THE CITY OUTSIDE
Live music, outdoor stages and city takeovers. Plan your year in Bristol, with nearby festivals kept in their own guide.
15 upcoming editions · 2026–2027 · Bristol · 21 awaiting dates · 6 awaiting a music programme
Dates to be announced4 starting festivals
Music Festivals
7 November 2026
Bristol
Bristol Beacon, Strange Brew and other city venues
Simple Things joins experimental electronics, jazz and alternative live music across Bristol’s concert halls and independent rooms. Guest curators Squid, Shabaka, Jeremy Deller and Cobrah help shape the 2026 programme, with venues including Bristol Beacon and Strange Brew. The next city-wide edition takes place on 7 November 2026.
Ticketed
Last checked 2 October 2026
Multi-Arts with Music
9 November 2026 – 13 November 2026
Bristol
Venues across the city
Live music and immersive performances are advertised alongside Brazen’s discussions about technology, creativity and culture. This is a wider ideas festival, rather than a dedicated music week, so check the session programme for performances and booking requirements. Organised by techSPARK, its next Bristol edition runs from 9–13 November 2026.
Free and ticketed sessions
Last checked 2 October 2026
Multi-Arts with Music
13 November 2026 – 15 November 2026
Clifton, Bristol
Clifton Library, Christ Church and other Clifton venues
Live music forms part of Clifton LitFest’s 2026 programme, alongside poetry workshops, films and conversations with writers and public figures. Events move between the library and neighbouring Clifton venues, making this a literary weekend with a musical strand rather than a standalone concert festival. The next edition runs from 13–15 November 2026.
Ticketed
Last checked 2 October 2026
Multi-Arts with Music
27 November 2026 – 29 November 2026
Bristol
Venues across Bristol
Live music is promised within Cary Comes Home’s 2026 weekend, which brings screenings, talks and special events to Cary Grant’s hometown. The musical offering sits within a celebration of cinema and Bristol’s connection to the actor; check the organiser’s programme for individual events. The confirmed festival dates are 27–29 November 2026.
Ticketed
Last checked 2 October 2026
1 starting festival
Multi-Arts with Music
15 January 2027 – 17 January 2027
St Jude’s, Bristol
Trinity Centre · BS2 0NW
Cuba Libre Son Band brings live Cuban music to Bristol Salsa Congress, giving the dance weekend a musical centre beyond its workshops. Salsa and bachata classes sit alongside parties at Trinity, with passes covering different parts of the programme. The next congress runs from 15–17 January 2027; consult the official schedule before choosing a ticket.
Ticketed
Last checked 3 October 2026
1 starting festival
Music Festivals
6 February 2027
Redcliffe, Bristol
The Fleece · BS1 6JJ
No Future gathers punk bands for a full day at The Fleece, keeping its festival footprint inside one of Bristol’s established live venues. The 2027 bill includes Anti-Nowhere League, Peter and the Test Tube Babies and Chelsea. The next edition is confirmed for Saturday 6 February 2027, with tickets through the venue’s event listing.
Ticketed
Last checked 3 October 2026
1 starting festival
Music Festivals
20 March 2027
Bristol
Electric Bristol, Rough Trade and Strange Brew
Ritual Union makes a day of moving between Bristol’s independent music rooms, bringing emerging and established alternative artists into the same festival circuit. Electric Bristol, Rough Trade and Strange Brew are the confirmed venues for the next edition on 20 March 2027. The organiser is still inviting readers to watch for line-up news.
Ticketed
Last checked 2 October 2026
2 starting festivals
Music Festivals
9 April 2027 – 10 April 2027
Bristol
Bristol — venue to be announced
Venue and 2027 artist lineup awaiting announcement.
Monochrome brings together abrasive metal, punk, noise and experimental music in Bristol. The organiser confirms its return on 9–10 April 2027, with a welcoming approach to challenging sounds. The website currently shows the previous edition’s artists; the 2027 lineup and venue details should be checked as new announcements arrive.
