As well as Bristol’s eclectic maritime event Harbour Festival marking its 50th anniversary in July, Bristol Zoo Gardens’ spectacular BIG Summer Send-Off as it sets to close in September and the International Balloon Fiesta returning in August, there are even more new events and openings this summer. There’s Wake The Tiger, a new, mind-blowing attraction from the team behind Boomtown Fair, SEE MONSTER from the UK-wide UNBOXED: Creativity project and a giant, immersive, sensory experience of light and colour called Luminarium from Bristol Light Festival. This year, #SummerinBristol is set to be the most exciting and colourful one yet!
Images can be found in the Dropbox link below, please include image credit in file name and www.visitbristol.co.uk in the copy. For any more images or information, please email Susie Bowers on press@visitwest.co.uk
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ordgfzfletd24b5/AAALGkSCRB-8cI__Vb9H2hD8a?dl=0
What’s NEW in Bristol this summer
Wake the Tiger – NEW ATTRACTION
Opening 30 July 2022
Opening in Bristol on 30 July, this new fantastical, interactive and immersive art experience is brought to you by the team who have been creating Boomtown Fair for the past ten years.
An edgy alternative to the traditional art gallery, Wake The Tiger is a magical journey for all ages to another world. Diving through a portal, visitors will be transported to the magical realms of an alchemist's dream called ‘Meridia’, exploring 27 unique artistic rooms which ignite the imagination and demonstrate how age-old ideals continue to transform the way we live and make positive steps to create a brighter future. Wake The Tiger will encourage visitors to follow their hearts, explore the surroundings, discover secrets and interact with a world beyond their imagination. Mysterious by design, this perfectly imperfect world is unforgettable… you need to see it to believe it. Tickets are priced form £16.50 and are on sale now.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/wake-the-tiger-p3098333
Image: Meridia Street at Wake The Tiger. Credit: Andre Pattenden
SEE MONSTER
Summer 2022
As part of the UK-wide project UNBOXED: Creativity, a decommissioned North Sea offshore platform will be transformed into a public art installation in Weston-super-Mare, a 30-minute train ride from Bristol. The free-to-visit installation called SEE MONSTER will be situated in the Tropicana - a former Art Deco lido where Banksy’s Dismaland was held in 2015 - and promises to be an immersive, sensory experience, harnessing renewable energy from the natural elements, celebrating the great British weather and exploring the concept of re-using inherited structures. “SEE MONSTER is an experiment in transformation, an art installation that is forward-looking, aiming to frame and open an optimistic conversation around reuse.” Patrick O’Mahony, Artistic Director & Founder, NEWSUBSTANCE
https://visitbristol.co.uk/seemonster
Bristol Light Festival presents: Luminarium
4 – 14 August 2022
Ever wondered what it would be like to be inside a stained-glass window? Bristol Light Festival is bringing the sensational sensory experience Luminarium to Bristol for 11 days this summer as a free-to-visit immersive experience on College Green. A luminarium is a dazzling maze of winding paths and soaring domes where natural forms and light meld into an inspiring mix of design and engineering. Visitors walking through the paths will experience the beauty of light and colour in a whole new way in the structure, which is called DAEDALUM. Luminarium by Architects of Air is presented by Bristol Light Festival, delivered by Bristol City Centre BID, supported by Arts Council England and delivered as one of the activities under the City Centre and High Streets Recovery and Renewal programme, funded by Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority’s Love our High Street project.
