It’s taken its time, but summer is finally here. Whether you’re a shade-seeker or the kind who likes to soak up every inch of sunlight while it’s around, you’ll want to break out of hibernation this July. From fun festivals to epic activities to try out with friends like outdoor swimming and axe throwing, here’s our guide to the best things to do this July in Bristol.
1. Celebrate Bristol Pride
Although Pride Month is officially in June, the celebrations and awareness of LGBTQ+ rights are not stopping anytime soon in the city. Bristol Pride will take place on Saturday, July 12. The likes of Allie X, Kim Wilde, Cascada, Ultra Naté, Tom Rasmussen and many more will be performing on The Downs, alongside some of the very best performers from the UK drag circuit. But beforehand, make sure to join the Parade March!
2. Unwind with an atmospheric Candlelight concert
Picture it: A four-string quartet performing your favourite songs in Bristol’s most charming locations under the gentle glow of candlelight. Doesn’t that sound spectacular? And whether you’re a fan of Ed Sheeran and Coldplay, or Fleetwood Mac, there’s a show for every type of music fan, too! To see what Candlelight concerts are on around Bristol, head here.
3. Catch the water-based action of Bristol’s biggest free festival
This July will see the return of Bristol Harbour Festival. From July 18 – 20, a fleet of feature vessels is expected in the Bristol harbour as well as over 300 visiting boats, yachts and ships. As one of the UK’s largest public festivals, over 250,000 visitors are expected to attend over one mile of entertainment.
Expect the weekend to be jam-packed with the best of Bristol’s music scene, including the UK’s most streamed folk band, The Longest Johns. But, offering over one mile of entertainment, the main stage acts are only a drop in the ocean compared to the boat-load of fun in store, from world-class circus performers and on-the-water activities—such as cardboard boat races and jetpack stunts—as well as iconic Queen Square market and more.
4. Hook yourself on sustainable fish
After a successful debut last year, acclaimed Bristol chef, Josh Eggleton (of The Pony Chew Valley) will bring back his seafood festival that celebrates eco-friendly fish. Bristol Seafood Week (July 7 to 13) sees several restaurants create fish-inspired menus, host seafood cooking classes, and hold discussions on seafood sustainability. The free-to-enter Seafood Emporium will also act as a harbourside seafood haven with live music, oyster bars, kitchen pop-ups and more on Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13 at Wapping Wharf.
5. Recreate ‘The Great British Bake Off’ with your mates
A brand-new baking competition experience, Bake It! opens on Bedminster’s East Street this July. Set to become the city’s first hands-on baking activity, you’ll have 90 minutes to create your specially themed bake with the help of an experienced Head Baker—with a little friendly competition at the end!
6. See this street art trail add a splash of colour to this seaside town
Weston Wallz will return for nine days this summer (July 19 to 27), popping up across multiple venues with free-to-attend workshops, live painting, arts activities, and street art tours. Adding to an already existing 58 permanent murals in town created over the past four years, this year sees another 17 brand-new large-scale artworks pop up across the seaside town. Plus, once again, the Italian Gardens will host a Sprayjam for two days of live painting (July 26 & 27).
7. Picnic in these psychedelic fields
Only open until August 6, Cotswold Lavender is providing acres of fields to walk, relax, and picnic in this July. If you go in the last week of July, you may also be able to visit the Distillery, where you can catch the lavender oil being extracted using an original method invented by ancient Egyptians. On top of lavender fields, the farm is also home to the more natural wildflower fields local to the Cotswolds – from red poppies to blue cornflowers – and The Beechwood Trail, where kids can play.
8. Unleash your creativity with a one-of-a-kind art experience
Get ready for a life drawing class with a difference. Held monthly (July 24) at Old Market’s legendary Stag & Hounds, this one-of-a-kind art workshop explores expressive art styles under the glow of UV light. You’ll sketch glowing models decorated in reactive paints and vibrant costumes, all handcrafted by multi-disciplinary artist Jylle Navarro. To get your tickets to Neon Naked head here.
9. Witness Bristol’s celebration of African and Caribbean culture
St Pauls Carnival is famous for its colouful floats, bass-heavy soundsystems and incredible food, but, due to “ongoing challenges in the events sector”, it’s not happening this July. That being said, we’re still getting a scaled-down ‘Back a Yard’ programme, filled with parties and events, on July 5.
10. Party one last time at Motion
Goodbye to one of the best clubs in the world. After almost 20 years of throwing life-changing parties, Motion will shut its doors this month. To celebrate and commiserate, Just Jack will return after five years with ‘The Last Dance’ on July 19.
11. Celebrate the ‘Oktoberfest of cider’ with a party aboard the SS Great Britain
Bristol loves cider. There’s no denying it. So, where better to build “the Oktoberfest of cider” Bristol Cider Week is set to launch as a city-wide, nine-day celebration of craft cider and perry (July 25 to August 3) this month. Kicking off with a huge opening party aboard the SS Great Britain (July 25), followed by a city centre block party on King Street (July 26 & 27), plus plenty more events.
12. Drive M Shed’s historic train and crane yourself
A new season of M Shed’s “Have a Go” weekends begins on June 30, with 10 dates available—including July 1 – 4. After some one-to-one tuition from M Shed’s crew, have a go at driving the historic railway engine, Henbury steam train, along the scenic waterfront. That’s followed by a go on one of the electric cranes. You can learn more here.
13. Catch cinema screenings in sunny Clifton
Now in its third year, Bristol Film Festival’s open-air, undercover garden cinema returns to the beautiful Mall Gardens in the heart of Clifton Village (July 4 – 6). This outdoor cinema with a twist provides two cinema spaces with covered seating, a state-of-the-art LED screen and wireless headphones, so you can enjoy your film come rain or shine. This year’s films include everything from Grease and La La Land to Snatch and Star Wars. To see the full schedule head here.
14. Catch waves, not feelings, at these brilliant beaches near Bristol
July means beach weather, and luckily for Bristolians, there are some beautiful coastal spots all a short drive away. From shingly shorelines at Kilve Beach to feeling the sand between your toes at Weston-super-Mare, or even the UK’s largest inland sandy beach, there’s a beach for you. Check out our guide to the best beaches near Bristol to visit next time it’s sunny.