Ticketed — see organiser for current availability
Last checked 3 October 2026
Music Festivals
10 April 2027
Old Market, Bristol
Venues around Old Market
Outer Town turns Old Market into a route through independent venues, with emerging bands and off-centre live music at the heart of its programme. The day encourages listeners to move between rooms and find artists beyond a familiar headline act. Its next edition is confirmed for 10 April 2027; the new line-up is still to come.
Ticketed
Last checked 3 October 2026
2 starting festivals
Music Festivals
29 May 2027
Bristol
Multiple city venues
Dot to Dot offers a day of emerging bands and new artists across Bristol’s live venues, with a wristband connecting the shows. It is a touring festival, but the Bristol date is 29 May 2027; Nottingham follows separately. The next edition’s line-up is still to be announced, keeping the emphasis on discovery rather than familiar names.
Ticketed
Last checked 3 October 2026
Music Festivals
29 May 2027 – 30 May 2027
Ashton Court, Bristol
Ashton Court Estate
Love Saves the Day gives electronic music a broad outdoor home at Ashton Court, bringing DJs and live acts together with Bristol’s dance-music communities. Its stages have room for different tempos and club sounds rather than a single genre. The organiser confirms a return on 29–30 May 2027; the new artist programme is awaiting announcement.
Ticketed
Last checked 3 October 2026
2 starting festivals
Music Festivals
25 June 2027
Harbourside, Bristol
Canons Marsh Amphitheatre
Bristol Sounds takes live music outdoors beside the harbour, with individual headline shows across its concert series. The first announced 2027 date is Roni Size Reprazent celebrating thirty years of New Forms, supported by Fabio & Grooverider, on 25 June. Further series dates are still to be announced; check the organiser for ticket-release information.
Ticketed
Last checked 3 October 2026
Community & Carnival
26 June 2027 – 11 July 2027
Bristol
The Downs and venues across Bristol
Bristol Pride puts live music, cabaret and dance stages within a wider celebration of the city’s LGBTQ+ communities. The organiser confirms the 2027 festival for 26 June–11 July, with Pride Day on The Downs on 10 July. The next artist bill is unannounced; previous headliners should not be read as a 2027 programme.
2027 admission details to be announced
Last checked 3 October 2026
2 starting festivals
Continues this month: Bristol Pride · 26 June 2027 – 11 July 2027
Music Festivals
3 July 2027
Bristol
Venue to be announced
Venue to be announced. Early-bird tickets sold out; check the organiser for general release.
Dungeons of Wessex returns to Bristol on 3 July 2027 for a day of dungeon synth, a style rooted in atmospheric electronics and fantasy worlds. The organiser promises UK favourites alongside international and live debuts. The venue is still listed as TBA, and the early-bird allocation has sold out.
Ticketed — see organiser for current availability
Last checked 3 October 2026
Food & Drink with Music
30 July 2027 – 1 August 2027
Clifton, Bristol
Clifton Downs
Live music is an advertised part of Feast On’s 2027 weekend, alongside independent restaurant pop-ups, street food and cooking demonstrations. The festival brings that combination to Clifton Downs, with family activities and food discussions widening the day beyond the stage. The next edition runs from 30 July–1 August 2027; individual music acts are still unannounced.
Ticketed
Last checked 3 October 2026
0 starting festivals
Continues this month: Feast On Bristol · 30 July 2027 – 1 August 2027
No additional festivals start this month.
KEEP AN EAR OUT
Next editions without confirmed dates. Earlier musical programmes are identified in the descriptions; no previous dates have been carried forward.
Community & Carnival
Next dates to be announced
St Jude’s, Bristol
Trinity Centre garden — previous edition
Next dates to be announced
AfroFest brings African music and dance into an outdoor Bristol gathering, with the organiser’s 2026 event advertised at Trinity’s garden. Its performance programme gives the day a musical purpose alongside the wider cultural celebration. The June edition has passed; the next dates, venue confirmation and artist bill are still to be announced.
