Everything you need to know about Bristol Harbour Festival 2023

Everything you need to know about Bristol Harbour Festival 2023

Posted on: 13 Jul 2023

With 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. 

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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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Article by:

Stanley Gray

Stan is a born and bred Bristolian, recently graduated from studying English Literature in Sheffield. His passions are music and literature and he spends the majority of his time in venues all over the city, immersing himself in Bristol’s alternative music scene. A lifelong Bristol City fan, Stan’s Saturdays are spent watching his team both home and away.