Bristol Light Festival presents: Luminarium - Visit Bristol
The World Reimagined
13 August – 31 October 2022
The World Reimagined is a ground-breaking, UK art education project aimed at transforming how we understand the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans and its impact on all of us. The project will see a trail of large Globe sculptures in Bristol starting on 13 August and ending at the end of Black History Month, 31 October. The Globes will be created by artists including Godfried Donkor, Oshii, Michele Curtis amongst many others; you can see the full list here. The artists will create these sculptures to bring to life the reality and impact of the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans and will invite the public, through their art, to engage with topics around making racial justice a reality. The globes will be dotted around Bristol city centre. Exact locations will be confirmed soon so please keep an eye out on the website: https://www.theworldreimagined.org/ and follow across Twitter and Instagram: @TWR__org
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/the-world-reimagined-trail-p3122643
What’s on this #SummerinBristol
Major events and festivals:
Bristol Harbour Festival
15-17 July 2022
The city’s iconic festival takes place in July 2022, celebrating its 50th anniversary after being postponed the last two years due to COVID. Exploring the theme of ‘Ebb and Flow’ and the changing face of the city, expect a mix of music, maritime fun and markets based around Bristol’s historic and beautiful harbourside with live performances, family entertainment, circus acts, children’s events, street food and market stalls, and hundreds of sailing ships in the harbour, including 10 Tall Ships.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/bristol-harbour-festival-p2369253
Bristol Zoo Gardens’ BIG Summer Send-Off
21 July – 3 September 2022
This summer sees Bristol Zoo Gardens host its fun-filled, interactive BIG Summer Send-Off, as the world’s fifth oldest zoo closes its site in Clifton on 3 September, after over 186 years being open. From the creative masterminds of Bakehouse Factory, the centrepiece of the BIG Summer Send-Off will be a giant moving gorilla called ‘Wilder’ and her baby gorilla ‘Monty Alan’, made of sustainable wood and standing taller than the largest giraffe ever recorded. There will also be a ticketed, interactive theatrical experience called ‘Into The Wild’ (£5 per ticket) which will be part silent disco, part storytelling adventure with a cast of performers inspiring us to learn more about animals and the positive action we can take to save wildlife. Other features of the Send-Off include a Past, Present and Future outdoor exhibition which will include poems, pictures and memories of the Zoo made by visitors, and The Wall of Memories interactive display and Live Legacy Art, as well as the 300 species of animals there to see. It will certainly be a closing event to remember. There are plans for a new Bristol Zoo to open in 2024 at the sister site Wild Place Project, just north of Bristol, which will remain open as usual during developments.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/the-big-summer-send-off-at-bristol-zoo-gardens-p2420813
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
11-14 August 2022
Bristol’s largest free fiesta returns in August at Ashton Court Estate. Over 100 hot air balloons gather for mass ascents, tethered displays and the highly anticipated Night Glow spectacles at the largest event of its kind in Europe. Held over four days, there are market stalls, live music, fairground rides and street food stalls that also help attract over half a million people to the fiesta each year.
Home - Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk)
Image: Bristol Blue Balloon. Credit: PAULGILLISPHOTO.
Live music in Bristol
Bristol is known as a magnet for music fans and this summer’s live music events cater for many genres. The Lloyds Amphitheatre at Bristol Harbourside is host to Nile Rodgers and CHIC (13-14 July) Belle and Sebastian (13 July), Siren Bristol: Groove Armada (29 July) and Hospitality on the Harbour x [Sequences] (30 July). On Thursday evenings in July, SS Great Britain are hosting after-hours Summer Lates events with cocktails, Bristol beer and live music from local artists including GWYD ION, Miya the Sun, The Mighty Shinkickers, Jake Morgan and Bronwyn Leonard. Then there’s Valley Fest (4-7 August) with Clean Bandit, Travis, Kosheen and many other acts playing at the scenic Chew Valley and the newest festival, FORWARDS (3-4 September) with Charlie XCX, The Chemical Brothers, Jamie XX and Little Simz all performing on The Downs.
Bristol Pride
25 June – 10 July 2022
Bristol Pride returns from 25 June to 10 July this year, with its Pride Day being held on The Downs on 9 July. During the two weeks, the festival’s exciting programme of events will take place across various venues in Bristol exploring diverse themes and celebrating the city’s LGBTQ+ communities.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/bristol-pride-p2357273
Additional events and festivals:
Cinema Rediscovered
20 July – 24 July 2022
As Watershed celebrates its 40-year anniversary this summer, they are holding their annual festival Cinema Rediscovered where film fans can discover digital restorations of classic films and print rarities from all over the world. As well as screenings at Watershed itself, there will also be showings at Curzon Cinema in Clevedon, 20th Century Flicks and Arnolfini in Bristol.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/cinema-rediscovered-p2357303
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
Now – 4 September 2022
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is a 20,000 square foot light and sound spectacular featuring two-story projections of the artist’s most compelling works. Encounter the brilliance of one of history’s greatest artists in 360 degrees. In addition to a spacious central area where Van Gogh’s works stretch floor-to-ceiling, the experience includes separate galleries that chronicle his life, technique, and influence thru informative panels, larger than life re-creations and engaging interactives. The experience features a one of kind Virtual Reality interactive, which guides you on a ten-minute journey through “A day in the life of the Artist.” Walk alongside Van Gogh during this peaceful, visually rich journey to discover the inspiration behind eight of his iconic works, including: Vincent’s Bedroom at Arles, and Starry Night Over The Rhone River.
