16 min readReady for dancing to live music, tucking into delicious street food and sipping pints of cider in the sunshine? Bristol’s festival calendar is jam-packed in 2025.
There’s a festival for everything in Bristol, from ballooning to music headliners, cider to cinema. Avoid any inkling of Glastonbury FOMO with our festival picks for the coming months…
Jump to April | May | June | July | August | September | October
April
Outer Town Festival (11 April)
Kick off your festival season with this celebration of Bristol's independent venues and DIY artists. Your wristband for the day will give you access to ten stages across nine venues around Old Market, with the music going on all day and into the early hours.
Lyra Poetry Festival (17 - 26 April)
Bristol's annual poetry festival returns with another stellar lineup, including readings from spoken word artist Shane Koyczan and children’s poet Michael Rosen, talks, workshops, Caribbean Poetry Liming, Queer Poetry Cabaret and the heats and grand final of the 2026 Lyra Poetry Slam.
Image - Lyra Poetry Festival
Bristol New Music (22 - 26 April)
Five days of live performances across some of Bristol's top venues, showcasing what's new and upcoming in contemporary music. Venues include Bristol Beacon, Spike Island, St George’s Bristol, and Strange Brew, with day passes and full festival passes available, as well as tickets available for individual shows.
Forbidden Worlds Film Festival (23 - 26 April)
This year, Bristol's genre film festival is focusing on classic and cult fantasy films, with screenings of Excalibur, The Bride With White Hair, Clash of the Titans, The Brotherhood of the Wolf, and a 40th anniversary screening of Highlander, plus a range of panel discussions, talks and special guest appearances.
Bristol Radical History Festival (25 - 26 April)
A weekend of talks, discussions, tours and screenings dedicated to local history and grassroots struggles. This year's festival highlights include talks on the Welsh Risings and the 1926 General Strike.
Easton Punk Festival (30 April - 3 May)
Expect three nights of 'musical mayhem' in this takeover across four pubs in Easton, featuring local bands.
Image - Forbidden Worlds Film Festival
May
Bristol Walk Fest (1 – 31 May)
From heritage and nature walks to woodland story times, Bristol Walk Fest offers tons of ways to explore the city and the surrounding area on foot. Most events are free and there’s something in the programme for all ages, interests, backgrounds and fitness levels. This year’s festival has more than 150 different events and activities throughout the month, including history walks, walking sports, neighbourhood tours and guided nature walks.
Image - Bristol Walk Fest, credit Jenni Nott
DIASPORA! (1 - 10 May)
Shining a light on Bristol's diverse and marginalised communities, DIASPORA! 2026 will feature talks, film screenings, exhibitions, workshops and live music.
Bristol Folk Festival (1 - 3 May)
Three days celebrating roots and folk over the early May bank holiday weekend, with an impressive lineup for 2026, 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)
This new multi-venue festival takes place across St Judes over the bank holiday weekend: The Jam Jar, Lost Horizon, Swan with Two Necks, The Volunteer Tavern, and The Sawmills. The lineup will span multiple genres, including dub, soukous, reggaeton, salsa, highlife and afrobeat.
Could Be Real Tribute Festival (15 May)
Sing your heart out to some of the UK's top tribute acts across two stages in the Harbourside Amphitheatre, including tributes to Oasis, Amy Winehouse, Elton John, Adele, Queen, P!nk, Fleetwood Mac, Ed Sheeran, Arctic Monkeys, Abba and more.
Upfest (15 - 31 May)
Back after a two-year hiatus, Bristol's urban art festival is Europe's largest street art festival, with 17 days of large-scale murals, live painting and creative events. If you can't wait until then, you can check out the most recent Upfest murals around Bedminster before the walls get a fresh look!
Image - Artist David McMillian painting a mural at Upfest
Where We Belong Festival (16 May)
Another new festival comes to the Harbourside Amphitheatre, with a world-class lineup of house and disco music to keep you dancing all day long, 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.
