My only problem with summer is that it flies by too fast—plenty of excitement went down in Bristol in June and July, but I barely had time to do it all! Luckily, the summer fun doesn’t stop there, and the (hopefully) sunny month of August still has plenty in store to keep us entertained. From the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta to the Forwards Festival, Bristol isn’t short of things to do this August!
1. Fly high with Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
The celebrations for Bristol International Balloon Fiesta begin this August as one of the city’s most iconic events returns to Ashton Court Estate. Europe’s largest annual balloon fiesta will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to Bristol and the free-to-attend three-day event will see 100+ hot air balloons of all shapes, sizes and colours take to the skies (August 8 to 10), plus the legendary Night Glow events, aerial displays, fairground rides, local music and a children’s entertainment stage.
2. Hunt down Bristol’s spectacular street art
Not that it’s not raining every day – just every other day – why not get outside and explore the streets of Bristol this August? Our city is home to the most spectacular street art in the world, from the illusive Banksy to the hidden delights of Leonard Lane. This exploration game not only makes finding Bristol’s best graffiti a little easier but a lot more fun too! Just follow the clues, decipher hidden graffiti messages and learn the secret stories behind these impressive murals. Get your ticket to this street art exploration game here.
3. Catch IDLES’ homecoming gig in Queen Square
Bristol’s very own IDLES is ready to light up Queen Square with a brand-new music event. A favourite summer hangout spot, the area will transform into a ‘Block Party’ weekend with bands, DJs and the best of Bristol’s street food for two wild nights on August 1 & 2. This is IDLES’ only UK performance for 2025, who will be playing both massive nights.
4. Take the East Bristol Brewery Trail
The August Bank Holiday weekend (August 23 & 24) sees six of the area’s most highly respected breweries will open their taproom bars for the East Bristol Brewery Trail. Visitors who hit the crawl will taste a delectable sampling of beers, as well as get the opportunity to talk to the local brewers about their practices or just have a good old chinwag. Those taking part are Arbor Ales, Good Chemistry Brewing, Wiper & True, Left Handed Giant Brewing Co., Moor Beer and Little Martha Brewing.
5. Enjoy an atmospheric Candlelight concert
Can you picture this? A four-string quartet with a stunning performance of your favourite music in one of Birmingham’s most beautiful buildings. Oh, and all under the gentle glow of candlelight. That sounds pretty special, right? Plus, there’s something for every type of music fan, too!
6. Catch the hottest musicians on the Downs
Entering its fourth year, FORWARDS Festival has quickly become an end-of-summer staple in Bristol. Taking place over the August bank holiday weekend (August 23 and 24), it looks like another banger is on the card! The likes of Barry Can’t Swim, Ezra Collective, Doeschii, Jorja Smith and The Last Dinner Party, and many more, are all expected on Clifton Downs. Plus, Annie Mac will headline a brand-new dance tent, The Arches, while the INFORMATION stage offers an intimate music experience spotlighting the next wave of local talent.
7. Listen to some Old City sounds
The family-friendly music festival, Old City Sounds, is back (Saturday, August 23). The free, day-long event will fill venues with live performances, DJs, family activities and surprise sets in celebration of the city’s diverse and vibrant music scene. This year’s event once again aligns with the Bristol Jazz Festival, headlined by the legendary Old Duke Jazz Festival – now in its 58th year of showcasing live jazz performances, all day, every day, over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
8. Cool off at one of these outdoor swimming pools
While August typically marks the end of summer for most, the weather usually doesn’t disappoint. The sunshine is likely to return this month, bringing some glorious days to Bristol once again. In case it gets a little too hot and you fancy somewhere to splash about, then check out these refreshing spots for outdoor swimming in and around Bristol to relax or cool off at.
9. Visit one of these riverside pubs along the Avon
Bristol has some wonderful waterside pubs. (In fact, you can find some pretty cheap pints around Bristol’s harbour.) But some of the most memorable riverside pubs for a drink are actually a little further outside of Bristol. Be it Beeses in Bristol or The Boathouse in Bath, there are plenty of gorgeous pubs along the River Avon. You could even turn it into a riverside pub crawl! Check out the best riverside pubs between Bristol and Bath here.
10. Strut into the Moulin Rouge!
The most glamorous theatre show is ready to set the world on fire with its electrifying performance. The musical adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s beloved Moulin Rouge! embarks on its first-ever world tour–including a stop at Bristol Hippodrome (June 26-August 9). Set in Paris, 1899, Moulin Rouge! indulges a world of beauty and extravagance full of bohemians, aristocrats, and reprobates. The stage musical features over 70 iconic songs, including recent hits released since the movie premiered over 20 years ago. So expect something special and different from the original!
11. Explore the hidden vaults beneath Clifton Suspension Bridge
Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust is conducting its now-legendary Hard Hat Tours of the Clifton Suspension Bridge’s Underground Vaults. With a one-hour fully guided tour available for anyone aged 7+, this is your only chance of the year to see inside two of the 12 vaulted chambers. During the tour, visitors will learn about the construction–as well as the strange discovery–of these red brick abutments that still support the bridge, before donning a hard hat and high-vis jacket and descending the ladder. To learn more about Clifton Suspension Bridge and its Hard Hat Tours, head here .
12. Witness the world’s greatest classical music festival
The BBC Proms returns to Bristol over the August bank holiday weekend (Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24). There are five concerts this year, including a unique collaboration between Paraorchestra and award-winning duo The Breath, the Danish National Vocal Ensemble, and an exploration of world-class Italian compositions with the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera. To learn more head here.
13. Find ‘Wallace & Gromit’ throughout Bristol
You have until Sunday, August 31, to find all 53 ‘Wallace & Gromit’ sculptures currently in Bristol. Gromit Unleashed 3—the joint initiative by The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity and Aardman Studio—will take trail hunters from Brabazon to Broadmead, College Green to Cheddar Gorge, and beyond. There’s a Wednesday-inspired Feathers McGraw at Temple Meads, The Big Friendly Wallace at The New Inn Blagdon, and an extraterrestrial Gromit, Beagle 3, at Aerospace Bristol. Can you find them all?
14. Scream your lungs out at ‘Britain’s best mobile theme park’
Funderworld sets up on Durdham Downs this August to bring unlimited rides, rollercoasters and fairground favourites to the South West. Landing July 25 to August 17, ‘Britain’s best mobile theme park’ brings over 30 rides and attractions–and you can enjoy them all across four hours of unlimited riding!
15. Catch a movie outdoors
It’s summer. You want to spend as much time outside as possible. But sometimes you just want to curl up in front of a movie. Luckily, you can do both with the outdoor Adventure Cinema in Queen Square. Pack a picnic and watch Pretty Woman (Thursday, August 21), The Greatest Showman (Friday, August 22), Shrek (Saturday, August 23), Bohemian Rhapsody, The Gruffalo’s Child / Zog (Sunday, August 24), Moana 2, or Wicked. You can learn more here.