To be announced
Last checked 2 October 2026
Music Festivals
Next dates to be announced
St Jude’s, Bristol
Sawmills — previous edition · BS5 0TW
Next dates to be announced
Bris-Fest’s 2026 Sawmills programme spread underground dance music across several crew-led stages, including jungle, drum & bass, techno, grime and harder rave sounds. The venue’s own listing documents a day-festival format with different sound systems and spaces. The 25 April edition has passed; the next festival dates and venue are still to be announced.
2026 edition was ticketed
Last checked 2 October 2026
Food & Drink with Music
Next dates to be announced
St Jude’s, Bristol
Document — previous edition
Next Bristol dates to be announced
Live acoustic sets and a party band were advertised as part of Bristol Craft Brew Festival’s 2026 stop at Document. This touring drinks festival combines that performance programme with tastings and street food; it is separate from the Harbourside Craft Beer Festival. The 6 June Bristol edition has passed, with next dates still to be announced.
2026 edition was ticketed
Last checked 2 October 2026
Music Festivals
Next dates to be announced
St Jude’s, Bristol
Trinity Centre · BS2 0NW
Next dates to be announced
Bristol Extreme Fest gives heavy music an all-day setting at Trinity, with its 2026 edition using two stages and a programme designed to avoid clashes. The venue’s listing confirms an extreme-metal focus rather than a general alternative bill. The 29 August event has passed; next dates and the next artist programme remain unannounced.
2026 edition was ticketed
Last checked 2 October 2026
Music Festivals
Next dates to be announced
Bristol
Bristol Beacon, St George’s, Arnolfini and other venues
Next dates to be announced
Bristol Folk Festival puts traditional music, contemporary roots songwriting and shared music-making into concert halls and smaller city rooms. The 2026 edition included concerts, a ceilidh, workshops and late-night folk sessions, giving listeners several ways into the programme. Its 1–3 May weekend has passed; the next confirmed dates are still to be announced.
2026 concerts were ticketed
Last checked 2 October 2026
Community & Carnival
Next dates to be announced
Bristol
Harbourside and waterfront stages
Next dates to be announced
Live music and local performers share Bristol Harbour Festival with maritime displays, family activities and community programming around the waterfront. The 2026 edition paired its harbour setting with stages and takeovers representing different parts of the city. That weekend has passed; the next festival dates and musical programme are still to be announced.
2026 edition was free
Last checked 2 October 2026
Music Festivals
Next dates to be announced
Bristol
Concert halls and independent venues across Bristol
Next dates to be announced
Bristol New Music connects contemporary composition, experimental electronics and sound art across the city’s concert halls, galleries and independent spaces. Its 2026 programme used performance, installation and audiovisual work to explore music beyond conventional gig formats. That edition ran from 22–26 April; the next festival dates and programme are still to be announced.
To be announced
Last checked 2 October 2026
Multi-Arts with Music
Next dates to be announced
Ashton Gate, Bristol
Ashton Gate — previous edition · BS3 2EJ
Next dates and music programme to be announced
Live bands and DJ performances formed an advertised outdoor-stage programme at Bristol Tattoo Convention’s 2026 edition. Music shared the weekend with tattoo artists, traders and the wider convention activities at Ashton Gate. That programme belongs to the past event; the next dates and confirmation of a future musical strand are still awaited.
To be announced
Last checked 2 October 2026
Music Festivals
Next dates to be announced
Southville, Bristol
Hen & Chicken
Next dates to be announced
Bristol Ukulele Festival brings ukulele bands, solo players and practical workshops together at the Hen & Chicken. The 2026 programme ranged from group performances to sessions on looping and playing technique, making room for listeners as well as musicians. Its 11 July edition has passed; the next confirmed festival dates are still to be announced.
2026 edition was ticketed
Last checked 2 October 2026
Multi-Arts with Music
Next dates to be announced
Harbourside, Bristol
Watershed and other cinema venues
Next dates and music programme to be announced
Cinema Rediscovered’s 2026 programme included a live set from electronic composer Sven Grünberg and synthesiser player Taavi Kerikmäe after a screening at Watershed. Music was a specific strand within the restored-film festival, rather than a feature of every event. The July edition has passed; next dates and further musical programming are still to be announced.
