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

Come see Ramallah on the big screen! Thank You For Banking is Laila Abbas’ intimate and darkly humorous family drama, where two sisters unite against patriarchal inheritance laws to reclaim money from their beloved father. A stark reminder that, in amongst the horrors of war, Palestinian women must always fight a battle on several fronts. Gaza Film Fundraiser: Thank You for Banking WIth Us at Wild Goose Space.

A veritable breeding ground of people-powered leftist politics across 2 days of workshops, progressive talks and activities. Have your idea-starved mind readily expanded with sessions on everything from the General Strike centenary to the SWP scandal, Palestine activism to Your Party membership + much much more. Bristol Transformed Festival 2026 at The Trinity Centre.

Vital showcase of short docs that’ve risen above the violent censorship of Myanmar’s military dictatorship to enlighten the global community. Educate yourself with a Q&A panel of exiled citizens and fill your belly with Burmese street food while raising funds for medical aid and relief efforts. The Burmese fight for freedom told in five films at The Cube.

The second vital PWYC screening fundraiser from Bristol Queers for Palestine! Catch a series of shorts exploring the daily humiliation of checkpoint crossings and the family legacies of the children of the Nakba, plus talks and tasty local food on offer. All proceeds go directly to supporting Palestinian families so dig deep! FILM FEST 4 FALASTIN: Love as Resistance w/ Queers for Palestine Fundraiser at St Pauls Learning Centre.

What our editors say

“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

“Next 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 :)”
From: Dancing Body Festival 2026

“Welcome to KINDOM: a festival for Women, Non Binary and Trans people to connect, resource our bodies and political movements, and get the f!ck down. Expect dance and creative workshops, political discussions, drag performances, banging DJ sets + a healthy side of wholesome with locally-sourced food, sauna sessions and swims.”
From: KINDOM

“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:

“A big hit at film festivals worldwide, Laila Abbas' enthralling and uplifting West Bank-set black comedy will have you rooting for Mariam and Noura as they race against time to secure their inheritance while putting aside their own personal differences. Sisters really are doing it for themselves!”
From: Gaza Film Fundraiser: Thank You for Banking WIth Us