The days are long, the sun is shining and Bristol is awake and ready to party!!
I genuinely don’t think any UK city celebrates summer quite as well as Bristol does. It’s not just that there’s always something going on, it’s the fact that so many of the summer events in Bristol are completely free to attend! Whether you’re travelling alone or with family, you’ll always find something to do in Bristol without breaking the bank. There are so many smaller events to stumble upon throughout the summer months, but here are the four biggest events throughout summer in Bristol that you can’t afford to miss!
Bristol Pride -
Bristol is one of the most welcoming and accepting cities in the UK. Bristolians champion diversity of every kind at any opportunity, and nowhere is this more obvious than Bristol Pride.
Every July, the people of Bristol come together to celebrate the LGBT+ community in a march that takes over the entire city centre. Starting in Castle Park, the parade departs at 10:45am, following a 2-mile-long route that ends at Lloyds Amphitheater on the Harbourside. Anyone is welcome to watch or even join the march as Bristolians come together to celebrate the diversity within our incredible city.
The parade itself is free to watch or take part in, but if you want to join the festivities on The Downs after the main parade then you’ll need to buy a wristband, with prices starting at around £9 - although the wristband includes free bus travel for the day, so could feel even cheaper if you were planning to get a bus anyway!
Tips:
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Dress bright and colourful to join in the fun!
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Use public transport as some roads may be closed - you can usually buy a wristband that includes bus travel
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The parade leads to the party where the live performances are, but you'll need a wristband to get in.
Find Out More about Bristol Pride and Buy Wristbands here
Bristol Harbour Festival -
One of Bristol’s most popular summer time events, Bristol Harbour Festival sees visitors flock from across the country to experience a slice of how Bristolians celebrate summer! With five different performance spaces offering everything from music and dance to circus performances and activities on the water, grab your suncream and a jacket to sit on and enjoy a jam-packed weekend full of fun and free entertainment.
Other than actually getting to the festival, you don’t need to spend a penny to see what Bristol Harbourside has to offer on one of the most exciting weekends in the Bristolian calendar. Having said that, if you have a little money to spend you’ll be spoilt for choice between all of the food and craft stalls that are dotted around the event site. There’s usually a mix of bigger companies and smaller makers, and Bristolians are great at catering for dietary requirements so you’re guaranteed to find something tasty for lunch.
Tips:
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Arrive early to find a good spot along the water.
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Bring a picnic blanket and grab snacks from local stalls.
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Keep an eye out for pop-up art installations and free workshops.
See The Full Programme for Bristol Harbour Festival
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta - August
This August Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is returning to Ashton Court Estate for another year of filling the skies with balloons and lighting up the night with the famous Night Glow shows. Despite the slightly shorter runtime of the festival (I still miss the Thursdays!), the schedule is no less busy and the event remains as impressive as ever. Alongside the incredible morning ascents (cross your fingers for sunshine and just the right amount of wind!) And evening take off events, Ashton Court Estate will be full of fairground rides, live music and various demonstrations taking place in the main arena. While the weather always likes to cause a stir, the night glow is usually a pretty safe bet, so come early in the hopes of seeing the green smoke that signals the mass ascent can go ahead and stay for the most incredible balloon-related views you’ll ever see!
Bristol Balloon Fiesta is entirely free to attend, but the shuttle busses have gotten a little pricey in recent years, the food stalls are festival prices and the parking boarders on eye-watering. If you want to visit the Balloon Fiesta on a budget you’ll need to do a bit of planning first. While First Bus usually operate a shuttle bus between Bristol City Centre and the Festival, it drops you in almost the exact same spot as the scheduled busses. Take any of the busses bound for North Somerset and you’ll be able to get to the festival site for a few pounds and the same amount of walking - you can use Google Maps, Travel West or First Bus’s app to plan your journey. As for food, there’s nothing stopping you from bringing a picnic to keep your spending to a minimum! If you want to treat yourself a little, consider visiting one of the local independent bakeries or cafes in the city centre on your way to the festival.
Tips:
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Arrive early if you want to get close to the barriers so you can enjoy an uninterrupted view
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Check wind conditions and flight schedules for the best experience - morning flights are usually more likely to go ahead
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Bring snacks and blankets - if you want a good seat you'll be in for a bit of a wait!
Old City Sounds - August Bank Holiday
Now in its third year, old city sounds is back to once again fill the city centre with music. You’ll find various genre-based musical zones across the city (I may be biased, but the Old City Jazz is a particular highlight) as well as a kids area with circus acts and games to keep the little ones entertained. The festival itself is completely free to attend, the festival is all about supporting grass-roots venues and encouraging people to visit some of the city’s most beloved venues, so please set aside some funds to buy a drink and/or food in the venues you visit. So many venues have been forced to close in recent years, so every pound you spend really does help to keep Bristol’s incredible music scene thriving for years to come.
Tips:
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Check the event schedule in advance to catch your favourite performers - stages are spread across the city
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Wear comfortable shoes; you'll be doing lots of walking!
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Take time to explore the surrounding cafes and shops or grab lunch in between sets
Find Out More about Old City Sounds here
Upfest - July
If you love street art, Upfest is a must-see. This free festival celebrates Bristol’s incredible graffiti scene and urban art culture. Local and international artists transform walls and spaces across Bedminster and Southville into vibrant murals. Spend a day following the trail, exploring the city and finding new favourite spots around Bristol as you discover the new artwork. It's an amazing event to help you discover more of Bristol and the artwork can really make you think.
Tips:
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Bring a camera or phone - there are near-endless photo opportunities.
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Take time to explore the side streets; some of the best murals are tucked away.
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Look out for free workshops and live painting demonstrations.
Other Events Happening During Summer in Bristol -
While these are the four largest and most popular events in Bristol, there’s so much more to see. Bristol really is a city that thrives in the summer months; there’s always a festival, event, gig or party to attend and Bristolians love their music, diverse culture and food so expect all three in abundance!
If you’re looking for more to see and do during a summer trip to the city, Visit Bristol has a page of suggestions to get you inspired and keep you busy! Check out all that there is to look forward to on their Summer in Bristol guide.
Happy travels!
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