10 min readWith soaring hot air balloons, incredible live music and banging food festivals, Bristol is a city made for summer! Here is Visit Bristol’s round-up of what’s on and what’s new this season.
Festivals, sport and live music
Bristol Harbour Festival – FREE EVENT
17-19 July 2026
Bristol’s prime, free maritime event, Bristol Harbour Festival, attracts 250,000 visitors and is set to return in July 2026 (date tbc) with its popular mix of world-class circus and on-water activities, music, family entertainment, food stalls and of course, the many stunning ships which sail into the harbour.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/bristol-harbour-festival-p2369253
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta – FREE EVENT
7-9 August 2026
Europe’s largest hot air balloon event will once again stun visitors with its mass ascents when over 100 hot air balloons take off and fly over Bristol at dawn and dusk, as well as the popular Night Glows on Friday and Saturday nights. The free-to-visit 3-day fiesta takes place 7-9 August and also has daytime aerial displays, fairground rides, entertainment, music, and many food stalls, too.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/bristol-international-balloon-fiesta-p1987343
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Bristol County Ground
Now -27 June 2026
Following Bristol’s successful hosting of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025, the city is welcoming six matches of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2026 at the Bristol County Ground. Running from 21 to 27 June, the tournament is supported by free city centre fan activities, including cricket-themed challenges, creative workshops and family-friendly events.
Bristol Sounds
Now -28 June
The city’s signature summer series of outdoor live music returns to the iconic Bristol Harbourside with shows from The Kooks, Super Furry Animals, The Streets, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Royel Otis.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/bristol-sounds/261191301/
Forest Live at Westonbirt Arboretum
24-28 June
The beautiful woodland forest of Westonbirt Arboretum is backdrop to headliners Fatboy Slim, Deacon Blue, Lightening Seeds, UB40 feat Ali Cmapbell, Rick Astley and Richard Ashcroft.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/forest-live-at-westonbirt-arboretum/234795301/
Bristol Pride
27 June – 12 July, Pride Day 11 July
One of the largest Pride events in the UK, Bristol Pride returns in late June with events including Pride Dog Show, Circus and comedy nights and a new queer improv show. with Pride Day takes place on 11 July with headliners Sister Sledge and Jason Donovan joined by acts Trinity the tuck, Chloe Qisha and many more.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/bristol-pride/235727301/
RHS Badminton Flower Show
8-12 July 2026
The RHS brings its renowned flower show to Gloucestershire for the first time. The RHS Badminton Flower Show will feature standout gardens, floral displays, and expert advice, attracting enthusiasts, families, and professionals from the region.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/rhs-badminton-flower-show/383029301/
Rum and Reggae Festival
18 July
Rum & Reggae Fest brings a full day of reggae, dub and Caribbean culture to Bristol, with performances from David Rodigan, The Skints, General Levy and Don Letts. Alongside the music, visitors can enjoy Caribbean food, rum tastings, live entertainment and carnival-inspired performances.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/rum-%26-reggae-festival-at-the-prospect-building/377439301/
SIREN Bristol
23 – 25 July
Bristol’s harbourside sets the scene for yet more live music shows this summer with The Maccabees, Faithless and Hospital30 On the Harbour as the line-up for this year’s SIREN Bristol shows.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/siren-bristol%3a-the-maccabees/326810301/
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/siren-bristol%3a-faithless/308020301/
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/siren-bristol%3a-hospital30-on-the-harbour/308858301/
Cinema Rediscovered
22-26 July
Celebrating its 10th year in 2026, Cinema Rediscovered returns to Watershed with a programme of restored classics, rare film screenings, talks, cinema walks and special events. Highlights include a celebration of Aardman’s 50th anniversary, alongside guest speakers and the festival’s renowned film quiz.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/cinema-rediscovered/235730301/
Weston Wallz
17-26 July
Hot off the heels of sister street art festival Upfest in Bristol, Weston Wallz returns to Weston-super-Mare from 17 to 26 July, bringing 10 days of live mural painting from UK and international artists. This year features 20 new walls, including community projects and emerging artist commissions, alongside workshops, street art tours and public events.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/weston-wallz/310989301/
Feast Live
31 July – 2 August
New live music for 2026 is Feast Live which kicks off with Sound of West End Musicals featuring live performances of show-stopper songs from Wicked, Frozen the Lion King and more; Haceinda Classical bringing together classic club culture with a full live orchestra and Becky Hill’s unmissable vocals taking over the final night.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/the-sound-of-west-end-musicals-feast-live/391027301/
