This summer, we’re all raring to go and luckily there are plenty of fantastic things on the horizon this June to start the season with a bang. Fancy getting your calendar jam-packed again? From candlelight concerts to tasty food and drink offerings, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to getting your dose of good grub and culture. Check out our guide to some of the best things to do this June in Bristol.
1. Enjoy a waterside tipple next time the sun’s out
Bristol Ferry is back with a series of gin and rum boat cruises which will take place aboard their distinguishable yellow flotillas this summer. The experience gives lovers of the drink a chance to sip away on some refreshing juniper or rum-based beverages whilst taking in the many sights along Bristol’s harbourside. The ferry operator has a total of eight boozy trips lined up for the summer, with each gin cruise setting off at 7pm.
2. Listen to Motown classics at this glowing and enchanting setting of The Mount Without
The Mount Without by candlelight makes for the perfect backdrop to an evening of Motown classics, which will take place on June 16. Candlelight Soul Classics: Four Tops, The Supremes and more will see the brilliant musicians of a jazz band perform renditions of iconic songs by Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Four Top, The Supremes and many more. You Can’t Hurry Love, but you can hurry and get your ticket here.
3. Sip on a selection of brilliant brews over the Jubilee weekend at this Bristol beer trail
Adding to the Jubilee bank holiday excitement is a brand new event for beer lovers, Bedminster Beer Trail, enticing Bristolians to head ‘South of the river’ and get a taste for the incredible scene that BS3 has to offer and satisfy their taste buds. Beer enthusiasts will be able to follow a map of 12 venues across North and East Street and sample each venue’s specialty beer, selected specially for the celebration, and get a stamp to mark off each venue. In true Jubilee spirit, each venue will be hosting something special and out of the ordinary to really mark the occasion.
4. Escape to this poolside pad just a stone’s throw away from the city
Tucked away in a woodland area near Long Ashton and just four miles away from Bristol city centre, you’ll find Poolside Pad – a gorgeous little cabin looking out at the valley. It’s a far cry from the city life that we’re used to – swapping concrete and the sounds of scuffling humans and traffic, for wonderful nature and the peaceful songs of nearby tweeting birds. Once you do find this getaway pad, however, the real fun begins – with guests being able to plunge into the private pool and take in the idyllic views.
5. See giant puppet Little Amal walk through the streets of Bristol
Made by the Handspring Puppet Company, who previously worked on War Horse, giant puppet Little Amal who stole the world’s hearts in 2021 will be travelling to 10 towns and cities across England in a bid to “rewrite the narrative” about refugees. Between June 19-27, Little Amal will take part in World Refugee Week arriving in Bristol on June 24 and will walk through the historic Old City, starting at Bristol Old Vic on King Street.
6. Enjoy amazing music performances by the harbourside with the return of Bristol Sounds
Following a two-year hiatus, Bristol Sounds has announced its return to the city’s much-loved harbourside. Organisers have revealed a spectacular first wave line-up, with headliners Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, The War on Drugs, Elbow, Paolo Nutini, Jungle and First Aid Kit all confirmed. Bringing a diverse bill of live music to the heart of the city, the open-air summer concert series will take place between June 22-27.
7. Explore the beauty of craft beer at the brilliant Bristol Craft Beer Festival
Heading into town with an epic weekender of all things beer, the Bristol Craft Beer Festival will be beckoning in brewhounds with the promise of refreshing lagers, golden ciders, amber ales, fruit-fuelled sours and chocolatey stouts this June. This is a must for any craft beer fans looking to taste a wide range of hops from over 40 world-class breweries. Find your tickets here.
8. Try these gooey Scotch eggs at your next picnic
Sandwich Sandwich is not just known for their incredible cross-section snaps of their delicious sandwiches (which are award-winning) as their Scotch eggs are quite jaw-dropping. Or drool-inducing. Coated in a thin crust of seasoned breadcrumbs, these Scotch eggs have a thick sausage meat filling encasing a rather spectacularly-boiled egg, oozing with a gooey yolk. And they make the perfect addition to any lunch or picnic this summer.
9. Celebrate African and Caribbean culture at St Paul’s Carnival
Bristol’s annual celebration of African and Caribbean culture, St Pauls Carnival returns this summer to in-person events with the launch of its St Carnival Presents ‘Back A Yard’ event programme. Back A Yard is a traditional Jamaican phrase that typically means back home or where I’m from. Playing on this definition, the Back A Yard programme takes the carnival back to its roots, celebrating the St Pauls Community, history, and legacy, and this year will mark the 60th anniversary of Jamaican independence. Visitors to the Carnival, which will run from June 22 up to carnival day, July 2, can expect stories from the Windrush generation, a community picnic, a brunch event and a takeover of events space, Lost Horizon.
10. Head to this trendy drinking den serving fantastic cocktails and bottomless brunches
From Covent Garden to Clapham, Blame Gloria has been causing a buzz about London for a few years and it’s now set to open it’s third site in Bristol this summer. The new bar promises to provide an eccentric and super opulent venue, taking inspiration from 1980s groupie culture, acting as a fantasy playground for the rockstars of the era.
11. Visit Bristol’s fascinating, multisensory Van Gogh exhibition
This is not your standard art exhibition. At Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, the post-impressionist artist’s iconic paintings have been unleashed from the four walls of their frame: projected in a 360-degree digital show, brought to life using virtual reality and re-created in larger than life installations. You will feel like you have wandered through the canvas and into Van Gogh’s swirling masterpieces – and with the experience now open in Bristol, it’s about time you visited! Get your tickets for Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience in Bristol here.
12. Show your pride!
Ever a highlight of Bristol’s summer plans, the huge Bristol Pride Festival had to go virtual in 2020 but the festival will be making a physical return this month. Bristol Pride has now confirmed the dates for this year’s festivities, with the city’s biggest LGBTQ+ celebration spanning over two weeks between June 25 and July 10. During the two weeks, the festival’s exciting programme of events will take place in venues across Bristol bringing the city alive with Pride as the charity also helps to support one of the hardest hit sectors, especially venues that are serving the LGBT+ community.
13. Witness glowing candlelight performances of Vivaldi’s best works at Ashton Court Estate
Fever’s dazzling array of candlelight concerts are taking Bristol by storm, and with a huge range of musical styles and incredible venues on offer, there’s something for every music lover. This June, a string quartet will be performing Vivaldi’s best works at the stunning Arts Mansion at Ashton Court. Candlelight, music and a beautiful setting- what more could you want? Grab your tickets here.
14. Soak up the sun
While June typically marks the beginning of summer, we haven’t exactly seen many steps towards it yet. But don’t fret, because some glorious sunshine is predicted to arrive right here in Bristol this June. Goodbye rain, hello summer. Check out these refreshing spots for outdoor swimming in and around Bristol if you’re looking for somewhere to relax or cool off.
15. Experience the sounds of the Deep South but in the Southwest with River Town
River Town returns for the first time in three years for a summer programme of world-class roots and country music and taking place from June 11 onwards and across a number of Bristol venues such as Thekla and The Wardrobe Theatre. Presented by Bristol Beacon, River Town brings an unparalleled programme of blues, gospel, country and bluegrass, from across the pond and closer to home, performed by global icons and rising names. With more than 20 musicians from the Americana scene, including big names such as Richard Hawley, Judy Collins, Martha Wainwright, Adia Victoria and Lee Fields, River Town brings the sounds of the Deep South to the Southwest.