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On The Water

On the water

On the Water entertainment returns to the Bristol Harbour Festival, bringing the water to the forefront of the celebrations with activities guaranteed to make a splash. As well as our On the Water spectacles, 2026 will see an extended festival footprint along the water, bringing even more entertainment to Bristol's iconic Harbourside.


3 blue waves

View lineups by stage

Cumberland basinPrince Street Bridge - Water ArenaBaltic WharfThe MatthewUnderfall Yard

Prince Street Bridge - Water Arena

Sort by:
Time

Friday

A performer in a glowing LED suit flies above water on a jet-powered device, with sparks shooting out like wings against a dark night sky.

James Prestwood

Friday

A high-energy nighttime spectacle, for the first time at the Harbour Festival, James Prestwood will light up the sky in a glowing LED suit.

21:45

To

22:00

Start:

21:45

End:

22:00

Saturday

Miranda Rae

Saturday

On the Water Commentator

11:00

To

19:30

Start:

11:00

End:

19:30

Saturday

The Pyronaut

Saturday

To demonstrate water canons in centre of arena at start and finish of Harb Fest.

11:00

To

11:10

Start:

11:00

End:

11:10

Saturday

Model Boat Parade

Saturday

Young Peoples Model Boat Parade

11:30

To

12:00

Start:

11:30

End:

12:00

Saturday

Model Boat Race

Saturday

Young Peoples Model Boat Race

12:00

To

12:30

Start:

12:00

End:

12:30

Saturday

Cardboard Boat Race

Saturday

Bristol Harbour Festivals infamous Cardboard Boat Race is back!

13:00

To

13:30

Start:

13:00

End:

13:30

Saturday

Steamboat Association

Saturday

The Steam Boat Association of Great Britain was formed in 1971 to promote the enjoyment of steamboats and steamboating - and to represent the interests of steamboat owners.

14:00

To

14:30

Start:

14:00

End:

14:30

Saturday

A performer dressed like Freddie Mercury flies above the water on a flyboard, spraying a high arc of water as a large crowd watches from the riverside.

James Prestwood

Saturday

In a high-energy waterfront spectacle, James Prestwood will take to the air on a flyboard, thrilling a packed crowd with dramatic water-powered stunts.

15:15

To

16:00

Start:

15:15

End:

16:00

Saturday

Bristol Gig Club

Saturday

Two Cornish Pilot Gigs demonstrating gig rowing and racing against each other

16:30

To

17:00

Start:

16:30

End:

17:00

Saturday

A performer dressed like Freddie Mercury flies above the water on a flyboard, spraying a high arc of water as a large crowd watches from the riverside.

James Prestwood

Saturday

In a high-energy waterfront spectacle, James Prestwood will take to the air on a flyboard, thrilling a packed crowd with dramatic water-powered stunts.

17:45

To

18:00

Start:

17:45

End:

18:00

Saturday

Duoplicity Circus

Saturday

Mixing hand-to-hand, dance and acrobatics, circus artists Duoplicity will be shaping playful moments of extreme trust, bravery and synchronicity on the water by the Balmoral.

19:00

To

19:10

Start:

19:00

End:

19:10

Saturday

Murmuration Choir

Saturday

Contemporary choral project, advocating for health, community + environmental sustainability through the arts.

19:00

To

19:30

Start:

19:00

End:

19:30

Sunday

Miranda Rae

Sunday

On the Water Commentator

11:00

To

18:10

Start:

11:00

End:

18:10

Sunday

The Pyronaut

Sunday

To demonstrate water canons in centre of arena at start and finish of Harb Fest.

11:00

To

11:10

Start:

11:00

End:

11:10

Sunday

Two rescue workers in red gear operate an inflatable boat on a lake, one in the water and one handling the motor.

Avon Fire and rescue Service

Sunday

Water Rescue Display

11:30

To

12:00

Start:

11:30

End:

12:00

Sunday

Family Model Boat Race

Sunday

Family Model Boat Race

12:45

To

13:15

Start:

12:45

End:

13:15

Sunday

Ophelia's Beard - A float

Sunday

Catch Ophelia’s Beard turning the harbour into a rock concert with their high-energy, banjo-fueled folk angst on the floating raft stage!

