Bristol’s flagship waterside event, the Bristol Harbour Festival, returns to the city from July 15 to 17 July. And the event is bound to be as exciting as ever as the iconic festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
And to mark the big occasion will be a line-up that's just as good. There will be nine performance areas, which will feature 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 this July.
The amphitheatre’s Bristol Music Stage will feature Dazee, Black Roots and Doreen Doreen amongst a stellar celebration of the city’s music scene. The Circus Playground returns to Queen Square with Cirque Bijou lining up circus and street theatre performances for all the family, while Trinity Community Arts presents Bristol Dances in Millennium Square.
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Ebb & Flow, an inclusive programme showcasing community collaborations and emerging and established creative voices, will also feature throughout the festival. This year’s festival aims to further its engagement with the diverse range of communities that call Bristol home and champion these groups; celebrating the unique setting of its harbour it will see artists work with communities and partners to reflect the 'ebb and flow' of the people of Bristol.
Here's everything you need to know about weekend long event:
When is Bristol Harbour Festival taking place?
Bristol Harbour Festival will run from July 15-17. On Saturday 16 the festival will open at 12noon and runs until 11pm, while on Sunday 17 the festival opens at 12noon and runs until 7pm.
Where will Bristol Harbour Festival take place?
The festival is based in the streets and squares around Bristol’s historic floating docks, including the Amphitheatre, Cascade Steps, Cathedral Walk, Millennium Square and Queen Square.
What are the best transports method for Bristol Harbour Festival?
Buses
First Bus offer comprehensive services covering Bristol and the surrounding area. The First Bus website offers full information of times and routes and to plan your journey.
During the Harbour Festival some routes may be altered due to road closures. Details of bus route changes and taxi rank locations can be found on the Travel West website here.
Bristol is well served by park and ride buses from the Portway and Brislington Park and Ride sites, metrobus services also run from Long Ashton Park and Ride (M2) and from Lyde Green Park and Ride (M3). During the Harbour Festival, Bristol’s Park and Rides (Brislington, Portway and the M2 service from Long Ashton) will be operating a normal service.
Trains
GWR operate inter-city trains from London, Reading and Bath into Bristol. You can find out about their services here. Virgin Trains operate services between Bristol, the Midlands and The North and their times and prices can be found here.
GWR also operate the Severn Beach line, which offers a flat rate of £3 anytime return, and begins at Severn Beach and takes passengers from there to Temple Meads via St Andrews Road, Avonmouth, Shirehampton, Sea Mills, Clifton Down, Redland, Montpelier, Stapleton Road and Lawrence Hill. You can find the latest timetable for this route here.
What car parks are available for Bristol Harbour Festival?
Car parks are expected to be extremely busy, but NCP car parks have released information about booking a space ahead of time to ensure you'll have somewhere central to park up and get involved in the festivities.
There are five car parks - Prince Street, Queen Charlotte Street, Rupert Street, Nelson Street, and Broadmead, in the city centre to choose between, all of which are open to pre-booking. To find out more information, visit the NCP website here.
What roads will be closed during Bristol Harbour Festival?
Friday 15th July
Queen’s Square East, South, West (00:01 Friday 15th July – 23:00 Sunday 17th July)
Mill Avenue (00:01 Friday 15th July – 23:00 Sunday 17th July)
Middle Avenue (00:01 Friday 15th July – 23:00 Sunday 17th July)
The Grove (19:00 Friday 15th July – 21:00 Sunday 17th July)
Saturday 16th July & Sunday 17th July
King Street (06:00 Saturday 16th July – 23:00 Sunday 17th July)
King William Avenue (06:00 Saturday 16th July – 21:00 Sunday 17th July)
Little King Street (06:00 Saturday 16th July – 21:00 Sunday 17th July)
Queen Charlotte Street (06:00 Saturday 16th July – 21:00 Sunday 17th July)
Queen Square Avenue (06:00 Saturday 16th July – 21:00 Sunday 17th July)
Redcliffe Way (06:00 Saturday 16th July – 21:00 Sunday 17th July)
Welsh Back (06:00 Saturday 16th July – 21:00 Sunday 17th July)
Bridge Street (06:00 Saturday 16th July – 21:00 Sunday 17th July)
Prince Street and Prince St Bridge (06:00 Saturday 16th July – 23:00 Sunday 17th July)
Wapping Road (06:00 Saturday 16th July – 23:00 Sunday 17th July)
Please note: Prince Street, Prince St Bridge and Wapping Road will reopen overnight from 23:00 on Saturday to 06:00 on Sunday.
Assembly Rooms Lane (06:00 Saturday 16th July – 23:59 Sunday 17th July)
Farrs Lane (06:00 Saturday 20th July – 23:59 Sunday 17th July)
Narrow Quay (Northern Side) (06:00 Saturday 16th July – 23:59 Sunday 17th July)
Narrow Quay (Southern Side) (06:00 Saturday 16th July – 23:59 Sunday 17th July)
Is Bristol Harbour Festival free?
Entry to Bristol Harbour Festival is free. There is then food, drinks and activities to purchase on the weekend.
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