To be announced
Last checked 2 October 2026
Music Festivals
Next dates to be announced
Easton, Bristol
Easton pubs, including The Plough
Next dates to be announced
Easton Punk Festival is a grassroots weekender built around neighbourhood pubs and local promoters. The Plough’s past programme documents three nights across The Plough, The Chelsea and The Lion, with punk bands sharing a DIY approach to booking. The next confirmed dates and artist programme are still to be announced.
To be announced
Last checked 2 October 2026
Multi-Arts with Music
Next dates to be announced
Bristol
Cinema venues and performance spaces
Next dates and music programme to be announced
Encounters’ 2026 programme connected film with live electronic music, including a Kangding Ray soundsystem performance built from film music. That musical event belonged to the wider short-film festival, rather than making every screening a concert. The September edition has passed; the next festival dates and a future music strand remain unannounced.
To be announced
Last checked 2 October 2026
Community & Carnival
Next dates to be announced
Bristol and Bath
Millennium Square and wider festival venues
Next dates and music programme to be announced
Live brass, street-band performances and other music joined Festival of Nature’s 2026 Wild Weekend on Bristol’s Millennium Square. That stage programme sat within a broader celebration of wildlife, science and community activity across Bristol and Bath. The previous edition has passed; next dates and confirmation of a new musical programme are still awaited.
2026 Wild Weekend was free
Last checked 2 October 2026
Music Festivals
Next dates to be announced
Clifton, Bristol
The Downs
Returning in 2027; next dates to be announced
Forwards brings contemporary live music and DJs to The Downs, with its Information programme making space for conversations alongside the performances. Bristol artists share the wider festival setting with touring acts, giving the weekend a connection to the city beyond its location. A return in 2027 is confirmed, but next dates and artists are still to be announced.
To be announced
Last checked 2 October 2026
Community & Carnival
Next dates to be announced
City centre, Bristol
Bristol Beacon · BS1 5AR
Next dates to be announced
Fusion Fest gives young people a role in shaping Bristol Beacon’s music programme, with performances and workshops connecting different sounds and communities. The organiser’s 2026 account describes a youth-led takeover across the venue, rather than a conventional headline concert. That July edition has passed; the next festival dates and musical programme are still to be announced.
To be announced
Last checked 2 October 2026
Multi-Arts with Music
Next dates to be announced
Bristol
Watershed and venues across Bristol
Next dates and music programme to be announced
Harp music and song joined poetry readings in Lyra’s 2026 KIN event, while other sessions connected verse with musical performance. The festival’s main focus remains poetry, with readings, workshops and discussion across Bristol venues. Its April edition has passed; the next dates and confirmation of a future music programme are still awaited.
To be announced
Last checked 2 October 2026
Music Festivals
Next dates to be announced
Bristol
Next venue to be announced
Next dates and venue to be announced
Rave On Avon brings underground electronic music into a multi-stage day-festival format, with its 2026 event centred on The Boxing Gym. That advertised festival programme distinguishes it from an ordinary club night. The last event has passed, and next dates, venue and line-up are still to be announced; no previous site is assumed for the return.
2026 edition was ticketed
Last checked 2 October 2026
Food & Drink with Music
Next dates to be announced
St Philip’s, Bristol
The Prospect Building courtyard — previous edition
Next dates to be announced
Live reggae and DJ sets gave the 2026 Rum & Reggae Festival a stage programme alongside its drinks and food offering. The Prospect Building’s courtyard hosted the Bristol edition, with artists including The Skints and General Levy on the venue’s advertised bill. That event has passed; next dates and performers are still to be announced.
2026 edition was ticketed
Last checked 2 October 2026
Food & Drink with Music
Next dates to be announced
Bristol
Next Bristol venue to be confirmed
Next Bristol dates and venue to be announced
Tribute bands and live headline acts make music a central advertised part of Sausage & Cider Festival, alongside its food stalls and drinks selection. Use the Bristol-specific organiser page rather than dates from another touring stop. The site invites interest in 2027, but the next Bristol date, venue and full bill are still awaited.
