Bristol is gearing up for an unmissable 2026! The city shines as the only UK city in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel, welcomes its first 5-star hotel, Hotel Gotham, and unveils the African Forest at Bristol Zoo Project. With Aardman Animations’ 50th and Bristol Old Vic Theatre’s 260th anniversaries too, 2026 promises celebrations, milestones and unforgettable experiences in Bristol.
What’s New?
Attractions, accommodation, events and tours
Lonely Planet names Bristol a top destination in Best in Travel 2026
Known internationally for highlighting travel trends and being one of the leading hotlists for travel media, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel Guide has included Bristol as one of its top 50 destinations to visit in the world in 2026, thanks to its street art. Celebrated for being the birthplace of Banksy - arguably the world’s most famous and elusive street artist - Bristol’s city walls are adorned with vibrant murals by Banksy and hundreds of internationally-recognised artists. With street art tours, self-guided trails, the biennial Upfest street art festival set ro return in 2026, spray art workshop experiences, prints and street art themed hotels, there are many ways to experience Bristol’s incredible street art.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/street-art/
Image: Lonely Planet Best In Travel
Hotel Gotham Bristol - NEW 5* Hotel
Spring 2026
Hotel Gotham Bristol is presented as a plush hotel, with a fabulous drinking and dining venue. It aims to be an escape, a multisensory experience, and above all, a place to have fun. Set to open in Spring 2026, the historic, listed and incredibly imposing Guildhall will be transformed into a stunning new 5* hotel. It has been closed since 2010 but will be brought back to life to contribute fully to Bristol’s visitor scene and nightlife. The grand old building will consist of 75 bedrooms, a restaurant, spa 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
African Forest at Bristol Zoo Project – ATTRACTION NEWS
Spring 2026
Opening in spring 2026, African Forest at Bristol Zoo Project – just north of Bristol - will home some of the world’s most threatened species. All animals in the area are Endangered or Critically Endangered, including western lowland gorillas, cherry-crowned mangabeys in one habitat, plus slender-snouted crocodiles, African grey parrots and several extremely threatened species of West African freshwater fish, which visitors will be able to see in a special underwater viewing area. The area will be four and a half times the size of the previous gorilla troop’s home at Bristol Zoo Gardens, with level access for visitors using wheelchairs. The African Forest will also feature interactive, educational and engaging displays, with a keen focus on the Bristol Zoo Project conservation work around the world.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/listing/bristol-zoo-project/155757301/
Image: Artist's impression of the new African Forest at Bristol Zoo Project
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Bristol County Ground
21-27 June 2026
Following the success of hosting Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025, Bristol is host city for six matches of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2026 at its Bristol County Ground. The run of matches starts with West Indies vs. Sri Lanka on Sunday, 21 June, and ending with a doubleheader on Saturday, 27 June, featuring matches between Pakistan and West Indies against two tournament qualifiers.
Mad Swans – NEW destination to stay, eat and play
October 2025, accommodation in eco cabins opening end of 2025
Located in the Mendips, just south of Bristol is Mad Swans; a new countryside hangout, redefining modern hospitality with eco-cabin stays, two restaurants (one with menu designed by multi-Michelin starred chef, Ollie Dabbous), 12-hole golf, padel and pickleball, a driving range, putt patch, darts and more. Think of a reimagined members’ country club – but without the membership! Designed to spark real human connection, it reconceptualises social spaces as vibrant, inclusive hubs where play transcends age and experience.
The Greatest Showman: The Musical – NEW world premiere at Bristol Hippodrome
15 March - 10 May 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Bristol Hippodrome will host The Greatest Showman world premiere from 15 March – 10 May as a brand-new musical for a strictly limited and exclusive season, based on the global movie phenomenon.
