Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the first-ever Bristol Birdman. With a ramp being set up on Bristol Harbourside on June 15, 2025, we’re expecting almost a dozen teams to fly (or try to at least) across the water—whatever happens, it’s bound to make a splash in Bristol!
While Birdman events have been happening in the UK for over 50 years, this is the very first in Bristol. Delivered by Grassroot Communities—a local organisation creating sustainable change through youth and community work—all profits will go directly back into its programme.
What is the Bristol Birdman?
The first-ever Birdman had people throwing themselves off a pier in West Sussex (Selsey, 1971) in homemade, human-powered flying machines. Since then, these farcical spectacles have captured the British public’s imagination from Blackpool to Bognor Regis.
The rules remain very much the same for the first Bristol Birdman. Using only recycled resources that can be reused to be used for the Birdman contraptions, participants must create homemade machines or costumes to see who can fly the furthest before landing in the water.
How do I enter?
There are 12 team spots open to local businesses, and each needs £2,000 to enter (to help pay for the event and raise money for Grassroot Communities). This inaugural year’s participants include everyone from software engineers to restaurants, including Amdaris, Arup, Bakehouse Factory, Brightpearle, CPA, Puppet Place and Tomo No Ramen.
Can I just watch the Bristol Birdman?
Of course! It’s going to be a lot of fun whether you’re watching or participating. The Bristol Birdman will take place between the Bristol Marina and The Cottage Inn, from, 10am to noon, on Sunday, June 15. But you should be able to see these contraptions take flight from several vantage points around the harbour.
To learn more about Bristol Birdman and to register your interest, head here.