Cabot Circus gets playful as new free events this summer

Free forest school crafts, silent discos and storytelling sessions join pond-inspired summer playground in heart of city centre

Following the success of Once A Pond A Time – the joyful public art installation transforming Quakers Friars into a whimsical summer escape – Cabot Circus has today announced a series of new free events set to enchant city centre visitors throughout August and into early September.

Designed by beloved Bristol artist Alex Lucas and brought to life by creative producers Bakehouse Factory, Once A Pond A Time invites the public into an immersive, character-led celebration of civic imagination. With towering lily pads, sculptural beetle benches, a walk-in snail ‘Shell-ter’ and tech-enhanced creatures camouflaged in reeds, the installation has already become a talking point of the summer.

Now, a rolling programme of playful activations adds new energy to the installation, welcoming Bristolians and visitors to experience the city centre in fresh and unexpected ways. Every Saturday in August, from 2–4pm (10th, 17th, 24th, 31st), families can get stuck into nature-themed crafts with Bristol Forest School, who bring their signature blend of outdoor play and creativity to the heart of the city. Children and carers alike can try their hand at clay creature modelling and hapa zome art – printing petals and leaves to create unique textile flags – all against the surreal backdrop of lily pads and pond creatures.

Each Thursday morning in August (8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th), from 10am to 1pm, artist and performer Rose Popay brings her mobile world of wonder to Quakers Friars. From made-up-on-the-spot storytelling to giant bubbles, character-led adventure walks and five-minute family portraits to take home, each visit with Rose promises something a little different – designed to delight imaginative young minds and their grown-ups.

As the sun sets, Thursdays also play host to Pond Life! – a family-friendly silent disco running 7–9pm on 22nd, 29th August and 5th September, with DJ Mellowmarsh spinning a surreal mix of pond-themed soundscapes. Guests can hop between Beatles Dub Club remixes, a dreamy dance meditation or live interactive games led by Mellowmarsh himself. Expect spontaneous frog-hopping, snail-stretching, lily pad-leaping and giggles galore, as people of all ages move to their own rhythm – together.

These free activations form part of the evolving Once A Pond A Time summer programme. As Quakers Friars prepares for a major public realm redevelopment later this year, this final chapter celebrates the site’s legacy as a space for connection, culture and community.

Sarah Tinsley, Director of Marketing and Placemaking at Hammerson, said: “We wanted to give people something unexpected this summer – a place to pause, play and connect before Quakers Friars evolves again. This is a celebration of Bristol creativity, civic imagination and the stories waiting to be discovered right in the heart of the city.”

Open daily and free to explore, Once A Pond A Time continues throughout August. Visitors are encouraged to pop by, take a wander and see what surprises the pond has in store – no two visits are quite the same.

Read more Bristol News at https://directlocalbristol.co.uk/bristol-news/