Known as the birthplace of ground-breaking music from legendary acts such as Massive Attack, Portishead, Roni Size and more recently, IDLES and George Ezra, Bristol is world-famous for its vibrant and varied music scene (listen to this Bristol playlist to hear some of the tunes to come from here). 

With an ever-growing line-up of live music events in 2025, it’s an exciting time for music fans coming to the city. Here’s our round-up of some of the best gigs and concerts to come at Bristol’s iconic gig venues and clubs. Save these dates in your diary now!

May 

Bristol Folk Festival (2 - 4 May) 

Bristol Folk Festival returns over the early May bank holiday weekend with a programme of folk legends, including chart-toppers Talisk, rising star Katherine Priddy, Royal Harpist Catrin Finch, and one of the world’s finest guitarists, Martin Simpson. You'll also be able to see performances from a 14-piece folk orchestra, sea shanties, Ceilidhs, sword dancers and Late Night Folk sessions at The Architect. 

Bristol Folk Festival at Clifton Cathedral
Image - Bristol Folk Festival 

Friendly Festival (10 May)

The first ever Friendly Festival comes to the Lost and Grounded Brewers Brewery Tap Room on Saturday 10 May with a fantastic line-up of Post-Punk, Indie, and classic Rock ‘n’ Roll, alongside guest DJs. Headliners include Sleaford Mods, The 45s, Katy J Pearson and Zalizo.

Dot to Dot (24 May)

Dot To Dot returns for its 20th year with special guests The Horrors, along with Fat Dog, Sprints, Kate Bollinger, Lapsley and over 30 of the hottest emerging artists of the moment.

Stage and crowd at Dot to Dot Festival 2022 - credit Dot to Dot Festival
Image - Dot to Dot Festival

Back to Mine: The Secret Valley in Chew Valley (23 - 25 May)

A new festival comes to the Chew Valley with DJ sets and live instrumental performances, with a line-up including Sam Divine, Gok Wan, Felix Joy, Maxxi Soundsystem and Milly on Air. Enjoy a weekend of great music in a beautiful and intimate setting.

Love Saves the Day (24 - 25 May) 

Filling up the late May bank holiday weekend with an eclectic programme at Ashton Court Estate, this year's headliners are including Overmono, Nia Archives, Skream & Benga, Giggs, Hybrid Minds and Pawsa alongside a host of  D&B, dance and electronic royalty to keep festival goers moving all weekend long.

The stage at Love Saves The Day with an audience in the foreground - credit Love Saves The Day
Image - Love Saves The Day Bristol 

June 

Clifton International Festival of Music (6 - 14 June) 

Bristol’s classical music festival returns with a line-up of the country’s brightest classical rising stars and renowned solo artists. Watch mesmerising performances of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Schubert & Brahms, plus many more.

Tangled Roots Folk Festival (6 - 8 June)

Enjoy intimate acoustic performances at this laid-back folk festival at Radford Mill Farm in Somerset.

Bristol Craft Beer Festival (13 - 14 June) 

A celebration of brewing culture in Bristol and beyond on Bristol's harbourside, Bristol Craft Beer Festival will feature a huge variety of the world’s finest beer, local food and live music from local DJs, across two days.

People sat on wooden benches outside drinking beer - Credit Craft Beer Festival
Image - Bristol Craft Beer Festival

Forest Live (17 - 22 June)

Watch world-class performers and chart-toppers in the beautiful surrounds of Westonbirt Arboretum. This year's headliners on consecutive nights are Snow Patrol, Sting, Elbow and The Coral, Paul Heaton, McFly and The Script.

Bristol Sounds (25 - 29 June)

Bristol Sounds returns to the harbourside with another impressive line-up throughout the last week of June, including Supergrass, Kaiser Chiefs, Texas, The Fratellis and Olly Murs. 

The audience at Bristol Sounds, Lloyds Ampitheatre - credit Ania Shrimpton
Image - Bristol Sounds. Credit Ania Shrimpton

July

Fire in Your Soul (4 - 6 July) 

Fire In Your Soul Festival is festival in Chew Valley dedicated to reconnecting with nature, food, and community. The music line-up includes the award-winning Madame Gandhi, Natural Symphony, Millie on Air, Ella Vida, F.F.T.P. and Bethany Ley.

