day out. Easily accessible by bus or train (with Bedminster station a 5 min walk from the farm and regular trains from Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road). Find out more on their website.

When: Every Saturday from 10 am– 3 pm
Where: Windmill City Farm, Bedminster

The Bristol Pride Family Area is back for 2025 and filled with live entertainment, crafts and games.

Bristol Pride 2025

Along with the annual Bristol Pride parade on Saturday 12th July (which departs from Castle Park at 10.45am) – the Bristol Pride Family Area is back at the main Pride festival on the Downs again this year! The dedicated family area will be filled with performances, crafts and games. Meet other same sex parents and celebrate your identity whilst having fun. This is a space where children can play and learn about identity and inclusivity in an engaging way. With entertainment from Youtuber and Children’s Author, Pop’N’Olly, Super Pirates and Darg Storytime from queens Pom Pom and Vaccine all celebrating diversity and inclusion in a family-friendly way. There’ll also be all-day arts and craft activities with Pop’N’Olly and the Malago WI. Find out more here.

When: Saturday 12th July
Where: The Downs

Southmead Summer Festival

The Southmead Summer Festival is back, this year celebrating 50 years of the event at the Greenway Centre, with a 1970s theme to match the anniversary! Come along in 70s fancy dress and be in with a chance of winning some fab prizes. There’ll be all the usual fun, such as food, music, activities, funfair, entertainment, performances and petting zoo. Also, don’t miss this year’s ‘Southmead’s Got Talent’ talent show will also be 70s themed. Be sure to pop down for some fantastic summer family fun! Follow their socials for more announcements and info closer to the event.

When: Saturday 26th July from 11 am–4 pm
Where: Greenway Centre

Don’t miss this iconic Bristol ballon-filled summer staple

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta!

This Iconic event returns for its 47th Year. Promising a free weekend celebrating the city and its heritage links to the remarkable world of hot air ballooning. The main arena will be buzzing all weekend with balloon-themed fun, stunt displays, marching bands, and more. Assents each day are at dawn (6 am) and dusk (6 pm), see the skies filled with balloons and as night falls, the breathtaking Nightglow — a magical display of glowing balloons set to music from BBC Radio Bristol. Please note that whilst the event itself is free, there are charges for parking, which you can pre-book if you’re coming by car. If you're leaving the car behind, you can find out which buses you need to take on their website, along with the full event programme and other useful visitor info.

When: Friday 8th –Sunday 10th August
Where: Ashton Court Estate

Throw shapes not toys with the next generation of Bristol ravers

Raver Tots at Bristol Amphitheatre

‘Throw shapes not Toys’ – Raver Tots is coming to Bristol, boasting to be the biggest and best family-friendly outdoor festival yet! This is a family friendly event for children from 0+ held in Bristol’s iconic Amphitheatre nestled on the Harbourside. With a line-up including the likes of So Solid Crew and General Levy, plus more, this is an exciting day of music, attractions, and entertainment! With arts and crafts activities, a free funfair and kids’ rides and street food. Tickets are free for children under 1, £22 for kids tickets and £27.50 for adults. Find out more here.

When: Saturday 17th August from 1 pm– 6 pm
Where: Bristol Amphitheatre

Visit Bristol also has a great section on their website that’s worth checking out, with some insider info on family deals to save some pennies on days out for families in Bristol here.

Family-Friendly things to do in Bristol this Summer