Bristol's Festival Scene

Bristol festivals draw huge crowds year on year - from commercially run events like Tokyo World Festival in Eastville park to free (and community minded) events like Trinity Garden Party and St. Paul's carnival. There are a string of multi-venue festivals (in the style of Sonar in Barcelona) around the Stokes Croft area including Simple Things and Rave on Avon. Simple Things has expanded somewhat in the last few years and taken over the city's flagship venue, Colston Hall.

As well as music festivals, Bristol's deep historical connection to street art is celebrated in day events like Upfest. Centred around the recently created (and unofficial) street art district - North Street - you can spend the day watching apartment blocks getting a new lick of paint from head to toe. Truly a festival not to be missed!

Buy tickets for festival events in Bristol

Our recent festival recommendations

Sell out warning! Bristol Porn Festival digs into the raunchier end of the moving image, bringing together short films by queer artists and sex-workers from Bristol and beyond. Hosted by local filthmongers Maya Poison and Pixie Sin, with ceramic awards for the evening’s most salacious offerings hand-crafted by Bunny Royle. Leave your inhibitions at the door.... Bristol Porn Film Festival at The Cube.

The Cube's never-ending folk horror explorations take us deep down into the labyrinthine dungeons of Malpertius - a lurid masterpiece of erotic Belgian giallo ft. fresh-lipped sailors, Greek myth, family psycho-drama and a gloriously bed-ridden Orson Welles in a fresh 4k restoration. { a surreal, erotic, Belgian arthouse horror phantasmagoria }

Round up your pocket money and Pritt Sticks, Bristol’s biggest zine crush endures! Inspired by kaiju (giant monsters), Trinity turns into a fanzine, comic, and indie animation bonanza for one day only, including an upstairs mini-screening festival and hands-on workshops with animation crew Animinspo. Comic, Zine, Illustration and Animation Festival

A bona fide Renaissance woman, Sarah Dunant’s storied career has taken her from broadcast journalist to arts critic, from lecturer to celebrated author. She joins the Folk House to discuss her latest works of historical fiction and kick off the sparkling inaugural programme of Bristol New Writers Festival. Local literary stars Sarah Dunant, the internationally bestselling author, and Helen Taylor, a leading figure in Bristol's literary scene, reflect on their careers, their early writing days and getting published.

What our editors say

“Next year, we go again! If you've been already the chances are you're not missing it again. If you've never been, you're in for a total shapeshifting experience. We are DANCING BODY, a festival of dance on a permaculture farm in Wales - merging the elements of a retreat setting and a proper festival rave culture to give you the ultimate summer weekend experience.”
From: Dancing Body Festival 2027

“Hosted by Marta Isabella Reina (Bristol Tarot Reading Club), this supportive gathering honors Yule, the festival of the winter solstice, the return of the light, and renewal. Focus on themes of rebirth, inner illumination, gratitude, and new beginnings as we explore tarot spreads inspired by Yule’s joyful and reflective energy.”
From: Yule Tarot Circle with Mireinart

“Ruby Derriere (she/her) Headliner for Croatian Burlesque Festival 2023, The Queen of Nerdlesque, Global international headline sensation from the UK, acclaimed pocket-dynamite-fire-cracker powerhouse you'll never forget. With 14 years performing, she'll leave you breathless! Previous performances include: Bristol Burlesque festival, Glasgow Festival of Burlesque and Perth Fringe Festival.”
From: Untamed Burlesque

“If you’ve attended the festival before, you’ll know how much care goes into crafting a warm, welcoming and imaginative weekend. If you’re joining us for the first time, this is the perfect way to experience everything the festival has to offer. Your early support helps us secure film rights, guest speakers and the wrap‑around experiences that make Cary Comes Home such a distinctive part of Bristol’s cultural calendar.”
From: Cary Comes Home 2026 Festival

“Perfect for anyone who enjoys making things with lovely people. Plus, you'll leave with a beautiful handmade fan ready to accompany you through heatwaves, festivals, picnics, dramatic Victorian fainting spells, and any future moments requiring a touch of elegance.”
From: Fan Painting Workshop