What’s on in Bristol & Bath for Families in September 2026

September brings the back-to-school buzz, the first signs of autumn and plenty of family events across Bristol and Bath. From free days out during Heritage Open Days to Bath Children’s Literature Festival, new theatre shows and much more, there’s so much to explore. Everything below is organised week by week, with dedicated sections for theatre and ongoing events to make planning easy.

1-6 September

1, 2, 5 & 6 Sep | Inflatable Theme Park at Portishead Showground

Inflatable Theme Park is back at Portishead! £10 for all day wristbands. For ages 2-14 only. Check socials for weather updates. More info

1, 2 & 4 Sep | Children’s Scrapstore Workshops

Creative workshops for kids including messy play sessions Book tickets

1-4 Sep | Make a bath bomb and bird feeder at Lush Cribbs Causeway

Multiple times available Book tickets

1 Sep | Lawrence Weston Community Farm Summer’s End Bash

10am-2pm | FREE Celebrate the end of summer with a family day at the farm including a fire department demonstration, police bike marking, Bristol Avon Rivers Trust, Territorial Army activities and a children’s harvest trail. More info

2 Sep | Cookie Decorating at Boston Tea Party Cheswick Village

2.30-4pm | Cookie decorating for £3 Book tickets

Until 3 Sep | Dragonfly Festival at Slimbridge

A summer of dragonfly-themed events and activities with Dragonfly Safari, Pond Dipping, Dragonfly Canoe Safari, Crafts, Science Shows, Silent Discos, and Circus Skills. Book tickets

3-6 Sep | Amplify! Clevedon Music Festival

A weekend of live music, including a ceilidh More info

4 Sep | Magic Moments Princess Party at On The Hill

3-5pm | Character performances and storytelling Book tickets

4 Sep | End of Summer Party at On The Hill

5-11pm | FREE family-friendly summer party More info

4 Sep | Poplars End of Summer Party at Poplars Farm

A feel-good summer party on the deck! Enjoy music, bar, burgers & pizza Book tickets

5 Sep | Biscuit Decorating at Boujon Bakery

2-4pm | Biscuit decorating and free cupcake cones to celebrate Boujon turning 6 with the lovely Harriet! More info

5 Sep | Almondsbury Icons at Almondsbury Creative

12-9pm | A new tribute music festival with songs from Queen, Lady Gaga, Shania Twain, Olly Murs, Taylor Swift and more. Don’t miss the funfair attractions, street food and bars. Book tickets

5 & 6 Sep | Teddy Bear’s Picnic at Avon Valley Railway

Kids with a teddy bear go free at Avon Valley Railway! Enjoy magic shows, balloon modelling, face painting, steam train rides and more Book tickets

5 & 6 Sep | Bee and Pollination Festival at Bristol Botanic Gardens 

10am – 5pm | See live hive demonstrations and talk to bee experts More info

6 Sep | Up Screening at Clifton Observatory

12.30-2.30pm | Watch Up at Clifton Observatory as part of Bristol Film Festival Book tickets

6 Sep | Family Fun Afternoon at Bristol Academy of Live Performing Arts

1.30-4.30pm | Family fun day in Thornbury with dance & musical theatre workshops, instrument trials, bouncy castle, face painting, refreshments & more! More info

Until 6 Sep | Summer holidays at Aerospace Bristol

This summer enjoy giant outdoor lawn games, an interactive marble run and the chance to see the Bristol Freighter. Expect something different every day with science shows, Concorde talks and special tours. Book tickets

7-13 September

11-13 Sep | Icons of the Sky at Longleat

An incredible schedule of two mass ascents, air displays, night glow and fireworks! Some activities are weather dependent. Longleat is a fantastic day out with a wonderful collection of animals, a train, boat safari, play areas and more! Book tickets

11-13 Sep | Free Entry to Tyntesfield National Trust (also on next week)

10am-6pm | Enjoy free entry to Tyntesfield with Heritage Open Days. Pre-booking not required. Stunning mansion house and estate with adventure play areas. New children’s trail in the house ‘The Victorians at Tyntesfield’. More info

11-13 | Redcliffe Caves Tours

Redcliffe Caves Tours as part of Bristol Film Festival Book tickets Also on 18-20 Sep

12 Sep | The 50th Anniversary Fayre at Windmill Hill City Farm

11am-4pm | Games, stalls, live music, crafts, kids activities & more! Combine with Container Carnival More info

12 Sep | Container Carnival at Willway Yard

12-6pm | Makers market, food & drink, music, free art activities and workshops. Combine with the city farm fair More info

