Taking place from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July, this year’s Bristol Harbour Festival expands its footprint along the harbourside, with the family programme making a return to Queen Square, becoming a central hub for family activity, emerging talent and community-led performance.
Image: Bristol Harbour Festival Queen Square performer
At the heart of the square is the family area which will play host to Come Together, a weekend-long programme of dance, circus, workshops and participatory activity curated by Trinity Community Arts and Circus City. Running across Saturday and Sunday, it invites audiences of all ages to take part, not just spectate, with pop-up performances, hands-on sessions and large-scale moments designed to champion creativity, inclusion and accessibility.
As the day moves into evening on Saturday, the family activities will finish at 6pm and curated takeovers will bring a shift in energy on the Tidal Stage, including a South Asian-inspired DJ set from Brown Excellence, blending Bhangra, Bollywood and UK bass to create a high-energy global soundtrack.
Festival partners will also animate the Family Area across the weekend. Bristol Aquarium will deliver hands-on activities for families, offering the chance to explore marine life up close, including real artefacts such as shark eggs and teeth.
The Bristol Rising Stage returns in partnership with Access Creative College, showcasing emerging artists and young creatives from across the city. Saturday night will see the Diverse Artists Network takeover, while Sunday will see community organisation The Cause bring their monthly music night, Live Bristol, to the stage. Nearby, the Red Bull Beach Hut Stage will provide a continuous soundtrack of local DJ talent throughout the weekend.
Alongside the Queen Square programme, the festival has confirmed the line-up for a special Harbour View main stage showcase on Saturday 18 July celebrating 13-years of Bristol-based company This Is Now Agency. Bringing together a line-up that reflects the agency’s ethos in championing forward-thinking and unique artists, the programme features agency artists K.O.G, Too Many T’s, VC Pines, Funke and the Two Tone Baby, and homegrown Bristol talent Ngaio, Laura Dia and Red, hosted by Angel Mel.
Opening the day, The Port of Bristol Shanty Crew - previously nominated for the Pride of Britain Awards 2025 - brings a nod to the city’s maritime heritage, setting the tone for a line-up that bridges Bristol’s roots with its contemporary music scene. Porij, the Manchester-based electronic pop band, also join the line-up bringing their vibrant, genre-blending sound and reputation for high-energy live performances to golden hour on the Harbourside.
Alex Mahoney, Artistic Director, Swans Events, said: “Queen Square plays a vital role in the Harbour Festival experience. This year, with the family programme moving into the space as part of our updated footprint, it becomes an even more important destination for audiences.
“It’s where families can get involved, where communities come together, and where emerging talent is given a platform to be seen and heard. Alongside the This Is Now Agency’s anniversary, the programme reflects the breadth of creativity in Bristol right now.”
Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said: “Bristol Harbour Festival is such an important moment for the city - it’s a chance for people from across Bristol to come together and enjoy something special right on their doorstep.
“It also plays a big role in supporting emerging talent, giving artists the opportunity to perform in front of large audiences and be part of a festival that really reflects the creativity and diversity of Bristol.”
The 2026 Bristol Harbour Festival will continue to deliver for the city in partnership with Bristol Business Improvement District - spotlighting local talent, supporting the city’s businesses, welcoming thousands of visitors and reinforcing Bristol’s identity as a creative and cultural destination with the harbour at its heart.
Follow the festival on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for updates, announcements and behind-the-scenes previews.
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