An 1878 Fairbairn steam crane will be operational for two days while a 1951 Stothert and Pitt 3t (3USt) level-luffing dockside portal crane can be seen on Sunday.
The Stothert crane, which rises to 115ft, was last used commercially in 1974, but was revived by the museum in 2001.
The Fairbairn crane can lift 35t (39USt). Before the steam crane was built, the Bristol docks had no crane capable of lifting more than around 3t. By installing the crane, it was hoped that ships with unusually heavy loads would come to Bristol rather than competing ports.
Visitors will have the chance to sit in the cabs of the cranes, gaining access via a scissor-lift. They can also go inside the engine house and view the boiler.
The Industrial Museum is open from Saturday to Wednesday, 10am until 5pm. Admission is free.
