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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
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

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

Model Boat Parade

Saturday

Young Peoples Model Boat Parade

11:30

To

12:00

Start:

11:30

End:

12:00

Model Boat Race

Saturday

Young Peoples Model Boat Race

12:00

To

12:30

Start:

12:00

End:

12:30

Cardboard Boat Race

Saturday

Bristol Harbour Festivals infamous Cardboard Boat Race is back!

13:00

To

13:30

Start:

13:00

End:

13:30

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

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

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

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

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

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

Family Model Boat Race

Sunday

Family Model Boat Race

12:45

To

13:15

Start:

12:45

End:

13:15

Royal Navy

Sunday

The Mine Counter Measures Vessel sea boat will demonstrate a man overboard recovery.

15:15

To

15:45

Start:

15:15

End:

15:45

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

Sort by:
Time

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

Have-a-Go Rowing Sessions

Saturday

Supervised on-water taster sessions in stable boats, offering a safe introduction to rowing.

10:00

To

17:00

Start:

10:00

End:

17:00

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

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

A competitor balances on a tilted pole above the water during a Red Bull Up The Mast event, with crowds watching from the harbour side.

Red Bull Up The Mast

Saturday

Red Bull Up The Mast is returning to test competitors’ balance, grit, and sheer determination! The format is simple: successfully grab the flag and you’re through to the next round, fail to grab it and you’re out.

12:00

To

16:00

Start:

12:00

End:

16:00

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

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

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

Community Open Day (Boathouse & Clubhouse)

Saturday

Drop-in open day with tours, ergs, crafts and info on getting into rowing, suitable for all ages.

14:00

To

16:00

Start:

14:00

End:

16:00

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

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

Have-a-Go Rowing Sessions

Sunday

Supervised on-water taster sessions in stable boats, offering a safe introduction to rowing.

10:00

To

17:00

Start:

10:00

End:

17:00

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

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

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

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

Community Open Day (Boathouse & Clubhouse)

Sunday

Drop-in open day with tours, ergs, crafts and info on getting into rowing, suitable for all ages.

14:00

To

16:00

Start:

14:00

End:

16:00

Bristol Rowing Inter-Club Sprint Regatta

Sunday

Fast-paced inter-club sprint regatta with Bristol crews racing side-by-side over a short course, with live commentary and a clear heats-to-final format.

15:00

To

17:00

Start:

15:00

End:

17:00

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

Underfall Yard

Sort by:
Time
Performers to be announced soon

Our other stages

Queen Square

A proper showcase of the best of Bristol and welcoming communities from across the city, Bristol Rising and the Family Playground will present emerging artists from grassroots music and a range of family friendly activities for all ages to enjoy.

Green square with circle in the middle
View Stage

Amphitheatre

The Bristol Harbour Festival’s main stage for 2026. Expect the very best in back-to-back music from local and international talent as we celebrate emerging talent from across the globe.

Blue abstract amphitheatre
View Stage