Bristol celebrates Earth Day 2025

Choose a nature-based activity on or around April 22, and you’ll be joining a celebration that has been taking place for over half a decade.

Earth Day, an annual day dedicated to all things wildlife, environment and eco-minded, was first held in the US in 1970 when over 20 million people took to the streets to demonstrate their commitment to green issues and environmental protection.

Now a global event, organisers say it involves over one billion people across 200 countries.

Bristol is no exception, with organisations, community groups and activists running events on this year’s theme ‘Our Power, Our Planet’ which specifically refers to the ambition to triple renewable energy worldwide by 2030 but can also be seen as a more general rallying cry.

Here are some ways to get involved with Earth Day 2025.

Watershed celebrates Earth Day

Watershed, BS1, April 22

A varied programme of events organised by the cinema’s environmental group, starting with the darn it! drop-in clothes mending workshop in the café-bar and followed by a screening of six short films showcasing local community climate action that concludes with a panel discussions with the filmmakers.

The celebrations finish up with an Earth Day Mingle, a chance to connect with others working in the climate and cultural sectors and to experience interactive projects about climate change produced by Pervasive Media Studio residents.

Earth Day pop-up reading group

Portishead Library, April 22

Bring along your nature reads or discover other people’s favourites – photo: North Somerset Library

Dive into non-fiction nature reads with this group session suitable for all ages and with refreshments provided. Participants are invited to bring along any nature-themed non-fiction book they have read and discuss it with other readers.

Last year the library won the Climate Change Staff Award, sponsored by North Somerset Environment, for its dedication to climate change and environment issues.

Earth Day Heroes launch

Sparks Bristol, April 24

Mya-Rose Craig is a well known environmental activist who has been organising events around helping marginalised people connect with nature since she was 13 – photo: Oliver Edwards

Environmental campaigner Mya-Rose Craig – aka BirdGirl – launches a competition for people aged 7 to 25 to express their passion for the planet. The young people are invited to plan a project to raise awareness and take action on an environmental issue of their choice, with the hope it will drive community action and create lasting change.

All projects will receive an Acorn, Sapling or Mighty Oak award at a ceremony at Sparks on September 30, and the winners will receive a trophy.

Earth Day Heroes is run by education charity the Global Goals Centre, Bristol Education Partnership and Green Schools Project. To find out more and get involved, come along to the launch event to ask questions and meet others taking part.

Dundry Earth Day Festival

Dundry Church and Village Hall, April 26

Organised by the local Climate and Community Action group, this day event promises family fun at the parish church of St Michael the Archangel. There will be speakers, market stalls, information on sustainable lifestyles and eco-friendly activities for all ages.

Sing for World Earth Day

St Anne’s Church, Greenbank, April 26

Pearl Love is a regular singing workshop leader at festivals, specialising in dynamic harmony singing and teaching songs from a variety of traditions by ear – photo: Pearl Love

Community choir leaders Pearl Love, Molly King and Holly Jacks lead a session of harmony singing in celebration of nature, with all songs taught by ear.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Birch Collective, a social enterprise that works to connect people aged 16-25 in Bristol and surrounding areas with nature, teaching practical skills such as food growing and natural crafts in an outdoor setting.

Wild writing with Andy Hamilton

Bookhaus, BS1, April 27

As well as launching his new book New Wild Order – an ode to the mental and physical health benefits of being in nature – Bristol-based author and forager Andy Hamilton will take attendees on a nature writing walk for wellbeing.

Hamilton will introduce some great examples of nature writing before taking participants down to the New Cut and inviting them to meditate on the surrounding nature and to write as the contemplation inspires.

Clean up Bristol Harbour

Harbour nr Prince’s Pantry, April 27

Kayak crews and litter pickers aboard other watercraft collect up the rubbish that has collected in the water – photo: Clean Up Bristol Harbour

This monthly litter pick normally sees around 40 community members, along with Harbour Office, All-Aboard Watersports and Bristol Waste crew, gathering to clean up the area of Bristol Harbour near the Arnolfini.

People with watercraft are encouraged to join, with rowing teams, kayakers and the Sea Cadets getting involved with picking up the waterborne flotsam.

Main image: Global Goals Centre

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