Bristol things to do 17-19 June: Laughs on the Downs, secret gardens and art fairs

It’s really starting to feel like summer in Bristol and the city’s weekend social calendar is living up to that summer vibe, too. This weekend, there’s something for all members of the family, whether you fancy a full-on festival or you just fancy a meander around some smaller events.

So, without further ado, let’s help you get your weekend planned. Here’s what’s in store for you across the city…

Bristol Comedy Garden

Bristol Comedy Garden is taking place this weekend (15-19 June) and is sure to get you all giggling away and feeling the happy summer vibes.

Returning to The Downs with a spectacular series of open-air shows to celebrate its 10th anniversary, you can expect to find fan favourites such as James Acaster, Alan Davies, Phil Wang and Milton Jones, among many others.

Amazing Amphibians

For Father’s Day weekend, Bristol Aquarium is running an Amazing Amphibians event, where there will be extra talks covering all things frogs, newts and amphibian creatures. Apparently, frogs are some of the most caring fathers in the world, with a reputation for fiercely protecting their eggs!

Klosterhaus BBQs

To celebrate Father’s Day, Klosterhaus in Broadmead is gearing up for some beers and meat on the terrace.

They promise to treat your Dad to one of their classic German dishes such as a Vienna Schnitzel or a Haus Burger so that you can focus on lapping up the sunshine from their terrace. To keep Dad happy, quote Haus of Fathers when you make your booking and they will give you and your Dad a Lost & Grounded pint on the haus!

The fun doesn’t stop there, either. Take a selfie of you and your Dad with your pint, and the hashtag #HausofFathers, tag @klosterhaus and @lostandgrounded, and you could be in with a chance of winning a tour around the L&G Bristol brewery for two people.

IBT Wildness

In Between Time is a working-class, female-led live art producer based in Bristol, with an international network and reach, and this weekend sees the new programme IBT Wildness hit the city.

In Between Time invites you to plunge into forests and conjure wilderness in urban spaces through public artworks, forest diving, workshops and community gatherings. The idea is that they invite you to ignite the wildness that exists in each of us.

Over one weekend, IBT Wildness will re-discover the connection between humans and nature. Alongside international artists and the people of Bristol, they invite you into the forest, literally and metaphorically. Take a look at their website for more information on specific locations.

Bedminster’s Secret Gardens

Taking place this weekend (17-19 June), Bedminster’s Secret Gardens is organised by Blooming Bedminster.

There are over 30 gardens to visit from 12-5 pm each day, and each one will surprise you in a different way. Bedminster is known for its small gardens and terraced properties, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t spectacular spaces hidden behind the doorways.

There is a minimum donation of £3 to pay and you pay at the first garden in which you visit. Pick up your free guide and map at Riverside Garden Centre, The Southville Centre (Beauley Rd), Southville Deli (North St), or Windmill Hill City Farm.

Bristol Beacon Record Fair

On Saturday 18th June from 10 am, the biggest record fair in the south west is back at Bristol Beacon and spread over three floors of the foyer with up to seventy dealers.

Traders from all over the south attend the event, with buyers from as far-afield as Japan, Russia and Poland. The fair is mostly vinyl, (LP, 12” and 7”), with a few CD traders selling hard-to-find and discounted titles. You’ll find everything in the hall from £1 bargains to expensive rarities.

BS9 Art Trail

Taking place over Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm every day, the BS9 Art Trail has a good mix of venues across Henleaze, Stoke Bishop and Westbury-on-Trym.

The annual event is free and open to everyone, and you’ll get the opportunity to see every aspect of the creative arts: ceramics, painting, jewellery, sculpture, textiles, printmaking, mosaics, enamelling, photography and more. Not only this, but you’ll also be able to meet with, chat with and go over the processes of creation with the artists themselves.

Cirque du Vulgar

Always wondered whether you could have just as much fun as an adult at the circus as your children do? Well, following on from the news that Cirque du Vulgar will be at Glastonbury this year, on 18 June, they’ve squeezed in a Clevedon date.

It’s definitely a night for grown-ups, with risque entertainment, strip-tease routines and pretty filthy comedy. You’ll also find the usual circus tricks, too, just packaged up in a slightly more adult manner!

Summer Solstice Market

The Summer Solstice Market is taking place at the Engine Room, Bristol’s newest multi-purpose event space. The event will celebrate summer flowers, picnics, gardens, light and colour with lots of great local craft makers and food and drink producers. There will also be flower crown making, spoon carving demos and lots of stalls to browse, too.