12 Sep | Free Entry to Newark Park National Trust

10am-5pm | Free entry to Newark Park as part of Heritage Open Days. Pre-booking not required. Free new ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ trail! Beautiful gardens to explore and some children’s play areas More info

12 Sep | Dog Fest at Willsbridge Mill

10.30am-3.30pm | A fun day out for dogs and families with training sessions, stalls, refreshments & more! More info

12 Sep | The Big Avon Paddle at The Boat House

10am-6pm | The Big Avon Paddle sounds like a fab day raising money for charity. Buy a ticket, bring your own canoe, katakanu or paddleboard (or hire one) and take part in a 1.5 or 4.5 mile route to Saltford and back. Fancy dress is encouraged! Food and medals provided for participants More details & booking

12 Sep | Discover Clifton Village Day

10am-5pm | Heritage bus rides, street food, kids activities and more! More info

12 & 13 Sep | Jane Austen Festival

Whilst predominantly aimed at adults, there are a few free events during the Jane Austen festival that children might enjoy:

• 12 Sep | Watch the Grand Regency Costumed Parade | 11am
• 12 & 13 Sep | A Whole Campful of Soldiers at the Holburne Museum. Redcoat re-enactors with demonstrations More info
• 13 Sep | Jane Austen Festival – Regency Picnic in Sydney Gardens | 12pm

12 & 13 Sep | Pig Fest at Cotswold Farm Park

9.30am-5pm | Celebrate all things pigs and enjoy themed activities at Cotswold Farm Park! Book tickets

12 & 13 Sep | MShed Train Rides

MShed Steam Train Ride. Buy tickets on the day at the ticket office by the MShed platform. Single £3.50, Return £5. More info

12 & 13 Sep | Meet Paw Patrol at Roves Farm

Meet and greet sessions with Chase and Skye across the weekend, Paw Patrol themed crafts, as well as the usual fun on the farm. Book tickets

13 Sep | Free entry to American Museum & Gardens

10am-5pm | Free entry to American Museum & Gardens with Heritage Open Days. Beautiful estate, museum and play area. Pre-booking not required. The Circus of Curiosities exhibition includes animated models, toys and whimsical characters More info

13 Sep | Heli-Kids Day at The Helicopter Museum

10am-2pm | Enjoy an interactive day with a character hunt, touch and feel exhibit tables, colouring stations, children’s bespoke tours, open cockpits, heli-craft tables and the chance to try on pilots helmets. More info

Until 13 Sep | Cracking Exhibition, Gromit! 50 Years of Aardman in Bristol at MShed

Brand new exhibition celebrating 50 years of Aardman. Explore rarely‑seen models, sets, and secrets of Aardman’s iconic stop‑motion magic. For all ages. Book tickets

Until 13 Sep | SENTIENTS: An Immersive VR & Video Game Exhibition at the Watershed

An immersive video game and VR experience for ages 12+ More info

13 Sep | Meet the Makers at Westbury Wildlife Park

11am-3pm Homemade wares for sale More info

13 Sep | Ashton Court Miniature Railway

Miniature railway public running day More info

13 Sep | BS14 Fundraiser

11.30am-4pm | Dog show, food stalls & more to raise money for the BS14 Social Club More info

14-20 September

14-20 Sep | Free Entry to Tyntesfield National Trust (continues this week)

10am-6pm | Enjoy free entry to Tyntesfield with Heritage Open Days. Pre-booking not required. Stunning mansion house and estate with adventure play areas. New children’s trail in the house ‘The Victorians at Tyntesfield’. More info

15 Sep | Kings Weston Roman Villa open afternoon

3-5pm | Explore where the Romans lived in a real Roman villa. Free More info

17, 18 & 19 Sep | Free entry to Dyrham Park National Trust

10am-5pm | Free entry to Dyrham Park as part of Heritage Open Days. Pre-booking is not required. Beautiful estate with play areas and new autumn trail inspired by the children’s book ‘There’s No Deer Around Here’. Trail booklets are £2 More info

18 Sep | All You Can Eat Crisp Buffet at On The Hill

7-11pm | Classic crisps buffet! Book tickets

18-19 Sep | Free Entry to Prior Park National Trust

10am-4pm | Free entry to Prior Park at part of Heritage Open Days. Pre-booking not required. Wonderful for a family walk More info

18-19 Sep | Free Entry to John Wesley’s New Room

10am-4pm | Free entry to John Wesley’s New Room Museum as part of Heritage Open Days Book tickets