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
West Country Water Park
Open now and all summer
Located on the northern outskirts of the city, West Country Water Park has recently re-opened under new ownership and has been made into an accessible, community-driven attraction with activities including the giant inflatable aqua park, paddleboarding, kayaking, wild swimming and paddleboarding in the lake. A café will be opening soon at the site.
https://westcountrywaterpark.co.uk/
M Shed Museum exhibition Think Global: Act Bristol
25 June – October 2022
Bristol has declared climate and ecological emergencies. How did we get here? What’s our city’s role in the crises, and how can we help address them? What does a just, green future look like? This summer’s exhibition at M Shed is Think Global: Act Bristol, which explores big environmental questions affecting people here and worldwide, and presents views from a wide range of local voices. Featuring historical objects from our collections, art commissions and discussions by experts and community members, the exhibition also invites the public to share their tips and actions, to meet like-minded people and discover the wealth of environmental activity going on in Bristol.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/think-global-act-bristol-at-m-shed-p3136933
Summer of Rockets! at Aerospace Bristol
23 July – 2 September
Aerospace Bristol – home to the last Concorde to fly – is holding daily rocket-themed activities this summer where visitors can join Spotlight Talks to learn about rockets, build and decorate a giant rocket as well as launch outdoor water rockets and try to reach the top of the leader board at the firing range.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/summer-of-rockets-at-aerospace-bristol-p3136913
Dishes of Discovery at Brunel’s SS Great Britain
23 July – 4 September 2022
Bristol’s top attraction - Brunel’s SS Great Britain - is inviting visitors to take their tastebuds back in time and taste the world this summer with their Dishes of Discovery activity (free with admission). With samples of exotic and exciting dishes, you can imagine what it was like to be a Victorian traveller in the 1850s and taste historic recipes from Mumbai, Cape Town and Crimea.
Dishes of Discovery - SS Great Britain
Bristol Shakespeare Festival
14 July – 21 August 2022
Bristol Shakespeare Festival returns with its popular mix of indoor and outdoor performances as well as workshops for children and adults and unusual interpretations of The Bard’s famous plays.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/bristol-shakespeare-festival-p2367553
Bon Voyage at Bristol Aquarium
21 July – 4 September 2022
This summer, visitors to Bristol Aquarium will be given their own passport to stamp as they take part in talks and activities which explore the world’s oceans. The immersive experience involves the Aquarium's main foyer being transformed into a port terminal hub and deli cafe will become the departure lounge.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/bon-voyage-at-bristol-aquarium-p3129803
Elephant Parade® at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
1 July – 31 August 2022
A herd of 26 hand-painted decorative elephant sculptures are on display at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm this summer in a trail which combines art, conservation, education and sustainability. The Elephant Parade® is included in ticket entry to the zoo.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/elephant-parade-r-at-noahs-ark-zoo-farm-p3085053
Parker’s Adventure with Bristol Animal Rescue
27 June – 31 August
Bristol Animal Rescue Centre has been helping home vulnerable animals for 135 years, and to celebrate this anniversary they have created an interactive adventure trail in Bristol this summer, where people can follow Parker, the fluffy four-legged hero, on his adventures around the city.
Parker's Adventure with Bristol Animal Rescue Centre - Visit Bristol
ENDS
If you would like additional information or high res images, please email press@visitbristol.co.uk
Additional information:
Famed for its passionate character, maritime history, and for the acres of parkland and sustainable approach that earned it European Green Capital 2015 status, Bristol has created its own distinctive identity. Visitors are attracted to the city’s year-round festivals, award-winning cycle tracks, gastronomy in rejuvenated shipping containers and behind secret doorways, stunning cityscapes, inspiring street art and lively music scene.
About Visit West: The Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. It supports the visitor economy of the region which is worth £2.33billion and supports 45,000 jobs. Visit West operates the Meet Bristol & Bath Convention Bureau and Visit Bristol and Visit Bath consumer websites.
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