Bristol is renowned for its shops and entertainment venues, and it also has some great events, activities and festivals taking place over this spring and summer period. If you plan on visiting Bristol, you will require a Bristol hotel that is centrally located to all the major events.

You will find a list of some of our favourite events and activities in Bristol which will allow you to take part and explore the city with your family and friends.

Bristol’s biggest bike ride

Taking place on Sunday 12th June, and being one of the United Kingdom’s biggest non-competitive cycling events, Bristol’s biggest bike ride will be an event to talk about with your friends and family. Enjoy a cycle ride, starting at Millennium Square and ranging from only 9 miles to 38 miles the ride boasts 5 routes, each suitable for different types of riders.

Bristol harbour festival

The Bristol harbour festival is Bristol’s biggest cultural festival, with musical performers, dancers and entertainers, as well as boat tours down the river, this free event aims to keep you and the family entertained for the entire day.

With music on boats, dragon boat races and strolling entertainment, this year is set to be a celebration of the 40th year milestone since the festival began. The festival takes place from 29th until 31st July.

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Another great free festival that is taking place this summer in Bristol is the International Balloon Fiesta, from Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th August. Watch the skies as over 100 hot air balloons take to the skies, offering balloon rides, a special firework display and nightglow finale where the balloons glow in time with music, and an appearance from the Red Arrows flight team.

If you plan on attending Bristol’s International Balloon Fiesta, why not stay in a Bristol Clifton Hotel located 5 minutes from Ashton Court Estate, making it the perfect place to stay for an exciting weekend for the whole family, or keen hot air balloon enthusiasts.

All about us exhibition

The All about us exhibition is a human body science exhibition with over 50 new or significantly enhanced exhibits. Situated At-Bristol, the exhibition allows guests to try out different experiments and tools such as ‘Soundbite’. Stand next to the machine, and you won’t hear anything, but when you bite down on a straw attached to the machine, and hear music in your ears!

There is also a Live lab area where you can watch a live dissection or take part in an experiment and extract your own DNA! The All about us exhibition is perfect for children and the family, running from March 10th until December 1st.

Also happening in Bristol

Small not so well known festivals also take place during the summer, and this year is no exception with festivals like the Foodies Festival 24th to 26th June, celebrating hands on food and drink master classes, summer cocktails and live entertainment. Catch a show at the Bristol Hippodrome, like Avenue Q, a grown up puppet show, similar to Sesame Street trying to make sense of life’s issues: Love, work and paying the bills, from May 23rd until 28th.