10 min readKnown 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 2026, 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 (1 - 3 May)
Bristol Folk Festival returns over the early May bank holiday weekend with a programme of folk legends, including The Unthanks, Ye Vagabonds, The Breath, John Smith, Honeyfeet and Sam Sweeney, plus Late Night Folk sessions and a Festival Ceilidh.
Jam on the Horizon (2 - 3 May)
Dance along to 14 hours of music from across the globe at five venues in St Judes. Featuring massive DJ sets from Quantic and Zero 7, plus more from daytime headliners Joe Armon Jones and Kanda Bongo Man, and night-time headliners Raz & Afla and Pahua - make sure you nab a ticket, because this will sell out!
Gigantic All Dayer (9 May)
A full day of nostalgic indie and dance at The Prospect Building, with a lineup featuring Peter Hook & The Light, The Wonder Stuff, Jim Bob, The Bluetones, The House of Love, Utah Saints and Cud.
Image - The Prospect Building
Friendly Records 10th Birthday Block Party (9 May)
A party in a brewery? Count us in! Friendly Records celebrate their 10-year anniversary at the Lost And Grounded Brewery with DJ sets from local legends DJ Krust, IDLES and Andy Smith.
Stokes Croft Block Party (10 May)
Get ready to feel the bass across more than 25 stages in venues on and around Stokes Croft, including some unexpected and hidden spots!
Could Be Real Tribute Festival (15 May)
Sing along to some of the best tribute acts in Bristol's Harbourside Amphitheatre, including tributes to Amy Winehouse, Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Arctic Monkeys, Stereophonics, Oasis, Adele, Queen, P!nk, Fleetwood Mac, Abba and more.
Where We Belong Festival (16 May)
It's a summer of new festivals in the city, including this harbourside event, which features a world-class lineup of house and disco acts, including Soul II Soul, David Morales, Craig Charles, Roger Sanchez, Masters at Work, Alison Limerick, DJ Paulette, Greg Wilson, Horse Meat Disco, K-Klass, and Melvo Baptiste.
Tricky at Bristol Beacon (17 May)
This reimagining of Tricky's three-decade-spanning back catalogue will have immersive screens and special lighting, pushing the boundaries as ever.
Good Times Live (20 - 25 May)
Some big names are coming to Chipping Sodbury just outside Bristol for consecutive days of music. This year's headliners include The Human League and Marc Almond (20 May), Jessie J (21 May), Tom Odell (22 May), Madness (23 May) and Emeli Sandé (24 May).
Dot to Dot (23 May)
Venue-hopping festival Dot to Dot is known for bringing the hottest new emerging artists to its lineups, and this year is no different. Special guests for this edition are Lambrini Girls, Fcukers, NewDad, Mandy, Indiana, Ratboys, Lucia & The Best Boys and many more.
Love Saves the Day (23 - 24 May)
Ashton Court Estate will once again be bouncing all weekend with D&B, dance and electronic royalty, including Sammy Virji, Rizzle Kicks, Sub Focus, Eve, Katy B and Confidence Man.
Image - Love Saves The Day Bristol
June
Summer Fest at the Beach (5 - 7 June)
A stellar lineup of pop legends is coming to Weston-super-Mare this summer, including Five, Dizzee Rascal, Craig David, Madness, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Razorlight, Feeder, Ocean Colour Scene, The Feeling, The Hoosiers, Sister Sledge and Scouting for Girls. Prepare yourself for a good old sing-along on the beach!
Clifton Festival of Music (5 - 13 June)
If classical music is more your thing, head along to one of these Clifton concerts, showcasing some 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.
Image - Clifton Festival of Music
Tangled Roots Folk Festival (7 June)
Enjoy intimate acoustic performances at this laid-back one-day festival at Radford Mill Farm in Somerset, with a relaxed programme of dance, singing and yoga workshops, plus live folk performances.
Ibiza Orchestra Experience (12 June)
Come along to listen to some of your favourite club hits from Fatboy Slim, Tiësto, Daft Punk, Robert Miles, The Prodigy and more, with the special addition of a live orchestra, DJ sets and MCs.
Summer in Nashville (14 June)
Enjoy a thigh-slapping day out in Eastville Park, with a day of tributes to country music legends, line dancing and axe throwing, as well as the chance to take on the rodeo bull, or fill up on American BBQ and street food.
Bristol Sounds (23 - 28 June)
Bristol Sounds returns to the harbourside with another impressive line-up throughout the last week of June, including The Kooks, Super Furry Animals, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Royel Otis, and The Streets, performing: A Grand Don't Come For Free in full for the first time ever.