The Spring South Glos Food & Drink Festival (16 - 17 May)
Savour a wide array of delectable dishes and beverages from local and regional vendors at this free food festival in Bristol and Bath Science Park. Take home some goodies from the food & drink producer marquee, watch live music and join in family-friendly activities.
Good Times Live (20 - 25 May)
Head to Chipping Sodbury for five consecutive days of music, comedy, and family fun, with headliners including The Human League and Marc Almond (20 May), Jessie J (21 May), Tom Odell (22 May), Madness (23 May) and Emeli Sandé (24 May), plus a day of comedy from Russell Howard, Mark Watson, Laura Newman and Matt Richardson on Monday 25 May.
Dot to Dot (23 May)
Dot to Dot has been known to bring the hottest new emerging artists to city centre venues. Special guests for this edition are Lambrini Girls, Fcukers, NewDad, Mandy, Indiana, Ratboys, Lucia & The Best Boys and over 30 of the hottest artists of the moment.
Love Saves the Day (23 - 24 May)
Boasting an eclectic programme perfect for the ultimate bank holiday weekend at Ashton Court Estate. Heading up this year's lineup are Sammy Virji, Rizzle Kicks, Sub Focus, Eve, Katy B and Confidence Man, alongside a host of D&B, dance and electronic royalty to keep festival goers moving all weekend long.
Food and Drink Festival at Old Down Estate (25 May)
Enjoy some tastiness over the bank holiday weekend at the scenic Old Down Estate just outside Bristol, with street food vendors, cookery demos, cocktail masterclasses, DJs and family entertainment, all for £5 per person, and under 15s get in for free!
Image - Love Saves the Day
June
Summer Fest at the Beach (5 - 7 June)
An exciting new festival is coming to Weston-super-Mare this summer, think T4 on the Beach and the legendary BBC Radio 1 Roadshow, but bigger! The weekend features an incredible lineup, including Five, Dizzee Rascal, Craig David, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Feeder, Scouting for Girls and The Twang on the Saturday, and Madness, Razorlight, Ocean Colour Scene, The Feeling, The Hoosiers and Sister Sledge on the Sunday.
Clifton International Festival of Music (5 - 13 June)
Bristol’s classical music festival returns this summer with spellbinding sounds from acclaimed artists and vibrant music-making from some of the country’s most exciting performers.
Festival of Nature (6 - 14 June)
The UK’s largest free celebration of the natural world returns in June with a programme of vibrant city centre events. The theme of this year's festival will revolve around trees and forests, shining a spotlight on everything trees do for us, and how they link to our waterways, food, and communities in ways you might not expect. The festival culminates with Wild Weekend in Millennium Square, overflowing with stalls, exhibits, live music, a parade, workshops, talks and screenings.
Image - Festival of Nature
Bristol Craft Brew Festival (6 June)
Craft Brew Festival returns on the August bank holiday weekend! Expect to sample the best British craft beer from independent breweries and microbrewers from up and down the UK.
Tangled Roots Folk Festival (7 June)
Enjoy a welcoming and laid-back atmosphere at this small acoustic festival at Redford Mill Farm just outside Bristol. Tuck into delicious food grown and cooked on site, join in with dance, singing and yoga workshops, and listen to a range of both local and international folk performers.
Bristol Craft Beer Festival (12 - 13 June)
A celebration of brewing culture in Bristol and beyond on Bristol's harbourside, Bristol Craft Beer Festival will feature over 300 beers from 50 breweries, local food and live music from local DJs, across two days.
Image - Bristol Craft Beer Festival
Bristol Volksfest (12 - 14 June)
A family-friendly weekend festival celebrating all thing Volkswagen, with displays, rides, live music, kids activities and more.
Sausage and Cider Festival at Eastville Park (13 June)
Choose from over 30 different ciders, and over 20 different types and flavours of sausage, with live entertainment from the UK's best tribute acts, Pat Sharp's Funhouse Party DJ Set and Barrioke.