To be announced
Last checked 2 October 2026
Community & Carnival
Next dates to be announced
St Pauls, Bristol
St Pauls neighbourhood
Next dates to be announced
Music, dance and African-Caribbean heritage sit at the centre of St Pauls Carnival’s community identity. Its street celebration has connected sound systems, performers and the procession with the neighbourhood’s residents and cultural organisations. The organiser is consulting on Carnival’s future; the next confirmed dates and musical programme are still to be announced.
To be announced
Last checked 2 October 2026
Multi-Arts with Music
Next dates to be announced
Bristol
Bedminster and Southville streets and venues
Next dates and music programme to be announced
Bands and DJs have accompanied Upfest’s street-art gatherings, giving its public spaces a performance programme alongside mural painting and creative activities. The organiser describes music within the wider festival, but a future musical bill is not yet confirmed. Keep this as a city-arts festival to watch: next dates and music details are still to be announced.
To be announced
Last checked 2 October 2026
WIDER FESTIVALS
These editions have announced dates, but a meaningful musical programme for that edition is not yet verified. They are outside the music calendar until confirmed.
Multi-Arts with Music
10 February 2027 – 14 February 2027
Bristol
Cinema and performance venues across Bristol
Live accompaniment gives Slapstick a musical life alongside its silent-film screenings and comedy events. The festival’s musicians work with piano, strings and percussion, responding to films in performance rather than supplying a background soundtrack. Its next edition is dated 10–14 February 2027, but the forthcoming music-specific programme is still awaiting announcement.
To be announced
Last checked 2 October 2026
Multi-Arts with Music
18 February 2027 – 27 February 2027
Bristol
City installations and participating venues
18–27 February 2027 announced, subject to licensing and site permissions. Music programme awaiting confirmation.
Live music at Arnolfini, a family DJ event and Songs by Lanternlight at St George’s gave Bristol Light Festival’s 2026 programme a musical strand alongside the light installations. The next wider festival is announced for 18–27 February 2027, subject to permissions; its musical programme remains unconfirmed.
To be announced
Last checked 2 October 2026
Community & Carnival
27 March 2027
Bristol
2027 venues to be announced
Queer and trans bands joined Trans Pride Bristol’s 2026 celebrations through a live after-party at Loco Klub, alongside the wider community programme. Those performances are evidence from the past edition. Organisers confirm a return on 27 March 2027, but timings, venues and events remain unannounced, including any next-edition musical programme.
To be announced
Last checked 2 October 2026
Multi-Arts with Music
22 May 2027 – 23 May 2027
St Jude’s, Bristol
Trinity Centre · BS2 0NW
Sea shanties, folk-punk bands and DJ sets gave Bristol Transformed’s 2026 After Dark event a substantial musical programme within its wider politics and culture festival. Those artists belong to the past edition. The organiser confirms 22–23 May 2027 at Trinity, but the next music strand and any separate performance tickets are still awaited.
To be announced
Last checked 2 October 2026
Food & Drink with Music
11 June 2027 – 12 June 2027
Bristol
Harbourside
DJ programming gives Bristol Craft Beer Festival a musical strand alongside its brewery tastings and food stalls. The 2026 yard-party bill included Bristol-rooted selectors and a Krust set; those names belong to that past edition. The next Harbourside festival is dated 11–12 June 2027, with its musical programme still awaiting confirmation.
Ticketed
Last checked 2 October 2026
Community & Carnival
13 August 2027 – 15 August 2027
Ashton Court, Bristol
Ashton Court Estate
Acoustic performances on the BIMM-produced Moon Stage and samba bands formed part of the Balloon Fiesta’s 2026 entertainment programme. Those live offerings, rather than the recorded Nightglow soundtrack, give it a place in this guide. The next fiesta is dated 13–15 August 2027, but its next musical programme is still to be announced.
Free entry; parking and hospitality charged
Last checked 2 October 2026