Bristol's Family Event Scene

While Bristol is well known for it's hedonistic nightlife, it's also home to many young families looking for child-friendly events. A lot of the city's key tourist attractions like @Bristol (now renamed We The Curious) and the Aquarium run one-off events providing entertainment for all the family. Both are located on the Harbourside making that a key location for families visiting from out of town. The SS Great Britain is a big draw for families wanting to look round the famous naval ship, but they also offering chilling pirate stories as an additional attraction.

Windmill Hill City Farm and Bristol Zoo run regular workshops introducing children to environmental issues and you can also get the kids started on a budding acting career at the Tobacco Factory Theatre.

Ashton Court hosts the Bristol Balloon Festival annually. A wildly popular family event featuring (you guessed it) giant hot air balloons as well as flying demonstrations from the RFA and enough food and drink to keep any kid happy.

Buy tickets for family event events in Bristol

What our editors say

“Pear Tree is a stand up comedy show about pear shaped events between Sri Lanka and Australia. It’s about family, love, homes, knives, kids and cats - spliced with a bit of geopolitics and singing. As with her last show Boundaries (now on YouTube) Sashi’s signature observations remain dedicated to taking absolutely nothing too seriously.”
From: Sashi Perera: Pear Tree

“It's the ever popular Quiz Night On The Hill Get family and friends together to form a quiz team of up to 6 persons, £4 per person (CASH only please). 80 questions from general knowledge to history, sport, music and more! £40 Cash prize for the winning team, booby prize for the losing team! Doors/bar opens 7pm, quiz starts 7.30pm Bar open 18+ Event (Every 2nd Thursday of the month!) On The Hill, Bishopsworth Road, Bristol, BS13 7JW”
From: Quiz Night On The Hill

“Here's the deal: there's a family of delightful characters regularly bringing you their new jokes, joined by local guests doing short spots and, crucially - MOST IMPORTANTLY - we invite absolutely cracking headliners to come and show us what's in their finely-tuned comedy brains. Every month, on a Thursday night. What more could you ask for?”
From: OPPO Comedy

“Mr Browns Pig Puppet Show is a collection of enchanting stories with glove and rod puppets, performed from a puppet booth theatre. Features dragons, princesses, woodland animals and pirates, there will lots of comedy and audience participation for all to join in with! Together with music and silliness, the show will entertain all the family from one to one hundred. Shows will be an hour duration. Bring you blankets and rugs to sit on. The City Farm Cafe will be open for refreshments.”
From: Mr Brown's Pig: Puppet Show

“Explore Bristol in 1486 with Dame Edith Comfrey who knows it like the back of her hand. She was there to cheer the new King Henry VII when he entered the city in triumph, and she worked for the great alchemist Thomas Norton who turned base metal into gold and brewed the Elixir of Life. Edith's secrets include her family's source of fresh water - a Saxon well. She also knows the first man to map all the city's streets - with his feet. The only thing Edith doesn't know is where her friend Marjorie Marjoram is so she's checking their haunts. There's lots of Medieval Bristol left to see, you just need to know where to look...”
From: Magic and Mayhem in Medieval Bristol - Theatre Walk