![A band performing and children playing with bubbles at Old City Sounds](https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/secretbristol.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/23163800/Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Untitled-Design-11-1024x536.jpg)
The summer holidays are in full swing and our diaries are filling up fast – so make sure to keep the August bank holiday weekend free (Saturday, August 24) for the return of Old City Sounds. After making its debut last year, the free, family-friendly music festival will be moving into some of Bristol’s most iconic venues.
Brought to life by Bristol City Centre BID, Old City Sounds will fill venues across the Old City with an eclectic mix of live music. Once again, King Street will set the tone, with The Old Duke hosting its famous Jazz Festival across the whole bank holiday weekend. The city’s legendary venue will host top jazz artists on the day, while Bristol Old Vic puts on three top-secret gigs throughout the day…
For families, The Kids Zone at St Stephen’s Church will be a hub of activity from 2 – 5pm – featuring crafts, face painting and a variety of workshops and performances. Starting with a Circus Skills Workshop, where kids can learn juggling, hula hooping and other unique circus skills. This is followed by a Bhangra Dance Workshop (2.30pm) and an African Drumming Workshop (3pm) – the schedule repeats at 3.30pm.
Vicky Lee, Director of Bristol City Centre BID, said: “Music is integral to Bristol’s culture – and we want to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together to enjoy this in one of the city’s oldest and most beautiful areas on August Bank Holiday Weekend. The one-day event will showcase the many and varied venues participating, bringing vibrancy to the area. We look forward to Old City Sounds bringing people together to celebrate the incredible and diverse musical talent we have here in Bristol.”
Nearby, Welsh Back will see DJs take to the decks on board the 6 O’clock Gin Boat, curated by international DJ and live act booking agency, The Pool Agency. Meanwhile, St Nicholas Street is set to be an eclectic mix of sounds, with Mothers Ruin, The Crown and Mr Wolfs playing host to a jam-packed and lively line-up of alternative bands and DJs.
Elsewhere, you’ll find a variety of performances on Corn Street, St Stephens and Avenue Street. Death Disco will serve slushies and tunes during the day and live music and burlesque performances at night; while Dirty Martini hosts eclectic DJs all day long. Small Street’s Blame Gloria has a ‘Lose Yourself To Disco’ Bottomless Brunch, while Baldwin Street’s Tonight Josephine is also getting in the party mood.
The full Old City Sounds programme will be revealed next month, but to for information in the meantime head here.