41 ways to spend the early May bank holiday weekend in Bristol

Unsure of how to spend the upcoming early May bank holiday weekend?

Fear not, we have compiled a list of events taking place around Bristol to suit all tastes!

From walking tours to music gigs, art festivals and markets, here are events 41 taking place from May 3 to May 6:

Bristol Walk Fest

Enjoy inclusive walks taking place across the city for people of all ages, interests and abilities, the majority free. Some of the events taking place during the early May bank holiday weekend include The Transatlantic Slave Trade Trail, Walking Tennis, Blackbeard To Banksy, Weekend Bridge Tour and the Portishead Sculpture Trail. For more information on the walks happening during the festival, go here.

Diaspora!

Enjoy an arts festival featuring a vibrant celebration of people, music, film, poetry, dance, storytelling, and more from underrepresented cultural backgrounds. Diaspora! will take place from May 3 to May 6 with venues including Bristol Beacon, Tobacco Factory, RWA, The Canteen and the Trinity Centre.

Bristol Folk Festival

Enjoy a weekend with a breathtaking line-up of UK and world artists at the Bristol Folk Festival taking place at Bristol Cathedral, Bristol Folk House, St George's Bristol and The Architect. Performers include BBC ‘Folk Singer of the Year’ Ríoghnach, the masterminds behind the all-conquering Bellowhead, who sold out The Royal Albert Hall multiple times, Spiers and Boden, and Bristol’s own roots legend, Lady Nade. Tickets start at £25 and can be booked here.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt at Bristol Zoo Project

Interactive installations based on the award-winning animation "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" will be brought to life at Bristol Zoo as part of a sensory trail. Roam through swishy swashy grass, conquer thick oozy mud, brave swirling whirling snowstorms, and tiptoe through a cave in search of real bears. Free with admission tickets.

Bluey & Bingo at Avon Valley

The Heeler sisters Bluey and Bingo will be making interval appearances at Avon Valley on May 4,5 and 6. Tickets include entry to the park and can be booked here.

Windmill Hill Market

Enjoy a showcase of local creatives, food producers and other independent businesses in the heart of Bedminster on May 4 from 10am to 3pm. There will be over 50 stalls including ceramics and pottery, clothing, accessories, homeware and décor, street food, kids’ crafts, and a tarot reader. The market is located at Windmill Hill City Farm, a much-loved community hub in South Bristol, and an oasis of countryside in the city, where you can explore the farm's community gardens and visit the animals which include cows, goats, pigs, ducks and chickens. 

Bank Holiday BBQ at Racks Bar & Kitchen

Join Racks Bar & Kitchen for a Bank Holiday BBQ on May 5 with live music all day, £5 gin and tonics, and plenty of delicious bites sizzling on the barbecue. Entry is free and walk-ins are welcome, though Racks recommends booking in to secure your table here.

Arnos Vale Cemetery May Fair

Indulge in locally made products by small business owners, local talent and some delicious locally sourced food at Arnos Vale Cemetery May Fair on May 5 from 10am to 3pm. The gift shop and café will be open too.

Plants crossing continents at Brunel’s SS Great Britain

Included with general admission tickets at the SS Great Britain, discover the fascinating link between the iconic ship and its role in Victorian plant migration across continents and unleash your inner botanist on board at the drop-in flower crafting sessions and make your very own Victorian-inspired paper flower or beautiful pressed flower bookmark.  

Gruffalo Party Trail at Westonbirt Arboretum

To celebrate The Gruffalo's 25th birthday, until September 14, Westonbirt Arboretum will be running a new interactive family trail featuring all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures. Activity packs with a kraft bag to colour in, party headband to wear, party trail activity leaflet, stickers, pencil and crayon and keepsake sew-on Gruffalo Party patch will be for sale at the Westonbirt shop for £4.

Spring Family Trail at Westonbirt Arboretum

Enjoy a self-guided family trail which explores nine creatures and their amazing nature superpower. Rate each one out of 10 as you go. Which superpower is your favourite? At the end of the trail, create your own nature superhero on the back of the trail map which can be collected from the Welcome Building. There will be fun activities to complete along the way too The trail is included with general admission.

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City Dock Tours with Bristol Packet Boat Trips

Indulge in a boat trip and discover the fascinating history and contemporary culture of Bristol’s Floating Harbour on this classic 45-minute tour running every weekend (weather and staff permitting). Tickets cost £9 per adult, £8 per senior, £5 per child, £8 per concession and £25 per family (two adults and two children).

Guided tour of St Mary Redcliffe Church

Enjoy a 90-minute guided tour of St Mary Redcliffe on May 3 and 4. Investigate the hidden spaces, normally closed to the public and discover medieval graffiti, artwork and monuments. Enjoy magnificent stained glass and hear about the church's famous associations with royalty, merchants, artists and poets. Tickets cost £10 per adult and can be booked here.

