The much-loved summer event is completely free to attend
The Harbour View Stage at Bristol Harbour Festival(Image: Paul Box/Bristol Harbour Festival)
Bristol Harbour Festival is a matter of weeks away and many of us will be praying for sunny skies and a free weekend to head down to the city’s waterfront and enjoy all it has to offer. One of the staple events in the Bristol calendar each year, this year’s Harbour Fest looks set to be a big one, with lots on the agenda.
Across multiple stages and locations in the city centre, festival-goers will be able to enjoy this free event filled with live music, demonstrations, activities, discussions and more.
Plus, there will be food and drink from some delicious vendors, and plenty to see and do both on and off the water. To help you plan your weekend, we’ve compiled a handy guide of everything you need to know – from whether you need tickets, to VIP access, what’s on the line-up and what you shouldn’t bring with you…
When and where is Bristol Harbour Festival 2025?
This year’s Bristol Harbour Festival takes place between July 19-20 (Friday to Sunday) around the streets and squares of Bristol’s historic harbour.
Festival opening hours are as follows:
- Friday – 6-10pm
- Saturday – 11am-10pm
- Sunday – 11am-6pm
How much are tickets?
You don’t need tickets to attend. The whole weekend is completely free. However, you can help the event remain that way by purchasing food and drink from the official bars and food traders at the festival.
If you’d like VIP access, you can purchase this for £15 via the official website. The VIP area is located opposite the festival’s main stage with views of the harbour and live music. VIP guests will have their own direct entrance, guaranteed access to Amphitheatre Arena, free drinks tokens, a VIP programme, an exclusive bar serving premium cocktails, and even access to luxury toilets.
The Pyronaut officially opens Bristol Harbour Festival 2024(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)How to get there
Organisers are this year encouraging festivalgoers to walk, cycle or take public transport to Harbour Fest. Cycle routes and parking are plentiful heading into the site and, as a city centre-based festival, public transport and trains into Bristol Temple Meads will get you here.
If planning to drive, you can plan your journey via Travel West, here.
What’s on the line-up?
Programmes will be available at the entrance points to The Amphitheatre, Queen Square and College Green, as well as at a stall in Millennium Square.
The first music acts for the 2025 festival have been announced, with The Longest Johns, The Allergies, Bloco B, Eternal Taal and Gnawa Blues All Stars on the Harbour View main stage at The Amphitheatre.
Meanwhile, Carol Vorderman and Ella Morgan will join barrister and campaigner Jo Maugham MC on the Expression Stage in Millennium Square on July 20, with a landmark programme of talks, panels and activism, completely free for the public, around the likes of trans rights, allyship, climate justice and creative resistance.
You can view up-to-date information on line-ups across stages at the Amphitheatre, Millennium Square, Queen Square, College Green, Fringe events and things taking place on the water, via the official Bristol Harbour Festival website, here.
College Green will be the ‘family playground’ filled with street style circus performances, while Queen Square will host the Bristol Rising Stage and Dance Tent. Thekla will also be hosting a range of grassroots music – from rock and punk bands to live folk and DJ sets.
Flyboarding at Bristol Harbour Festival Saturday 15 July 2023 as James Prestwood takes to the water n a high powered water jet which takes him 60 feet in the air.(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
On the water, expect the return of the cardboard boat race, canoe sprint races and performances from flyboard rider James Prestwood. Huge Spanish tall ship Galeón Andalucía will also be sailing into the harbour from Thursday and people can buy tickets to step on board during the festival weekend.
What can I bring to Bristol Harbour Festival – and a list of banned items?
Dogs are welcome but must be kept under control at all times, and you must be sure to clean up after them.
Here’s a list of prohibited/banned items that you will not be able to bring into entertainment venues at the festival:
- Alcohol
- Soft drinks
- Food
- Glass containers
- Potential harmful fluids
- Weapons – bladed or pointed
- Umbrellas
- Flags or banners
- Marker pens
- Laser pens
- Non-prescription drugs, including ‘legal highs’
- Nitrous oxide
- Professional photography or recording equipment sound systems
- Fireworks/flares/laser candle lights/gas canisters/BBQs/sparklers
- Any other type of explosive
- Windbreakers/tents
- Bikes
- Aerosols, gas canisters or air horns
- Drones
- Gazebos
- Fold out tables or chairs