Bristol things to do this weekend 10-12 June: Beer festivals, open gardens and afternoon tea

It’s set to be another scorcher in Bristol this weekend, and luckily there are plenty of summer events to get us outdoors and doing something exciting.

Whether you fancy indulging at something such as the Craft Beer Festival or at Afternoon Tea on the SS Great Britain, or you’d rather soak up some nature and the great outdoors, you’ll find something that suits your style in the city this weekend. There is loads on - so, without further ado, what can you expect from Friday?

Craft Beer Festival

This weekend (10-11 June) sees the Craft Beer Festival hit the harbourside, with hundreds of different beers from over 40 world-class breweries. Think Arbor Ales, Asvex Brewing, Left Handed Giant, New Zealand Beer Collective, and Wiper and True amongst many others.

As well as beer, there’ll be plenty of amazing food on offer too, with The Cheese Guys by Two Belly, The Little Taquero, live cooking on the fire pits, and lots of other street food. For music and a good atmosphere, you can expect sets from ​​ Beardyman (DJ SET), DJ Spoony, and Working Men’s Club (DJ Set).

Festival of Nature

The Festival of Nature, taking place from 10-18th June, is the UK’s largest free celebration of the natural world. The festival features ​​live events, nature walks and talks, family activities, and wildlife workshops.

Also, after two years developing its digital offer, it will also bring you a series of interactive online events for anyone in the region – or far beyond! Take a look at the full programme on their website for information on Bristol-based events.

This year’s Festival kicks off with a brand-new Action Day on 10th June, and the organisation will be working residents, businesses, schools, and community groups in the region to take positive action to help their local wildlife.

Bristol Volksfest

It’s no secret that people in Bristol love their VW vans, so it’s no surprise that Bristol Volksfest is a popular event when it hits the city. The festival focuses on all the best things VW, from air-cooled to modified and across all generations, culminating in a huge show and shine on Sunday.

They mix that in with the best of Bristol culture, whilst encompassing the modern-day V-Dub way of life. If you’re a VW driver, air-cooled or water-cooled, music lover, bargain hunter or you enjoy chilled vibes and a relaxed family atmosphere - Bristol Volksfest is for you.

Taking place on Birches Farm this year from 10-12th June, you’ll find all sorts of good music, food and family fun.

The Big Tent Festival

Big Tent Ideas Festival will be taking place on Queen’s Square this Saturday (11 June), and is set up by the charitable foundation The Big Tent.

The festival works to create a space for non-partisan conversations about big policy issues and to give a voice to places and people left behind, particularly focused on regeneration. At the festival this year, you can expect conversations about Ukraine, climate change, the future of our high streets, and cancel culture.

River Town

Bristol Beacon is bringing back River Town this weekend for the first time in three years for a summer programme of roots and country music. Starting this weekend (10 June), the festival is bringing artists such as Amy Helm, The War and Treaty and Adia Victoria to Bristol.

The festival ​​brings an unparalleled programme of country, blues and roots music, performed by global icons and rising names. It’s not one to miss out on!

Summer Shanty Festival

The Fox Easter Compton Sea Shanty Festival is a great fun event for all the family to get involved with. Taking place on Saturday (11 June) from 2 pm until 8 pm, the festival plays prelude to the West Country Shanty Season and is playing host to five of the region’s top shanty crews.

You can expect to see The Barnacle Buoys, Storm Force 10, The Severn Whalers, The Steepholmers and Port of Bristol Shanty Crew.

Clifton and Hotwells Open Gardens

This Saturday and Sunday (11-12 June), Clifton and Hotwells Open Gardens will be blooming across the city. Clifton and Hotwells have many communal gardens, but they are usually private, so this weekend they will be open to the public for the weekend.

There is a great variety of different styles to look out for from formal gardens, wooded areas and rewilding projects together with one privately owned garden. Many of the gardens will be offering activities with talks, choirs and a tree trail included in the price of the ticket. If you’re lucky, too, refreshments will be on offer in a few of the spaces.

UWE Showcase

Running from June 10-19th, the UWE Showcase is the degree show and annual exhibition showcase of work by final year students from the Schools of Art and Design, and Creative and Cultural Industries.

Discover ambitious and inspiring work by a new generation of artists, designers and creative practitioners. Exhibiting programmes include Animation, Drawing and Print, Fashion Communication, Fashion Textiles, Filmmaking, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Design, Journalism, Media, Photography, and Printmaking.

Afternoon Tea on the SS Great Britain

Taking place on Sunday (12 June) aboard the SS Great Britain, the exciting event of Afternoon Tea in the First Class Dining Saloon is sure to get the whole family excited.

The unique menu of Afternoon Tea will be done in ​​two seatings – 1 pm and 3 pm, and you will have your table for around 1 hour 30 mins to 1 hour 45 mins. By booking on to the Afternoon Tea, you can also access site (for the day only) from 12 pm until close, allowing you time either before or after your seating to explore the wonderful historic boat.