Bristol Harbour Festival to 'return to the water'

Bristol Harbour Festival will be returning to "its roots" along the city's harbourside this year, organisers have announced.

The festival, which celebrates Bristol's maritime heritage, will be centred along the full length of the waterfront from Thekla to Underfall Yard.

Along with floating performances, high-energy stunts and live music it will also see the return of crowd favourites such as the cardboard boat race and the best dressed boat competitions.

Tony Dyer, leader of Bristol City Council, said: "We're excited to bring Bristol's harbour back to the heart of the festival."

The festival, which runs from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July, attracts tens of thousands of people every year.

Organisers said this year the festival will be making a "bold return to the water" by making the city's unique floating harbour the "centre of the celebration".

Queen Square will also be hosting circus, dance and family entertainment but College Green will not be part of the 2026 event, in a bid to reduce pressure on the city's green spaces.

"Bristol's identity has always been anchored in its maritime spirit and this year we're placing that front and centre," said Harry Feigen, from Proud Events.

The festival's 2026 "dynamic water" programme will include interactive zones, floating performances, dockside spectacles, live music and on-the-water experiences.

Organisers are inviting performers, traders, activity leaders and vessel owners to take part in the event.

"In 2025, the festival received over 1,000 expressions of interest, with more than 80% of the programme featuring Bristol-based talent," a spokesperson for the festival said.

"The 2026 edition will build on this with more inclusive, community-led programming shaped by the creativity, diversity and spirit of the city."

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.