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! Where were you in ‘92? If it was up at Bagley’s in your Kangols or tearing the bricks down at Castlemorton, this doc salutes you. With an eye-popping anyone-who’s-anyone assemblage of talking heads and rush-inducing archival footage, Rave Culture pulls the neon curtain back on the Second (and last) Summer of Love like nothing before it. Bring Yer Own Vix VapoRub. RAVE CULTURE: A NEW ERA - Film at The Cube.

Sell out warning! KINDOM kick-starts your summer plans with this queer utopian escape for the FLINTA community, dreamt up by Soft Butch and Tease. A wholesome weekend in the Welsh countryside awaits you, with swimming, sauna sessions, yoga workshops, House of Boussé’s iconic gender-fuckery cabaret antics + a whole host of DJs bringing the hedonistic dancefloor heat. KINDOM at Three Pools Farm.

Lyrafest 2026 closes on a high with this powerful showcase of resonant storytelling and cross-continental connection, curated alongside Ujima Radio. Celebrated headliners Theresa Lola and Joladé Olusanya bring rich explorations of identity, heritage and the diasporic lens, alongside sharp local talent and a digital link-up with Poetry Africa. Roots, Resonance and African Heritage at Watershed.

Sell out warning! Part of Bristol Radical History Festival, The Cube screens the seldom-seen 1983 anti-propaganda doc Ireland: The Silent Voices, followed by a dialogue with director Professor Rod Stoneman. The film traces the Northern Ireland conflict while interrogating the frameworks of narrative – revealing how media shapes perception, and scripts our understanding of politics and lived experience. Ireland: The Silent Voices at The Cube.

What our editors say

“After the incredible success of our 2025 edition, Dancing Body is returning to the farm for another spectacular weekend of dancing, connecting, giggling, moving, and shaking. This year, we’re welcoming a slightly bigger community, unveiling a brand new wellbeing area, and offering a rich mix of fresh and already adored dance workshops. Ah, and of course, the unforgettable club night sessions too! The farm is ready to host us once again for what promises to be a truly sensational celebration of movement and togetherness. One and only festival of this kind! Be sure to follow us on Instagram for all the latest updates!✨ www.instagram.com/dancing.body www.thedancingbody.com”
From: Dancing Body Festival 2026

“Final Major Projects 2026 Friday 1 - Friday 8 May, 7:30pm Join us over four nights to experience a mini-festival of new works presented by the graduating students from Circomedia’s degree programme! With a selection of different acts each night, this is a fantastic opportunity to support and celebrate the circus artists of the future as they showcase their circus and performance skills. Check back in the New Year for information of each of the artists’ acts! Dates & Times: Friday 2 - Friday 8 May, 7:30pm Tickets: £12 full price, £8 concessions Age Guideline: TBC Location: St Paul’s Church, BS2 8SJ Tickets at https://www.circomedia.com/fmps-2026/”
From: Final Major Projects 2026 Night 3

“Beltane is a traditional Gaelic festival celebrated around May 1st, marking the beginning of summer and the pastoral season. What to expect on the day: 11am-1pm: Jumble Sale - every item £2! 11am-1pm: Traditional Crafts: Tea making & Willow Weaving 1-3pm: Live Music & Maypole Dancing Our Beltane celebration is set to be a beautiful day for the entire family. Join us as we welcome summer and enjoy the changing of the seasons together! As always, this community-focused event is 'pay-what-you-can'. All money we receive from ticket-sales go right back into supporting the farm you love, so we recommend a donation of £5 per ticket.”
From: Beltane at Windmill Hill City Farm

“Meaning “Bright Fire” Beltane is the festival of fire and fertility—a time to prepare for the summer ahead, celebrate the vibrant life-force of nature within and without and bless the land that sustains us.”
From: Ignite Your Spirit: A Beltane Yoga Day-Retreat:

“8th annual Bristol Radical History Festival; free event with history talks, films, history walks, performance, & exhibitions. There will also be space devoted to stalls, where you can stock up on history pamphlets, books and more, from over 30 publishers and distributors. The main part of the festival is held over two days at two venues: Saturday 25th April at Bristol’s social history museum on the city’s historic harbourside, M Shed; and, Sunday 26th April at the volunteer-run arts centre and cinema the Cube Microplex. This year’s event has four main themes: Propaganda, Utopias, Welsh Risings and the 1926 General Strike.”
From: Bristol Radical History Festival