Organisers have hailed the 50th anniversary of Bristol Harbour Festival ‘an overwhelming success’ with around 250,000 people enjoying the free event over three days. Each day saw thousands of people take in the nine performance areas featuring familiar favourites and new attractions, filling one and a half miles of the city with music, vessels, food markets, circus acts, live music and performers.
From daredevil stunts at the Circus Playground with Cirque Bijou and professional flyboarder James Prestwood taking to the water and the skies to local band Doreen Doreen wowing a crowd of 5,000 at the Amphitheatre to close the festival, it was a glorious weekend for all the family in every sense of the word. Ebb & Flow, an inclusive programme showcasing community collaborations and emerging and established creative voices also featured throughout the festival.
The popularity of the event saw a boost in footfall in the city centre, with many restaurants, shops and other leisure experiences reporting high demand. Society Cafe on Narrow Quay reported its busiest Saturday ever in its five-year history.
