Best ‘out of season’ festivals

Bristol Festival of Ideas (all year)

The Bristol Festival of Ideas aims to stimulate people’s minds and passions with an inspiring programme of discussion and debate throughout the year. Established in 2004, the Bristol Festival of Ideas emerged out of Bristol’s bid to be Capital of Culture in 2008. Designed to encourage debate and celebrate the work of great writers, commentators and thinkers in and outside the city, the festival has seen more than 2,000 events over the last 10 years and has hosted talks from some of the most inspirational people in their fields – from science and literary world to journalism and the arts. More info at: www.ideasfestival.co.uk

Bristol Family Arts Festival (Oct 9-Nov 1, 2015)

Tens of thousands of families enjoy a series of arts events in venues across the city over the course of a couple of weeks in the autumn – with storytelling on boats at the Arnolfini, nature-based activities with the National Trust’s 50 Things challenge at Leigh Woods, Kid Carpet and Noisy Neighbours musical event at the Bristol Old Vic and a tea dance at Watershed. The events in Bristol form part of a national family arts festival and cater for children of all ages. More info at www.bristolfamilyartsfestival.blogspot.co.uk

Simple Things, Bristol (Oct 23-24, 2015)

Fast becoming one of Bristol’s best known city festivals, Simple Things has grown in recent years and is now a firm fixture on the Colston Hall calendar – using the various stages in that space as well as other venues in the city to put on a broad mix of indie, electronica, post-rock and post-punk as well as up-and-coming DJs. This year’s lineup features Skepta & JME, Savages and Battles among many others. The pre-party, which takes place at Colston Hall on Fri Oct 23 features Godspeed You! Black Emperor. More info at: www.simplethingsfestival.co.uk

Shiiine On Weekender, Minehead, Somerset (Nov 6-9, 2015)

One of many Butlins Live Music Weekenders, this one at Minehead in Somerset focusses on the 90s indie scene – with a heavy leaning towards the mad fer it Manchester crowd. It features Happy Mondays, The Wonderstuff, Inspiral Carpets as well as a cache of Britpop acts – The Wedding Present, The Frank & Walters, Space, Menswear, Ultrasound, Mark Morriss (The Bluetones) and more. There’s also DJ sets, indie discos, pool parties and cinema screenings. You stay in chalets and enjoy full use of Butlins’ range of arcade games, fast food places and swimming pool. More info at: www.bigweekends.com (Read our Britpop feature in the September magazine).

ATP Festival, Prestatyn, Wales (Nov 27-29, 2015 and April 15-17, 2016)

After a tumultuous couple of years, ATP Festival has reinstated its popular UK holiday camp offering – but has moved it from Camber Sands to Minehead to Wales. The first comeback event, curated by Jake and Dinos Chapman this winter, features the likes of Natalie Prass, Pharmakon, Courtney Barnett, Lightning Bolt and more; with the Spring offering curated by Stewart Lee with the lineup yet to be announced. Both take place at Pontins in Prestatyn and see you staying in basic chalet accommodation which can only mean one thing…chalet parties! More info at: www.atpfestival.com

Bristol Slapstick Festival (Jan 17-23, 2016)

One of the highlights of the comedy calendar in Bristol, the excellently executed Slapstick Festival has a strong history of attracting some big hitters from the comedy circuit. It celebrates the tried-and-tested art of slapstick from the classic greats – Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy through Monty Python, David Jason and Lee Evans to up-and-coming slapstick comedians. The 12th offering of the three-day event sees the UK premiere of a 15-piece orchestra (The Bristol Ensemble) playing a live score to Charlie Chaplin’s 1921 cinematic masterpiece, The Kid. There are also appearances from Bill Odie, Chris Addison and Rick Wakeman. More info at: www.slapstick.org.uk

Bristol International Jazz and Blues Fest (March 18-20, 2016)

One for the jazz and blues fans here – of which Bristol has lots – a three-day extravaganza of quality sounds crossing a variety of jazzy genres, including swing, bebop, funk, latin, world, gypsy and more. Lineup to be announced later this year. 8,000 people enjoying 40+ concerts in one of the city’s finest big music venues, Colston Hall. The Bristol Jazz and Blues Fest also puts on some fringe events outside of the festival, including The September Swing at Colston Hall on September 19, featuring Lucy Moon & The Paper Moon Band. More info at: www.bristoljazzandbluesfest.com

Bristol Ska & Mod Fest (March 27, 2016)

Taking place at the aforementioned Motion nightclub and Marble Factory near Temple Meads Station, Bristol Ska & Mod fest is a niche offering for, well, fans of ska and mod music. The 2015 event saw the likes of Bad Manners and From The Jam and more, playing to hundreds of people and the date’s already been firmed up for 2016. 

Read our full feature on the death of festival season here.

Photo of ATP Festival by Sammich via Flickr