Already well into May, it's hard to believe just how quickly 2024 is flying by. And, while so many events have already been and gone, there's still so much to look forward to this summer in particular. It's set to be a year full of festivals, fun, music, comedy, film, food, drink and more.
Some big names will be paying us a visit and venues new and old will be making this next journey around the sun one that won't be forgotten. Whether you're looking forward to the likes of Take That performing at Ashton Gate, or are eagerly awaiting watching some of your faves take to the stage at the likes of Love Saves The Day, Dot to Dot or Valley Fest, here are the dates you need to save in your diaries.
All of the information listed below is correct at time of writing, but is subject to change. We'll be bringing you more information for each event as it is announced and will update this page accordingly. And if you're after a food and drink festival guide for the year ahead - check this one out.
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Upfest
When: Friday, May 17 - Sunday, June 2, 2024
Where: Across the BS3 area
Upfest is dedicated to bringing the biggest names on the street art scene, as well as local artists, to paint live in front of visitors, leaving this area of the city full of stunning artwork, thought-provoking murals, and other pieces - some of which remain on buildings for years to come.
Since its first festival in 2008, Upfest has always been free to register for an artist space, and to attend. Organisers say: "We want to keep it that way so this year we'll be adapting our approach and hosting a 17-day cultural programme.
"Instead of our weekend festival in the park, Upfest will return in 2024 in a new guise, with new artworks being painted across two weeks. Upfest Presents will pop-up at multiple venues across Bedminster and the wider BS3 area with free to attend workshops, live painting, artist talks, arts activities, panel discussions, theatre, comedy and tours exploring the area. Get involved, help make Upfest Presents even more spectacular!"
Love Saves the Day
When: Saturday, May 25 - Sunday, May 26, 2024
Where: Ashton Court
With Love Saves The Day 2024 only a matter of days away, the countdown is well and truly on before a Bank Holiday weekend of live music returns to Ashton Court. Taking place on May 25 and 26, it's set to be the 'biggest' yet, with a huge array of artists on the line-up.
The festival will run from 12-11pm each day and this year's four headline acts include Camelphat and Rudimental on the Saturday, and The Streets and Sub Focus (presents Evolve) on the Sunday. Tickets are still available as of May 9, however many are at their last possible tier price. One pound from every ticket sale is distributed to various charitable organisations associated with the Love Saves the Day name.
Other names on the line-up include Wilkinson, Goldie, Katy B, Sigma, Sub Focus, Groove Armada, and Shy FX, to name but a few. See the full line-up here.
Dot to Dot Festival
When: Saturday, May 25, 2024
Where: Various venues across Bristol
Tickets for Dot To Dot Festival 2024 are on sale now, with tickets now on the fifth and final release. The festival brings a whole host of emerging talent from around the globe, across some of the best stages in Bristol.
Acts on the line-up so far include Yard Act, Alvvays, The Murder Capital, Finn Foxell, Kofi Stone, yunè pinku, Hamish Hawk, High Vis, 86TVs, Grove, Beka, Fat Dog, Cryalot, Opus Kink, Nieve Ella, Benefits and many more.
Bristol Sounds
When: June 22-30, 2024
Where: Bristol Harbourside
Bristol Sounds takes place at the Amphitheatre in Bristol annually, playing host to several days of music from some well-known performers. The line-up includes the likes of Busted, Gentleman's Dub Club, The Skints, James Arthur, Placebo, Annie Mac, The Breeders, and more, and this year there will be one key difference as the event marks its 10th anniversary.
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St Pauls Carnival
When: TBC
Where: TBC
Following the success of this year's street carnival, the first since 2019, organisers of this much-loved event are now 'looking to the future' and considering staging a full-scale carnival every two years. That means 2024 will see the return to the event's community-led 'Back-a-Yard' format, which was successfully run during the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Organisers will "also continue ongoing year-round initiatives, including the highly popular schools’ and education programme which forms part of Carnival 365".
Bristol Comedy Garden
When: June 12-16
Where: Queen Square
Bristol Comedy Garden - the region's largest comedy festival - returns in June for five nights of 'all-star stand-up' in a Big Top in Queen Square. The line-up for this year is full of household names - from Stewart Lee and Harry Hill, to Josh Widdicombe, Sara Pascoe and Dara O'Briain.
