Check out our round-up of family-friendly activities and places to enjoy during Bristol Light Festival. We recommend starting at Swing Song on College Green and ending your light trail by exploring Trumpet Flowers and Halo at the Bristol Shopping Quarter. The best time to visit with young children is weekdays before 7pm.
Arnolfini Art Cart
Pop into Arnolfini and get creative using their free Arnold Art Cart. Available Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm on the second floor at Arnolfini.
Images by Lisa Whiting Photography for Arnolfini.
Bowling at The Lanes
The Lanes is a fantastic unique venue with 5 bowling lanes, book a slot for some entertainment before or after exploring the light trail.
Children allowed before 8pm. Open daily from midday.
RWA Scribble and Sketch Art Class
Get your creative juices flowing by starting your day out off with the RWA’s Scribble and Sketch artists at the RWA for their FREE family workshop.
Saturday 4 February at 10.30am – 11.30am and 11.30am – 12.30pm
Meet The Mermaid at Bristol Aquarium
Before an evening of colour and light head to Bristol Aquarium to enjoy a mythical day of fun. Meet the mermaid and hear about her magical ‘tales’ of the sea.
11 – 12 February between 10am and 3pm.
Why not make an evening of it and book family meal out?
Pizzarova
Children can enjoy a Margherita for £6 and a free fruit dessert, and stay entertained by drawing their own pizza whilst you wait. There’s also a delicious choice of 9 pizzas for adults starting at £6.95.
After a bite to eat, start your light trail at Swing Song on College Green.
Open 12-9pm.
Walkabout Bristol
Grab a family friendly bite to eat at Walkabout, where kids can enjoy a main and dessert for just £4.99.
Food is served until 9pm each day.
Las Iguanas
Just a short walk from Sirens at Cascade Steps, the Iggy & Friends kids menu is full of choices to keep the little ones happy. Get a main course, 2 sides and a dessert for just £6.50. There are also Smaller portions of grown-up dishes are also available from the main menu if you prefer, at half price or less.
Open Monday – Thursday 11:30am-9pm, Friday – Saturday 11:30am-11pm and Sunday 11:30am-8pm.
The Hole in the Wall
Head over to Alright My Luvver on Queen Square before stopping off at The Hole in the Wall.
You’ll have no problem getting your favourite little people to clear their plates with this children’s menu. Featuring a delicious range of mains, desserts and Sunday roasts, starting at £6.95.
Open 11am-11pm.
Bristol Old Vic
After admiring Let Us Shine by Morag Myerscough on King Street, tantalise your taste buds Bristol Old Vic’s Kitchen + Bar where deli-fresh children’s mains start at just £4.95 and small plates for adults starting at £6.
Open 1-6pm.
Diggity Doughnuts
Got a sweet tooth? Grab a freshly-Bristollian-made doughnut whilst walking between Sirens and Trumpet Flowers!
Open until 7pm on weekdays and 9pm on weekends.
The Cosy Club | Bella Italia
Take centre stage at The Corn Exchange as you Scream the House Down before wandering through the Old City.
From midday kids enjoy main dishes for £6.95 and a free drink at The Cosy Club or head to Bella Italia for a 3-course kids meal starting at £6.49 and 3-course adults meal for £19.45.
Redcliffe and Temple
Whilst in the Redcliffe and Temple area to explore Beam by PYTCH on Castle Bridge, Continuum by illumaphonium inside Temple Church and Ophelia by Studio McGuire at St Mary Redcliffe Church, wander down to family-favourite for an authentic Italian pizza with Boca Junior Pizzas starting at £7.95.
Open on Monday-Thursday: 12 to 3pm and 5pm to 9:30pm and Friday-Saturday: 12 to 10pm
Broadmead
Pop into Shakeaway for a delicious dessert and choose from milkshakes, smoothies, shaved ice or frozen yoghurt. Then explore the interactive installation Halo by illumaphonium in Broadmead and take a selfie in front of Cheers Drive at Bristol Bus and Coach Station.
Cabot Circus
At Cabot Circus you’ll discover a range of delicious cuisines, seasonal menus and well-loved restaurants before you make your own spectacular floral symphony of sound and light at Trumpet Flowers by Amigo and Amigo.
Don’t forget to tag #BristolLightFestival in any photos you share! We can’t wait to explore Bristol through colour and light with you.