Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about festivals in Bristol, and about this site. Browse by topic below, or jump straight to the full festival calendar.
About Bristol Festivals
What is Bristol Festivals?
Bristol Festivals is an independent guide to festivals across Bristol and the surrounding BS postcode area. It brings music, food and drink, film, comedy, arts and community festivals into one place, each with dates, venue and ticket links, so you can see what is on all year round.
Who runs Bristol Festivals?
Bristol Festivals is an independent project. It is not affiliated with any single festival, venue or promoter. It is built and maintained by a small team who want to make the city's festival scene easier to discover.
Is Bristol Festivals an official tourism site?
No. Bristol Festivals is an independent listings site focused purely on festivals across the city and surrounding area. For official city information, use Bristol's own tourism and council channels.
Is the site free to use?
Yes. Browsing festivals, dates, venues and ticket links on Bristol Festivals is completely free. We point you to each festival's official site to book.
How are festivals chosen for the site?
We list festivals and multi-day events taking place in Bristol and the wider BS postcode area, from major citywide events to smaller community celebrations. If it is a genuine festival happening in and around Bristol, it belongs here.
How is Bristol Festivals different from other event listings?
General listings sites cover everything from club nights to theatre. Bristol Festivals is dedicated to festivals only, with structured dates, venues and categories, so it is faster to plan around and easier to search for a specific festival.
Bristol's festival calendar
How many festivals are there in Bristol?
There are more than 60 festivals across Bristol and the surrounding area each year, spanning music, food and drink, film, comedy, arts and culture, and community events. New festivals are added as they are announced.
When is festival season in Bristol?
Bristol has festivals all year round, but the season peaks between May and September when many of the biggest outdoor events take place. Spring, autumn and winter still bring plenty of film, comedy, arts and food festivals.
Which months are busiest for festivals in Bristol?
The summer months, roughly June to August, are the busiest, with major outdoor festivals such as the Balloon Fiesta, Love Saves the Day and St Pauls Carnival. July in particular is packed with events across the city.
Are there festivals in Bristol in winter?
Yes. Winter brings the Bristol Light Festival, the Slapstick comedy festival and a range of film and food events, so there is plenty on even in the colder months.
What festivals are on this week or this month?
You can see what is coming up on our This Week and This Month pages, which update automatically based on each festival's dates.
Types of festival
What kinds of festivals does Bristol have?
Bristol's festivals span music, food and drink, film, comedy, arts and culture, dance, ideas and community celebrations. You can explore the full range across the site, with each festival tagged by category.
What are the biggest festivals in Bristol?
Some of the largest are the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Love Saves the Day, St Pauls Carnival and the Bristol Harbour Festival, each drawing large crowds from across the city and beyond.
What is the biggest music festival in Bristol?
Love Saves the Day is Bristol's largest city music festival, held at Ashton Court, while events such as Forwards and Simple Things add to the city's strong music festival line-up.
What are the best free festivals in Bristol?
Bristol has a strong tradition of free festivals, including St Pauls Carnival and much of the Bristol Harbour Festival. Many community and street festivals are free to attend, with paid options for specific stages or events.
Are there family-friendly festivals in Bristol?
Yes. Many Bristol festivals welcome families, from the Balloon Fiesta and Harbour Festival to storytelling, arts and food events. Check each festival's page and official site for age guidance and ticketing.
Tickets and cost
Are Bristol festivals free?
Some are free and some are ticketed. Free events include St Pauls Carnival and much of the Bristol Harbour Festival, while music and food festivals usually require a ticket. Each festival's page shows whether it is free.
How much do festival tickets cost in Bristol?
Prices vary widely, from a few pounds for smaller events to larger sums for major multi-day music festivals. Where a price is available we show it on the festival's page, and you can always check the official site for the latest.
How do I buy festival tickets?
Each festival page links to the official festival website, where you can buy tickets directly. Bristol Festivals does not sell tickets itself, so you always book through the organiser.
Do Bristol festivals sell out?
Popular festivals can sell out, especially major music events and anything with limited capacity. If a festival is one you do not want to miss, it is worth booking early through the official site.
Getting there and planning
Where are festivals in Bristol held?
Festivals take place across the city, from the Harbourside and Castle Park to Ashton Court, Clifton and venues throughout the centre and surrounding areas. Each festival's page lists its venue and area.
How do I get to Bristol festivals?
Most festivals are reachable by bus, on foot or by bike, and Bristol Temple Meads connects the city by rail. Larger events at sites such as Ashton Court often run park and ride or shuttle services, so check the official site before you travel.
What is the weather like for Bristol festivals?
Bristol summers are generally mild, but British weather is changeable, so bring layers and a waterproof for outdoor events. Many festival pages show a live weather forecast when the event is near.
Are Bristol festivals accessible?
Accessibility varies by festival and venue. Many events provide accessible facilities and information, so check the individual festival's official site for details on access, and contact organisers directly with any specific needs.
For organisers
How do I list my festival on Bristol Festivals?
If you run a festival in Bristol or the surrounding area and would like it listed, get in touch through our contact page. We are always keen to add genuine festivals to the guide.
Is it free to list a festival?
Yes. Listing a genuine Bristol festival is free. Our aim is to make the city's festival scene as complete and easy to discover as possible.
How do I update my festival's details?
If your dates, venue or ticket details change, let us know through our contact page and we will update your festival's listing.
