A day of joy and welcome: Celebrating Sanctuary comes to Queen Square

Bristol Refugee Festival’s much-anticipated Celebrating Sanctuary returns to Queen Square on Sunday 22 June 2025, offering a joyful and family-friendly day of music, food, craft, and culture. Taking place from 12.30–6pm, the event marks the vibrant finale of the two-week festival and coincides with the national Refugee Week (16th–22nd June), with the theme ‘Community as a Superpower’, celebrating the extraordinary strength that can be found in uniting together to build inclusive, strong and vibrant communities.

This year's Celebrating Sanctuary features an exciting line-up of performances from around the globe, including:

● Hélélé – West African dance music

● Dawn from HK – a 4-piece band from Hong Kong

● Children's Capoeira Dance – a lively performance from a local capoeira group

● Movema – world fusion dance group

● Vilk Collective – Iranian folk fusion

● Superwomen Drummers – vital beats and refugee women of Bristol

● DJ Stephy – spinning global sounds throughout the day

Alongside the music, visitors can enjoy delicious global cuisine, a colourful marketplace of crafts and a broad range of community information stalls, and kids' activities – creating a true celebration of sanctuary, diversity and community.

Image - 22nd of June, Celebrating Sanctuary in Queens Sqaure, Credit to Diego Pena

“In a world facing so many challenges, Celebrating Sanctuary is a celebration of diversity — a reminder that when we come together in joy and mutual respect, we can build something truly powerful,” said Jules Olsen, CEO of Bristol Refugee Festival. “This festival is a celebration of community, creativity, and cultures — and a call to keep opening our hearts and our minds to one another.”

Celebrating Sanctuary is a free event and open to all. Bring friends, family and a picnic blanket. This is more than a festival — it’s a celebration of diversity and connection. A joyful space where cultures meet, stories are shared, and everyone is welcome.

Details of full event details and to explore the rest of the festival programme running from now to 22nd June across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset can be found on the website bristolrefugeefestival.org.

Whilst most events are free or low cost, please consider a donation to ensure that Bristol Refugee Festival can continue creating spaces of welcome across the city. https://localgiving.org/charity/bristol-refugee-festival.