Entertainment in Bristol: a 2025 primer of upcoming events

Whether you’re new to Bristol or are looking for events as a visitor, you’re in luck! This year’s lineup of festivals, carnivals and everything in between is truly something to behold. Are you wondering where to start looking for the best event? If so, keep reading – in this article, we’ll explore everything that Bristol offers residents and visitors alike in 2025.

What kinds of events does Bristol host?

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s take a look at the kinds of events you can expect in Bristol. This might be a bit surprising, but we’re quite a diverse city with many different cultures, interests and specialties! More than 90 languages are reported to be spoken in Bristol, for example, and it has been home to immigrants from all over the world for hundreds of years. Today’s city embraces this rich heritage and holds many events honouring its diverse communities. This means that you can expect a little bit of everything in terms of topics, interests and themes.

Four of the most popular annual events in Bristol include:

·        St Pauls Carnival

·        BS3

·        Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

·        Foodies Festival

Let’s explore what each of these events brings to the table and what visitors can expect.

BS3 (June)

Launched in 2024, Ashton Gate Presents BS3 is a festival dedicated to all things music. The event features two stages, 10 artists and lots of food and drink opportunities. Last year’s lineup included:

·        Ne-Yo

·        Craig David

·        Jess Glynne

·        DJ Spoony Presents Garage Classical

·        Dizzee Rascal

·        Damage

·        Stefflon Don

·        House Gospel Choir

·        Roni Size (local)

·        Krush (local)

While 2025’s lineup hasn’t been finalised at the time of writing, updates will surely be forthcoming as the date of the festival, 21st June 2025, nears. Visitors can expect lots of great music, thousands of fellow music lovers and maybe even live game shows along the way!

St Pauls Carnival (July)

What began as a modest multicultural event in 1968 has turned into a world-renowned celebration known as St Pauls Carnival. The event revolves around Bristol’s African Caribbean communities and is designed to showcase their rich artistic and cultural achievements.

If you’ve lived in Bristol for any length of time, you’re probably already familiar with St Pauls Carnival. If you’re new to the area or are visiting for the first time, however, you might not know what to expect. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the event is full of sound, revelry and art – it’s not the kind of festival where you sit around enjoying the peace and quiet. Instead, you can expect a riot of floats, live music, parades and colourful cultural bodypainting to converge in the streets.

St Pauls Carnival is one of the most celebrated and well-known festivals of the year in Bristol, and we think that it’s truly a ‘can’t miss’ event.

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (August)

For the past 46 years, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has been a staple event in the city. Taking place in August over the course of multiple days, the festival features hot air balloons from all around the globe as well as ground displays, air displays and six mass ascents. Beginning on 8th August 2025 and ending on 10th August 2025, the event has shrunk from its normal four-day timeframe to a shortened, but even more jam-packed, three-day affair in 2025.

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is one of the biggest events in the city, and it is free to attend. Whether you’re looking for fun in the sun or prefer a nighttime experience, the festival has something to offer.

Foodies Festival (May)

Bristol’s Foodies Festival is an annual event that’s too tasty to miss! Typically held in late May, the festival features the best food in the city as well as famous chefs from all over the world and even live music. Past years have seen more than 200 food stalls and pop-up restaurants and bars appear in the city over the event’s three-day run.

What do you think of Bristol’s 2025 entertainment offerings? These are just a few of the popular events to keep in mind this year.

Top image Pexels.com