Upcoming Opportunities & Events: Summer 2026
School’s out for summer!
But that doesn’t mean you have to be bored at home!
There’s plenty of fun activities, programmes and events running that can help keep you busy, explore new options, or get ready for September.
We will be updating this page as more events are organised, so keep an eye out for new additions!
Here are some FREE opportunities and events happening over the next few months:
Boost Your Future: Summer Programme
What: Drop in sessions to prepare you for September
When: July 2026 to August 2026
Where: North & East Central Bristol
Who: 16-18 year olds
Link: Boost Your Future: Summer Support Sessions – Bristol Post 16
South Bristol Youth Guarantee
What: 1:1 career coaching, employability training, work experience, further support
When: All summer!
Where: South Bristol – BS3, BS4, BS13, BS14 postcode areas
Who: 17-21 year olds who are unemployed or out of education
Link: South Bristol Youth Guarantee – Employment, Skills and Learning
The King’s Trust: Get Started with Dance
What: Try out dance activities that will help you develop your performance skills
When: 27 July – 4 August 2026
Where: Bristol
Who: 16-30 year olds who are unemployed or not in education
Link: Get Started with Dance | Grow your skills and confidence
The King’s Trust: Get Started in Social Care
What: A 3-day programme to learn sector-based knowledge, employability skills and interview for live job vacancies
When: 28 July – 30 July 2026
11am start
Where: Bristol
Who: 18-30 year olds who have an interest in the Social Care Sector
Link: Health & Social Care – Courses – Get Started in Social Care
Animal Careers Taster
What: A fun, hands-on session for children, young people, and anyone interested in working with animals
When: 29 July 2026
2pm-3pm
Where: Hartcliffe & Withywood Microcampus, Gatehouse Centre, Bristol, BS13 9JN
Who: Those with an interest in animal care.
Empire Fighting Chance: Summer Hub
What: Non-contact boxing and fitness sessions
When: August 3 – August 27 2026
Monday – Thursday
10:30am – 12:00pm
Where: Empire Fighting Chance, The Mill, Lower Ashley Road, Easton, BS5 0YJ
Who: 8-16 year olds
Link: Attendee sign-up – Upshot
Castle Park Youth Activities: Job, Skills and Training Day
What: Meet local employers, training providers, and support services
When: August 5 2026
2pm – 5pm
Where: (Near the church) Castle Park, Broad Weir, Bristol BS1 3XB
Who: 16+
Link: No invite needed!
The King’s Trust: Get Started with Nature and Conservation
What: Try out practical conservation activities that will help you build your skills
When: 10 August – 14 August 2026
Where: Bristol
Who: 16-30 year olds who are unemployed or not in education
Link: Get Started with Nature and Conservation | Build confidence
1625 Independent People: Heritage Project
What: 3-month oral history project – Create and collaborate on a series of 6-8 short podcasts
When: Deadline to apply is Wednesday 17 August, 5pm
Where: Watershed, Bristol
Who: 16-25 year olds
Link: 1625IP KHHP Initial Referral Form
The King’s Trust: Get Started with the Ambulance Service
What: Get stuck in to fun activities that will help you build your composition, recording and performance skills
When: 18 August – 20 August 2026
10am start
Where: Bristol
Who: 18-30 year olds who are Bristol based or can commute
Link: Health & Social Care – Courses – Get Started with the Ambulance Service
Bristol Post 16 Team: GCSE Result Support Drop Ins
What: Drop in sessions for young people who have received their GCSE results and want to explore post 16 options
When: 20 August – 28 August 2026
10am – 4pm
Where: Locations across Bristol
Who: 16-18 who have received GCSE results
Link: Bristol Post 16
The King’s Trust: Get Started with Music
What: Get stuck in to fun activities that will help you build your composition, recording and performance skills
When: 24 August – 28 August 2026
Where: Bristol
Who: 16-30 year olds who are unemployed or not in education
Link: Get Started with Music | Grow your skills and confidence
National Careers Service: Employability Skills Online Workshop
What: This practical workshop is designed to help you improve your job search skills and increase your chances of success when applying for jobs.
When: 25 August 2026
10am-12pm
Where: Online
Who: No age
Link: (SW) National Careers Service Appointments
East Bristol Jobs & Opportunities Fair
What: Bringing together employers, education providers, training organisations and community partners to help create pathways into employment, skills and opportunities for local residents.
