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.

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What our editors say

“Everything you need will be ready and waiting when you arrive, from aprons to wreath bases, and an abundant supply of greenery straight from the family gardens. Expect armfuls of seasonal foliage like pine, spruce, ivy, bay, juniper and Douglas fir, along with a wonderful selection of accessories - think dried oranges, pine cones, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and beautiful ribbons.”
From: Christmas Wreath Making Workshop

“Bisan Owda - a young journalist, activist and filmmaker - documents life in Gaza after October 7th. Through her frequent videos and livestreams she chronicles her family’s flight from Beit Hanoun to Al-Shifa Hospital, where she continues to report from a makeshift tent outside the medical center, capturing survival, grief and attacks — including strikes on a nearby ambulance. Owda's resilience and her storytelling style have captured international attention: her work has been widely covered by international media and she received an Emmy Award in 2024 for her coverage of the conflict.”
From: Voices from Gaza

“And the experience doesn’t stop there. Immediately afterwards, you can stay on to enjoy a programme of short family-friendly films, followed by the Alrowwad troupe performing live on the Arnolfini stage. (See separate ticket link: insert link here)”
From: Dabke Workshop

“Mark your calendars - bring your friends, family & neighbours and be ready to enjoy a day full of festive fun — with live music, kids entertainment, great food and drinks, wreath-making workshops, and our legendary Brussels Sprout Race!”
From: The Langton Winter Festival & Market | BS4

“The Voice of Hind Rajab uses an innovative hybrid of drama and documentary, to tell the heart-shattering story of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by the Israeli army in Gaza in January 2024. Dramatised through the phone conversations between the terrified girl and the Palestinian Red Crescent volunteers in the call centre, and Hind’s own family, this harrowing docudrama received the longest-ever standing ovation at the Venice International Film Festival, where it also won the Grand Jury Prize.”
From: The Voice of Hind Rajab