14 things to do at the Harbour Festival

1. Bocadalupa, College Green
Take the kids along to the College Green children’s area where Bristol based performance and arts company Bocadalupa will be making miniature bee gardens.

2. Ballet Black, Dance Village, Sunday 1.20pm
Ballet Black returns to the festival with an all new performance (To Fetch a Pail of Water) choreographed by Kit Holder and based on the nursery rhyme Jack and Jill.  Founded in 2001 the company’s aim has been to provide dancers and students of black and Asian descent with greater and more inspiring opportunities in the world of Ballet.

3. Foreign Affairs, The Dockside Stage, Saturday 7pm

Foreign Affairs are a Bristol Harbour Festival veteran of the Thekla Dockside stage. Pull up a deckchair and appreciate with a pint of Zero Degrees beer in hand.

4. No Stop Go, Queen Square, Friday 8.45pm
Headlining the Friday Night concert, No Stop Go is made up of 12 monster performers. This band dedicates its purpose to keeping the mighty flame of Afrobeat burning strong with funky instrumental solo sets and overpowering pace, combining perfectly with the Old Soul style vocals of Mary Lister. 

5. Screamin’ Miss Jackson & The Slap Ya Mama Big Band, Queen Square, Sunday 1.35pm
A combination of Western Swing, Jug Band Blues, Hokum Blues, Ragtime, Cajun and Roots of Country, making up a very unique sound. The group is an eight-piece including guitars, mandolin, harmonica, Banjo, double bass, washboard, and Drums and will be performing in Queen Square on Sunday lunchtime.

6. 2Faced Dance Company (Kapow), College Green, Sunday 12.30pm
Three of planet Earth’s greatest superheroes battle it out for the title of ‘Most Supreme Superhero… Ever’ on the Cirque Bijou stage on College Green.

7. In it for Good Show, Lloyds Amphitheatre, Friday and Saturday 10pm-10.30pm

Head down to the amphitheatre at 10pm on Friday and Saturday night and see the biggest projection mapping ever undertaken in the city. A 12-minute show projected on this iconic building to a soundtrack will be finished with pyrotechnics from the roof.

8. World of Happiness, Grove car park
This year, the Grove car park will be transformed into a World of Happiness with the chance to create your own flag to add onto the ‘bunting of the world’ that will decorate the Harbourside. The area will feature a stage from Bristol Plays Music, Thekla and the BBC’s Make it Digital tour with live events all weekend.

9. Cardboard boat racing, Floating Harbour, Saturday 12.30pm

The annual cardboard boat race is not one to miss, crews have the chance to design and sail their very own cardboard creations. Even if you are not taking part make sure you come along to check out the all the brilliant, and ridiculous, rafts that will be racing across the river.

10. Slackline Jam, Cathedral Walk, Saturday
Whether you’ve tried it before or you are an absolute novice, this is the perfect opportunity to try your hand at slack lining at the Cathedral Walk. Adding to the atmosphere will be Fergie and Casey’s suitcase sound system, providing some great music to bounce along to.

11. Westons’ traditional cider bar, Queen Square

Cider lover? Head directly to Queen Square where Westons will be hosting their traditional cider bar serving up such favourites as Henry Westons, Old Rosie and Wyld Wood along with a number of limited-edition beverages. Sample trays will also be available if you like to try before you buy. The Herefordshire brewery are also giving punters the chance to win a case of the good stuff.

12. Global Picnic, Grove car park, Sunday
The bring-your-own global picnic aims to bring Bristol’s 91 language communities together, stories will be told, bread will be broken and recipes will be shared. The event is part of the 91 Ways to Build a Global City Project.

13. Newfound Friends’ safety boat launch with Nigel Marven, Harbour, Saturday 3pm

Watch TV presenter and wildlife expert Nigel Marven get rescued by a team of 13 talented Newfoundland water rescue dogs. The four legged heroes are a regular fixture of the Bristol Harbour Festival and always draw a crowd. The rescue mission will launch Newfound Friends’ brand new safety boat.

14. Brisfest secret show, Prince Street toilets

Surprise gig? Circus? Art exhibition? Brisfest are keeping their lips sealed about whatever it is they’re hiding.

For the full Harbour Festival programme, visit www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk.