Family-friendly things to do in Bristol with children this Autumn
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm – Pumpkin Fest
And just like that it’s Autumn, as the leaves turn and the air gets crisp, it’s the perfect time to discover new ways to keep little ones busy and happy on weekends and nursery-free days. Whether you're chasing conkers or cozying up indoors, we've rounded up a bunch of brilliant family-friendly activities happening in and around Bristol this autumn for our Raised In families. Dive in to our latest Raised in Bristol seasonal guide for nursery-aged children and get inspired!
Fun Palace at Easton Community Centre
Saturday 4th October 11 am–3 pm
Raised In’s community partners, Eastside Community Trust at Raised in Bristol at Easton Community Centre and Raised in Bristol at Felix Road Adventure Playground are running their second Fun Palace event at Easton Community Centre on Saturday 4th October. Immerse yourself in the passions and skills of your community. There will be a winter coat swap, repair café, art & craft activities, Energy advice, woodwork workshops, Henna, textiles and fashion workshops. Pop by and join in the fun! Fun Palaces is an ongoing national campaign for community at the heart of culture and culture at the heart of every community – led by and for that community, and a celebration – arts, science, craft, tech, digital, heritage and sports events and activities – run by and for local communities.
St Werburghs City Farm Autumn Fair
Saturday 18th October 12–5.30 pm
The St Werburghs City Farm Autumn Fair returns on Saturday 18th October with this seasonal celebration! Expect live music and performances, creative workshops, delicious food and drinks, family-friendly entertainment, and more. The event is hosted at the Bristol farm’s Boiling Wells site, a magical 2.5-acre woodland with a large wooden amphitheatre and ancient apple trees, offering the perfect blend of community spirit, seasonal festivities, local art, and fun. You’ll enjoy family-friendly drag storytelling, live bands playing everything from jazz fusions to folk music, children’s workshops that spark creativity, and hot food and drinks to stay cosy throughout the day. All proceeds from the event will support the farm. Buy your tickets in person on the day. It’s £6 for adults, £3 for teens and under 12’s go free!
Museum explorers for under 4s at M Shed
20th October, 17th November & 1st December 10.30am–12.00pm
Head to the M Shed for their Museum Explorers sessions for Under 4s. There will be play, crafts and stories on a different theme each month. Activities are suitable for nursery aged children 2 – 4 years. In October the theme is ‘Autumn leaves’, November focussed on ‘Kids in the museum’ and December looks at ‘Fairy tales’. Spaces are limited to ensure that children can fully experience all of the activities they offer. Museum Explorer sessions take place once a month on Mondays when M Shed is closed to the public. Tickets are £6 per child (inc accompanying adults) Under 2s go free.
First-ever family gig at Bristol Beacon
Saturday 25th October at 10.30–11.15 am & 12–12.45 pm
Families come in all shapes and sizes, and this event at Bristol Beacon is for everyone. There will be sing-alongs with well-loved tunes; think pop old and new, songs to rock out to and songs from the movies. There’ll be Instruments and props for everyone to shake, wave, point and join in. Try out chair dancing (if you fancy it). So, head down, get involved, and enjoy a relaxed celebration of music and togetherness. Tickets are £11.78 for adults, £7.78 for children and concessions – babes in arms go free! It may be loud at times, so ear defenders are recommended for smaller ears.
Yara in the Wood at The Wardrobe Theatre
Saturday 25th – Tuesday 28th October at 11 am & 2 pm
An endearing tale of growing up, getting wiser and making unexpected friends for ages 3-8 and their families, from Front Room Theatre. Yara lives wild in the woods. She doesn’t need anyone else. But there’s something out there, prowling in the shadows and howling at the moon. And if that wasn’t enough, finding food and keeping warm is getting harder every day. Yara must face up to new challenges, and maybe even the prospect of looking after more than just herself… Front Room, Weston-Super-Mare, offers a tale of friendship and adventure for all the family, featuring captivating puppetry, exquisite non-verbal storytelling and spellbinding original music. Tickets are £11 (ages 2 and under go free).
Find out more and book online here.
Pumpkin Fest at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
Monday 15th September–Sunday 2nd November at 10.30 am–5.30 pm
Head to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall this Autumn for some seasonal fun. Become a Dung Detective, follow the new trail around the Zoo to uncover the hidden secrets in the animal poo. In the Conservation Dome you’ll discover the fascinating story behind their pumpkins and see how keepers can use animal poo as a surprising tool for learning more about the animals. You can pick out your own pumpkin at their pumpkin patch at the farm shop. Among their range of play areas around the Zoo they have a dedicated soft play for the under 5’s specifically for the littlies – perfect for Raised in Bristol nursery children! Tickets start at £17.64 for children, £20.94 for adults and children under 2 go free, they also do any early bird offer where you get 20% off if you book your 5 days in advance.
Find out more and book online here.
Bonfire Night at Victoria Park
Wednesday 5th November from 6.30 pm
Wrap up warm on the 5th of November and head to Victoria Park for Bonfire night. The bonfire will be lit from 6.30 pm where you’ll be able enjoy the spectacle of a safe community bonfire. There will be refreshments available but why not pack a flask of hot chocolate to keep you toasty on the night. This is a firework-free event and is free to attend!
Bristol Fireworks Fiesta at Canford Park
Saturday 8th November gates open at 5.30 pm
Get ready for a sparkling night out as the Bristol Fireworks Fiesta lights up Canford Park this November! Expect jaw-dropping pyrotechnics from the award-winning team at Skyburst, plus a whole evening packed with family fun, music, and entertainment. Gates open at 5:30 pm, and the big fireworks show kicks off at 7 pm sharp—so don’t be late! Every ticket sold helps support the Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal, along with charities chosen by Bristol Round Table and The Rotary Club of Clifton.
Tickets are £12 for ages 4 and up, and little ones aged 3 and under go free! Snag an early bird deal for just £10 if you book online before 22nd October. (Heads up: tickets must be bought in advance via the official website.) Due to limited parking, visitors are encouraged to walk or hop on public transport to get to the park.