Brunel’s SS Great Britain - redeveloped Dockyard Museum
July 2026
Bristol’s top visitor attraction – Brunel’s SS Great Britain – is redeveloping its Dockyard Museum in 2026 following a £1million investment. Due to open in July, the redeveloped Dockyard Museum (which is the entrance onto the ship itself) will be designed as an immersive experience, exploring how the SS Great Britain changed the world, illuminating the journeys of over 30,000 passengers and crew who travelled aboard the ship between 1845 and 1886.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/listing/brunels-ss-great-britain/2586101/
Wake the Tiger – NEW Junk Yard dining and event space
Spring 2026
While exciting developments are underway for a Wake the Tiger in London opening in 2026, the Bristol Wake the Tiger immersive art experience is expanding too, with a new dining and events space outside called Junk Yard. Comprising a stretch tent and pizza oven, the additional space will host DJs, entertainment and extend the magic of the portal that is Wake the Tiger.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/listing/wake-the-tiger/309833301/
Cracking Exhibition Gromit: 50 Years of Aardman in Bristol
Summer 2026
Bristol Museums and Aardman mark the studio’s 50th anniversary in summer 2026 with a major new exhibition. Cracking Exhibition, Gromit at M Shed offers a joyful behind the scenes look at Aardman’s iconic Bristol legacy, and there will be hidden art installations and Aardman treasures across Bristol Museum & Art Gallery from January too.
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/
Bristol Film & TV tour – NEW set-jetting TV/film experience
From now
Discover the filming locations for famous shows shot in Bristol including Skins, Poldark, Sherlock, Doctor Who and find out about Bristol’s celebrity connections with legends like Paul McCartney, Cary Grant, and Frank Sinatra on this new Bristol Film and TV tour spanning Clifton to Harbourside, which launched this summer.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/bristol-tv-%26-film-locations-tour/374641301/
Rivals Season 2 – NEW series filmed in and around Bristol (date TBC)
Following a hugely successful first season on Disney+, the late Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rivals is set to return to our screens in 2026. The last season was predominantly filmed at The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol and featured many Bristol locations too (including a risqué opening scene aboard Concorde, filmed at Aerospace Bristol). Expect to see more of Bristol in season 2, due on our screens in 2026, date TBC.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/blog/post/discover-rivals-filming-locations-in-bristol/
https://visitbristol.co.uk/blog/post/1980s-rivals-weekend-in-bristol/
Image: Rivals, credit Disney+
What’s on?
Returning major events and festivals
Bristol Comedy Festival
15 - 31 January 2026
The Bristol Comedy Festival returns in January 2026 to brighten up the gloomiest month of the year, delivering top acts, rising stars and major award nominees across city venues, including Jayde Adams, Mark Watson and more, all while raising vital funds for homelessness charities.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/bristol-comedy-festival/237267301/
Bristol Light Festival - FREE EVENT
19 – 28 February 2026
Bristol’s award-winning winter festival is set to return February 2026 with a stunning interactive and captivating light installation trail. The 2025 event brought in 275,000 visitors to experience the vibrant, colourful Bristol in the middle of winter and artists are submitting works for the 2026 festival now.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/bristol-light-festival/282289301/
DIASPORA! – FREE EVENT
Date TBC
Following a hugely successful inaugural event in 2024, Diverse Artists Network (DAN), champions of local arts and culture, are excited to bring back DIASPORA! in spring 2026 (date tbc). This arts festival will be a vibrant celebration of music, film, poetry, dance, storytelling and community engagement projects across venues in Bristol.
