Bristol's biggest events in the year ahead are the Bristol Light Festival from 18 to 27 February 2027, the Harbour Festival in July and the Balloon Fiesta in August, both free. Use the month picker below to see what's on when you visit, with links to each event's official details.
What's on in Bristol this month?
Tap a month to see what's on. A dot marks months with a major event.
Key takeaways
- The next event with confirmed dates is the Bristol Light Festival, from 18 to 27 February 2027.
- The Harbour Festival and the Balloon Fiesta are both free, and neither has announced its 2027 dates yet.
- Visit West estimates the 2026 Light Festival drew 200,000 visitors over ten days.
- The Christmas Market's 2026 dates aren't on the official site yet. The 2025 market ran from 7 November to 23 December.
What are the main Bristol events in the year ahead?
| When | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| November to December 2026 (2025: 7 November to 23 December) | Bristol Christmas Market | Broadmead |
| 18 to 27 February 2027 | Bristol Light Festival | Locations across the city centre |
| July 2027 (2026: 17 to 19 July) | Bristol Harbour Festival | Bristol Harbourside |
| August 2027 (2026: 7 to 9 August) | Bristol International Balloon Fiesta | Ashton Court Estate |
Where an organiser hasn't announced its 2027 dates yet, we show the 2026 dates as a guide and say so.
When is the Bristol Light Festival?
Visit West lists the 2027 festival from Thursday 18 to Saturday 27 February, timed with the final weekend of the February half term. Visit West estimates the 2026 festival welcomed around 200,000 visitors over ten days.
When is the Bristol Balloon Fiesta?
The organisers listed the 2026 fiesta from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August at Ashton Court Estate, with more than 100 hot air balloons in the mass ascents at dawn and dusk, weather permitting. The fiesta is free and unticketed. The 2027 dates haven't been announced yet.
When is Bristol Harbour Festival?
GWR listed the 2026 Harbour Festival from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July, with stages around the Amphitheatre, College Green, Millennium Square and Queen Square. The 2027 dates haven't been announced yet.
When is the Bristol Christmas Market?
Bristol Shopping Quarter listed the 2025 market in Broadmead from Friday 7 November to Tuesday 23 December. Bristol Shopping Quarter hasn't published the 2026 dates yet.
Where can you stay for Bristol's events?
For the Balloon Fiesta, homes in Clifton, Hotwells and Southville are closest to Ashton Court. For the Harbour Festival and the Light Festival, the city centre and Harbourside keep you within walking distance. Fiesta weekends book up early, especially for larger groups needing a whole house.
Driving in? Our Bristol parking guide lists the car parks, prices and Park & Ride.
Own a home in Bristol? Balloon Fiesta weekends mean full houses, late arrivals and the 10pm "we can't find the key safe" call. A local manager from the Houst network takes those calls for you, and Guestwise manages short lets from 12% + VAT. See Airbnb management in Bristol.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Bristol Light Festival 2027?
Visit West lists the Bristol Light Festival from Thursday 18 to Saturday 27 February 2027.
When is the Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2027?
The 2027 dates haven't been announced yet. The organisers listed the 2026 fiesta from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August at Ashton Court Estate.
When is Bristol Harbour Festival 2027?
The 2027 dates haven't been announced yet. GWR listed the 2026 festival from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July.
When is the Bristol Christmas Market?
The 2026 dates aren't on the Bristol Shopping Quarter site yet. The 2025 market ran from Friday 7 November to Tuesday 23 December in Broadmead.
Is the Bristol Balloon Fiesta free?
Yes. The organisers state that the fiesta is free and unticketed.
Related guides
Sources
Event dates come from the linked official pages and can change. Check the organiser's website before you travel.