18-20 Sep | Redcliffe Caves Tours

Redcliffe Caves Tours as part of Bristol Film Festival Book tickets 18-20 Sep

19 Sep | Sea Mills Apple Day at the Cafe on the Square, Sea Mills

10am-2pm | Free family craft activities, apple pressing and juice tasting, live music, games, cakes & food! More info

19 & 20 Sep | The Bristol Sea Shanty Shout around Harbourside locations

Sea Shanties and great local food and drink at Underfall Yard, Bristol Dockards, MV Balmoral and The Nova Scotia Book tickets

19 & 20 Sep | Docks Heritage Weekend at MShed

Witness demonstrations of historic equipment, enjoy the museum, participate in workshops and more. Children’s activity workshop on 19 Sep: making paper boats, and colouring session More info

From 19 Sep | Pumpkinfest at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm

Be some of the first to try the Zooper Poo Trail and become a certified Dung Detective. The pumpkin patch opens this weekend and has photo opportunities! Noah’s Ark currently has a Rainy Day Offer that if it rains for over an hour on the day of your visit, you can visit again for free within 14 days. Book tickets

20 Sep | Trinity’s Community Celebration Day

12-4pm | Drumming workshop, live music, workshops for all ages, nature and craft drop-in activities and more More info

20 Sep | Ashton Court Miniature Railway

Miniature railway public running day More info

21-30 September

24 Sep | Endless ‘Eatball Buffet at IKEA

All you can eat meatballs! £5 for IKEA Family members Book here

25 Sep | Bath Children’s Literature Festival Launch at The Holburne Museum

5-8pm | Enjoy an evening of free family activities including storytellers, author signings, drawing fun with illustrators, pop-up bookshop and costume character meets. More info

From 25 Sep | Bath Children’s Literature Festival

Loads of wonderful book events for children. There is a packed programme featuring the Gruffalo Granny, Andy Day, Draw with Rob, and many other authors, illustrators, storytelling and workshops. There are too many to list here, make sure you browse the full programme

25 Sep | The Flourish Back-To-School Quiz, Saltford

Back to school quiz Book tickets

26 & 27 Sep | MShed Train Rides

MShed Steam Train Ride. Buy tickets on the day at the ticket office by the MShed platform. Single £3.50, Return £5. More info

26 & 27 Sep | Highland Cow Weekend at Cotswold Farm Park

Meet Ted the highland cow and get the chance to brush Ziva and Zeus, the highland calves! Expect special demonstrations and themed activities including make your own highland teddy (costs apply). Book tickets

26 & 27 Sep | Festival of Transport at Avon Valley Railway

The Festival of Transport will feature vintage vehicles, cycles and musical entertainment. Book tickets

From 26 Sep | Ma-ad Science Mayhem at Bristol Dockyards

A Shaun the Sheep movie challenge at Bristol Dockyards Book tickets

27 Sep | Harvest Market & Fair at Redcatch Community Garden

11am-3.30pm | Stalls and kids activities Book tickets

Ongoing events in September

Shaun the Sheep Wildlife Mission and NEW African Forest area at Bristol Zoo Project

Running until 31 Oct | Join Shaun the Sheep on a new trail to save wildlife at Bristol Zoo Project! Solve the challenges, collect your stamps, scan your conservation kit and complete the mission Book tickets

Now open | Brand new African Forest Area is now open to visit with gorillas, crocodiles and more! See our reel

The Great Bristol Ball Run in Millenium Square

Purchase a £5 wooden ball from We The Curious and get unlimited play around the ball run installations in Millenium and Anchor Square. This is great fun! Cirencester Park also has a great ball run and you can use both balls at either. See our reel

Room on the Broom Trail at Westonbirt Arboretum

Fun interactive family trail with Room on the Broom related activities. Purchase an activity pack at the entrance for £4. Westonbirt is a popular arboretum, lovely for a family walk and has a gruffalo sculpture trail. Approx 30-40 minutes north-east of Bristol. Admission applies More info

Jungle Book Willow Trail at Coates English Willow

Now until 10 Oct | Jungle Book Willow Trail near Taunton! Drop-in, no booking needed. £4.75 per trail for any participants (free for accompanying adults). Usually open Mon – Sat See our post! More info

Theatre

Thank you for reading this What’s on in Bristol & Bath for Families in September 2026 guide!

October and Halloween guide coming soon!

There are so many fabulous days out in and around Bristol. Please follow us onInstagram and Facebook for more days out ideas, the latest openings and events!

Disclaimer: I do my best to provide accurate information, but it may be a good idea to double check details directly in case of any changes, cancellations or discrepancies.