14:00

To

14:30

Start:

14:00

End:

14:30

Sunday

Louis Cardozo Afloat

Sunday

Get ready to rock the boat as Louis Cardozo and his band bring their high-energy, soulful tunes to the floating raft stage!

16:15

To

16:45

Start:

16:15

End:

16:45

Sunday

The Bristol Boat Parade

Sunday

Beginning at Underfall Yard and culminating at the Prince Street Bridge Water Arena, this colourful procession celebrates Bristol’s maritime community, showcasing a diverse fleet of harbour users in a vibrant display of heritage, community, and life on the water.

17:00

To

18:00

Start:

17:00

End:

18:00

Baltic Wharf Have a go sessions

Sort by:
Time

Friday

All Aboard Watersports Harbour Swim

Friday

Enjoy an open water swim with a difference in Bristol Harbour.

16:30

To

18:30

Start:

16:30

End:

18:30

Saturday

Bristol Channel Social Rowers

Saturday

Invite members of the public to have a go in one of our rowing boats.

9:30

To

17:30

Start:

9:30

End:

17:30

Saturday

SUP Bristol Paddleboarding Taster Session

Saturday

Join us for a one hour guided paddleboarding session and explore Bristol Harbour Festival from the water! You will learn the basics, build confidence and enjoy seeing the sights as you paddle through calm waters.

10:00

To

18:30

Start:

10:00

End:

18:30

Saturday

SUP Bristol Kayaking Taster Session

Saturday

Explore Bristol Harbour Festival by kayak with this fully guided experience! Learn the basics, build confidence and enjoy seeing the sights and sounds of the festival as you paddle through calm waters.

10:00

To

18:30

Start:

10:00

End:

18:30

Saturday

All Aboard Watersports Sailing Tasters

Saturday

Try sailing on Bristol Harbour in our fully accessible Hansa 303 boats. Designed for stability and comfort, these boats won’t capsize, making them ideal for beginners and nervous sailors alike.

13:00

To

16:00

Start:

13:00

End:

16:00

Saturday

All Aboard Watersports Katakanu trips to SS Great Britain

Saturday

Paddle Bristol Harbour in our giant Katakanu, with trips to the SS Great Britain and back. These fun group paddles are great for beginners and experienced paddlers alike!

13:00

To

16:00

Start:

13:00

End:

16:00

Saturday

All Aboard Watersports power boat trips of Bristol Harbour

Saturday

Enjoy a fully accessible powerboat trip around Bristol Harbour. These guided tours offer a relaxing way to see the harbour, welcoming passengers of all abilities for an enjoyable experience.

13:00

To

16:00

Start:

13:00

End:

16:00

Sunday

All Aboard Watersports Harbour Swim

Sunday

Enjoy an open water swim with a difference in Bristol Harbour.

8:30

To

11:00

Start:

8:30

End:

11:00

Sunday

All Aboard Watersports Litter Pick

Sunday

Join us for a harbour litter pick aboard our eco-friendly electric powerboat. Help clean Bristol Harbour by collecting floating rubbish while enjoying time on the water.

10:00

To

12:00

Start:

10:00

End:

12:00

Sunday

SUP Bristol Paddleboarding Taster Session

Sunday

Join us for a one hour guided paddleboarding session and explore Bristol Harbour Festival from the water! You will learn the basics, build confidence and enjoy seeing the sights as you paddle through calm waters.

10:00

To

18:30

Start:

10:00

End:

18:30

Sunday

SUP Bristol Kayaking Taster Session

Sunday

Explore Bristol Harbour Festival by kayak with this fully guided experience! Learn the basics, build confidence and enjoy seeing the sights and sounds of the festival as you paddle through calm waters.

10:00

To

18:30

Start:

10:00

End:

18:30

Sunday

All Aboard Watersports Katakanu trips to SS Great Britain

Sunday

Paddle Bristol Harbour in our giant Katakanu, with trips to the SS Great Britain and back. These fun group paddles are great for beginners and experienced paddlers alike!

12:00

To

16:00

Start:

12:00

End:

16:00

Sunday

All Aboard Watersports power boat trips of Bristol Harbour

Sunday

Enjoy a fully accessible powerboat trip around Bristol Harbour. These guided tours offer a relaxing way to see the harbour sights from the water for an enjoyable and memorable experience.

12:00

To

16:00

Start:

12:00

End:

16:00