Bristol Community Festival 2026
We’re pleased to announce that the Bristol Community Festival is returning from 6–13 June 2026, with a week of community‑led events across the city and a final celebration at City Hall on Saturday 13 June.
This year’s festival will shine a light on the people, groups and volunteers whose everyday social action strengthens Bristol. Throughout the week, we’ll be celebrating connection, belonging and the shared experiences that help build community cohesion and highlight the creative ways groups bring people together, create welcoming spaces and support relationships across the city.
Can Do Bristol will once again act as the festival hub, hosting the full programme of events and making it easier for residents, volunteers and community groups to get involved. Whether you joined us last year as an event host, partnered with us, or you're thinking about taking part for the first time, we’d love you to be part of the 2026 Festival.
Event grants and accessibility support
Applications are now open for groups interested in hosting events during the festival week. Funding is available to help bring ideas to life:
- 18 one‑off grants of £500 for community‑led events that recognise, celebrate and connect citizens.
- Additional £150 per event for accessibility support - for example, BSL interpretation, accessible venues or sensory‑friendly spaces.
Funding will prioritise grassroots, resident‑led and equalities‑led groups, along with events based in the 30% most deprived areas of Bristol. But we’re keen for as many groups as possible to join the programme. If you're planning an event between 6–12 June - whether or not you apply for funding - we’d be delighted to include it in the programme.
All approved events will be showcased on Can Do Bristol, helping residents discover what’s happening across the city and encouraging connection during the festival week.
How to take part
You can now access everything you need to get started:
Application deadline: 9am, Monday 23 February 2026
If you’re interested in attending events during the festival, subscribe to the Bristol Community Festival email list for updates.