Bristol Harbour Festival 2023 - Get set for a weekend of waterside fun

Block the 14th to the 16th July out of your diary - Bristol Harbour Festival is back with a bang. Celebrating the very best of Bristol, from its homegrown talent to its maritime heritage and diverse communities, it’s an event that sees hundreds of thousands of people head to the city’s buzzing waterside. An exhilarating mix of live music, amazing circus performances, delicious street food and mesmerising on-the-water displays, Bristol Harbour Festival guarantees three days of fun. Whether you’re looking for children’s entertainment to keep your little ones occupied, amazing food to tuck into as you listen to Bristol’s next big thing, world-class performances to take your breath away or you just want to soak up those chilled summertime vibes surrounded by family and friends, Bristol Harbour Festival has something for everyone.

Bristol Harbour Festival kicks off at Queen Square on Friday the 14th July from 3pm, with entertainment ending that evening at 10pm. On the Saturday and Sunday, things get going at 11am, with the festival coming to a close at 6pm on Sunday evening. Over the weekend, there’s plenty of entertainment on offer. At College Green, you can witness the incredible performances by the talented Cirque Bijou, whilst Queen Square will be the festival’s Music Quarter with everything from reggae choirs to hip hop and house music. For a real slice of summer, Millennium Square is the place to be with its relaxed beach bar vibes. Think Ibiza but without leaving the country. And what would a harbourside festival be without any action on the water itself? From boat races to jet ski stunts, festival-goers are in for a treat. For a lunchtime serenade, head to the Amphitheatre where you can find an abundance of food stalls along with music by Bristol’s very own Access Creative College. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

Getting to Bristol Harbour Festival is easy, with a range of transport options available. You can get a train from a variety of destinations across the UK to Bristol Temple Meads station, or a coach to Bristol Bus and Coach Station. From there, it’s a just a short walk to Bristol Harbour Festival. You can also drive to Bristol city centre, where you’ll find a variety of car parks within walking distance to the harbour. If you’re coming from further afield, you can also fly to Bristol Airport from many cities across the UK and Europe.

Unlike your typical festival, you won’t need tents, pegs and torches. Instead, you’ll need your phone (for its camera), a safe bag to store your money and ID, comfy shoes for dancing, and depending on the forecast, sunglasses and sun cream or umbrellas and raincoats.

Throughout the festival grounds, you can find both accessible and changing place toilets, along with accessible viewing areas and quiet spaces for those who need it. There are also lost and found children points located across the venue, with plenty of people on hand to help.

When it comes to booking accommodation in Bristol, your options are endless. From budget lodges to mid-range apartments and fancy 4 and 5-star hotels, Bristol is home to a range of accommodation, making it easy to find something to suit you.