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Festivals in Bristol
23 listings. Bristol's festivals by time of year. Dates change, so check each festival's own site.
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Festivals 23
Bristol Christmas MarketNovember to December
Bristol Comedy Festival NewAnnual
City-centre comedy festival run by a small team from Bristol's comedy scene, with Bristol BID as core partner. The 2026 line-up included Jayde Adams and Mark Watson.
Bristol Comedy GardenSummer
Annual summer festival in Queen Square.
Bristol Food & Drink FestivalsSummer
Feast On (Jul), Food & Drink Fest (Sep), Craft Beer Fest (Jun).
Bristol Harbour FestivalMid July
Bristol's biggest free festival, spread around the harbourside.
Bristol International Balloon FiestaEarly August
Europe's largest hot air balloon event, free to attend since 1979, at Ashton Court.
Website Instagram @bristolballoonfiesta (not yet confirmed) Facebook
Bristol Light FestivalFebruary
Free winter festival of large light installations across the city centre.
Bristol PrideLate June to mid July
Around two weeks of events ending in Pride Day, with 47,000+ people attending.
Encounters Film FestivalSeptember
UK's longest-running short film festival, since 1995. BAFTA and Academy qualifying.
FORWARDSLate August bank holiday weekend
Music and ideas festival on the Downs, run by Team Love and AEG Presents.
KINDOM Festival NewMay
Festival for women, non-binary and trans people to connect, look after their bodies and political movements, and dance. Held at Three Pools Farm near Bristol. Co-run by LEXX.
Love Saves the DayLate May bank holiday weekend
Bristol's biggest music festival, around 30,000 people a day at Ashton Court. Run by Team Love.
Lyra Bristol Poetry FestivalAnnual
Annual poetry festival that runs the Bristol City Poet and Young City Poet schemes.
Machina Bristronica NewElectronic music festival
Electronic music technology and culture festival. Exhibitors, workshops, live performances, panel talks and DIY.
MOON FEST Bristol NewAnnual
Annual East and South East Asian multi-arts festival, launched in 2022 by Made on the Moon. Held at Sparks Bristol.
Nowadaze Festival NewGrassroots festival
Grassroots festival since 2023, for artists and creatives, championing local businesses.
Open Arms Fest NewJuly
Small 18+ dance music festival at Allenford Farms near Salisbury, around 1,000 capacity. Runs warm-up parties in Bristol.
PAPAYA Fest NewTheatre and music festival
Simple ThingsAutumn. The 2026 edition is on Saturday 7 November
Multi-venue live and electronic music festival across the city centre, co-curated by Crack Magazine and Team Love.
Slapstick Comedy FestivalAnnual
Annual festival celebrating silent and classic comedy.
St Paul's CarnivalEarly July
Celebration of African Caribbean culture going back to 1968, with sound systems, music, food and costume.
UpfestMay
Europe's largest street art festival. 100+ new murals each edition, mostly around BS3. Free.
Vintage Winter WonderlandMid November to early January
Rides, Santa, Apres Bar.
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Details gathered from March 2026, websites checked October 2026. Things change, so check with them before you book.