Bristol Harbour Festival launches open call for 2026 charity partner

Bristol Harbour Festival is inviting local charities to come forward to become the official charity partner for 2026, offering a unique platform to raise funds, increase awareness and engage face-to-face with thousands of attendees. As planning gets underway for a bold new chapter of one of the city’s most loved festivals, the open call opens today and charities can apply on the Bristol Harbour Festival website.

Taking place from Friday 17 - Sunday 19 July 2026, the festival will return with a reimagined, harbour-focused layout celebrating Bristol’s maritime heritage, creativity and community spirit, placing the water firmly at the heart of the programme. With audience numbers hitting the thousands across the weekend, this is an 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 - with All-Aboard Watersports raising over £2000 in total over the weekend through raffles and donations. 

“Being the official charity partner of Bristol Harbour Festival gave us a brilliant platform to celebrate who we are and what we do. It helped raise our profile, connect with new communities, and showcase our inclusive approach to watersports.” said Chloe Juyon - Fundraising Officer at All-Aboard Watersports. “The festival team were incredibly supportive - from social media coverage to multiple stands and even space on the water stage. We’re so grateful for the opportunity and excited to build on it this year.”

Applications are open from today until Tuesday 31 March, 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.

“Bristol Harbour Festival is about celebrating the city and the communities that make it what it is,” said Alex Mahoney, Director at Swans Events. “Our charity partners play a vital role in that, bringing purpose, impact and connection to the programme. We look forward to hearing from organisations in Bristol who want to use this platform to share their work and be part of something that truly belongs to the city.”

In 2025, the festival partnered with All-Aboard Watersports, a Bristol-based disability charity that delivered inclusive, water-based activities across the weekend. The partnership saw adapted boats showcased on the water, live demonstrations, on-site engagement with festivalgoers and opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to access and enjoy the harbour.

The 2026 festival will return to its nautical roots with an extended waterside footprint stretching along the harbourside from Thekla to Underfall Yard. Festivalgoers can expect floating performances, dockside activity, live music, family entertainment and much-loved crowd favourites returning across the weekend. 

Charities keen to apply should head to bristolharbourfestival.co.uk for more information or to register interest. Applications will be open until Tuesday 31 March 2026.