Bristol Legends News / Bristol Legends
Bristol Legends: The Shortlist
Collating more than 1500 public nominations and their own personal favourites, our teams of expert panellists have finalised the shortlists for Bristol Legends 2026.
Each list aims to celebrate the incredible talents, organisations and communities that we have in Bristol, from sporting stars and innovative minds to musicians and artists making waves in their fields.
The winner of each category will be announced at our first-of-its-kind awards ceremony at Ashton Gate on March 6.
Community – sponsored by Great Western Credit Union
Bristol is powered by its communities, groups and local initiatives – photo: Evoke Pictures Lifestyle Photography
Youth Groups and projects:
Inclusive communities:
Activists:
Other:
Visual Arts
This category celebrates the creatives and artists that make up Bristol’s visual arts scene – photo: Dan Weill
Artists:
Venues:
Exhibitions and Events:
Newcomer:
Arts leaders:
- Colin Higginson / Art in Motion
- Matthew Austin and Kate Yedigaroff / MAYK
- Euella Jackson / Rising Arts Agency
Performing Arts
With internationally revered venues and local groups alike, Bristol’s performing arts world is a wonderful asset to the city – photo: Andre Pattenden
Performer:
Newcomer:
Venue:
Event or Show:
Other:
Music – sponsored by YTL
Bristol’s music scene has endless talents worth celebrating – photo: Luca Rosewell
Event:
Live Act/DJ:
Newcomer:
Venue:
Other:
Business
A centre for innovation and independent business, Bristol has so many business minds to celebrate – photo: Lucy Kenchington
Start-ups:
Innovation:
Business leaders:
Independent retailer:
Global impact:
Other:
Sport – sponsored by Exacta Technologies Ltd.
Bristol is a hub for international and local sporting endeavours – photo: Rogan & Bristol Bears
Venues and facilities:
Sportsperson:
Sports team:
- Bristol Thunder Korfball Club
- Bristol Swifts Badminton Club
- Afghan Youth Cricket Bristol
- Bristol After Stroke Walking Football
Newcomer:
Other:
Sustainability – sponsored by Bristol Waste
These organisations and activists help keep Bristol green – photo: Rob Browne
Nature and biodiversity:
- Heart of BS13/Jenny Liggitt
- Festival of Nature
- Black2Nature
- Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust (Really Wild Lockleaze)
Energy, home and transport:
Activists, campaigners and volunteers:
Other:
Food and Drink – sponsored by ViFi
This category celebrates the finest dinner spots, sweet treat havens, boozers and more – photo: Bokman
Restaurants:
Pubs and bars:
Cafes:
Other:
Main photo: Bristol24/7
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