Summer in Nashville (14 June)
The fun continues at Eastville Park with a day of tributes to country music legends, plus new and undiscovered acts direct from the USA. You can also join in with line dancing, axe throwing, have a go on the rodeo bull, or tuck into American BBQ and street food.
Bristol Comedy Garden (17 -20 June)
The big top returns to Queen Square for another week of brilliant comedy stars, including Jack Dee, Josh Widdicombe, Chris McCausland, Sara Pascoe, Rob Delaney, Nina Conti, Fin Taylor, Simon Amstell, Fern Brady, Michelle de Swarte, Sarah Keyworth, John Robins, Jen Brister, Larry Dean, Ivo Graham, Jamali Maddix, Lou Sanders and many more. These shows always sell out, so be quick!
Image - Bristol Comedy Garden
Bristol Sounds (23 - 28 June)
Bristol Sounds returns to the Harbour Amphitheatre with a series of high-profile headliners across several evenings, including The Kooks, Super Furry Animals, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Royel Otis, and a double appearance from The Streets, performing: A Grand Don't Come For Free in full for the first time ever.
Forest Live at Westonbirt Arboretum (17 - 22 June)
The outdoor concerts in the scenic surrounds of Westonbirt Arboretum return with headliners on consecutive evenings, including Fatboy Slim, Deacon Blue and Lightning Seeds, UB40 feat Ali Campbell, Rick Astley and Richard Ashcroft.
Image - Bristol Sounds
July
Bristol Pride (12 July)
Bristol Pride runs from 27 June to 12 July, with the Pride Parade and Pride Day 2026 event taking place on Saturday 11 July. This year's Pride Day headliners include Sister Sledge, Jason Donovan, Chloe Qisha, Black Box, Absolute Britney, Myki Meeks, Catrin Feelings, and Kelly Llorenna, plus performances from local artists and community groups.
Image - Bristol Pride
RHS Badminton Flower Show (8 - 12 July)
The world-renowned flower show comes to the Badminton Estate, just a half-hour drive from Bristol. See stunning show gardens and floral displays, watch demos, talks and panel discussions, and join in with family activities.
Fantasy Forest Festival (17 - 19 July)
Head to Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire for this celebration of the fantasy genre, including sci-fi & fantasy films, fantasy arts, comics, anime, cosplay, LARP, steampunk and historic re-enactment.
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, bringing beats, boats and backflips to the summer extravaganza.
Image - Bristol Harbour Festival
Weston Wallz (17 - 26 July)
This street art festival in Weston-Super-Mare returns for its 6th Year. A sister festival to Upfest, you can expect live painting and new murals emerging across the city. The final weekend of the festival will be hosted in the Italian gardens, with SMart paint jam, workshops and street art tours.
Rum & Reggae Festival at The Prospect Building (18 July)
As well as tropical cocktails, Caribbean punch and Jamaican street food, this event has a great music lineup for the day, including David Rodigan, The Skints, General Levy, Don Letts and Tanni Browne & The One Love Orchestra, plus Reggae Roast ft. Mr Williamz and Bristol Hi Fi, all hosted by Solo Banton.
Cinema Rediscovered (22 - 26 July)
Organised by Watershed, Cinema Rediscovered brings digital restorations, contemporary classics and some rarities from the archive and presents them to audiences in their full film glory on the big screen.
Feast On (23 - 26 July)
Experience the best of Bristol's food scene as top restaurants and traders showcase their signature dishes. From hearty classics to daring new flavours, there's a taste for every palate. Enjoy wine tastings, food sustainability talks, live cooking demos, banquets, live music and family entertainment.
Image - Feast On
Siren Bristol (23 - 25 July)
Get ready to dance the night away in Bristol's Harbourside Amphitheatre at one of these huge outdoor music events, with The Maccabees taking the Thursday night slot, followed by Faithless on the Friday night, and HOSPITAL30 On The Harbour closing out the festival on the Saturday, celebrating 30 years of Hospital Records with a full day of open-air drum & bass performances.
