Old City Sounds 2026
Bristol’s free music festival, Old City Sounds, returns this August Bank Holiday
Date
29 August 2026
Sabrina Shutter
Senior Events Project Manager
Presented by Bristol BID, Old City Sounds will make its return on Saturday 29 August. Back for its fourth edition, the festival will once again transform streets, venues and public spaces across Bristol’s Old City with live performances, creative activities and cultural programming celebrating the area’s vibrancy.
Taking place across King Street, Welsh Back, St Nicholas Street and St Stephen’s Church, Old City Sounds is delivered in partnership with local venues and businesses. It also incorporates the long-running, much-loved Old Duke Jazz Festival, a staple of Bristol’s live music calendar for almost 60 years.
The festival is designed to showcase independent venues, hospitality businesses and the creative community that makes the Old City such a vital cultural hub. Returning at the end of the summer holidays, Old City Sounds offers a free, accessible day out for families before the start of the new school year.
Confirmed venues for 2026 include St Stephen’s Church, The Old Duke, Bristol Old Vic, Mr Wolfs, Mothers Ruin, St Nick’s Market, The Crown and The Glassboat, with further venues and programming to be announced in the coming months.
Latest news
Keep up to date with updates for the 2026 festival.
This event has been part-funded by Bristol City Council’s City Centre and High Street Programme, the West of England Combined Mayoral Authority and the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.