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.
Celebrate one of the UK’s biggest Pride parties
Although Pride Month is officially in June, the celebrations and awareness of LGBTQ+ rights are not stopping anytime soon in the city. Bristol Pride welcomes Jason Donovan and Sister Sledge, along with RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni Myki Meeks and Catrin Feelings, to The Downs. But beforehand, make sure to join the Parade March!
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 Hans Zimmer, there’s a show for every type of music fan, too!
Catch the water-based action of Bristol’s biggest free festival
This July will see the return of Bristol Harbour Festival. 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, world-class circus performers and on-the-water activities.
Hook yourself on sustainable fish
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.
See this street art trail add a splash of colour to this seaside town
Weston Wallz will return to Weston-super-Mare this summer, popping up across multiple venues with free-to-attend workshops, live painting, arts activities, and street art tours. Adding to an already existing permanent murals in town created over the past fiveyears, this year sees even more brand-new large-scale artworks pop up across the seaside town.
Unleash your creativity with a one-of-a-kind art experience
Get ready for a life drawing class with a difference. Held monthly, 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.
Catch cinema screenings in sunny Clifton
Bristol Film Festival‘s open-air, undercover garden cinema returns to the beautiful Mall Gardens in the heart of Clifton Village. 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. On Thursday (July 2), Bristol In Focus will showcase that films that were made in Bristol, created by Bristol talent, or feature actors closely associated with the city.
Tuck into a feast on the Downs
Feast On returns to The Downs with some of Bristol’s finest local independent restaurants and traders this July. The likes of Pasture, Cor, Bristol Lido, Eatchu, Lonely Mouth, Pinkmans, Pizzarova, and many, many more will be serving up the treats. Plus, there’ll be cocktails, cooking demos, live music, children’s entertainment, wine tasting, talks and a lot more.
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.
Watch Bristol’s young people show off the talent
Bristol Beacon is handing over its stages to the city’s young people this summer, as more than 500 performers take part in a brand-new, youth-led music festival. Spanning orchestral premieres, immersive choral experiences and venue-wide takeovers, Fusion Fest will fill the venue with interactive workshops, family-friendly craft sessions and musical performances.
An evening afterparty featuring Bristol Youth Studios and special guest Lady Nade will round off the celebrations.
The post 10 best things to do in Bristol this July — from a huge harbour festival to an open-air garden cinema appeared first on Secret Bristol.