Bristol Pride (12 July) 

Bristol Pride returns from 28 June - 13 July, with the huge Pride Day event taking place on the Downs on Saturday 12 July. This year's main stage headliners include Allie X and Kim Wilde, plus Cascada, Ultra Naté,Brooke Lynn Hytes and many more.

A view of the crowd from the stage at Bristol Pride - Credit Matt Whiteley
Image - Bristol Pride. Credit Matt Whiteley

Bristol Harbour Festival (18 - 20 July)

One of the city's flagship free events, Bristol Harbour Festival attracts over 250,000 visitors with a varied programme of music, dance, circus acts, maritime displays and more. Visitors can visit five performance areas around the harbour, bringing beats, boats and backflips to the summer extravaganza.

A view of the crowd in front of a stage at Bristol Harbour Festival - credit Paul Box
Image - Bristol Harbour Festival. Credit Paul Box

Feast On (24 - 25 July)

This festival may have its main focus on showcasing Bristol's best food and drink, but there's also a live music stage you can enjoy throughout the day with local acts, covers bands and more.

Siren Bristol : 20 Years of Bloc Party (25 July)

Known for their genre-blurring sound and high-energy performances, Bloc Party promises an unforgettable show as they crank up the heat at Bristol's Amphitheatre and celebrate 20 years of Silent Alarm, the album that influenced a generation.

Siren Bristol : Sasha & John Digweed (27 July)

Sasha & Digweed have been defining and re-defining the scene since the 1990 and they’re back for their biggest ever Bristol show in the harbourside ampitheatre at the end of July.

Groove Armada on stage at Siren Bristol - credit KoLAB Studios - Alastair Brookes
Image - Siren Bristol

August 

IDLES in Queen Square (1 - 2 August)

Bristol's post-punk heroes play their only UK gig of 2025 in an outdoor extravaganza on Queen Square at the start of August in what is set to be one of summer's most unmissable concerts. Support somes from SOFT PLAY, Lambrini Girls & SICARIA on the Friday, and The Voidz, hind, SCALER, Grove and TLC on the Saturday.

IDLES in Queen Square 2025

Weston-super-Mare Sea Shanty and Folk Festival (1 - 3 August)

With more than 40 bands spread over a multitude of venues, this free festival is spread across a variety of bars and venues in the town centre, plus a centre stage at the Italian Gardens. 

Valley Fest presents Lake Paradiso (1 - 3 August) 

Valley Fest may be taking a break this year, but you can try out new laid-back festival Lake Paradiso in the same locatoin instead! Headlined by iconic names Trevor Nelson, Norman Jay MBE and more, this festival offers a weekend of disco, DnB, soul and global grooves overlooking Chew Valley Lake.

A view of the Valley Fest stage at Chew Valley Lake near Bristol - credit Valley Fest
Image - Valley Fest

BBC Proms at Bristol Beacon (22 - 24 August)

Bristol Beacon welcomes back the world’s greatest classical music festival over the August bank holiday weekend. Expect performances from Bristol's very own Paraorchestra with award-winning duo The Breath, as well as Britten Sinfonia, Orchestra of Welsh National Opera and a special Proms edition of Radio 3’s Late Junction.

Old City Sounds (23 August)

Celebrate the August bank holiday and end of the school holidays with a day of free live music and entertainment across King Street, St Stephen’s Church, St Nicholas Street and St Nicks Market. 

Street performer at Old City Sounds
Image - Old City Sounds

The Old Duke Jazz Festival (23 - 25 August)

Celebrating 58 years of free jazz performances at this iconic Bristol venue, The Old Duke will be hosting its famous Jazz Festival across the August bank holiday weekend, with a packed line-up of top jazz artists.

FORWARDS (23 - 24 August)

FORWARDS returns for two days of music and discussion, with headliners including The Last Dinner Party, Jorja Smith, Barry Can’t Swim, Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective, 2025 Grammy award winner and Super Bowl performer Doechii.

Audience at Forwards Festival Bristol
Image - FORWARDS

Mendip Family Festival (29 - 31 August)

This family-friendly festival at Mendip Activity Centre just outside Bristol (formerly the Harvest Home Festival) includes a day of live music on the Saturday, featuring local favourites Doreen Doreen, plus local bands SuperVision and The Jamestown Brothers.

Read more: