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

Free entry / PWYC! A local wellspring of evidence-based drug use support, BDP host a round table discussion on harm-reduction at the peak of festival season. Whether you want advice on addiction or just an idea of what else is actually IN that white powder, this session will offer an essential grounding in how to be a better friend, ally and club warrior too. Oin us to explore nightlife and festival culture with four specialists in the harm reduction field.

Trinity invite you into the beating industrial heart of Jacob Wells Baths in a tantalising taste of its full arts hub resurrection. Marvel at the Victorian splendour of this iconic and underused space, utterly transformed by immersive AV visionaries Squidsoup into a vast, responsive environment of shifting lights and soothing soundscapes. An immersive light and sound experience in a repurposed Victorian swimming baths

Sell out warning! A bite-sized blast of women’s micro-fiction to warm you up for this year’s Flash Fiction Festival. East Bristol Books brings together a selection of award-winning, razor-sharp flash storytellers from across the globe – Bristol’s own Kathryn Aldridge-Morris, WA’s Gillian O’Shaughnessy and the Bay Area’s Patricia Q. Bidar. Feminist flash fiction by authors from the UK & Australia

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

“This ticket is valid for the *entire* Cary Comes Home Festival weekend, running across three days — Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November 2026. Headfirst only allows a single date to be displayed, but your pass covers all events across the full festival.”
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