Dates announced for 2024's edition of the Bristol Harbour Festival
It's one of the country's biggest free-to-attend events
The dates for the iconic Bristol Harbour Festival have been announced - and performers are urged to get involved.
It's one of the UK's largest free-to-attend events, attracting around 250,000 people, and is back between the 19th and 21st of July, showcasing the city's rich maritime, musical and cultural heritage.
Applications are now open to take centre stage - with organisers putting 'local talent at the forefront' of this year's edition.
You can submit an application of interest on the Bristol Harbour Festival website now - until the deadline of Wednesday, January 31.
Organisers say they are hoping to attract the newest and coolest into the festival from all corners of the city.
Delivered by Bristol City Council, this year will also see two of the city’s Business Improvement Districts, Bristol City Centre BID and Redcliffe & Temple BID, become key stakeholders in the event.
For 2024, Bristol Harbour Festival will be curated, produced and delivered by international events production agency, Proud Events, in partnership with immersive theatre and events company, Swans Events, whose roster include UK Black Pride, The Cambridge Club, Wychwood Festival, Sheffield Food Festival, Festival of the Sea Grimsby and Lightopia Festival.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “Bristol’s Harbour Festival is a key date in our city’s calendar, and an essential platform for aspiring local artists and talent to perform in front of huge audiences.
"We are proud that we have continued to keep the city’s largest festival, which is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Bristol’s diverse creativity and talent, as a free event for all.
"We can look forward to celebrating together and bringing another brilliant free festival to Bristol this summer.”
An on-the-ground steering group has been brought together, to assist in curating a festival that represents both local ethos and talent as well as international best practice in event operations and production. Local organisations on board include cultural icons Bristol Old Vic, Watershed, Bristol Pride, ACH Refugee Integration Services Provider and Bristol Community Ferry Boats Ltd. amongst many more, in order to represent the diverse communities and businesses that Bristol is proud to play home to.
Harry Feigen, Managing Director at Proud Events, said: “It’s fantastic to be bringing the iconic Bristol Harbour Festival to life in collaboration with an array of Bristol’s leading institutions. Partnering with Bristol City Council, Bristol City Centre BID, Redcliffe & Temple BID and a host of stakeholders from key cultural organisations in the city, the 2024 Bristol Harbour Festival will aim to represent the diverse communities and initiatives that live and operate in Bristol.
"The local steering group will provide unrivalled insight into the grassroots communities here - and we are keen to use the iconic platform of the festival to celebrate as many as possible.”
Applications for boat owners and visiting vessels who wish to attend this year’s festival will soon go live, as will applications for trading at the festival. More information can be found on the Harbour Festival website.
You can check out more about last year's edition here: Plans revealed for Bristol Harbour Festival 2023