From VR experiences in a 200-year-old museum, to numerous family-friendly trails and foodie experiences for grown-ups – there’s so much to look forward to in Bristol this Easter.
Family-friendly Easter events
The Cave Art of Lascaux – a Virtual Reality Experience at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
1 April – 10 September
Kicking off the Easter holidays is an immersive VR exhibition, opening on 1 April (until September) at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. Step back in time 21,000 years and experience the incredible Stone Age cave art of Lascaux in immersive 3D. Some 600 animals, mysterious symbols and a lone human figure adorn what has been called ‘the Sistine Chapel of prehistory’. This exhibition gives you the artworks, and 80 years’ of expert analysis at your fingertips.
Red Arrows Easter holidays at Aerospace Bristol
3-16 April
Aerospace Bristol introduces its new Red Arrows experience this Easter where visitors can fly with the Red Arrows in the museum’s new simulator and meet a former Red Arrows pilot (on 3, 4 and 5 April).
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/red-arrows-easter-holidays-at-aerospace-bristol-p3266753
Easter events at Brunel’s SS Great Britain
1-16 April
Try some classic plum pudding, citrus jelly and other traditional Victorian puddings which would have been on the menu during Brunel’s SS Great Britain’s voyages to Australia in 1861. Or children can take part in an Easter animal trail, complete with chocolate prize at the end.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/easter-activities-at-brunels-ss-great-britain-p3273433
Prehistoric Sealife trail at Bristol Aquarium
1-16 April
Spanning seven exhibits in the Aquarium, visitors can learn about prehistoric creatures that ruled the sea and become a Palaeontologist while they dig for fossils.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/prehistoric-sealife-at-bristol-aquarium-p3271723
Easter Trail at Wild Place Project
1-16 April
This Easter, there are giant eggs hidden across the 50 acres of woodlands, meadows and grasslands at Wild Place Project. Visitors are invited to share selfies with the eggs on social media to be in with a chance of winning an annual pass to Wild Place Project.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/easter-trail-at-wild-place-project-p3273453
Big Easter Event at Wookey Hole
1-16 April
An alternative to the Easter bunny is Wookey Hole’s Easter Witch! The Big Easter event will be filled with Wookey Hole adventures and family fun (including soft play, cave walks, 4D cinema, hall of mirrors and crazy golf) and every child goes home with a chocolate Easter treat.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/easter-at-wookey-hole-p3273503
Other trails and Easter events
The mythical giants of Avon Gorge have lost their eggs at The Giant’s Easter Hunt at Clifton Observatory (2-17 April). Children are invited to search for the eggs and answer questions along the trail to win a special prize. Just £2.50 per child, with a fee-paying adult.
Hunt down all 50 glow in the dark Easter eggs that have been left behind in Gough’s Giant Egg Hunt at Cheddar Gorge and Caves(1-16 April). Unravel the mystery code also on the trail and visitors will receive a yummy treat!
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm has teamed up with Aardman for Shaun the Sheep Hide and Seek trail(1 April – 3 September) – an augmented reality trail of 11 Shaun the Sheep around the zoo. The markers will bring the popular character to life at the zoo in 3D, allowing guests to dance and pose alongside Shaun!
There are various Easter-egg themed activities at Mendip Activity Centre including glow egg caving and egg themed orienteering sessions (1-16 April).
It’s time to use your super sleuthing skills to investigate the mystery of the missing duck while learning all about the wonderful wildlife at Duck Detectives at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre(1-16 April). Follow the clues and use everything from feathers to bird calls, to footprints to complete this Duck Detectives trail.
Put on your bunny ears and complete the ten themed activities around the garden before claiming your chocolate egg at Easter Egg Hunt at Dyrham Park (1-16 April).
The Enchanted Easter at Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park (1-16 April) changes daily with a new hiding place and clues given throughout the day. If you find the Golden Egg you will win a large chocolate egg! Other Easter activities there include wand and dragon slime making in this fantastic fantasy world.
The Sensational Sheep Easter Trail in Bristol Shopping Quarter(1-15 April) invites you to follow the flock around the shops where there will be 31 fantastically decorated sheep – designed by local schools and groups – hiding. Once you have completed the free trail, go along to John Wesley’s New Room in Broadmead to pick up a small prize.
Amble around the Easter Sculpture Festival at University of Bristol Botanic Garden (7-10 April) and see some old favourites and artists exhibiting for the first time with mosaics, stone classics, sci fi metal work, ceramics, and African carnival faces all featuring.
Learn about the pollinators that will be visiting the flowers in the spring trail through Silk Wood at the Easter family activities at Westonbirt Arboretum, (3-6 April) and then take part in an indoor creative activity to explore the secrets of nature during spring.
Go down the rabbit hole and join Alice in the Wonderland Easter Eggstravaganza at Longleat (1-16 April). Find nine giant Easter eggs in the ground of Longleat, crack the code and receive a treat.
Food and drink experiences and events
Bristol Cider and Cheese Festival
1 April
Cider tastings, cheesemaking workshops and live music are all on offer at Bristol Cider and Cheese Festival at Propyard.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/bristol-cider-and-cheese-festival-2023-p3196443
Hopyard
14-15 April
Enjoy your pint-sized cravings at craft beer event, Hopyard, featuring the best beer and cider brewing talent from Bristol and beyond, again located at Propyard.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/hopyard-p3250533
Windmill Hill City farm market
1 April
Discover high-quality handmade goods, beautiful prints, cards and original artwork, vintage clothes and homewares, street food and more at Windmill Hill Market, every first Saturday of the month from 1 April.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/windmill-hill-market-p3155823
Gin Cruise with Bristol Ferry
6 April
Sip gin while taking in the sights and sounds of Bristol’s bustling harbourside this Easter with Bristol Ferry. Your £20 ticket includes the 1.5-hour ferry ride, plus two gin-based drinks, with more to buy on board.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/gin-cruise-with-bristol-ferry-p3195703
Easter Theatre
See Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved Zog at Bristol Old Vic (5-16 April). Expect lively songs and an endearing story with this smash-hit show from Freckle Productions. There is a relaxed performance on 11 April for those who would benefit from and enjoy a calmer environment.
Demon Dentist at Bristol Hippodrome (6-8 April) is brought to life on stage by the West End team behind Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, which were nominated for an Olivier Award.
Dinosaurs & All that Rubbish at The Wardrobe Theatre (7-12 April) is an imaginative adaptation of Michael Foreman’s environmental tale with dancing dinosaurs, fuelled by rock’n’roll. This riotous hour, packed with signature Roustabout silliness, is thrilling from start to finish.
Bristol’s hilarious hero Jayde Adams takes to the Bristol Old Vic stage (2 April) with her critically acclaimed show, Men, I Can Save You, which has also been released on Amazon Prime as a special and longlisted for an Emmy.