New for 2026
Bristol Harbour Festival is back with a reimagined footprint that puts the water right back at the heart of the celebration. Bringing you everything from busking performances to global sounds and everything in between.
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Bristol Harbour Festival is back with a reimagined footprint that puts the water right back at the heart of the celebration. Bringing you everything from busking performances to global sounds and everything in between.
This summer at Bristol Dockyards – home of SS Great Britain – we're bringing the global stories of one of the world's most extraordinary ships to life through the opening of a brand-new museum plus our Ships and Giggles family trail. Kids go free and if you live on Spike Island, you get 40% off! The new museum, part of the expanded SS Great Britain Experience launches 18 July: discover interactive exhibitions, digital recreations, historic artefacts and new community-led research that uncovers voices and stories from the SS Great Britain’s 41 years of service. Then walk aboard the ship itself. Together, they tell the full story of Brunel’s ship which transformed travel, migration and culture forever.For the kids, join us for games, challenges and a whole lot of laughs. From the dockside to the dining room, take part in interactive challenges inspired by the SS Great Britain’s global voyages.
In partnership with Bristol Twin Cities – The Dockyard Stage Saturday
Bristol’s Twin Cities bring a global soundtrack to Brunel Square, with artists representing five of Bristol’s twin cities. Featuring a mix of locally based musicians and including artists travelling from Hannover, Porto and Bordeaux, expect an uplifting programme celebrating culture, connection and creative exchange.
South Asian Voices Takeover - The Dockyard Stage Sunday
Hosted by Bristol Legend Pat Hart and Sheetal Jethwa from BCFM. Join South Asian Voices Bristol CIC for a celebration of South Asian Heritage Month through storytelling, Dhol players, inspiring community stories, a Bollywood dance workshop, live Bollywood DJ set and discover the richness and diversity of South Asian heritage.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the harbour and the bustling food market just steps away, Cascade Steps is the perfect place to pause and soak up some live music. This busking-style stage showcases an ever-changing line-up of solo artists and duos, serving up the perfect soundtrack as you eat, relax and watch the world go by. You might even discover your new favourite artist
Curated by BIMM University Bristol - Cascade Steps Sunday
Showcasing an exciting line-up of local emerging talent. Expect a dynamic programme of solo artists, duos and acoustic performances, highlighting the next generation of music from across the city. Catch tomorrow's headline artists as they take to the stage and experience some of Bristol's most exciting new talent
Step off the beaten track and discover Busker's Dock: Bristol Harbour Festival's home of circus, variety, comedy and the wonderfully unexpected. Inspired by the atmosphere of great street performance pitches, Busker's Dock is a little slice of Covent Garden by the water, a feast of circle shows, acrobatics, juggling, physical comedy and audience interaction.
Busker's Dock is the first step towards building a stronger culture of busking and street arts in Bristol. If you enjoy a show, please show your appreciation. Bring some cash for the hat, or scan a QR code to support the performers directly.
Find us at the end of Millennium Parade, beside Broken Dock Café
Head beyond the Spitfire Restaurant and discover Hannover Quay, a lively corner filled with music, movement and maritime mischief. From uplifting choirs and pitch-perfect a cappella groups to energetic breakdance crews, Bristol Samba rhythms and the occasional band of pirates, there's always something happening on this intimate pop-up space.
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