Image - Bristol Sounds
Forest Live (24 - 28 June)
Watch world-class performers and chart-toppers in the beautiful surroundings of Westonbirt Arboretum. This year's headliners on consecutive nights are Fatboy Slim, Deacon Blue and Lightning Seeds, UB40 feat Ali Campbell, Rick Astley and Richard Ashcroft.
Keynsham Music Festival (29 June - 3 July)
This community festival has music, comedy and family events throughout the week, but make sure you don't miss the Big Weekend in Keynsham Memorial Park on the weekend of 4 - 5 July, with free music stages, workshops and open mic performances.
Image - Forest Live at Westonbirt Arboretum
July
Bristol Pride (11 July)
Bristol Pride returns from 27 June - 12 July, with the Pride Parade and huge Pride Day festival taking place on the Downs on Saturday 11 July. This year's main stage headliners include Sister Sledge, Jason Donovan, Chloe Qisha, Black Box, Absolute Britney, Myki Meeks, Catrin Feelings, Kelly Llorenna and many more.
Image - Bristol Pride. Credit Matt Whiteley
Bristol Harbour Festival (17 - 19 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, plus an extensive range of festival fringe events across the city centre.
Image - Silent disco at Bristol Harbour Festival
Rum & Reggae Festival (18 July)
This event is bringing tropical vibes to The Prospect Building in St Phillips with a music lineup hosted by Solo Banton, including David Rodigan, The Skints, General Levy, Don Letts and Tanni Browne & The One Love Orchestra. Between sets, you can enjoy fruity cocktails, Caribbean punch and Jamaican street food.
Mendip Mini Fests (selected weekends 24 July - 30 August)
Book a fun camping weekend at Mendip Basecamp and enjoy live performances from local bands, including The Sam Evans Band, The Lipinskis, The Missing Cat Band, Aardvarks, Supervision, and Station2Station.
Siren Bristol (23 - 25 July)
Bristol's final batch of iconic harbourside gigs for summer pulls out all the stops, with The Maccabees headlining the Thursday night slot, followed by Faithless on the Friday night, and HOSPITAL30 On The Harbour closing out the festival on the Saturday.
Image - Siren Bristol
Weston-super-Mare Sea Shanty and Folk Festival (31 July - 2 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. Pirate dress-up is encouraged!
Feast Live (31 July - 2 August)
The Downs plays host to three nights of music at the end of July, starting with The Sound of West End Musicals on Friday night, which will see live singers and an orchestra perform much-loved West End and Broadway hits, with special guest Gareth Gates and a host of other West End stars. Enjoy some club classics performed by a full orchestra as Haçienda Classiçal take over on Saturday night, with live vocals and DJing from Louie Vega, Dimitri, From Paris, Graeme Park, Luke Una and Lottie. Rounding off the weekend on the Sunday evening is two-time BRIT Awards winner Becky Hill, with a set of catchy dance numbers.
Valley Fest (31 July - 2 August)
The popular local food and music festival returns with a bang to its lakeside location in Chew Valley, with music headliners Big Special, Friendly Fires and Cast, plus other festival favourites Billy Nomates, House Gospel Choir, The Herbaliser, Fisherman’s Friends, Beans on Toast, Doreen Doreen and Gardna.
Image - Valley Fest
August
Bristol International Rare Soul Weekender (7 - 9 August)
Party along over three days, with Rare Soul DJs playing across six venues, including the Old Market Assembly, The Jam Jar, The Crown Tavern and more.
BBC Proms at Bristol Beacon (7 - 9 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, plus Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, National Open Youth Orchestra and a special live edition of the acclaimed late-night Radio 3 jazz show ’Round Midnight.
The Old Duke Jazz Festival (29 - 30 August)
Celebrating 59 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 Presents: Lorde (28 August)
Global star Lorde headlines her first gig in Bristol to kickstart the bank holiday weekend, with a world-class lineup for the day including Djo, Audrey Hobert, Rose Gray, Esha Tewari and Grove.
FORWARDS (29 - 30 August)
FORWARDS returns for two days of music and discussion, with headliners including Tems, Self Esteem, Wet Leg, Little Simz, Amyl and the Sniffers, Dijon and Maribou State.
Image - FORWARDS
September
Bristol Sea Shanty Shout (19 - 20 September)
Head along to Underfall Yard or Brunel Square next to Brunel's SS Great Britain for a weekend of free sea shanty performances, plus a ticketed event at Underfall Yard on the Saturday evening.
November
Simple Things Festival (7 November)
See what's new and exciting in modern music with this all-day festival at Bristol Beacon, with a boundary-pushing line-up which will be announced later in the year.
Image - Simple Things Festival
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