Bristol Harbour Festival returns this summer to celebrate its 50th anniversary. One of the city’s most popular events, it will be the first time it has been organised since 2019 due to the pandemic.
Organised by Bristol City Council, Bristol Harbour Festival attracts over 250,000 visitors to enjoy over 120 hours of entertainment, across seven stages. Covering a mile of the harbourside, the festival events include spoken word, local dance performers, world class circus and on-water activity.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary year, organisers will introduce the theme of ‘Ebb and Flow’ to the festival, looking at the changing face of the city in line with the transformation of the harbour over the last half a century. A fleet of feature vessels are expected in the harbour as well as over 300 visiting boats, yachts and ships.
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This year’s festival will look to engage the diverse range of communities that exist in Bristol and bring these to life throughout the four-day event. Eight artists will work with seven communities and community partners to bring to life stories reflecting the ebb and flow of the people of Bristol through installations around the harbour, creating a performative and interactive trail.
Councillor Ellie King, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities and Bristol One City said: “As the city continues to recover from the impacts of the pandemic and we all begin to rediscover life outside of COVID restrictions, the return of one of our flagship festivals marks a turning moment in Bristol’s recent history.
“It represents a new beginning by celebrating the backbone of the city’s heritage. The festival will provide opportunities for communities across the city to get involved through art and music projects whilst providing the chance for individuals or groups to perform to an audience of tens of thousands.
“With over one mile of entertainment planned across the harbourside, this year’s festival provides the perfect setting for us all to reconnect with the city and our communities.”
Accessibility is top of the agenda for festival organisers this year with 'changing place' toilets including a Mobiloo in Millennium Square, raised and designated viewing areas installed in key areas and a new respite area launched in M-Shed for those requiring a break from the action packed programme.
WECIL and SENSE will also be in place in Millennium Square to provide sensory play and inclusive workshops for young people. This year the festival will be supported by South West based drinks partners Thatchers, Bath Ales and gin company Tarquins.
The festival has opened an Expression of Interest programme for those wanting to perform and get involved with the festival this year, hoping to attract new performers into the festival from all corners of the city once again. With 80 per cent of performers coming through the expressions of interest application in 2019, all kinds of performances are welcome, from all communities of Bristol.
Applications close on March 31. Bristol Harbour Festival returns from July 15-18.
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