Bristol’s known for its vast calendar of events and festivals. Bristolians are known to make a festival out of almost anything – from street art to hot air balloons, comedy, cocktails and, of course, music.
But, did you know that the city has introduced at least one new festival to its calendar every year since 2022, when the events scene was officially back to some semblance of normal following the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, some of the now staples of Bristol’s music calendar are only a couple of years old, and already drawing in some of the biggest names in the world of music.
And it’s not ending there. This year we are in for even more brand new events and festivals, again bringing with them huge names in the world of comedy and music.
Before we get into the list, we want to give a little shout out to all of the events in our city that have been around much longer, including Bristol Light Festival (introduced in 2020), Slapstick Festival (celebrating its 20th anniversary this year), Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (in its 47th year), Bristol Harbour Festival (which dates back to 1971), St Paul’s Carnival (1968), and Upfest (which was founded in 2008). Many of these are considered the biggest and best celebrations in their field throughout the country, the continent, and even the world.
2022
Forwards
The first Forwards Festival was held in September 2022, with a line-up that included the likes of Jamie XX, The Chemical Brothers, Little Simz, Khruangbin, Roisin Murphy, Sleaford Mods, Charli XCX, Caribou, Spiritualised, Fred Again and more. Formed by Bristol-based companies Team Love and AEG Presents, it was described as the ‘biggest new addition to the city’s festival calendar’ as well as ‘a new music festival for the future’.
It’s a festival that celebrates not only live music but also social and political dialogue, and local food.
Taking place on The Downs, tickets were hugely popular, and the festival has been back every year since. 2024’s line-up included massive names like Loyle Carner, LCD Soundsystem, Jessie Ware, Underworld, The Jesus and Mary Chain, CMAT, Yard Act and more.
This year’s line-up has not yet been announced, but if it’s anything like the past editions, festival goers will no doubt be in for a treat. It will take place on Saturday, August 23, and Sunday, August 24.
Siren
Bristol’s Siren festival is similar in style to the legendary Bristol Sounds events that take place at the Amphitheatre every summer. Siren, like Bristol Sounds, boasts numerous dates of live music in the calendar, taking place at the iconic outdoor venue.
The 2024 edition of Siren saw the likes of Sugababes, and UB40 headline their own date of the live music series, while another separate date saw the return of the Hospitality on the Harbour day-long event. This brought with it the biggest names in music and DnB, with the line-up featuring the likes of Andy C, Netsky, and more across ten and a half hours.
So far, the 2025 Siren line-up consists of just one announced act – Bloc Party, who will be celebrating 20 years and bringing their debut album ‘Silent Alarm’, as well as their greatest hits, to the amphitheatre on Friday, July 25. Tickets are low but still available, here.
2023
Bristol Cocktail Weekend
Branching away from the world of music for a little while (though we will be back), Bristol Cocktail Weekend is listed here under the year 2023, because despite having actually hosting a first Bristol Cocktail weekend back in 2019, the Bristol Cocktail Weekend we know and love today didn’t actually start up until a couple of years after the pandemic.
This celebration of cocktail concoctions, Bristol bars and mixologists, now takes place every autumn and features wristbands, specially made cocktails, exclusive events of all shapes and sizes, and the ability to drink up and vote for your favourite cocktail come the end of it all. It’s back for 2025, with information still to be announced.
Bristol Coffee Festival
The first Bristol Coffee Festival was held in September 2023 in the foyer of the Bristol Beacon. It was open to coffee lovers, home brewers, and baristas alike, and attendees could sample new flavours, brews and equipment.
The event itself included coffee talks around a wide range of subjects – sustainability, management and the coffee itself, among them. All in all it was a celebration of the coffee community here in Bristol and, as we’re a city of coffee shop goers and busy bees, it’s a festival right up our street.
And it’s back for 2025, taking place on September 6 this year. It is now known as being the ‘biggest celebration of speciality coffee in the South West’.
Big Dyke Energy Festival
Big Dyke Energy was another festival introduced in 2023, and included a 12-hour open-air dance party at Lakota Gardens in Stokes Croft. The festival featured performances from Eris Drew, Octo Octa, Yazzus, and Angel D’lite, and was dubbed a ‘safe space for queer women, non-binary, intersex, and trans people’.
In 2024, BDE began a mentorship programme with the aim of raising £15k to support ten grassroots music organisers. There’s been no news of a 2025 BDE festival like the one in 2023 so far, but you can follow the official Instagram page here to stay up to date.
2024
BS3
Last year Ashton Gate unveiled its first edition of the now hugely popular BS3 day-long music event. Taking place in June, set across two stages in the stadium, the line-up boasted massive acts from around the world – even a couple of Bristol names.
These included the likes of Ne-Yo, Craig David, DJ Spoony, Jess Glynne, Fatman Scoop, Dizzee Rascal, Stefflon Don, Roni Size, Damage, House Gospel Choir, and Krush.
And, after the ‘overwhelming success’ of the first event, Ashton Gate announced soon after that the second edition of Ashton Gate presents BS3 would return for 2025, taking place on June 21 this year. While the line-up has not been released as of yet, it looks set to be another big one.
2025
Comedy Festival
A new festival for the city in 2025 is the Bristol Comedy Festival which is set to bring a whole host of events to the city between January 12-25. These include tour shows, works in progress, roast battles, local talent, a comedy competition, plenty of stand-up, comedy sketches, secret headliners, pop-up events and even a late night ‘comedy rave’.
Funded by Bristol City Centre BID, the festival aims to collaborate with local businesses alongside national and regional comedy talent. Tickets range in price and acts on the line-up include the likes of Jayde Adams and Mark Watson. The comedy competition boasts multiple heats and the winner this year will win £1,000 and the guarantee of paid comedy work in Bristol.
Live music on Queen Square
Another event new to the city for this year will see Bristol’s iconic Queen Square transform into a vibrant hub for live music in August. These ‘groundbreaking concerts‘ promise to be the ultimate celebration of music, community and culture, right in the heart of Bristol, which will see up to 15,000 fans a day enjoy what is on offer.
The first events on August 1 and 2 will be headlined by none other than Bristol’s own IDLES, marking their only UK performances for 2025.