Scotland's comedy powerhouse Fern Brady is on the bill, as well as Dylan Moran, Bafta nominee Simon Amstell, and Sindhu Vee. And you can expect to see Tim Key, Ivo Graham, Sam Campbell, Jamali Maddix, Helen Bauer and Bristol's Jayde Adams.
The Comedy Garden has been running for 14 years and is firmly established as the region's 'mightiest comedy extravaganza'. The annual showcase promises comedy fans the absolute best names in the industry, combined with stocked bars and an array of street food.
Many of the tickets have already sold out - you can check availability for your favourite acts here.
BS3
When: Saturday, June 22
Where: Ashton Gate Stadium
Ashton Gate Presents....BS3 Live is taking place on Saturday, June 22 this year. That's after Take That's double-header in early June, and the day before Kings of Leon rock Ashton Gate on the Sunday evening.
It will see ten artists across two stages and will include the likes of Ne-Yo, Craig David, Roni Size, Fatman Scoop, Stefflon Don, Dizzee Rascal, Damage and more across the line-up. Find out more and get your tickets here.
Bristol Pride
When: June 29 - July 14, with Pride Day falling on Saturday, July 13, 2024
Where: Various locations across the city, with Pride Day taking place at The Downs
Following the success of 2023's Pride celebrations - which included performances on Pride Day by the likes of Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears, and Natalie Imbruglia - the countdown to Bristol Pride 2024 has well and truly begun. Eighties legends The Human League are coming to Bristol to headline Bristol Pride Festival as it marks its 15th anniversary.
Alongside The Human League, organisers have released the rest of the main stage line-up, including dance star Georgia, 90s legend Rozalla, MantarayBryn, synth band CatBear, Basement Jaxx singer and Ronnie Scott's resident Vula Malinga, Sing Out Bristol, Swedish pop royalty Charlotte Perrelli, and BBC Project Ikon winner, Dylan and The Moon. Claire Richards from Steps and global icons Ladytron round out the line-up for 2024.
Supporter Wristbands for this year’s festival are already available online and are on sale from £9.
We The Curious reopens
When: July 6
The science centre will be opening its doors again in the summer, with tickets to the celebration event on July 6 going on sale in the coming weeks. To mark the countdown, the team have put together 73 ways to get curious via the We The Curious website here.
You can also follow along on social media, where activities will be revealed each week and you can share pictures of your family trying activities at home, with the social media hashtag - #73Ways.
We The Curious closed in April 2022 following a fire which devastated the popular tourist attraction. The roof-top fire left the building severely water damaged.
Harbour Festival
When: Friday, July 19 - Sunday, July 21
Where: Bristol Harbourside
A multitude of activities - including entertainment, music, food and drink, and the like - take place at venues around Bristol's Harbourside each year, during the city's Harbour Festival celebrations. Bringing the best of Bristol’s emerging artists as well as established and international performers across all genres, festival goers can expect 'three days of back-to-back entertainment alongside some proper maritime magic' with the Harbour Fest's on-the-water programme. More announcements to come soon via the official festival website, here.
Valley Fest
When: August 1-4, 2024
Where: Chew Magna
Valley Fest is set to return in 2024 with more massive UK headline acts and rising stars in the world of live music, and some of Bristol's best culinary talent. Celebrating its 10th birthday, the line-up so far includes the likes of The Feeling, The Skids, Tinie Tempah, Sister Sledge, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Doreen Doreen and Beatles Dub Club, among others.
Tickets are on sale now. Get yours here.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
When: August 9-11, with community launches in the lead up to the event
Where: Ashton Court
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta will no longer be a four-day event, with this year being the first to see the festival cut back to three days. However, in the run up to the main Ashton Court arena event, community launches will be taking place around Bristol - you can even nominate your local area and a local hero for the privilege.
This year's Fiesta will see an on-site fine-dining restaurant, the National Ballooning Championships, two night glows and even some old special shapes making a return. The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta remains a free event - find out more here.
