Well, that’s a wrap, almost… 2024 is coming to a close and it’s been a pretty special year. But, while our heads are filled up with Christmas, there’s so much to look forward to in 2025. Festivals, food halls, sculpture trails and more, this is everything that Bristol has going on in 2025.
1. Bristol Comedy Festival
Starting in January, the first-ever Bristol Comedy Festival will ‘stand up’ and lift our moods. Between January 12 and 25, there are more than 100 events lined up – including the launch of Bristol’s first city-wide Comedy Competition. You can learn more here.
2. Ilona Maher and the Women’s Rugby World Cup
The world’s most-followed rugby union player on social media joins Bristol Bears in January. Ilona Maher has signed a three-month contract until the end of the Premiership Women’s Rugby season, as she prepares to restart her XIs career ahead of the 2025 World Cup in England.
Ashton Gate is actually one of the chosen venues for the Women’s Rugby World Cup later in the year (August 22 to 27 September 27). Bristol will host one of the quarter-finals on the weekend of September 13, as well as also hosting both semi-finals on the weekend of September 19. Will we see the Red Roses or Ilona Maher and the USA Eagles make it that far? Only time will tell.
3. BoxHall
Every year we’re promised this, and every year, nothing… But maybe 2025 will be different? From the creators of BoxPark in London, BoxHall is the hotly anticipated modern food hall opening on Bristol’s Welsh Back. Set to take over the O&M sheds, and spearheaded by local chef Josh Eggleton, expect food, beer and music from local, independent traders.
4. IDLES at Queen Square
It’s the first time in over 20 years that Queen Square has ‘opened its doors’ to a major music event – the last time being Bristol’s Massive Attack in 2003. The city’s very own IDLES will perform two wild nights of live music on August 1 & 2, 2025, as they turn our favourite summer hangout spot into a Bristol block party with bands, DJs and the city’s best street food. It will also be IDLES only UK performance for 2025!
It’s not the only huge music festival/concert in the city in 2023 either. Bristol Sounds (June 25 – 29) sees Olly Murs, Texas, Supergrass and Kaiser Chiefs headline the harbourside concert series. Meanwhile, Love Saves the Day (May), Ashton Gate Presents BS3 (June 21), Bristol Pride (June 12) and Forwards (end of summer) will all return. Plus, there are also plans for a new Make Music Day on June 21 (more details soon).
5. Gromit Unleashed 3
After 10 years, 500 sculptures and £20 million raised for Bristol Children’s Hospital, Gromit Unleashed is back in the city for 2025. Gromit Unleashed 3 will offer Bristolians a summer of sculpture-spotting fun from June 30 to August 31. The nine-week free public art trail will see ‘Wallace & Gromit’ sculptures, reimagined in movie-inspired designs, pop up all over the city – from iconic locations to hidden corners.
6. Bristol Light Festival
Bristol Light Festival is set to return to Bristol for 10 days of light-based artworks from January 31 to February 9 – its fifth iteration to Bristol’s city centre. Lighting up the winter months, prepare to be dazzled by anything from pink flamingos and the return of the musical swing.
If more FREE cultural events are what you’re after in 2025, then Bristol has plenty more of those over the summer too. Bristol Harbour Festival offers a mix of circus and on-water activities, as well as music, food and beautiful boats in the harbour. Europe’s largest hot air balloon festival, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (August 8-10) will also return with its iconic mass ascents and popular Night Glows.
7. We The Curious
After only reopening this summer, We the Curious is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025. No details have been announced yet, but we’re expecting plenty of events to be happening at the science centre and around Bristol too in 2025. Plus, there are plenty of other anniversaries we can look forward to celebrating.
This includes the 85-year commemoration of the Bristol Blitz (November). Arnolfini’s 50th anniversary, Bristol Aquarium’s 15th anniversary and, in February, Slapstick Festival is marking its 20th anniversary with Harry Enfield, Martin Freeman and many others. Oh, and if that weren’t enough, Bath will be one of the cities celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.