It’s the weekend and this one’s a good ‘un with lots on for kids across Bristol!
The line-up includes miniature steam train rides, a magic show, Apple Days galore, an Autumn Fair, lots of arty crafty fun, plus the circus has come to town!
Here’s my guide to what’s on. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
SATURDAY
The House Magicians Family Comedy & Magic Show: Smoke & Mirrors Magic Theatre Pub
A family Comedy & Magic Show at Smoke & Mirrors, Bristol’s only Boutique Magic Theatre Pub. All ages welcome but shows ideal for children aged 7+.
Two of the Smoke & Mirrors House Magicians will entertain you for 90 minutes with Magic and Comedy.
On entering Smoke & Mirrors you will be greeted by an in-house magician who will bamboozle you with great drinks, plus welcoming staff will be on hand to look after your drinks and food requirements.
At 4.15pm you will be invited to enter the cosy 1920s style theatre which seats just 44. The atmosphere is electric!
The theatre host will seat you at your table and take your interval drinks for you. Once guests seated the show starts at 4.30pm, with the resident compere guiding you with what you are about to witness.
Two Comedy magicians will wow you for 90 minutes of entertainment including an interval. At 6pm the show finishes. Full-blown entertainment from the moment you walk through the door to when you leave.
- Smoke & Mirrors, 8 Denmark Street, Bristol BS1 5DQ
- Contact Smoke & Mirrors: 0117 9290362
- Book: http://www.smokeandmirrorsbar.co.uk/boxoffice.html
The Moscow State Circus: Durdham Downs
The Moscow State Circus, one of the most spectacular circus displays in the world, will be on Durdham Downs from Wednesday 4th – Sunday 15th October.
The world’s most famous circus will bring its latest and greatest production, GOSTINITSA – a show that promises to have all the spectacle and nerve-tingling, edge-of-your-seat thrills for the whole family.
Acrobatics, clowns, unicyclists, trapeze artistes, hire wire stunts and much more!
- When: 3pm & 6pm
- Where: Durdham Downs, Stoke Road, BS8 2XU
- More information & tickets
Windmill Hill City Farm Autumn Fair
Butter Making, Apple pressing, Mud Sculpting and Magic Potion Making – all this and more for children and families at the farm’s Autumn Fair.
- 11am – 5pm
- Adult entry £3, children go free
- Windmill Hill City Farm, Philip St, Bedminster BS3 4EA
- More details
Noah’s Ark Autumn Nearly New Sale: Cairns Road Baptist Church
A great chance to buy and sell high quality children’s clothes and equipment ages 0-8.
- 10am – 12 noon
- Cairns Road Baptist Church, Westbury park, BS6 7TH
- More details
Take a steam train ride on Bristol Harbour Railway from M Shed. The train will be pulled by the locomotive Portbury.
- 11am – 4pm (buy tickets on board on the day)
- Single £2 / Return £3 (M Shed to ss Great Britain) / Under 6s travel free
- M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, BS1 4RN
- More details
Apple Day: Boiling Wells, St Werburghs
St Werburghs Farm’s annual seasonal celebration of all things apple.
Apple pressing, cider drinking, live music, food, drink, storytelling and family fun.
- 12 – 5pm
- Boiling Wells Lane, St Werburghs, BS2 9XY
- More details
Art on the Hill: Windmill Hill & Victoria Park Arts Trail
An annual Arts trail for 2017 covering Windmill Hill and Victoria Park. Hosting local artists from Bedminster and Bristol.
There will be an array of events planned for both the daytime and evening. The trail has live entertainment, workshops, art to purchase and is family friendly!
- 12 – 6pm
- More details
Fun Palace: Hillfields Family Hub & Library
Architecture Centre and Children’s Scrapstore will be creating a pop-up Fun Palace, making models inspired by sporting structures and engineering.
- 1 -4pm
- Free
- More details
I am Making Art – Mending / Trending: Spike Island
Make art from found paper, family photos, maps, thread and other ephemera with artist Kelly O’Brien. Discover the delight and poignancy of blending images and materials to tell your own story, or as a starting point for further exploration.
Bring along copies of images you would like to work with. Some further materials will be provided. Suitable for all ages.
- 2 – 6pm, drop-in
- Free
- Spike Island, 133 Cumberland Rd, BS1 6UX
- More details
Cardboard Commotion: St Michael’s Church Garden, Windmill Hill
Come and construct a colossal cardboard city! A free practical workshop, fun for all the family.
The workshop involves all initially constructing a withy framework, the withies will then be covered with cardboard primed with white emulsion. Kids then come along and decorate the cardboard pieces with poster paint.
The city will evolve throughout the weekend and kids will be able to climb inside and through the structure!
- Saturday & Sunday, 12 – 4pm
- Free
- St Michael’s Church, Windmill Hill, BS3
- More details
SUNDAY
The Moscow State Circus: Durdham Downs
The Moscow State Circus, one of the most spectacular circus displays in the world, will be on Durdham Downs from Wednesday 4th – Sunday 15th October.
The world’s most famous circus will bring its latest and greatest production, GOSTINITSA – a show that promises to have all the spectacle and nerve-tingling, edge-of-your-seat thrills for the whole family.
Acrobatics, clowns, unicyclists, trapeze artistes, hire wire stunts and much more!
- When: 2pm & 5pm
- Where: Durdham Downs, Stoke Road, BS8 2XU
- More information & tickets
Miniature Steam Train Rides: Ashton Court Railway
Take a steam train ride on one of the Ashton Court Railway’s brightly coloured miniature trains – or three! Ideal for little ones and grown-ups too.
- 12 – 5pm
- Tickets 90p for one ride, 5 tickets for £4, 10 tickets for £8
- Weather permitting – if in doubt phone 0117 946 7110 on the day
- More details
Take a steam train ride on Bristol Harbour Railway from M Shed. The train will be pulled by the locomotive Portbury.
- 11am – 4pm (buy tickets on board on the day)
- Single £2 / Return £3 (M Shed to ss Great Britain) / Under 6s travel free
- M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, BS1 4RN
- More details
A family-friendly event with things to do for all.
- 12.30pm
- More details
Art on the Hill: Windmill Hill & Victoria Park Arts Trail
An annual Arts trail for 2017 covering Windmill Hill and Victoria Park. Hosting local artists from Bedminster and Bristol.
There will be an array of events planned for both the daytime and evening. The trail has live entertainment, workshops, art to purchase and is family friendly!
- 12 – 6pm
- More details
Apple Day: Grimsbury Farm, Kingswood
Grimsbury Farm’s annual Apple Day – come along and watch some apple pressing and see apples being turned into juice…bring a container or two!
There will also be mini hot air balloons, a playbus and the café will be open. We will be using the new barn in case of wet weather.
- 11am – 4pm
- Free admission and parking
- Grimsbury Farm, Grimsbury Road, BS15 9SE
- More details
Cardboard Commotion: St Michael’s Church Garden, Windmill Hill
Come and construct a colossal cardboard city! A free practical workshop, fun for all the family.
The workshop involves all initially constructing a withy framework, the withies will then be covered with cardboard and primed with white emulsion. Kids then come along and decorate the cardboard pieces with poster paint.
The city will evolve throughout the weekend and kids will be able to climb inside and through the structure!
- Saturday & Sunday, 12 – 4pm
- Free
- St Michael’s Church, Windmill Hill, BS3
- More details