13 absolutely amazing things to do in Bristol this April – from ferry trips to endangered animals

Roam a living carnival of acrobats, cabaret and music at Ashton Court Mansion. If you’re looking for something a little different this April, Invisible Circus celebrates its 30th anniversary with two immersive nights of circus, theatre, music and cabaret. The lavish Anniversary Ball invites audiences to roam a living carnival of acrobats, cabaret acts and musicians.

Bristol Transformed returns as the festival for “radical politics, arts and culture” on Easter weekend. Now in its 7th year, expect two days of debates, workshops and arts at Trinity Centre. Plus, after a full day of political education, join the “infamous pub quiz” and an after-party you won’t forget. As always, there is a free creche, while a brand new addition to this year’s festival is a young people’s programme (aimed at 11-16 year olds).

Whatever sort of music fan you are, there’s a Candlelight concert for you in Bristol this April. ABBA or Hans Zimmer? Settle down in Bristol’s most beautiful buildings, lit by hundreds of flickering candles, and listen to a four-string quartet perform all your favourite tunes!

The Henbury steam train, built in 1937, spent 27 years as a shunting engine at the Port of Bristol Authority’s docks at Avonmouth. You probably best know it, however, as the locomotive that chugs along the scenic waterfront, driving between the museums of M Shed and the SS Great Britain. You’ll find it carrying passengers right up until early November.

‘Bristol’s best kept secret’ is back open this month, which means summer has arrived (basically)! The riverside pub Beeses reopens on April 3 and will remain open until the end of October. A hidden gem located on the River Avon, its tranquil setting is what sunny days were made for. Pop down on Fridays for live music playing, or stop by on Sundays for a cracking roast dinner. How do you get to Beeses, you ask? Off the beaten track, you could try by taxi, bike, or bus, but we like to travel by ferry!

A celebration of culture and expressive art, The People’s Art Fair is a group exhibition that’s open to all artists, makers, photographers, painters, sculptors and creatives of all shapes and flavours. On top of that, you will also find all sorts of creative workshops and activities throughout the PRSC.

Spring is finally here, which means warmer weather, the smell of dew in the morning, and, of course, the most beautiful of all, pink cherry blossoms. Adding a dose of beauty to any landscape, the trees pop with blossoms for a short time in April, with stunning pastel pink flowers that flow in the wind.  From the beautiful Oldbury Court Estate to the quaint corners of Arnos Vale Cemetery, these beautiful flowers are the perfect excuse for a walk. But blink, and you’ll miss it!

Step into a tree-canopied jungle and meet gorillas, mangabeys and slender-snouted crocodiles this spring. Kicking off April, Bristol Zoo Project will open its new ‘African Forest’ habitat offering larger, conservation-focused enclosures for threatened species including western lowland gorillas, slender-snouted crocodiles and cherry-crowned mangabeys. The habitat is included with a normal zoo ticket and features play areas, underwater viewing and immersive tree-canopy experiences.

Funderworld sets up on Durdham Downs this April to bring unlimited rides, rollercoasters and fairground favourites to the South West. ‘Britain’s best mobile theme park’ has over 30 rides and attractions–and you can enjoy them all across four hours of unlimited riding! New for 2026 is an Après Ski party-themed four-storey funhouse, a huge Ghost Train, the Super Bob and the Extreme.

It was only in 2002 that a builder accidentally discovered 12 secret vaults hidden beneath Clifton Suspension Bridge. In April, the now-legendary Hard Hat Tours will offer a one-hour fully guided tour of two of them. You’ll learn about the construction, as well as the strange discovery, of these red brick abutments before donning a hard hat and going down the ladder. To learn more, head here.

50+ bands across 10 stages on just 1 day. Bristol’s multi-venue extravaganza, Outer Town Festival, returns for its fourth year to support independent venues and DIY artists in Old Market, including The Exchange, Old Market Assembly, Ill Repute, and Wiper & True’s Taproom. Plus, Outer Town’s DIY Market for local creatives and vegan food will take place at Trinity Centre. To see a full lineup and get tickets, head here.

A lot is happening for Easter in Bristol, but the Easter EGGStravaganza at Avon Valley—with the UK’s first Candy Cannon, a Golden Egg treasure hunt and an Easter Bunny Parade—has to be the standout. Plus, all the other joys of that make Avon Valley such a treat, like the Miniature Railway, Go-Karts, and Dinosaur Valley.

We love a beach trip – and there are some spectacular day trips around Bristol, but one of our favourites has to be the hidden gem, Kilve Beach. A quieter trip than Weston-Super-Mare, much closer than Lyme Regis, it is full of fossils and rock pools. Less than an hour and a half drive from Bristol, you’ll find this special place in the heart of the Quantocks.