Bristol Harbour Festival unveils all-new VIP experience and stage

The countdown is on for Bristol Harbour Festival, with less than a month left to go before a weekend of harbourside entertainment, live music, food and drink, gets underway.

Festival organisers have unveiled two 'new for 2024' aspects of the event - a new performance area and VIP experiences, in addition to some more much loved spaces. The Expression Stage, which will head to Millennium Square, will bring a series of talks, panels, discussions, poetry, spoken word, and even a silent disco, as part of the new addition to the festival programme.

Bristol Harbour Festival has also announced the return of the Family Playground at College Green where Cirque Bijou will be bringing friends from a number of companies, such as Circomedia and Levantes Dance Theatre, to perform 'mind-boggling' aerial stunts and street-style theatre as part of their Cirque Bijou Presents area. The young and young at heart can get involved with crafts, exploring Bristol’s seven twin cities, pirate themed drama workshops, and Go With The Flow Yoga for 5-11 year olds, which will include accessible and energetic yoga-based games followed by a short relaxation at the end.

Read more: Bristol Harbour Festival 2024: All we know about the event so far

Read more: Bristol Harbour Festival 2024 new additions include Dragon Boat racing and steamboats

Brave Bold Drama is also on hand to transport budding artists to a lighthouse on an island with their latest installation, ‘The Keepers’. Through 'wholesome improvised storytelling, imbued with humour and inventive storytelling techniques', they'll 'weave captivating tales that are sure to leave audiences 'hooked' before being able to create their own seaside artwork on chalkboards, or even create seaside-inspired origami'.

Offering a more tranquil experience, children can unwind in The Travelling Library tent where they can immerse themselves in a live storytelling experience that dives into tales about ethnically diverse characters from around the globe.

Councillor Tony Dyer, leader of Bristol City Council, said: “Bristol has always been a powerhouse for arts and culture, and the Harbour Festival is the perfect way to showcase our city’s wonderful creatives. We’re really thrilled with the introduction of the Expression Stage and putting on talks from industry leaders.

"As a city, we’re passionate about supporting home-grown talents, and these discussion panels will give them further insights and inspiration. This year's line-up truly captures Bristol's commitment to breaking moulds and amplifying diverse voices, highlighting Bristol’s vibrant heritage and creative landscape.”

VIP experience tickets

This year, Bristol Harbour Festival is offering a premium VIP area located opposite the festival mainstage, with views out across the harbour and mainstage live music. Access for VIP guests will be through a separate entrance directly into the VIP area, which means you won't have to worry about getting to the festival site early - and you can come and go as you please throughout the festival weekend.

Tickets, which cost £15 each, include:

• Access to the VIP area with excellent viewing of the main stage and on-the-water shows

• Free drinks token on arrival (exchange for a beer, cider, wine, single spirt & mixer, soft drink)

• Festival programme on arrival

• Exclusive premium bar

• Seating area to rest and relax

• Luxury toilets