The biggest event of its kind in the UK, this festival gives wildlife enthusiasts of all ages the opportunity to explore, enjoy and get close to the natural world – all free of charge.

The public opening hours of the Festival are 10 am – 6 pm Saturday 16 June, and 11 am – 6 pm Sunday 17 June.

More information.

Voted Bristol’s ‘Tourism Event of the Year’, the Festival of Nature unleashes the city’s wild side once again this summer, taking over the Harbourside on the weekend of 16-17 June.

The UK’s largest free celebration of the natural world, the Bristol Festival of Nature lets loose wildlife enthusiasts of all ages to explore, enjoy, and get close to nature in the heart of the city.

Throughout the weekend, the festival site will be packed with exciting free activities from over 150 organisations – here’s a taste of what’s in store…

• Interactive exhibits – discover the latest technology with the BBC Natural History Unit. Get closer to nature with the National Trust, hands-on with interactive science activities from UWE and University of Bristol and meet the dinosaurs with Bristol Zoo Gardens.
• The largest-ever Festival Talks tent – this year’s speakers include BBC The One Show’s Mike Dilger, Urban Birder David Lindo and author Hugh Warwick.
• The Green Forum – over 40 organisations in one place. Find out how to get involved with Bristol’s amazing array of environmental and conservation groups. Join a group, make a pledge, start a new hobby!
• Festival Market ¬– packed with local produce and sustainable goods, the bustling market is a great place to do your weekend shopping. Sample the wares of independent producers from across the South West, take home a unique gift, and have lunch in the Festival beer garden.
• Wild Bristol tent – find out about conservation projects in the city, get involved with your local green space, and learn more about Bristol’s newest residents, the Avon Gorge goats!
• Entertainment programme – soak up the festival atmosphere with live entertainers, roaming the site and on the two Festival stages. The line-up includes everything from Pete the Bug Man and his exotic animals to live music.
• New themed areas ¬ – watch bees in action in the pop-up wildlife garden, then build a nest box in the Bee Tent. Explore the marine world in the on-site rockpool.
• Cutting-edge research – go behind the scenes of one the UK’s largest research programmes, Connected Communities, and contribute to the work of Research Councils UK researchers.

Find out more at www.festivalofnature.org 

Keep up to date with the latest news on Twitter with @BristolFON

or call the Festival team on 0117 317 8751.