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’s illustrious festival of poetry returns for a 2026 run of inspiring workshops, enlightening talks and galvanising performances from the brightest literary voices around. This year you’re spoiled for choice with Shane Koyczan’s spoken word fireworks, Joelle Taylor on queer worldbuilding and the ritual crowning of the battle-scarred Poetry Slam champion. Lyra Festival Pass 2026 at All Festival Venues.

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.

Lyrafest kicks off with a cabaret bang, and it’s a homecoming for Bristol’s own decorated writer/stage star/general polymath of queer creativity Travis Alabanza – we missed ya baby! They take the Fini stage alongside performance poet champion Keith Jarret, experimental theatre-maker cum party girl Raina Greifer, dance-pop goddess RED and bequiffed Brizzle Boyz king Fluxx Wyldly. Queer Poetry Cabaret | Travis Alabanza + Guests at Arnolfini.

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.

What our editors say

“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

“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

“Levanted Dance, who brought us ‘The Band’ in 2025, are delving into how this physical dialogue can inform narrative, emotion and trust, while also imagining what other elements (equipment, props or materials) might enrich and expand the creative process. Who are Levantes Dance? Levantes Dance Theatre is an award-winning female-led circus dance company known for their trademark bold visual design and blending this with aerial dance and physical theatre. Their work ranges from immersive indoor performances to outdoor pop-up spectacles. They perform in spaces from theatres to garden parties, from large scale festivals to care homes.”
From: Counterweight by Levantes Dance

“The opening night of Bristol Transformed - an annual festival of socialist ideas, culture, and arts. Tickets are free, but only valid alongside a festival ticket! Get yours here: https://hdfst.uk/e145672 _____________________”
From: Marx Tank