Events and Experiences

What’s On

Micro Marvels

24th May – 1st June

This May half term we are peeking through the microscope to discover all the wonderful fascinating things about the tiny creatures of the aquatic world!

Did you know around half of the oxygen we breathe comes from our ocean? The majority of this comes from the wonderfully wee phytoplankton – microscopic algae and bacteria which perform photosynthesis on the ocean’s surface and release oxygen into the atmosphere.

From forming the base of our food chain, to producing the oxygen we breathe and cleansing our oceans the billions of plankton in our ocean prove that small creatures really do make a difference.

Lobsters, jellyfish, octopus: so many of our favourite underwater creatures are “planktonic” when they are first born. This means, as babies they are tiny, around the size of a mosquito, or even smaller! They drift in the water column, unable to swim or move themselves before they grow into the iconic adults we know and love.

This May half term we’re taking time to appreciate the little things and learning all about how they make a big impact!

Activities:

🔬 Microscope Workshop (12–1pm daily) – Children can inspect real marine samples and discover what life looks like under the lens.

🌊 Jellyfish Talk (4pm daily) – Meet the aquarium’s newest arrivals, beautiful sea nettles and moon jellyfish, and learn how these graceful creatures begin life as planktonic babies.

🎨 Paper Octopus Crafts (11am daily) – Get creative making your own octopus with movable arms.

👣 The Tiny Trail – Match tiny marine babies with their grown-up counterparts across seven immersive bio-zones.

🦞 Conservation Spotlight – Discover the work of the Padstow Lobster Hatchery and how it’s helping to protect vulnerable marine species.

Enjoy some arts and crafts as you make your own paper octopus, with movable arms, at 11am in our rear foyer.

Plus: discover a load of extra fascinating facts all about the tiny creatures of the sea, as well as all of our usual talks and feeds and the thousands of animals to explore at our aquarium.

Conservation Link

The lovely lobster! One of the many planktonic species that we are exploring this Half Term. That’s why we are encouraging our visitors to get involved with the folks down at The National Lobster Hatchery to learn all about the magnificent work they do, preserving these beautiful animals.

From sponsoring a lobster to exploring their events, and meeting their babies in person! There’s so much going on at The National Lobster Hatchery for budding marine enthusiasts to get involved with.

Sunset Seas: in celebration of Pride (18+)

28th June 6pm – 9pm (last entry 8pm)

🌅 Celebrate Pride month and explore the Aquarium after hours this summer! 🌈

Welcome to Sunset Seas at Bristol Aquarium – an adults-only evening beneath the waves.

Step into the aquarium after-hours where the wonder of the ocean meets the beauty of the tropics. As the sun sets over the city, explore our creatures in a whole new light with a drink in your hand, in this event – exclusively for guests aged 18 and over.

In honour of Pride, we’re celebrating diversity in all its forms this June!

Follow our Pride Trail through the aquarium to discover fascinating stories of fish that can change sex, species that defy the binary, and how the underwater world reflects the rich spectrum of identities within the LGBTQ+ community.

Our bar is open all night for you to enjoy a cocktail with the fish. Wander through the tranquil botanical house at dusk, with turtles swimming beneath and giant monstera leaves towering overhead. The event offers a peaceful and immersive experience of twilight beneath the waves.

Whether you’re joining us for an evening with friends or a unique Pride night out, Sunset Seas is here to celebrate love, life, and the beauty of being yourself.

Please note: this event is not Bristol Pride festival event. This event is run by Bristol Aquarium as a celebration for Pride month.

Tickets are limited – don’t miss out

This event is free for adult members! You don’t need to book but will need to show your proof of membership when you arrive.

As it is a special event, we will unfortunately not be able to offer the 10% discount members get on additional tickets.

Daily Talks & Feeds Schedule:

Talks and feeds subject to change.

Once purchased, tickets are valid for one day of your choice within 6 months from the date of purchase.
You do not need to book a time slot or a day. We endeavour to admit all visitors and will prioritise online tickets and members on days we are at capacity but due to the nature of the attraction’s one way system this is a very rare occurrence.

Bristol Aquarium – Even Calmer Days

Our dedicated Even Calmer days create a more relaxing sensory experience for any customers who may need it. We will be turning off our music, and children’s rides to reduce any unexpected noises. We also increase our lighting in some of our darker areas throughout the day to create a more consistent sensory experience throughout the aquarium.

Join us for our Even Calmer Days in 2025 on:

Thursday 16^th Jan

Thursday 6^th Feb

Sunday 9^th Mar

Thursday 3^rd Apr

Wednesday 14^th May

Sunday 8^th Jun

Thursday 17^th Jul

Thursday 18^th Sep

Sunday 5^th Oct

Thursday 13^th Nov

Thursday 18^th Dec

Once purchased, tickets are valid for one day of your choice within 6 months from the date of purchase.
You do not need to book a time slot or a day. We endeavour to admit all visitors and will prioritise online tickets and members on days we are at capacity but due to the nature of the attraction’s one way system this is a very rare occurrence.