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

PWYC! As humanities enrolments plummet and universities shut down their literature departments, but romantasy blossoms and BookTok gets its own shelf in Waterstones, do we need to worry about the kids? Let's talk about it! What’s the point of education in a post-literate society? at PRSC.

Global maestros of the photographic medium assemble like never before. Bristol Photo Festival present a series of in-depth conversations offering a tantalising glimpse into the folk psychogeography of Akshay Mahajan, Joy Gregory's examinations of exoticism and post-colonialism + more in this flagship expo. Bristol Photo Festival: Time Machine Symposium at Arnolfini.

Free entry! The third biannual Bristol Photo Festival opens with an *incredibly loud shutter sound*: five world-class exhibitions from Gaza's first commercial studio to a revitalisation of Martin Parr's historic '99 Common Sense expo + talks from curators, photographers and listening sessions. Bristol Photo Festival: Launch Night & Listening Event at The Welcome Building.

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.

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

“* people who haven't sung since primary school * people who sing in the shower * people who love to sing along at a festival * people too chaotic to join a regular weekly choir * people in community choirs who want to join in the fun * and anyone that wants a fun night out that's a little bit different!”
From: Choir Party by Candlelight: The One Night Choir For Everybody