We Are Warriors at Redcliffe Caves

Explore Redcliffe Caves, home to the We Are Warriors sound and light installation. Acting like a beacon calling people in, We Are Warriors contains thousands of tiny flickering lights and the voices of 130 women and girls from Bristol aged 8 to 80. The installation, running until June 2, was commissioned by Bristol Women’s Voice for their Deeds, not Words programme and plays tribute to anyone who has felt their voice or presence muffled, silenced or suppressed. Tickets cost £10.80 (with booking fees) per adult, £5.50 (with booking fees) for ages 5 to 17, £9.96 (with booking fees) for students, NHS and Low Income, and free for carers and ages 0 to 4, and can be booked here

Bing's Nature Explorers at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre

Join Bing and Flop and learn all about wetland nature and wildlife. There will be activity trails, interactive storytelling every weekend until June 2 at 12.45pm and a range of Bing gifts and toys. All the activities are included with the admission ticket and are free for WWT members. More information here

Rumble In The Jungle Presents: The Underground at The Galleries

Step into a brand new world underneath the streets of Bristol for the first time in this DnB event taking place on May 5 from 9pm to 5am. Tickets start at £20.60 (with booking fees) and can be booked here.

DJ Mag: Amelie Lens & Special Guests at The Underground

Enjoy a one-off show with Amelie Lens and DJ Mag, taking place in an underground loading bay on May 5 from 9pm to 4am. Tickets start at £16.50 (with booking fees) and can be booked here.

Community Fun Event at St Mary’s Church, Shirehampton

Indulge in a fun community day packed with a BBQ, face painting, crafts and more for free on May 6 from 2pm to 4pm at St Mary’s Church, Pembroke Road, Shirehampton, Bristol, BS11 9SB.

May Sunday Session at Rockaway Park, Temple Cloud

Treat yourself to a community day with vegan roasts, an alternative market, live music and more at Rockway Park, Eastcourt Road, Temple Cloud, Bristol, BS39 5BU on May 5 from noon. Entry is free.

Jungle Cakes at Lakota

Jungle Cakes returns to Bristol at Lakota on May 3 from 10pm to 4am. The line-up includes Deekline featuring Killa P, Ed Solo, Serial Killaz, Oko, Jenks, Katalyst, Bennie, Killey, Kivi and G-Shellz. The remaining tickets start at £20.05 (with booking fees) and can be booked here.

Hard Revival at Basement 45

Enjoy a night of 2000 to 2006 early hardstyle at Basement 45 on May 4 from 8.30pm to 3am. Tickets cost £8 (with booking fees) and can be booked here.

Code Of The Streets Bank Holiday Special at RUMORS Lounge Bar and Pub in Bristol. 

One of Bristol's longest resident nights Code of the Streets returns for its first event of 2024 on May 4 from 9pm to 3am. Tickets cost £16.75 (with booking fees) and can be booked here.

Rampage at Dare To Club

A DNB event featuring Nicky Blackmarket, Deadcalm, Vinyl Junkie and many more on May 4 from 10.30pm to 4.30am. Tickets start at £8 (with booking fees) and can be booked here.

What Would Dolly Do? Country Club Night at The Fleece

Indulge in a night featuring the biggest Country anthems and Nashville classics at The Fleece on May 5 from 11pm to 4am. Tickets cost £7 with booking fees and can be booked here.

Onset of Bass: May Bank Holiday Special at Dare2

Enjoy a 1920s-themed fancy dress rave featuring Miss Represent and Jucieman, Cross Over Kru DJ Minali, DJ Virus, El Gee & Fader and Thumpa on May 5 from 2pm to 10pm. Tickets start at £11.25 (with booking fees) and can be booked here.

Haunted and Hidden Bristol Walking Tour

Delve into Bristol's spooky past with the city's most established tour featured on TV's 'Most Haunted' and winner of a Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award in 2022 and 2023. Walking tours run on May 3 from 9am to 10.45am and 8pm to 9.45pm. Tickets cost £8 per adult, £5 for 16 and under, £7 for students, senior citizens and NHS staff and £20 and can be booked here. 

Explore Bristol's Quirkiest Corners Tour

Explore the quirkiest corners of Bristol in a two-hour walking experience with Martin Booth on May 4 or 5 from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Midway through the walk, you'll grab a drink of your choice at one of Martin's favourite independent cafes and you'll also be given a signed copy of one of his books. Tickets cost £29 per adult and free for children and can be booked here. 

Pedal boosted cycling ride

Hop on a provided e-bike and explore the sights of The Strawberry Line and nearby as well as a picnic. Tickets cost £40 for one adult and £75 for two and can be booked here. 

GOOD: Stories in Food

Join local food expert, Florence, in discovering the stories of Bristol and Somerset's amazing food and drink scene. From producers to restaurants, to retailers and all in between, we focus on independents ethically creating the most delicious flavours. Tickets for her three-and-a-half-hour Bristol Hotspots & Hidden Treasures tour on May 4 at 2.30pm cost £50 per adult or £180 for a group of four and can be booked here.

 The Stranglers at Bristol Beacon

Indulge in a live performance of one of the UK's most commercially successful and longest-performing acts who began its career as one of the first British punk bands in the '70s. Tickets for the May 5 at 7pm performance start at £43.55 and can be booked here.

Rachel Chinouriri Life Performance and Q&A at The Fleece

Enjoy a live performance on May 6 at 7pm by Rachel Chinouriri, who celebrates the release of her brand new album 'What A Devastating Turn Of Events', which will be released on May 3rd via Parlophone. Tickets cost £20 for general entry, £23.50 for general entry and CD, £34.50 for general entry and Black LP and £38 for general entry and Red LP and can be booked here.

Better Sundays Market at Broadmead

Treat yourself to some local, ethical and sustainable products and support local traders at Better Sundays Market at Broadmead on May 5. There will be more than 20 stalls as well as a workshop and entertainment line-up.