Adventure, art and alternative activities this May half term in Bristol
Journey to Mars at Aerospace Bristol
Now-5 June
Renowned artist Luke Jerram has his Discover Mars artwork currently on show alongside the last Concorde to fly at Aerospace Bristol. The Journey to Mars Exhibition tells the story of the Mars Express mission and the scale and detail of the enormous Mars artwork allows visitors to see valleys, craters, volcanos and mountains on the sculpture of Mars.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/journey-to-mars-at-aerospace-bristol-p3266763
Family Day at Bristol Old Vic
30 May
To mark Bristol Old Vic's 257th birthday, the Heritage Team will be bringing a day of fun and family friendly activities, to help you explore 257 years of theatre magic.
Plant Power at Bristol Aquarium
27 May – 4 June
Celebrate the beauty, diversity and wonder of the plant kingdom at Bristol Aquarium this May half term where botanical plants take centre stage at the Botanical House with plant spotting, arts and crafts and a photography competition.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/plant-power-at-bristol-aquarium-p3304783
Bristol Harbour Swimming Pilot
Now – 28 May
See the colourful houses of Cliftonwood and Bristol’s buzzing Harbourside from a new vantage point while wild swimming in the harbour. The new swimming pilot scheme is being introduced this spring/summer by Bristol City Council, Uswim and All-Aboard Water Sports and allows swimmers to book their 2-hour swim slot in a safely cordoned area in the Bristol Harbour every Saturday and Sunday morning.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/bristol-harbour-swimming-pilot-p3295313
Sparks Bristol
Now – 31 December
Occupying the old Marks and Spencer building in Broadmead, Sparks Bristol is the new initiative co-created by Global Goals Centre and Artspace Lifespace, designed by Invisible Circus. Combining retail spaces, art installations and an educational centre, Sparks Bristol has a strong emphasis on community and sustainability.
Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park
27 May – 4 June
Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park host the return of their Dinosaur Valley event – the biggest ROARsome dinosaur day out in the south west featuring animatronic dinosaurs, a dino trail, interactive T-Rex, Triceratops and Dilophosaurus, dinosaur live shows, fossil excavation activities and a theatrical dinosaur research lab experience.
The Wave
Year-round
Now we are in Spring/summer, inland surfing lake The Wave is open seven days a week again for surf sessions, play in the bay bodyboard sessions (which start from £10pp), sister sessions (surfing for people identifying as female), free kids’ activities, play park, café and visitors can stay overnight in a glamping tent at The Camp at The Wave which recently reopened for the season.
Spring Fest at Wild Place Project
27 May – 4 June
Upfest have partnered with Wild Place Project to present eight giant murals on Tower Meadow painted by Aspire, Bex Glover, Cheo, Felix Braun, The Hass, Sian Storey, Silent Hobo and Sophie Long, each telling the story of Wild Place Project’s conservation programmes across the world aimed at saving critically endangered species.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/springfest-at-wild-place-project-p3308403
Sabotage by NoFit State Circus
13 May – 2 June
NoFit State Circus is returning to Bristol after 10 years with their latest Big Top production, SABOTAGE; another full-on, boisterous, and audaciously fierce performance with the NoFit State signature style.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/sabotage-by-nofit-state-circus-p3297563
The Cave Art of Lascaux: a Virtual Reality Experience at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Step back in time 21,000 years and experience the incredible Stone Age cave art of Lascaux in this immersive 3D experience at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery (now-10 September)
Weekends of Wonder (WOW)
13 May – 4 June weekends
Spanning four weekends in May and June, The Invisible Circus will present weekends of Wonder (WOW), the first street performance festival of its kind in the city.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/weekends-of-wonder-bristol-p3256513