Everything you need to know about Bristol Harbour Festival 2023
Posted on: 13 Jul 2023With the iconic festival set to take over Bristol harbourside from tomorrow, it’s the perfect time to brush up on what’s happening and where at the city’s flagship event.
Bristol Harbour Festival begins on Friday 14 and runs until Sunday 16 July 2023.
Bristol is bracing itself for three nights of nautical magic this weekend and we celebrate the city’s 650thanniversary with the biggest and best local talents in music, circus and children’s entertainment talents taking over five stages including the Circus Playground, Harbour View and the Music Quarter.
Find out more about the festival programme here or read on for more information.
Harbour View (Lloyds Amphitheatre)
A Harbour Festival regular, the Amphitheatre is always a popular destination for revellers over the weekend. Now named ‘Harbour View’, this is a space where you can enjoy a bite to eat from the food court complimented with music hand-picked by Access Creative College, Ujima Radio and BCFM. For a rundown of the lineup, head to the festival website.
Putting Bristol talent at the forefront of the festival, be sure to check out LAKEDOWN, Karson Chivers and Cassidy at Harbour View ????
— Bristol Harbour Fest (@BristolHarbFest) July 12, 2023
Read the full programme here ???? https://t.co/DxLF7ntRFT pic.twitter.com/KcVwfze2XG
The Music Quarter (Queen Square)
Another beloved corner of the festival is The Music Quarter in Queen Square, curated by Harbour Fest programming legend, Tony Benjamin. The stage will kick start the festival tomorrow night with an array of the South West’s top musical talents scheduled.
Expect dynamic sets from the likes of all-female DJ troupe Booty Bass, Bristol reggae outfit Da Fuchaman’s Fire Blaze Band, The Windrush Choir (fresh from playing Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage), seasoned local DJ John Stapleton and many more. The full lineup is available here.
For the first time, Friday night’s main music stage is being given over to DJs ???? Specifically, Booty Bass, the women and non-binary DJ collective embracing bass music from across
— Bristol Harbour Fest (@BristolHarbFest) July 7, 2023
the globe.
Who's heading to the Music Quarter in Queen Square from 5pm-10pm? pic.twitter.com/mDJqLMo64Z
On The Water (Floating Harbour)
Celebrating Bristol’s illustrious maritime heritage as part of the city’s 650th anniversary, On The Water at the iconic floating harbour will offer attendees of all ages an array of water events with the Young Shipwrights Boat Race, the Cardboard Boat Race, a performance from freestyle jetski British champion Jack Moule and more. Find out more here.
An absolute crowd favourite, the one and only James Prestwood will be back on the water and we can't wait to see what he's got in store for us this year. Hands up if you remember the iconic #Spiderman performance from last year?
— Bristol Harbour Fest (@BristolHarbFest) June 15, 2023
What a show... and a much-needed cooldown! pic.twitter.com/EKHNF30XJT
Circus Playground (College Green)
Transformed into Circus Playground for the weekend, Bristol’s College Green will see a programme of show-stopping entertainment takeover the sprawling lawn. With everything from daredevil stunts and circus entertainers to comedy and children's shows courtesy of local collective Cirque Bijou, this is sure to prove a popular spectacle. Read more here.
Talk about a mind-bending performance ????
— Bristol Harbour Fest (@BristolHarbFest) July 3, 2023
We can't wait to see Bendy Bendini and his marvellous body manipulations and contortion at the Circus Playground ???? Presented by @cirquebijou, see him flexing some outrageous shapes at the Harbour Festival. https://t.co/PjggMHDKQj pic.twitter.com/HBPCxRDIBG
Jelli Shack (Millennium Square)
The Jelli Records crew will take over Millennium Square for the weekend, curating a diverse, laid-back line-up of acoustic performers. Transformed into a luxurious beach bar featuring homegrown talents including Show Choir, 80s inspired 3-piece Gold Fever, singer-songwriter Karen Swan and My Creatures and others. A full line-up can be seen here.
We bring the vibes, you bring your shades ????Jelli Shack, be there or be (Millennium) Square????#BristolHarbourFestival #VisitBristol pic.twitter.com/zpNaf5UGEy
— Bristol Harbour Fest (@BristolHarbFest) July 11, 2023
Thekla
In addition to the various stage spread throughout the picturesque harbourside, beloved on-the-water venue Bristol will be hosting a vastly talented line-up of local favourites, including gritty hyper pop producer and vocalist Tlya X An, art rock deviants Belishas and indie pop outfit deadheading.
Come and find us at @BristolHarbFest next weekend!
— Thekla Bristol (@theklabristol) July 9, 2023
We've got a full programme of live music in our cargo hold, with our famous @WhiteClaw Silent Disco on Top Deck.
Absolutely free entry all day long. https://t.co/s9UKeSVOJ9
Louisiana
Another Bristol music institution, Louisiana will also be hosting as many as 40 live music acts. Standouts include lo-fi noise pop newcomers Sunglasz Vendor, post-hardcore four-piece The Rothmans, much-loved new wave/dance duo Getdown Services, improvised jazz project Big Fuss Ensemble and experimental post-rockers HAAL.
@BristolHarbFest Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th July fringe event @LouisianaBris - So many incredibles bands over 2 days:
— Louisiana Bristol (@LouisianaBris) July 9, 2023
Doors: 12.00
Free Entry
All ages before 18.00
18+ after 18.00 pic.twitter.com/3QzBTvoyhq
Bristol Harbour Festival begins on Friday 14 and runs until Sunday 16 July 2023. For more information visit the festival website.
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