News / Bristol Harbour Festival
International team to take on organisation of Bristol Harbour Festival 2024
A global events production agency and an immersive theatre company will be taking on the running of Bristol Harbour Festival for the first time.
The new team promise there will be new additions and areas added to the free festival when it returns to the harbourside and parts of the city centre from July 19 to July 21 this year.
Surrey-based Proud Events will be taking the helm in collaboration with London-based Swans Events. The two organisations have worked on events such as UK Black Pride, Wychwood Festival, Sheffield Food Festival, Festival of the Sea Grimsby and Lightopia Festival.
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There will also be a steering group of Bristol organisations – including Bristol Old Vic, Watershed, Bristol Pride, ACH and Bristol Ferry Boats – to help curate the festival, bring together local talent and ensure the city’s neighbourhoods are represented.
Organisers are putting the call out now for singers, performers, organisations, charities and “other crowd and community-wowing initiatives” to come forward with expressions of interest ahead of the deadline on January 31.
A global events production agency and an immersive theatre company will be taking on the running of Bristol Harbour Festival for the first time – photo: Paul Box
As in previous years, Bristol City Council will be hosting the Harbour Festival and 2024 will also see Bristol City Centre BID and Redcliffe & Temple BID become key stakeholders in the event.
Harry Feigen, the managing director at Proud Events, said: “It’s fantastic to be bringing the iconic Bristol Harbour Festival to life in collaboration with an array of Bristol’s leading institutions.
“Partnering with Bristol City Council, Bristol City Centre BID, Redcliffe & Temple BID and a host of stakeholders from key cultural organisations in the city, the 2024 Bristol Harbour Festival will aim to represent the diverse communities and initiatives that live and operate in Bristol.
“The local steering group will provide unrivalled insight into the grassroots communities here – and we are keen to use the iconic platform of the festival to celebrate as many as possible.”
Bristol Harbour Festival celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022 and remains one of the UK’s biggest free-to-attend events, attracting around 250,000 people over the three days in celebration of the city’s rich maritime, musical and cultural heritage.
The new organisers say the festival will continue to include acts and entertainment spanning music, circus, theatre and more across multiple stages – as well as on the water – with new additions and areas also set to join the 2024 lineup.
Mayor Marvin Rees said: “Bristol’s Harbour Festival is a key date in our city’s calendar, and an essential platform for aspiring local artists and talent to perform in front of huge audiences.
“We are proud that we have continued to keep the city’s largest festival, which is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Bristol’s diverse creativity and talent, as a free event for all. We can look forward to celebrating together and bringing another brilliant free festival to Bristol this summer.”
The new organisers say the festival will continue to include acts and entertainment spanning music, circus, theatre and more across multiple stages – photo: Paul Box
Previous editions of the Harbour Festival have seen more than 80 per cent of the acts and entertainment coming through the expression of interest form.
Applications are open to everyone and anyone looking to share their talent and need to be submitted by January 31. People can submit an expression of interest application via www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk/get-involved/programme.
Main photo: Paul Box
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