Image - Siren Bristol
Weston-super-Mare Sea Shanty and Folk Festival (31 July - 2 August)
Get ready to sing along at these free performances at bars and venues across the town, with a centre stage at the Italian Gardens. Pirate dress-up is encouraged!
Feast Live (31 July - 2 August)
Take your pick from three epic live music events on the Downs on consecutive nights. Sing along to some of the greatest West End and Broadway hits at The Sound of West End Musicals on Friday night, with live singers, an orchestra and special guest Gareth Gates, plus a host of other West End stars. Haçienda Classiçal takes over on Saturday night, combining classic club hits with a full live orchestra, DJs and original vocalists, with special guests including 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)
Chew Valley's food and music festival returns for more feasts, talks, cookery demos and live performances, with this year's headliners confirmed as Big Special, Friendly Fires and Cast, plus other festival favourites, including 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.
Cider Salon Bristol (15 August)
Where better to drink down thy cider and sample a few more than in the city of cider itself? The Cider Salon will take place at Trinity Centre on Saturday 15 August, with unlimited cider and perry tasting included in your ticket.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (7 - 9 August)
One of the highlights of the summer calendar, this free three-day family-friendly event is the largest of its kind in Europe, with mass ascents of over 100 hot air balloons scheduled for early morning and teatime each day, plus Night Glow shows and fireworks. Visitors can look forward to fairground rides, entertainment, live music and awe-inspiring aerial displays, all set in the beautiful grounds of Ashton Court Estate. There's also the option to meet the balloon pilots, dine at the special Pasture on-site restaurant, or step inside a cold-inflated balloon to discover what it's like to be a hot air balloon pilot, with a pilot's-eye soundscape and video.
Image - Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, credit Adam Gasson
The Old Duke Jazz Festival (29 - 30 August)
Head to King Street for this three-day celebration of jazz over the bank holiday weekend, which is free to attend.
FORWARDS (29 - 30 August)
FORWARDS returns for two days of music and discussion, with this year's headliners including Tems, Self Esteem, Wet Leg and Maribou State on the Saturday, followed by Little Simz, Amyl and the Sniffers and Dijon on Sunday. Get in the mood for this mega festival with a special performance from New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde the day before FORWARDS on Friday 28 August.
Image - FORWARDS. Credit Beth Whelan
September
Bristol Wing Fest (4 - 6 September)
A celebration of the mighty chicken wing and is now the world’s most popular chicken wing festival. This year, 100,000 wings will be served by 15 different street food vendors, restaurants and BBQ teams.
Bristol Coffee Festival (12 September)
If you're a coffee lover, this is the one for you! Head to Bristol Beacon to meet the great and good from the South West's specialty coffee industry.
Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival (17 - 19 September)
The weekend will feature panel discussions, hands-on workshops and expert demonstrations, with a lineup featuring gardening's best-known names.
Bristol Cocktail Weekend (24 - 27 September)
Head along to a series of cocktail-themed events, activities and experiences at locations across the city centre.
Image - Bristol Cocktail Weekend
October
BOP Photobook Festival (17 - 18 October)
The annual festival returns to Martin Parr Foundation in Paintworks, bringing together a wide-ranging group of photobook publishers, booksellers and photographers from across Europe.
Wildscreen Festival (19 - 22 October)
The largest global gathering of natural world storytellers, with a programme of panels, film screenings and meetups.
Forbidden Worlds Film Festival: The Big Scream (23 - 24 October)
Get in the mood for Halloween with a weekend of cult horror screenings at Bristol Megascreen!
November
Simple Things Festival (7 November)
This one-day festival takes over multiple venues across the city centre to showcase boundary-pushing live and electronic music.
Clifton LitFest (13 - 15 November)
A weekend of talks, workshops and panel discussions, bringing together leading voices from politics, literature, photography and journalism.
Cary Comes Home Festival (27 - 29 November)
The biennial celebration of Bristol’s most famous film star returns for three days of film screenings, talks, tours and performances.
Image - Simple Things Festival
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