News

Experience & Promotion
29 Jan 2026
From caves to circus: Bristol Light Festival unveils dazzling final line-up for 2026
New programme additions announced include a luminous underground artwork, a projection celebrating Bristol’s electric heritage, interactive swings, circus spectacle and a new partnership with St Peter
Experience & Promotion
21 Jan 2026
From tiny fairies to a giant cat: Bristol Light Festival reveals new installations for 2026
The award-winning free festival has announced more installations lighting up the city between Thursday 19th and Saturday 28th February 2026*
Press Releases
19 Jan 2026
Bristol sets sights on UK City of Culture 2029 bid
Bristol is preparing to take its first steps towards a potential bid to become the UK City of Culture in 2029 a title that celebrates creativity, community, and the power of culture to transform lives
Experience & Promotion
15 Jan 2026
Bristol Harbour Festival 2026: A bold return to the water
Bristol Harbour Festival has announced a transformed harbourside layout and invites performers, traders and vessels to get involved in the iconic summer celebration
Safe & Supported Communities
14 Jan 2026
Monthly Footfall Overview: December 2025
Overall, December experiences a slight decrease in footfall compared to November, however, patterns in visitor behaviour, spending power and visit frequency continue to offer valuable insights.
Experience & Promotion
5 Jan 2026
Cameron Balloons to inflate the magic at Bristol Light Festival 2026 with spectacular new interactive installation
Bristol’s most iconic makers unveil The Lite Series, a brand-new and interactive hot air balloon experience transforming College Green
Experience & Promotion
22 Dec 2025
Maisie Adam leads major new wave of shows announced for The Bristol Comedy Festival 2026
Taskmaster winner joins expanded citywide programme as more than 150 comedy shows take over Bristol in January
Experience & Promotion
18 Dec 2025
Final ‘12 Days of Bristmas’ prizes revealed – from Wake the Tiger’s London preview to a private Pizzarova party
Bristol BID’s festive prize campaign wraps up with four exclusive, one-of-a-kind local experiences
Experience & Promotion
16 Dec 2025
Liz West to transform Cabot Circus car park into dazzling headline light installation for Bristol Light Festival 2026
Two large-scale artworks will anchor an expanded city-wide programme, as acclaimed artist returns to Bristol with a bold reimagining of colour, light and public space
Safe & Supported Communities
16 Dec 2025
Celebrating 500 Patrols for Bristol Street Pastors
Bristol Street Pastors hit a significant milestone, completing their 500th patrol
Safe & Supported Communities
9 Dec 2025
Monthly Footfall Overview: November 2025
Overall, November experiences a slight decrease in footfall compared to October, however, patterns in visitor behaviour, spending power and visit frequency continue to offer valuable insights.
Love Bristol Gift Card
1 Dec 2025
Private balloon flights, backstage passes and your own radio slot: Bristol’s ‘12 Days of Bristmas’ unveils four more money-can’t-buy prizes
Part of Bristol BID’s mission to spotlight local culture, the Christmas giveaway offers rare access to the city’s most iconic experiences
Experience & Promotion
26 Nov 2025
Tickets now on sale for The Bristol Comedy Festival 2026 as five Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2025 Best Show nominees are announced
With support from Bristol BID, the festival returns citywide with an expanded programme, award-winning acts and more venues than ever before
Experience & Promotion
26 Nov 2025
The countdown to Christmas is on with Bristol’s Festive lights
Our Christmas lights are back to get you into the festive mood in the run-up to Christmas.
Safe & Supported Communities
25 Nov 2025
SaBA week makes a successful return to Bristol for November 2025
The latest SaBA Week delivered a highly coordinated and effective programme of operational policing, safeguarding activity, and partnership working across the Bristol BID.
Experience & Promotion
18 Nov 2025
Win a piece of the city: ‘12 Days of Bristmas’ competition launches today with exclusive, money-can’t-buy Bristol experiences
First four exclusive prizes revealed - including a bespoke UPFEST mural for your home and backstage access at Bristol Beacon
Experience & Promotion
13 Nov 2025
Bristol Light Festival to illuminate new areas of the city for dazzling 2026 edition
Festival to illuminate Bristol between Thursday 19th - Saturday 28th February 2026* including one weekend of half term
Experience & Promotion
11 Nov 2025
Bristol BID give back to local community this Christmas
Bristol BID has given its full-hearted support to a charity to support the local community this Christmas.
BID Updates
3 Nov 2025
Meet the new Bristol BID Advisory Board representing our growing city centre
We are pleased to introduce the new Bristol BID Advisory Board, a group of experienced professionals representing the breadth of Bristol’s business community across our newly expanded BID area.
BID Updates
1 Nov 2025
Bristol’s unified Business Improvement District officially launches
£18 million investment programme begins as businesses back new model of delivery
Experience & Promotion
27 Oct 2025
Laughter for a cause: Bristol Comedy Festival teams up with homelessness charity TAP for Bristol
The Bristol Comedy Festival will return for its second edition from Thursday 15th – Saturday 31st January 2026, once again transforming the city into a hub of laughter, creativity and connection.
Safe & Supported Communities
24 Oct 2025
Bristol launches bold bid to become UK’s Capital of Civil Rights at pioneering summit next month
Landmark Talks4Change Summit to bring together Lord Boateng, Lord Marvin Rees and civil rights pioneers - with Martin Luther King III expected to join commemorations in 2027
Experience & Promotion
15 Oct 2025
The Juke Box hits all the right notes: Newcomer wins big as Bristol Cocktail Weekend’s 2025 Cocktail of the year is announced
‘The Big Iron’ strikes gold in the bar’s standout debut at the festival
Safe & Supported Communities
10 Oct 2025
TAP for Bristol marks World Homeless Day with £10,000 in new grants to local charities
Creative Youth Network (CYN) and Ara Recovery for All (Ara) have both received TAP funding