All the events and festival planned to take place on the Downs in 2021

A list of all the events that could take place on The Downs this summer has been released by Bristol City Council.

Around a dozen events could take place in the coming months if the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown goes according to plan.

Food and music festivals are among the events that Bristolians have to look forward to, if Covid-19 restrictions allow. And, after a year spent mainly at home, football is set to resume on the Downs in April.

Presenting the tentative list of events to the Downs Committee on Monday, March 22, council events officer Amanda Sharpe said the events would only go ahead if permitted by coronavirus restrictions and guidelines in place at the time.

No live events can take place until at least June 21, according to the Government’s plan to ease lockdown restrictions in England. But temporary, outdoor hospitality venues can reopen from April 12 under the plan.

So, as a pop-up bar and restaurant pop-up, Breaking Bread will make a return to Durdham Downs from April 12, if Covid-19 restrictions allow. It is set to re-appear on the site next to the Water Tower, where it could stay until September.

Breaking Bread will return in April. Photo: Martin Booth

These are the currently scheduled to take place between June 21 and September/October 2021.

• Bristol Comedy Garden. Late June to early July at the showground site
• March for Men. June at the Parrys Lane site
• Cycle Sunday. July on closed roads and Circular Road
• Adventure Cinema. August at the Parrys Lane site
• Foodies Festival. September at the Parrys Lane site
• Love Saves The Day. September at the Circular Road site
• Downs Circus. Late September to early October at the showground site
• Student Union event. September at the Parrys Lane site
• Race for Life, which is usually held in June, is expected to be held in August at the Downs
• Bristol Pride, which usually takes place in July on the Downs, may be postponed until later in the year

Sharpe said: “The situation with the events programme is ever changing. Obviously, events will only go ahead if organisers can demonstrate to the Safety Advisory Group that their event complies with Covid guidelines.

“All event organisers’ plans will be thoroughly checked by the Safety Advisory Group before site licenses are issued.”

Bristol Comedy Garden is moving from Queen Square to the Downs for 2021. Photo: Bristol Comedy Garden

The Bristol Downs Association Football League is to resume early next month after the 2020/21 season was cancelled due to the pandemic, committee members heard.

Play will continue with a cup competition that starts on Saturday, April 3, and lasts until Saturday, May 8, with evening matches in April.

The University of Bristol intramural football will resume on Wednesday, March 31, with their last game on Wednesday, May 12.

Players will have to come dressed for matches as the dressing rooms will be closed due to coronavirus restrictions.

Committee member councillor Kye Dudd said teams were grateful for the opportunity to play football again.

“I know it’s very much welcome with a lot of the players in the football league,” he said.  “Many of them have been struggling with their mental health recently, being stuck indoors.

“It’s really given them something to look forward to and to hope for.”

The Downs Committee, which manages the huge public green space in Bristol, is made up of city councillors and members of the Society of Merchant Venturers.

Amanda Cameron is a local democracy reporter for Bristol.

Main photo: Dan Sheppard

Read more: Breaking Bread announces return