Bristol Comedy Festival, 15-31 January
The Bristol Comedy Festival, external will help you laugh away those winter blues.
Among the announced performers are five nominees for the 2025 Edinburgh Comedy Awards – Dan Tiernan, Ed Night, John Tothill, Katie Norris and Roger O’Sullivan, as well as Bristol favourites such as Jayde Adams and Mark Watson.
Bristol Light Festival,19-28 February
The festival’s sixth event, organisers have said the next instalment will be their “boldest edition yet” expanding their light installations to new locations such as Sike Island and Park Street.
Last year’s installations were situated in the Harbourside, Broadmead, College Green, Queen Square and St Mary Redcliffe.
Love Saves The Day, 23rd-24th May
The festival, external will kick off the city’s busy summer season at Ashton Court, over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
More than 30,000 festival-goers descend on the estate each day to see a vibrant mix of local artists and big household names across its eight stages.
The line up is yet to be released.
Dot To Dot, 23-24 May
Boasting some of the best local talent and some surprising headlines, Dot to Dot festival is spread across a number of the city’s music venues and art spaces such as Thekla, Strange Brew and The Island.
So far 30 artists have been confirmed, external including headliners Lambrini Girls and NewDad.
Bristol Sounds, 23-28 June
Bristol Sounds will be return to Lloyds Amphitheatre with a standout line-up featuring some heavyweight artists such as The Kooks, The Streets and Super Furry Animals, external.
Organisers have said the festival has become a “must-attend fixture of the UK’s summer calendar” and is “known for its eclectic programming and unbeatable city-centre setting”.
Bristol Pride, 27 June-12 July
A parade, festival, afterparties and hundreds of performers will be in the city again for one of the UK’s largest Pride events.
With Pride Day set for 11 July, there will be plenty of events on offer in the run up.
Organisers said the annual event, external celebrates love, diversity and friendship and how far LGBTQ+ rights have come, and how in some places there is still work to be done.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta, 7-9 August
The next instalment of the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, external will mark the event’s 48th anniversary.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on Ashton Court Estate for the mass ascents and night glow events.
The ascents are weather dependant, so definitely check the website and forecasts ahead of attending.
Forwards Bristol, 29-30 August
Bristol’s Forwards Festival, external is set to take place at Durdham Downs (The Downs) in Clifton.
The festival which began in 2022 is yet to release its line up for 2026.