https://www.diverseartistsnetwork.com/diaspora/
Upfest – FREE EVENT
Date TBC
Upfest is Europe’s largest urban painting festival, drawing in artists from around the world to paint live in front of spectators and art lovers. Past events have seen large murals painted live, paint jams, workshops and talks. The festival is biennial and expected to return to Bristol in 2026, date tbc.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/upfest/237998301/
Image: Upfest
Bristol Craft Beer Festival
12 - 13 June 2026
The biggest celebration of Bristol’s beer scene is back 12-13 June at the Amphitheatre on the Harbourside with acclaimed local breweries, national and international beer brands, DJs and street food.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/bristol-craft-beer-festival/243633301/
Bristol Harbour Festival – FREE EVENT
July 2026, dates TBC
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
Feast On – Food Festival
23 – 26 July 2026
Having cemented its position as Bristol’s finest and most fun food festival, Feast On is coming back in July 2026. 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/
Valley Fest
31 July – 2 August 2026
After taking its fallow year in 2025, Valley Fest is set to return to Chew Valley in July/August 2026, 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/
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 in august 2026 (date tbc). The free-to-visit 3-day fiesta 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
Cary Comes Home
27-29 November 2026
Hollywood icon Cary Grant was born in Bristol (named Archie Leach) and to mark the 40th anniversary of his death in 2026, Cary Comes Home Festival will host screenings, live music, performances and expert panels.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/cary-comes-home-festival/250545301/
Gig tripping in Bristol in 2026
Bristol is world-famous for its buzzing live music scene and nightlife. 2026 delivers once again kicking off with Ritual Union taking over the city at various venues on 28 March with KEO and many more breakthrough artists. Gigantic All Dayer at Prospect Building on 9 May featuring Utah Saints plus more. Dot to Dot festival returns to grass roots venues across the city on 23 May 2026. On the same weekend, Love Saves the Day returns to Ashton Court (23 - 24 May 2026) with its line-up of D&B, dance and electronic headline performers and DJs. Bristol Sounds is due to return to Harbourside’s amphitheatre in June 2026 with another set of stellar acts including The Streets, The Kooks, Super Furry Animals and more. Summer Fest at the Beach (29 - 30 August) is a new festival on Weston-super-Mare beach with Dizzee Rascal, Craig David Presents TS5, Scouting for Girls and Diversity already announced. Valley Fest returns to the scenic Chew Valley this summer and inner-city music festivals Old City Sounds comes back in August. And rounding off summer festival calendar in Bristol is the hugely-popular FORWARDS (29 - 30 August) – line up has yet to be announced but expect the best new names in music, diverse international headliners, as well as discussions from activists.
Anniversaries
2026 marks some significant anniversaries for Bristol, including Aardman – creators of Shaun the Sheep, Wallace and Gromit and other much-loved animated characters - celebrating its 50th anniversary (exhibition listed above). The oldest continuously working theatre in the English-speaking world Bristol Old Vic Theatre marking 260 years. On the younger end of the spectrum, the quirky ‘secret’ The Wardrobe Theatre turns 10 in 2026, and Redgrave Theatre celebrates its 60th anniversary. Bristol Film Festival also marks its 10th anniversary; watch Interstellar at We the Curious’ stunning Planetarium, or see the 1980s hit Top Gun underneath the last Concorde to fly at Aerospace Bristol – there are blockbuster movies in locations with main character energy to be enjoyed all year round. 2026 is the 50th Anniversary of Concorde's first commercial flight, with the last Concorde to fly at Aerospace Bristol, ready for visitors to step on board, and 2026 is also the125th anniversary of the first public cinema screening in Bristol, which took place at the Tivoli on 8 June 1896. Spike Island celebrates its 50th anniversary with a stellar programme of events including Open Studios 50, Spike Print Fair and Summer Party fundraiser. 2026 also marks the 25th anniversary of Bristol and Guangzhou’s sister city relationship with some planned activities to mark this yet to be announced.
ENDS
Notes for editors:
Famed for its passionate character, maritime history, and for the acres of parkland and sustainable approach that earned it European Green Capital 2015 status, Bristol has created its own distinctive identity. Visitors are attracted to the city’s year-round festivals, award-winning cycle tracks, gastronomy in rejuvenated shipping containers and behind secret doorways, stunning cityscapes, inspiring street art and lively music scene.
About Visit West: The VisitEngland accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. Visit West supports the visitor economy of the region which is worth £2.7 billion and supports 43,000 jobs. Visit West operates the Meet Bristol & Bath Convention Bureau and the Visit Bath and Visit Bristol consumer websites.
Related
Comments
Nobody has commented on this post yet, why not send us your thoughts and be the first?
