Bristol Harbour Festival celebrates 48th year showcasing Bristol talent

The 48th anniversary of the Bristol Harbour Festival attracted over 250,000 visitors to enjoy over 120 hours of entertainment, across seven stages from spoken word to the latest Bristol musical talent, local dance performers, world class circus and maritime activity.

This year’s festival saw a diverse programme as the expression of interest process brought hundreds of new performers into the festival from all corners of the city. Each area was carefully developed by the festival’s programmers Cirque Bijou, Trinity Bristol, Thekla, Tony Benjamin, My Future My Choice, Rebecca Tantony, Grain Barge, ss Great Britain and BBC Radio Bristol, Access Creative College and Jelli Records.

Feature vessels including Anny, a two-mast schooner making her first UK festival appearance, Caroline Allen, the world’s smallest tall ship and the Pelican of London drew alongside the floating harbour. The visiting fleet were also joined by the city’s own John KIng, Pyronaut, The Matthew and MV Balmoral. A new on-water feature saw the Royal Navy challenge Bristol’s engineering businesses to create cardboard aircraft carriers, which raced out into the harbour to land their mini drones on board and return to the launch point to be crowned the winner!

5000 people turned out to the Bristol Music Stage for one of the city’s favourite party bands Doreen Doreen and Rob Smith RSD featuring MC Joe Peng, headlining Saturday night. Sunday night closed to the familiar sounds of festival favourite Sheelanagig. Cirque Bijou’s stand out stage performance was Harmonic, marking their 20th anniversary, blending mesmerising spinning trapeze with live and looped cello. The area featured incredible walkabout acts including Giddy Kipper Sloth Time and Bubblina, entrancing children in Queen Square.

Accessibility was top of the agenda for festival organisers this year with additional changing place toilets including a Mobiloo in Millennium Square, raised and designated viewing areas installed in key areas and a new respite area was launched in M-Shed for those requiring a break from the action packed programme. WECIL and SENSE also returned for their second year to Millennium Square and provided sensory play and inclusive workshops for young people.

This year the festival was supported by South West based drinks partners Thatchers, Bath Ales and gin company Tarquins, a new addition for 2019. Crew Clothing, Bonne Maman and Karcher all provided experiences on Hannover Quay and the Western Boat Show even showcased the first fully recyclable kayak.

Bristol Harbour Festival returns for its 49th year on 18th-19th July 2020.

Bristol City Council invite visitors to give their feedback from the weekend by visiting www.bristol.gov.uk/harbourfeedback for a chance to win £100 value of Love to Shop vouchers.

Those looking to perform or be part of the jam-packed programme next year can head to the ‘Get Involved’ page on the website to find details about the expression of interest process for 2020.

For more information please visit www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk or follow @BristolHarbFest on Twitter, @BristolHarbourFest on Instagram and @BristolHarbourFestival on Facebook.

For more pictures, check out our gallery below.