From the 15^th – 17^th July 2016, Bristol will be transformed into a hub of creativity for the Bristol Harbour Festival. Celebrating Bristol’s rich maritime history and creative arts scene, Bristol Harbour Festival will combine a show-stopping programme of live music, dance, circus acts and family-friendly activities – and best of all, it’s completely free!

Locals and visitors alike are welcome to take part in this harbour side festival that celebrates Bristol’s rich maritime history. At the heart of this festival is a sense of community, as it all started when a protesting collection of boat owners gathered together to make sure the harbour wasn’t turned in to a city centre motor way.

Today, The Bristol Harbour Festival has evolved in to a weekend-long event with something for all the family to enjoy. Here’s what you can expect to find at the festival in 2016…

Live Music 
Echo and the Bunnymen will open the festival, followed by a whole host of live music across the weekend. The Bunnymen will be bringing a huge back catalogue of classic songs, including Killing Moon, The Cutter, Never Stop and Bring on the Dancing Horses. Songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Nick Heyward will be the supporting act.

Dance Village
Dance Village is a daytime programme of outdoor dance performance and participation, which spans across two days of the festival. A combination of national companies, regional artists and youth and community dance groups will take to the stage to perform diverse dances sequences. The Dance Village is set to be one of the greatest spectacles of the Bristol Harbour Festival.

Circus Performers
The Bristol based Cirque Bijou have put together a programme of circus, acrobatics, comedy, aerial performance and dance as well as a host of street theatre and games. This will all be taking place within Bristol’s Castle Park, which has a children’s area dedicated for special family activities. You can even bring your baby for a multi-sensory music and movement session.

Where to stay
Located right in the heart of Bristol’s Harbour side, The Bristol offers guests a haven of calm right next to all the action of the Bristol Harbour Festival. Many of the rooms overlook the iconic Harbour side, and The Shore Bar will be hosting a Hog Roast from lunchtime on Friday 15th to the end of the day on Sunday 17th. Along with a BBQ and an outside bar, it’s the perfect place to relax whilst enjoying the buzz of the festival.    

Check the Bristol Harbour Festival website for the full programme of events.

Are you planning to visit Bristol Harbour Festival 2016? Tweet us at @BristolDoyle and let us know what you’re planning to see.

All images © Paul Box. All Rights Reserved.