One of the country’s best-loved summer events, the Bristol Harbour Festival, is today launching an open call to find its official charity partner for the 2025 edition – offering a unique platform to raise funds, increase awareness and engage face-to-face with hundreds of thousands of attendees.
The free, family-friendly festival returns to the city’s iconic harbourside from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 July 2025, celebrating Bristol’s maritime heritage with a vibrant weekend of live music, dance, circus and cultural showcases. With audiences expected to exceed 250,000, this is an unprecedented opportunity for a local cause to connect with the city and become part of a high-profile cultural moment.
The chosen charity will be given a dedicated presence at the festival, providing space to host interactive fundraising activities, demonstrations, talks and workshops. Previous charity partners have used the platform to grow support bases, recruit volunteers and significantly boost their visibility.
“At its heart, the Bristol Harbour Festival is about community,” said Noemi Antonelli, Director at Swans Events. “We’re proud to offer this opportunity to a local charity doing vital work. This partnership can have a genuine and lasting impact - not just in donations raised, but in sparking conversations and inspiring action across the city.”
Applications are open from today until Saturday 31 May 2025, and the festival team is encouraging charities of all sizes and sectors to apply. The only requirement is that the applying organisation is based in or operates within Bristol.
This year’s festival is already shaping up to be a standout celebration. Folk music trailblazers The Longest Johns, now the UK’s most-streamed folk band, are confirmed to headline the Made in Bristol showcase on Sunday night - delivering a homecoming performance following their international tours.
Other weekend highlights include a Global Local stage takeover featuring acts such as Eternal Taal, Gnawa Blues All Stars, and high-energy samba crew Bloco B. Bristol funk favourites The Allergies will headline Saturday night with a full live band.
Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said: “The Bristol Harbour Festival is a celebration of everything that makes Bristol unique - our creative energy, our diversity and our community spirit. The charity partner programme is a brilliant way to spotlight the incredible organisations making a difference year-round.”
The 2025 festival is being produced by Proud Events in partnership with Swans Events, and supported by Bristol City Council, Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) and Redcliffe & Temple BID.
Interested charities can apply to be the official charity partner by filling out this form.
For more information, head to https://www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk/get-involved/charity-partners
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