When: 27 August 2026
11am-3pm
Where: Trinity Centre, Trinity Rd, St Jude’s, BS2 0NW
Who: No age
Link: Just drop in!
Greenlight Training: Open Day
What: Explore apprenticeships, meet tutors, tour our workshops & discover your next step after Results Day. Parents welcome.
When: 28 August 2026
10am-1pm
Where: 127 South Liberty Lane, Bristol, BS3 2SZ
Who: 16+
Young Bristol: Outdoor Employment Programme Introductory Session
What: Introductory Session for young people to come along and find out more about the programme and outdoor industry. The free programme supports young people by developing skills and gaining qualifications in a variety of outdoor activities, including kayaking, canoeing, powerboating, rock climbing, archery, bushcraft, first aid and high ropes.
When: 10 September 2026
Where: Pooles Wharf Outdoor Activity Centre, Hotwells Road, Hotwells, Bristol, BS8 4RU
Who: 16-25 with barriers to employment
Link: Young Bristol – Outdoor Employment Programme: FREE Introductory Session
Ignite Bristol: Inclusive Sport Programme
What: FREE sport sessions for disabled and neurodivergent children and young people
When: TBC
Where: TBC
Who: 5-17 year old disabled and neurodivergent children and young people
Link: Inclusive Summer HAF Sessions | Ignite Bristol
Babbasa: Launch Academy
What: 8 week programme to gain real skills, and access real time opportunities
When: The programme runs 3 times each year. The next cohorts run in July/Aug 2026 and Oct/Nov 2026
Where: Bristol
Who:Young people aged 18–25 from ethnic minority and low-income backgrounds
Link: Launch Academy – Babbasa
Weekly Activities:
Step Together Volunteering: “Get Growing” Allotment Sessions
What: Growing & harvesting vegetables, Cooking, Woodwork, Recycling projects, Creative artwork, National short course in volunteering
When: All summer!
Tuesdays = 1:30pm-4pm
Thursdays = 11am-1pm
Where: Bishopsworth, Bristol
Who: 16-25 year olds not in work or education
Link: Step Together Volunteering
The Cause: Creative Sessions
What: An exciting mix of music, media and creative arts where you can explore your ideas and collaborate with others
When: Mondays
4pm-7:30pm
Where: 224 Youth Zone, BS4 1GQ
Who: 13-19 year olds
Link: Projects – THE CAUSE
The Birch Collective: Recoupe
What: A weekly woodland sessions using traditional skills in Troopers Hill Woods.
When: Tuesdays
1pm – 4:30pm
Where: Strawberry Lane Community Garden, Strawberry Lane, Bristol, BS5 8EY
Who: Anyone aged 18+
Link: Recoupe | Nature-Based Wellbeing
Youth Castle Park: Summer Events
What: Free activities, games, creative sessions, sport, music, food and more.
When: Wednesdays (29 July, 5 August, 12 August, 19 August, 26 August)
2pm – 5pm
Where: Castle Park, Broad Weir, Bristol, BS1 3XB
Who: Anyone aged 13+
Link: No need to book – just turn up!
The Birch Collective: Fresh Air Thursdays
What: a low-pressure weekly group where you can learn hands-on land skills, spend time outdoors, and be part of a welcoming community.
When: Thursdays*
1pm – 4:30pm
*Closed Tues 21 July & Thurs 23 July
Where: Strawberry Lane Community Garden, Strawberry Lane, Bristol, BS5 8EY
Who: Anyone aged 16-25
Link: Fresh Air Thursdays | Free Nature Programme
Your Holiday Hub
What: Your Holiday Hub is Bristol City Council’s branding for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme – explore activities happening near you
When: Variety of events
Where: Variety of locations
Who: Variety of ages – free places for those who receive free school meals
Link: Your Holiday Hub
Bristol Post 16 Team: Career Coach Drop Ins
What: 1:1 support sessions to explore post 16 options including education, employment, apprenticeships, or training
When: Wednesdays & Fridays, 10:00am-4:00pm
Where:
Wednesdays:
The Launchpad, The Galleries Shopping Centre, Broadmead BS1 3XD
Docklands Community Centre, 29 Brigstocke Rd, BS2 8UA
Fridays:
The Launchpad, The Galleries Shopping Centre, Broadmead BS1 3XD
No need to book, just drop in and discuss your post 16 options with our team!