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/ha%c3%a7ienda-classi%c3%a7al-feast-live/391026301/
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/becky-hill-feast-live/391025301/
Valley Fest
30 July – 2 August
After taking its fallow year in 2025, Valley Fest returns to Chew Valley this summer, showcasing Bristol’s live music scene as well as fine local food producers, you can expect everything from charcuterie to cider, street food to sit-down feasts.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/valley-fest/239850301/
Old City Sounds
Old City Sounds returns on the August Bank Holiday weekend, transforming King Street, St Nicholas Street, Welsh Back and St Stephen’s Church with a free day of live music, dance, workshops and family activities. The programme showcases the breadth of Bristol’s music scene, from jazz and folk to DJs and alternative rock.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/old-city-sounds/333248301/
FORWARDS and FORWARDS Presents
28-30 August
FORWARDS returns to The Downs over the August Bank Holiday weekend, bringing major international artists and emerging talent together across two days of music, culture and debate with acts like Tems, Self-Esteem and Wet Leg. Ahead of the festival, Lorde will play her first-ever Bristol headline show as part of FORWARDS Presents, too.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/forwards/307104301/
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/forwards-presents%3a-lorde/389402301/
Food events and news
Feast On
23-26 July
Experience the best of Bristol's top restaurants and chefs as well as food and drink stalls and banqueting area, family-friendly activities and rides, cooking demos, panel discussions and entertainment.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/feast-on/347726301/
Bristol Seafood Week
8-12 July
This city-wide celebration of sustainable British seafood brings together chefs, restaurants and producers from across Bristol and the South West. Founded by Josh Eggleton, the event highlights seafood from UK waters and includes a special chefs’ banquet featuring collaborations from COR, Noah’s and The Pony.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/bristol-seafood-week/397899301/
Bristol Cider Week
7-15 August
With Bristol being crowned the world capital of Cider, Bristol Cider week features tap takeovers, tastings, orchard tours and food pairings across the city to celebrate the heritage of the drink and its history in Bristol. The programme also includes cider boat trips, harbourside perry walks, cider and music pairings, talks and events showcasing the region’s renowned cider makers.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/bristol-cider-week/372966301/
Bristol Coffee Festival
12 Sept
Returning to Bristol Beacon this September, Bristol Coffee Festival showcases the breadth of the speciality coffee industry in the South West. You’ll get the chance to immerse yourself in the world of coffee, guided by industry professionals with over 50 exhibitors, fun debates and inspiring panels.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/bristol-coffee-festival/322554301/
Bristol Cocktail Weekend
24-27 Sept
An unforgettable celebration of the city’s vibrant cocktail scene, Bristol Cocktail Weekend is a four-day cocktail adventure, exploring the best bars in Bristol, discovering new flavours and sipping on cocktails crafted exclusively for the festival. Wristbands give you access to signature cocktails, mocktails and exclusive food offers to complement your drinks.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/bristol-cocktail-weekend/328608301/
NEW Bristol Chocolate Tour
Every Friday/Saturday
Arguably the most fun history tour in Bristol! Bristol’s rich history has a sweet side, with a long chocolate making heritage. From the Georgian’s first imports of sugar and cocoa, to Fry’s producing the first chocolate bar, to the invention of the first chocolate Easter Egg, you can see the Old town through a completely different (and delicious) perspective on the Bristol chocolate tour with eight sweet treats along the way!
https://visitbristol.co.uk/listing/bristol-chocolate-tour-with-bristol-guided/396513301/
Accommodation news
Hotel Gotham Bristol - NEW 5* Hotel
Autumn 2026
Set to open in autumn 2026, the historic, listed and incredibly imposing Guildhall will be transformed into a stunning new hotel – Bristol’s first 5* property. The grand old building will consist of 75 bedrooms, a restaurant and even a rooftop terrace bar. Described by the Guardian as ‘glitzy, ambitious, unapologetically opulent’ and offering ‘pizazz and pampering’, Bespoke Hotels cannot wait to bring the Gotham brand to Bristol.
https://www.hotelgotham.co.uk/locations
The Field at The Wave
From 1 July
Opening on 1 July 2026, The Field at The Wave offers affordable camping just steps from the surf lake. Visitors can bring their own tent or campervan, or stay in pre-pitched bell tents with beds and bedding, providing a flexible and budget-friendly way to enjoy more time outdoors and make the most of everything The Wave has to offer.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/listing/the-camp-at-the-wave/292813301/
