Major Events

Discover major and high-profile events taking places through 2023 in Bristol.

These annual festivals and community celebrations, plus special Bristol 650 celebratory events, provide many opportunities to experience Bristol and its people, as well as the city's past, present and future. 

Unicornfest (July to September) - A magical trail and farewell festival (23-24 September) featuring sixty supersized unicorns displayed across many iconic Bristol and south west locations, raising money for Leukaemia Care and celebrating Bristol's 650th anniversary.

Edible Histories - a new arts project that's being created as part of the Bristol 650 celebrations. Throughout the year, five objects will be selected from museums and other venues, including MShed, Aerospace Bristol, Tyntesfield and Glenside Hospital Museum that tell the story of the city. Then 1-2m sized replicas of the objects will then be created in fairtrade chocolate by the award-winning Bristol chocolatier Zara's Chocolates – wrapped in gold foil and displayed with the original pieces within these much-loved attractions.

Bristol Open Doors (September) - 2023 marks 30 years of Bristol Open Doors – the biggest festival of culture, heritage and learning in the UK. Come along in September 2023 to open hundreds of doors & unlock stories across every ward of the city.

Festival of the Future City (October) - The biennial Festival of the Future City returns this year, with a range of experts and panellists discussing the challenges facing cities today. 

Bristol is also a UNESCO City of Film and has several international film festivals, from Slapstick Festival in February, to Cinema Rediscovered in July, and Encounters Film Festival in late September.

Events from earlier in 2023

Festival of Nature (9 - 18 June) - Festival of Nature, the UK’s largest free celebration of the natural world, is back from the 9th – 18th June 2023. Join the celebration for the festival’s 20th anniversary with its programme of vibrant city-centre events, family nature parties, wildlife workshops, walks & talks, and digital activities across the week.

Bristol Harbour Festival (15 - 16 July) - One of the UK's largest free public festivals and a chance for the city to showcase its rich maritime roots. Expect dazzling harbourside displays, music stages across the city centre, family fun, and plenty of boats!

Bristol’s International Balloon Fiesta (10 - 13 August) - Europe's largest annual meeting of hot air balloons, attracting over 130 hot air balloons from across the globe. It's a sight that can only be seen in Bristol. Alongside the fantastic sight of hot air balloons filling the skies, visitors can also expect entertainment for all the family, throughout the day including aerial displays, children’s activities and entertainment, fairground rides, delicious food stalls and bars, balloon tethering and demonstrations, model aircraft displays and a local music stage.