What's on in Bristol, United Kingdom through the year

Quiet — travelers describe it as quiet, Christmas holidays in United Kingdom

• Festival

  Slapstick Festival

  20 Jan – 20 Feb · usuallyFilm festival

  Five days of silent and visual comedy on screen, with live accompaniment, a gala at Bristol Beacon and comedians talking about their heroes. The 2027 edition moves into mid-February. Source ↗

Peak crowds — Bristol Light Festival, February half-term in United Kingdom

• Festival

  Bristol Light Festival

  19–28 FebLights & fireCrowded

  Ten nights of light installations around the harbour and the old centre in late February, free and walkable in an evening. It is the only reason the city centre is busy that month. Source ↗

Still on: Slapstick Festival (20 Jan – 20 Feb (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Bristol Light Festival (19–28 Feb)

Busy — Easter / spring holiday in United Kingdom, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in April.

Peak crowds — Love Saves The Day, Late-May half-term in United Kingdom

• Festival

  Love Saves The Day

  23–24 MayMusic festivalCrowded

  Bristol's big dance and hip-hop weekend in the parkland of Ashton Court over the late May bank holiday. The city's self-declared start of summer, and the trains in are rammed. Source ↗

Peak crowds — Bristol Pride, Late-May half-term in United Kingdom

• Festival

  Bristol Pride

  27 Jun – 12 JulCrowded

  A fortnight of events building to the parade and the Downs festival on the second Saturday of July. The parade is free to walk in and the park day is ticketed. Source ↗

Still on: Love Saves The Day (23–24 May)

Peak crowds — Bristol Pride, Bristol Harbour Festival

• Festival

  Bristol Harbour Festival

  17–19 JulMajor festivalCrowded

  Three free days on the water in mid-July: tall ships, circus, and stages along both sides of the floating harbour. Quarter of a million people fit into a very narrow strip. Source ↗

Still on: Bristol Pride (27 Jun – 12 Jul)

Peak crowds — Balloon Fiesta, Summer holidays in United Kingdom

• Festival

  Balloon Fiesta

  7–9 AugMajor festivalCrowded

  Mass ascents at dawn and dusk over Ashton Court in early August, with night glows on the Friday and Saturday. Wind cancels ascents at short notice, so plan for more than one slot. Source ↗

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Festival

  Bristol Doors Open Days

  10–21 Sep · usuallyMajor festival

  Part of the national Heritage Open Days: buildings usually closed to the public, from old baths to company boardrooms, open for free tours on September weekends. Popular tours need booking. Source ↗

• Festival

  Encounters Film Festival

  23–27 Sep

  The UK's leading short film and animation festival, fitting for Aardman's home town: five days of screenings and talks at the Watershed and around the harbourside. Source ↗

Busy — October half-term in United Kingdom, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Encounters Film Festival (23–27 Sep)

Quiet — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

• Festival

  Bristol Christmas Market

  6 Nov – 23 DecChristmas & New Year

  Stalls down Broadmead from early November through to just before Christmas, with the older St Nicholas Market covered and open alongside it when it rains. Source ↗

Busy — Christmas holidays in United Kingdom, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Bristol Christmas Market (6 Nov – 23 Dec)