It’s a test of speed and nerve
Participant competes at Red Bull Up The Mast 2025 in Plymouth, United Kingdom on 27th September 2025(Image: Mark Roe/Red Bull )
A new event is coming to Bristol Harbour Festival this year, as Red Bull brings its daredevil ‘Up The Mast’ challenge to Bristol’s Harbourside.
This year’s Harbour Fest takes place from Friday, July 17, to Sunday, July 19, with a whole host of on-land and on-water events and demonstrations.
The Up The Mast challenge sees competitors test their balance, speed and nerve as they race along a greased mast suspended over water to grab a flag and progress through the knockout rounds.
It’s inspired by a centuries-old tradition known as Yağlı Direk, and Red Bull’s event has already drawn huge crowds in St Andrews and Plymouth. It’s expected to be one of the most talked-about moments of the festival when it arrives to Bristol’s Harbourside for the Saturday of the event.
Participant competes at Red Bull Up The Mast 2025 in Plymouth, United Kingdom on 27th September 2025(Image: Mark Roe/Red Bull)
Registrations open in June, with participants encouraged to sign up in advance to receive notification when entries go live. A further announcement will follow confirming full event details and participation information.
Another first for the festival’s On The Water programme this year, whichincludes the usual cardboard boat race, the iconic Pyronaut opening display and steam boat and other demonstrations, will be a Sprint Regatta in partnership with Bristol Canoe Club. Applications are now open to regional competitors.
And Bristol artist Louis Cardozo will perform on a floating stage on Sunday. Known for his blend of blues, soul, jazz and Latin sounds, he’ll be joined by a full band on the harbour.
James Prestwood will be bringing his glow-in-the-dark flyboarding show to Bristol for the first time(Image: Bristol Harbour Festival)
Harbour Festival favourite James Prestwood will return this summer with a new twist, lighting up the harbour with his glow-in-the-dark flyboarding show. He’ll be performing in a full LED suit for the very first time in Bristol on Friday night, opening the water programme for the weekend, as well as bringing his much-loved daytime shows on Saturday.
There will be a live water rescue demonstration from Avon Fire &Rescue Service on Sunday, July 19, as Bedminster SWIFT crews take to the harbour to simulate a capsized boat scenario using their specialist vessel, Pioneer.
Alex Mahoney, production director at Swans Events, said: “This year is about doing something new while reconnecting with what Harbour Festival is all about. We’ve introduced fresh elements to the programme and expanded further along the water, creating more space for performances and making the harbour the true heart of the festival again.”