Not sure what things to do in Bristol this weekend? Whatever the weather, whatever your mood, we’ll always have you covered. Be it the best restaurants and gigs to awesome art galleries and bottomless brunches, we’ve got you weekend sorted.
Things to do for free this weekend in Bristol
1. Tyntesfield
You can visit the ornate Victorian Gothic Revival house of Tyntesfield, with its own extensive garden and parkland, on the outskirts of Bristol for free this weekend – you just need a National Lottery ticket. It’s one of hundreds of National Lottery-funded venues opening their doors for free or handing out discounts and special offers for National Lottery Open Week (Saturday, March 15 to Sunday, March 23, 2025). Others include The Eden Project, Brunel’s SS Great Britain and Aerospace Bristol. To learn more head here.
2. Bristol Gallery Weekend
Showing off Bristol’s art scene in Bristol, the Bristol Gallery Weekend returns from March 20 to 23. There are several smaller art galleries and spaces – including Centrespace, Hidden Gallery and Martin Parr Foundation – taking part in a range of events over the weekend. To see the full arts programme on offer (including talks, private views, family workshops and special events) head here.
Things to do with kids in Bristol this weekend
3. Bristol Zoo Project
Throughout the month (until Sunday, March 28), Bristol Zoo Project is running a ‘Pay What You Can’ initiative. The entry price is dropping to just £0.01 – with any amount on top of this seen as a donation to the Bristol Zoological Society. The suggested donation is half-price, but “if this is out of reach for you right now, you can pay less, no questions asked.”
The ‘Pay What You Can’ scheme is only available at the door after 2PM, however, with the last entry to the zoo at 3PM. It’s highly recommended you visit Bear Wood on your visit as soon as you arrive – as exploring the habitat takes 45 minutes. Here, you’ll meet four European brown bears living alongside wolves, lynxes and wolverines as you wind through 7.5 acres of ancient woodland on raised walkways.
4. Ostara Week at Windmill Hill City Farm
What to watch in Bristol this weekend
5. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Starring X-Factor winner Joe McElderry as the Pharaoh, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat wraps up in Bristol this weekend (until March 22). Featuring musical theatre classics like Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door, There’s One More Angel In Heaven and Go, Go, Go Joseph. Catch the multi-award-winning show – and one of the world’s most beloved family musicals – while you can at Bristol Hippodrome. You can get your tickets here.